Friday, September 24, 2010

Morning Glory




Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23

Each new day God has a new supply.  Love. Compassion. Faithfulness.  For this blessing and fact I am so grateful.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Plan B

Morning Sunshine

Cookies were all made last night - LOTS of cookies in fact.  Cookies are all packaged up for their destinations.  Mental list is all made of the things I planned to do today.  Tomorrow's day had been planned contingent on today's plans.  

THEN, the phone call came changing today's plan all together.  

First reaction, poor poor ME!  How can they do this to ME?  Doesn't anybody realize I have a life too?


THEN I came up short knowing God has a plan for me today and it has never been changed, re-scheduled, amended or been down-sized.   For this fact, I am glad.  So, now I will put plan B into action knowing it is God's plan A and the best thing for me.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 
plans to give you hope and a future. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pray And Bake!



There are situations in all our lives that arise and the best, the only, the important thing to do is pray!  We are told to pray in God's Word and it should not be the last resort but the first thing we do.

[The Prayer of Faith] Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. James 1:13
pray continually; 1 Thes. 5:17

So I am praying and desiring to encourage those right now in special need. 

Then I am baking.  Baking lots of cookies.  Tomorrow I will take Mom's love and care in the form of cookies to those in need of love and encouragement and also to those who I want to know that they are loved by Precious Husband and me.  Always on my mind is having Precious Husband sure that he is at the top of my list, so there will be fresh cookies in the cookie jar here too.   What more can a Mémère do  : )  

Pray and bake!





Monday, September 20, 2010

Birthday Blessings




Taking a minute to send birthday wishes to somebody very special today, my cousin!
Happy Birthday Frani!  Hope you are having a delightful day!  
We love you lots and lots!!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Grandma's Love and Prayers





It was the summer of 1968 and I (along with a friend from jr. college) was working in Lake Tahoe as a maid at a small mom and pop owned motel.  I had my first car, a BIG Buick circa 1950 something and it was giving me trouble.  Evidently my mother shared my car woes with my grandmother because soon mail arrived from her. 

Mail but not just any run of the mill mail.  This was mail covered, smothered and oozing her love and prayers for me, her grand-daughter. The envelope contained a letter, two prayer poems written on 3x5 cards, another note with more words and telling me she missed the mailman the day before.  There was a dollar bill to go get a hamburger with and also the name of a gentleman she knew in Lake Tahoe who might be able to give me car advice.

No one will ever know how all these years later this bundle of love and prayers touches my heart and encourages my spirit.  It is hard to do this post with tears flowing down my chin faster than I can contain them.  My grandmother was a little lady of very few words but oh, was she special to me.  I knew she loved me and I knew she loved the Lord. 

I loved my grandmother and I miss her terribly.  She lived a life of faith just like she encouraged me to do in those notes.  She was often lonely and I know her heart was broken which led to her leaving this earth but she left me with a knowledge that I could put my trust in the Lord and for that I am eternally grateful.

Now I am a grandmother and lately my heart feels like it may break with situations beyond my control but as Grandma wrote, "God is my help in every need".  I will look to Him the Source of all I need and then in turn pass on the encouragement to those around me just like Grandma did.



Thursday, September 16, 2010

What's In Your Pocket?



In my humble opinion an apron without pockets is useless.  As I go about my day it is so much easier to stash things in my apron pocket and put them away later.  My phone too finds a cozy place that makes it handy for me.  Last night as I emptied the contents of my apron pocket I just had to smile.  It reminds me of emptying my sons' pockets when they were little and now doing the same with my grandsons' when they visit.  You never know what you will find for sure! So what's in your apron pocket?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The History of Aprons

I received this in an email today and it reminded me that I had copied it a long time ago into my homekeeping file.  Thought it would be worth sharing here with you.  It makes me smile for sure.  I for one wear an apron pretty much everyday.  I call mine my work uniform.  

 
The History of  'APRONS' 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few and because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons required less material.  But along with that, it served as a potholder for  removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears,
and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.    
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
 
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
 
And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.
 
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
 From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
 
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
 
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. 

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.  
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
 
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron
.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Clam Chowder




I know it is late in the day but did not want to miss Lisa's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hook-up.  With the hope of cooler days ahead thought I would share a great recipe for clam chowder.  Very easy and very good.  I always add more clams than it calls for which makes for a happy Precious Husband.  Yum.  Personally I love good soup anytime of the year.

