Confused?

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Saw these pretty hyacinths this morning.

Still a bit too early, eh?

Multiple Blessings

Today I have four things to be thankful for.

 

Number 1:

I am thankful for my mom -

and it just happens to be her birthday today.

Happy Birthday, MOM!

 

Number 2:

I placed my seed order yesterday. 

We are only 2 weeks away from Valentine's Day when the peas get planted.

 

Number 3:

The taxes were completed yesterday.

Hooray!

 

Number 4:

We enjoyed a few day of spring like temps. -

time to button up again for a little bit.

Strange or Wise

Proverbs 7:11

She is loud and stubborn;

her feet abide not in her house:

 

This verse has encouraged me to do right MANY times.

Once again, Solomon shows us how to act by describing the strange woman.

Her traits: loud, stubborn, and displaced.

She does not have the meek and quiet spirit described in I Peter 3.

She is not the helpmeet God desired in Genesis 2 or

the submitted wife of Colossians 3 or Ephesians 5

because she stubbornly desires her own way.

And she is not the "keeper at home" described in Titus 2,

for she is to often "out and about."

 

I am not by nature a loud person, but I do wrestle with stubbornness. 

My flesh "always" knows best.

It is not an attractive quality and is not a blessing in my home.

When I read about this evil woman to be avoided,

it reminds me to be submissive to God and hubby.

 

Then there are days when I am "tired" of housework,

when the house is too quiet,

when I just want an adventure ...

again, I am reminded of the woman in the streets.

She is only causing trouble because she is not where she should be.

Suddenly, my place looks better and I am reminded to submit to God's plan for my life.

 

Quiet ...

Submissive ...

Working at home ...

 

Following God's plan, not the plan of the world or my flesh.

Always the Same

Psalm 92:8

 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

There is nothing that will ever prevent Him from being supreme.

I am so glad that He is ever in control.

*** *** ***

Looking forward to some high 60* weather today :)

Good bye, Tenoket

We greatly enjoyed our weekend guest.

While our little friend arrived cold, hungry and lethargic

(we even wondered Friday night if she was a puppy or an old dog),

she perked up with warmth, food, and attention.

She is a very smart dog learning her bounds quickly with a little correction.

We enjoyed her cute face and 2 three mile walks with her.

But hopefully she will have a new home today - or become the "shop dog" at hubby's work.

"Tenoket" is the Hebrew word for "Baby."

Very fitting for this affectionate little cutie.

*******

update:  Tenoket was quite a hit at work.
She was quickly adopted and even had a second offer :)
The new owner was pleased with her sweet, quiet, obedient nature.

Sweet Splurge

I am back to calorie counting and determined exercise.

I daily log my food at myfitnesspal.com

There are plenty of sites like this.

I really value the accountability and feedback 

to help curb my snacking and mindless eating.

There are still room for treats if I balance them with my other food for the day.

I recently saw a blast from my past at the grocery store ...

... birch beer.

I mentioned it to hubby who had never tried it.

So I purchased a bottle and we have both enjoyed floats this weekend.

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt and Birch Beer ... SWEET!

Bringing Home a Little Friend

Hubby brought home a little friend to spend the weekend.

It was too cold to leave her at the shop all alone.

Isn't she cute?

She can't stay though - renter's rules.

Hopefully we can find a home for her this weekend.

A Proven Record

“As truly as God by His power once created,

so truly by that same power must God every moment maintain.”
―

Andrew Murray

 

No one has a better track record than my God -

HE IS PERFECT.

Why shouldn't I depend on Him?

 

Don't Forget to Be Thankful

On this Thankful Thursday,

I borrow my thanks from the Psalmist.

He reminds me to be thankful for God's lovingkindness in the morning

(hey, I am up and ready to face another day)

and His faithfulness every night

(when I look back at the day, I see where His hand carried me).

Psalm 92:1-2 

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, 

and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, 

and thy faithfulness every night,

What About Those Cupcakes?

Well, I did get 2 batches of "cupcakes" in the freezer for hubby's lunches.  They were quick and easy and I know that I will value the time that they free up on those mornings when it seems that there is just nothing to put in the lunch box.  The flour based Muffin Pan Pizzas even worked with gluten free flour and no xantham gum.  Both recipes are easily adapted to material on hand.