Clam Chowder

2 (6 1/2 oz.) cans minced clams
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 cups diced potatoes
water
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste.

Drain clams, reserving juice.  In a large saucepan, combine clam juice, onions, celery and potatoes.  Add enough water to just cover vegetables.  Cook until tender.  While veges are cooking combine butter and flour in large kettle and cook over low heat and add milk making white sauce.  Cook and stir until smooth and thick.  Add clam and potato mixture and sugar, salt and pepper.  Heat through about 15 minutes.  Serves 6.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Little Eyes Little Ears

and little feet . . .


 Last Friday I unexpectedly had the opportunity to pick up my 4 little grandchildren for a few days.  I was so thankful to have spaghetti sauce all made up in the freezer - but that info can make another post another day.


It never ceases to amaze me how observant children are.  They are watching and listening all the time.  The question I must constantly be asking myself is what are they observing?  Is it good, is it wholesome, is it encouraging?  Is it beneficial?


My 4 year old TLC #2 brought this to my attention when he pointed to the cup on the kitchen counter and said, "Look Mémère, the cup has feet!"  (This reminded me of the little bible song, "Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go . . .") Kids don't miss a thing.  I want to be a good example to them of all God wants us to be and I also don't want to miss an opportunity to teach and encourage my grandchildren.




Titus 2:6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity . . .


Friday, September 10, 2010

Wahooo Cooler Weather!


When you live in the Valley of the Sun during the summer the gadge often reads 100* at 10 o'clock at night so when we see this in the morning we do get excited.  So glad to see a break in the heat and the hope of cooler days.  

The only thing in my yard that thrives seems to be the lantana and it does take over if you don't watch it.  When it is over 100* you sure don't want to work in the yard but the weeds still need to be removed and the yard tidied that is for sure.


On a bright note it is fun to go out and find morning glories that have popped up in some random place and that sure puts a smile on my face.  They are so lush and green with the sweet little blue flowers.  As I took this photo this morning I was reminded how we must look for the blessings each day because God truly does bless His children daily.  Our attitude does have so much to do with it too.




This morning in my quiet time I read this in a devotional book, "my goal is not perfection but progress".  I like that.  I will never be perfect till I arrive at my eternal home in Heaven but it is very encouraging when I can see progress.  Sometimes my progress is in little baby steps but I will take it and say, "thank You".

God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God.
Proverbs 10:22 (The Message Bible) 

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tweaked Already

Didn't take long to tweak huh?  Choices, choices.  What do you think?  I think this may be the keeper - for now at least : )

Something New

Hey, it is always nice to learn something new.  Can you tell what I learned today?  It more than likely will get tweaked a bit but for the first attempt - I like what I got.

Blessings and Hugs,

Friday, September 3, 2010

Today's Proverb

 What the Lord says about me and what I often say or think about me sure can be different.  More than anything I need to hear and put to heart what the Lord says about me.



*To hear the video go to the bottom of this blog and stop the music.
 

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverb 3

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Home Sweet Home



These pictures are of a little box that belonged to my father's mother.  The box is probably 50 or 60 years old and very tattered and worn.  The lid deteriated on the hinged side so now it only sits on top but somehow I think it is such a sweet feminine little box I can't part with it.  On the top it has Memories written across the bottom.

When you look inside on the bottom of the lid I can see where my Grandmother wrote, "Fort Lauderdale, the most beautiful place in the world."  This is a woman that had traveled around the world.  I often wonder what made Fort Lauderdale so beautiful to her. 

I have never been outside of the United States and up until our daughter moved with her husband and family to Kentucky I had hardly seen any of the US.  I was raised in California and have lived all my adult life in Arizona.

The most beautiful place in the world to me has to be the house on Kristal Lane that I call home.  There is just something special about going somewhere on vacation or away for a family emergency and then returning "home".  Home sweet home - no other place I really want to be.

On a spiritual note when I think about how much I love my home then I am quickly reminded that my Heavenly Father is building a mansion custom made for me and  I am just awe struck at what that must be.  Thank you Lord that You know me and You love me so very much.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Quick and Easy Cobbler

This is my go to recipe for quick, easy and wonderful. Such a nice recipe because everything is usually stocked in the pantry for a quick dessert.

Fruit Cobbler

1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
can of cherry pie filling (or 3-4 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches is good)

Melt butter in 8x8 glass pan. Mix sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and milk together and pour over melted butter. Don't mix. Top with fruit and again don't mix. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

As usual I am linking to Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/ to join the other fun ladies with fantastic recipes.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Labor Day Cookout



Remember how I have shared I only make my delicious coleslaw when we have company cause Precious Husband doesn't care for coleslaw?  Well, whoppee I am fixing coleslaw next Monday.  Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to make this mémère happy.

We are having the pastor and his family along with the young men living in our Pampa house all down for a big cookout.  Emmit, one of our young men prides himself on his BBQ and his secret sauce so he is in charge of cooking the meat.  I will be making lots of salads, baked beans and of course the heart attack special cheese bread that everyone loves.  Jason, our son who also lives in the Pampa house will make his signature hot sausage and cheese dip.  Anthony will be here too and he does love his mother's coleslaw : )  So all in all it should be a very great cookout.  Plan to challenge Pastor Eddie to a game of Wii bowling to make the evening complete.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Wahooo!





It isn't much but at this point I will take what I can get and say, "Thank You Jesus!"  Can you tell the hot Arizona summer is getting to me?

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Feeding of the 5000

  
 At the beginning of August I blogged that I may have a modern 2010 version of the feeding of the 5000 as told in John.  Well this is that anticipated blog.   I had signed up to help in any way needed at our VBS.  Our young and very small church held vacation Bible school with the goal to minister to children living in the projects near the church.  Our pastor's desire was to feed the children both breakfast and lunch along with snacks and then at the end of the week to send them all home with a backpack filled with school supplies.  Of course this was in addition to the main purpose of telling them about Jesus through Bible lessons, music, games and crafts.  I was assigned kitchen duty and given the responsibility to make sure we could serve breakfast, lunch and a snack to about 60 children.   "Oh my goodness" was my first response and panic quickly set in.  BUT GOD - the source, the answer to my puny faith was there to meet every need and amaze us all with how He supplied our every desire.  It truly was a week that ministered to me along with many children.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding and to acknowledge Him and He would direct our path.  He graciously did!  We had food, water and juice in abundance and actually in excess.  At the beginning of the VBS we did not know where or how we would supply backpacks only to have them given by another church who had more than they had needed. 
  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19



  

John 6:5-145 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.   Truly children's lives were touched during our VBS and I know for a fact that my faith was strengthened once again.  Thank You Jesus!!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How To Recognize a Blogger

You know you are a serious blogger when you carry the camera around with you wherever you go.  Precious Husband told me he smiles when he sees the flash go off in another room because he knows there will be a new post up soon.

Never thought I would enjoy blogging so much but I do ; )

An encouraging Word for today:  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:21-23 
 
 Grandchildren having fun making ice-cream this summer.  Yum!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Blueberry Muffins

Sharing a recipe today that I received from Prairie Flower Farm blog for blueberry muffins.  Precious Husband loves blueberries and quickly let me know these were "a keeper".  Along with a wonderful recipe please check out Linda's blog for a real treat that will encourage your heart for sure.

The Best Blueberry Muffins

1/3 c. oil
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
2 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin cups with paper cups or grease them. In medium sized bowl beat oil and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla, baking powder, salt and then milk. Fold in flour, then blueberries. Spoon into muffin cups. Make the topping: I use my food processor. 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tea cinnamon and 3 tbl. soften butter. Blend until into crumbs. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.  Makes 18 muffins. 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Good Advice

 Yosemite June 2010 
So refreshing to remember this beauty we enjoyed.  
Somehow it helps remind me that this AZ heat will pass.

Today I would simply like to copy and paste here something very good I read on Courtney's blog, http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com.  I needed to hear this today and maybe you do too. 

D. Gordon, says in his book Quiet Talks on Prayer "Waiting means steadfastness, that is, holding on; patience, which means holding back; expectancy, which means holding the face up; obedience, holding oneself in readiness to go or to do; listening, holding quiet and still so as to hear."

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Old Paths

Lots to do today around the homestead and I really have no creativity either so with that said I am posting an email I received this week.  

THE OLD PATHS

I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the  army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay; Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave.

Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.

Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.

People loved the truth, And hated a lie.

They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.

To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called an American was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!

I still like the old paths the best!


'The Old Paths' was written by a retired minister who lives in Tennessee. 
 
 

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Great Quote For The Day

I was out and about today and ran across this great quote:

"A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings
and forget the day's troubles."
-author unknown


Even hotter at supper time tonight but I will choose to remember the fact that we have beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous winters here in Arizona. 

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Arizona in Word Pictures


The temperature at supper time tonight!


Our skies last night - gorgeous!