 

Muffin Pan Pizza

 

1 c whole wheat flour (I used a gluten free blend)

1/2 c cornmeal

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

3/4 c low fat milk

1/4 c prepared BBQ sauce

1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella

1 c chopped mushrooms

1 c finely chopped red onion

1 c chopped pepperoni

1/2 c chopped pitted olives

1/2 c chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1 1/2 c prepared marinara (for dipping)

 

Heat oven to 375*

Spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray

Mix 1st 5 ingredients in large bowl.

In 2nd bowl, whisk eggs, milk and BBQ sauce

Combine wet and dry

Mix in mozzarella and any other add-ins (I only had some leftover Italian sausage.)

 

Divide mixture among muffin pan wells.

Bake about 25 minutes.

Cool 5 minutes before unmolding.

Serve with warm marinara.

 

 

 

Chili con Cupcake

 

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

(I used black beans)

1 med red pepper, finely diced (I used green)

1 c fresh or frozen corn kernels

1/4 c tomato paste

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1 c grate cheddar cheese

(garnish - sour cream, sliced scallions ...)

 

Heat oven to 375*

Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.

Beat eggs.

Stir in all but beef and cheese.

Gently mix in ground beef (think meat loaf mix)

 

Divide mix  among muffin tin wells.

Press down and pack well.

Cook cupcakes for 20 min.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese.

Return to oven and bake about 10 minutes more.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing.



Beguiling Words

Proverbs 6:24,26

To keep thee from the evil woman,

from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought

to a piece of bread:

and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

 

Repeatedly in the book of Proverbs,

the tongue and flattery of the strange woman is described.

 

It seems to be a trait ingrained in women.

It is part of our sin nature -

the knowledge and ability to get what we want from men.

Need an example.

You have watched "daddy's little girl" give "the look" and get her way.

It is a hard practice to leave behind.

It is easy to flatter hubby to get my way ...

to make his favorite meal or dessert ...

to start the tears ...

all ways of manipulating.

Can you see it present in your life?

 

And yet, those are traits of the strange woman -

the woman to be avoided.

She does what she has to, says what she has to to get her way ...

... even at the expense of another.

She cares nothing for the life left in shambles or the poverty she causes.

 

Really that is all that flattery is ...

saying what I feel I need to in order to get MY way ...

even if it brings the other person to a poor position.

Possibly putting my family in a tough financial position because

I want a new outfit ...

I need time away ...

I can't say "no" to self in the store.

 

Once again we are reminded of the fire that a tongue can start (James 3)

Better it is to hold that tongue and avoid the devastation that it causes.

The Safest Place to Be

 Psalm 91:1 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

It is easy to get riled up with the abominations around us.

Yet timeless truths remind me to rest in my Holy God.

It does not matter what Constitutional rights my President disregards.

It really does not matter which sin the government chooses to honor.

 

The safest place to be is dwelling in God.

While the external body may suffer persecution,

while sin around me may flourish,

my soul and future is secure in His shadow.

Cupcakes for Dinner

Now that we are back to routine, 

I must get back to cooking as well.

The latest issue of Family Fun magazine had a section of "cupcake" recipes. 

I plan to make "chili con cupcakes" and "muffin pan pizzas" today.

200 calorie muffins that look freezable 

and would provide quick lunches and snacks when the leftover supply is low.

I will post recipes and pictures soon if they work out.

Home Again, Home Again ... Jiggety Jig

Sorry for the Nursery Rhyme title,

the kindergarten teacher in me comes out now and again.

  

We are back from our trip to New Holland, PA.

Hubby had some schooling to learn more about tractors,

and I enjoyed a change of pace and scenery.

Because of our food allergies,

we rented a little cottage.

A real cozy place in the middle of some large farms.
Check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) before your next trip.

 

The cottage was cheaper than the local motels,

and provided a full kitchen including Victorian tea service (See last Thursday's post).
We were glad for the kitchen especially when toast was the only thing that sounded good.
It was also nice that hubby could use the grill on the front porch when I was not up to cooking.

If you were reading last week,

you will know that we were dreadfully sick for about 3 days of our trip.
I was feverish for 2 1/2 days.
Hubby missed 1/2 day of class.

I spent Monday, Tuesday, and part of Wednesday in bed sleeping.

At least it was a pretty bed.

By the last day, I was able to take a walk,

and realized that we had horses in our front yard.

The last night we also enjoyed the hammock for a bit with the tiki torch lit.
Unfortunately, we never lit the chiminea (clay fire place).
The property would be lovely in the spring or fall.

On the way home,
we saw SNOW in Virginia.
We had an empty cooler and brought some snow home for the church kids.
They had a blast making a small snow man and throwing mini snow balls.

Now we are back in the saddle again.
The forced rest was a blessing.
No phone calls...
No feeling bad for missing responsibilities ...
No temptation to be drawn in by the tourism of the area ...
And God reminded me anew that HE alone is in control.
I can plot, research, plan ...
and while He may use that research and planning,
He can also change the path at any time.

Nothing better ...

Sometimes there is nothing better ...

 

than a hot cup of tea.

 

It is not often that tea sounds great.

I am more of a latte girl for the most part.

But during recovery, you can keep the "cawfee."  (that's the NY in me coming out)

While I may be on the mend,

it is slow going.

On this Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for a nice cup of tea

"I Love Lemon" this morning.

 

And, yes, sometimes I break out those dainty little cups

and have a private tea party.

The tea lifts my spirit as does the dainty china.

Another Negative Example

Proverbs 5:3,6

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb,

and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life,

her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

 

Another clear example to avoid.

This time I was struck by the unknowable strange woman.

You just can not figure her out.

How many times have I heard a husband say,

"I just can't figure my wife out!"

After meditating on this passage,

I will never hear that phrase the same way again.

While some women may pride themselves in being mysterious,

and many may joke about never understanding a woman -

I do not see where that is a trait that God desires to see.

We should be understandable,

we should not be up and down like the waves of the sea,

our husbands should be able to know us as they are commanded in I Peter 3.

Maybe not always routine,

or humdrum,

but understandable.

Among the Living

After 2 days of doing very little except sleeping,

I am very glad to be up and about.

It seems that another strain of the flu caught me -

fever and body aches and pains.

 

Hopefully this is the last strain I have to experience this year.

Each Moment

Psalm 90:12 

So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

 

a reminder to use my time wisely

there are no guarantees of tomorrow

Daily Work

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day

as if nothing had yet been done.

― C. S. Lewis

What a Difference a Day Makes

We woke up to dark skies and a cool drizzle this morning.

Quite a change from the near 70 degrees and sunny skies of yesterday.

I had the windows open much of the day.

It was a perfect day for "airing out."

Hubby is fighting something and it was good to clear the air!

It is supposed to be beautiful again this weekend into the 70's again.

I love when we have "heater holidays!"

Does anyone feel a garden coming on?

Only about 1 more month in these parts!

Must get that seed order together soon :)

Come Apart

Today I am thankful to be planning some time away very shortly. 

Remember when I mentioned a "working" vacation in Amish Country, PA. 

It was supposed to occur in November, but was postponed because hubby's class was full.

It is a blessing to be able to "come apart" every time and again.

A change of scenery, different responsibility, a time to hit "restart."

I will have some extra quiet time to "kick-start" my  Bible memory again.

I will enjoy the quiet evenings with hubby.

and ... well, there are gluten-free soft pretzels offered in that region ... yum!
 

 

And while thinking of the soft pretzels ...

I recently read that Dunkin Donuts is testing gluten free donuts in some large cities ...

oohh, oohh ... can't wait to see them around here :)

Wisdom Personified

Proverbs 3:13a,17-18

 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,  ...

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:

and happy is every one that retaineth her.

As I mentioned last week,

as I read through Proverbs this year I am looking specifically for mention of women -

their character, their influences, their commendation, their judgement.

This week, I was reintroduced to "Wisdom" -

which is personified as a woman throughout the book.

Her traits grabbed me ...

PLEASANT,

PEACEFUL,

SPREADING LIFE AND JOY.

How many times have you been sapped of strength in the presence of another woman.

Perhaps her stress level,

her bitterness,

her worry,

her struggles.

When she laid her life before you or you simply watched from the side,

 it became a great weight to you.

This woman (perhaps you or I) was not wise.

My goal:

a pleasant countenance (even while in thought)

which makes me approachable and comfortable to speak to ...

a peaceful manner (even in times of stress)

which shows where my true strength lies and again makes me available to others ...

and the ability to send others away with renewed energy and joy

when we have spent time together.

Goals with those around me ... whether family, friends, or strangers.

Only Source of Rest

"No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else

and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone.

As long as our expectation is from other things,

nothing but disappointment awaits us.

Feelings may change, and will change with our changing circumstances;

doctrines and dogmas may be upset;

Christian work may come to naught;

prayers may seem to lose their fervency;

promises may seem to fail;

everything that we have believed in or depended upon may seem to be swept away,

and only God is left, ... simply and only God."

 

Hannah Whitall Smith -

Dependence

My aunt makes a habit of choosing a word for her year,

and I followed suit last year.

 

Last year, I chose "contentment."

It was a good year, and God gave me great victory in the area of contentment.

While it was hard to watch 6 neighbors expecting little ones.

God gave grace and contentment.

He reminded me that His way is best.

While we experienced graduation,

God did not have us start in a different ministry.

He reminded us that there is ministry wherever you are -

it is not in the "someday" or in the "when I get to ..."

 

This year - 2013 - I have chosen the word "Dependence"

combined with Psalm 71:1

 

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust:

let me never be put to confusion.

 

I want to rely on God for everything,

to be in an attitude of prayer for my needs,

and praise for His provision.

 

I have often relied on my bank account for needs,

the Internet for health advice,

my hubby for spiritual support ...

 

While God can and does use these means,

He should be the first one I turn to.

 

I must practice dependence on God.

 

 



Common Bonds

I am not a particularly outgoing personality.

It takes great effort for me to meet people.

Last night, we had the opportunity to entertain

a new student to our local college and her mother.

It was so nice to make two new friends.

I am thankful for the common bond of Christ that makes strangers into friends.

While our lives and backgrounds may be very different,

that one commonality is all we need for a peaceful afternoon or evening.

I am also thankful for the encouragement of those who take the hard stands,

who do what's right even when it is hard,

even when others tell them that they should do differently.

Oh the value of a righteous testimony!

A New Study

Proverbs 2:16-17

 To deliver thee from the strange woman,

even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth,

and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

 

I mentioned yesterday that I am beginning a study in the gospels to study the character of Christ.

I also read in Proverbs daily.

This year I am looking for references to women (not hard to find)

that I might avoid poor behavior and emulate right behavior.

 

The first traits I find are negative (those to avoid).

The strange woman.

A woman of whom nothing good is said.

 

I do not want her speech - that of flattery. 

How easy it is to flatter ...

in order to get my way,

in order to avoid an awkward situation,

in order to get "friends."

A trait to avoid.

 

I do not want her philosophy.

She has denied her God.

She has left her commitment to God.

How often I see women leave God and their upbringing

when things do not go as they expected or wanted.

Trials in marriage.

Difficulty in finances.

Unexplained sickness.

Death of a loved one.

The lure of earthly pleasures.

 

Will you be a wise woman today?

Will I?

With a mouth full of truth and grace?

With a heart and mind focused on Christ?

 

Welcome 2013!

Happy New Year one and all!

We wish you a year of spiritual growth and wellness.

Does that tell you where my resolutions lie?

Hubby made his resolution to know Christ better this year and asked me to join in.

He encouraged me to read through the gospels with an eye on the character of Christ

and then to emulate that character.

As I read this morning in Matthew, I came to the baptism of Jesus.

Today, I saw Christ's submission to His Father's will.

John did not want to baptize his Savior, he knew he was unworthy,

but Jesus assured him that it was part of God's plan and a righteous act.

True submission to God's will -

I often struggle to accept His way the first time.

If I am to be like Christ, I need to submit willingly.

I also resolve each year to try to be more healthy in my eating and activities,

To be more disciplined in my daily tasks by sticking to routine, and

and to finish memorizing Galatians and start another book.