Happy Valentine's Day ~ ~ ~ 2*14*2012

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Matthew 22:39

And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Valentine's Fun

I just love Valentine's Day!  I mailed out some goody boxes to 16 little nieces and nephews on Monday.  Nothing huge - but just a little celebration for their day. 

My friend Christina just posted a super cute breakfast idea  (Bacon Hearts and Heart Shapped Cinnamon Rolls) that I will just have to do tomorrow for hubby.  I think that bacon and cinnamon rolls might just earn me "wife of the year" in his eyes!  Apples don't work for him, but perhaps I can pick some well shaped strawberries for the fruit.

I don't have any special plans for lunch, but I will tuck a valentine in the lunch box. 

I have some bacon wrapped steak in the freezer for tomorrow night.  While hubby was still at Kmart, he found them marked WAY down.  Those steaks grilled with twice baked potatoes and a veggie sound great as a quiet, candlelight dinner at home.  Perhaps another strawberry pie or a heart shaped jello poke cake for dessert.

Eser Shanim - 10 Years

Do you remember the day?

The day you met the love of your life?

I met my dearest 10 years ago today!

Yes, he is still the man of my dreams.

Ani ohevet et baal shali!

Sunrise

This morning, I enjoyed seeing the sun streaming into the kitchen.

I am thankful for the lengthening days.

It sure is easier to get up in the morning.

And it is pleasant to have a little more light as hubby arrives home at night.

Just part of the changing seasons.

Did I mention that it is the season for the sheep and goat babies?

Hubby took me by the sheep farm on our Sunday walk.  Nothing cuter than that!

Speak Another Language

No, I am not going to challenge you to join me in learning Greek and Hebrew.  Aren't you relieved!

We are under a week until Valentine's Day!  I just love that holiday.  I love the decorations, the sentiments, the focus on expressing love.  I know that there are those who despise "being told" when to express emotion, but I think of it as more of a reminder to get back on track if I have lost some ground.  I treat New Years the same way ... I can make resolutions year round, but I have the added push and reminder with the change of the calendar.

You have most likely heard of the 5 Love Languages.  While I do not support Dr. Chapman and his ministry, I do think that his explanation of the 5 languages can help people in their relationships.  It did not take long to realize that my hubby and I had different love languages and yet it is fun to see that after nearly 10 years they are becoming more and more alike or we are just becoming more fluent in each other's language.  If you haven't heard of the love languages, they are:

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time

Receiving Gifts

Acts of Service

Physical Touch

While hubby does not care about receiving gifts, he show love by giving gifts.  He is one of the most giving people I know.  He definitely has a soft spot here.  He loves to receive quality time.  He doesn't want to simply talk while I clean or do dishes - he wants undivided time and attention.  Me ... I think that I speak "Acts of Service" most fluently.  I love to "do" for others.  I think that I am a bit greedy on the receiving end ... I crave words of affirmation, quality time, and physical touch.

So why think about these things.  There are many who can't do the extravagant for Valentine's Day.  Maybe the budget won't allow a fancy meal out, or 2 dozen roses in a vase, or even the most glittery card ... but, you can learn a new language.  Why not think of 5 gifts that would touch each aspect of love?  Write a love note and tell why you love your sweetheart.  Clear your calendar for an evening.  Give a homemade gift.  Do something for you loved one - clean the car, wash the dishes, straighten the unruly catch-all.  Express your love in touch ... a hug, a kiss, a hand on the shoulder.

Are you up for the challenge?

It is really not that hard. 

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BTW:  This is Post #500!

Not an Easy Task

Psalm 119:4

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

Perhaps you do it too.

When you assign a tough task to a young person,

you remind them to stick with.

You remind them to be deligent.

God uses the same method.

It won't always be easy to keep His Word,

but we are to be diligent!

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Project update: I finished 4 skirts yesterday.  Just waiting on some more measurements!

Strawberries

Our local Aldis store had Strawberries on sale last week.  Hubby really enjoyed them, so on the last day of the sale I asked him to stop by and pick up some more.  He came home with 8 pints.  We have enjoyed them on salads, on cereal, as a pie, alone, ...

Today, I think that I will make another pie and try this recipe for a strawberry quick bread.  That should finish them up.  If not, perhaps we will have strawberry syrup on our pancakes tonight!

Strawberry Ribbon Bread

3 c flour

2 c sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c vegetable oil

4 eggs, beaten

20 ounces sliced strawberries (can use frozen)

FILLING:

6oz cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1/3 c sugar

1 T flour

1/2 tsp orange extract

Combine first 5 ingredients in one bowl. 

Beat next 3 ingredients in separate bowl. 

Stir wet into dry ingredients just until moistened.

For filling, beat cream cheese in small bowl. 

Add remaining ingredients, beat well.

Spoon a fourth of the batter into each of two greased loaf pans. 

Spread half of the filling over each. 

Top with the remaining batter.

Bake at 350* for 70-80 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 min before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Store in the refrigerator.



Besides baking, I have 4 denim skirts cut out and ready to sew. 

Do you think that I will get them all done today?

Possibly.

A Posie and A Project

Despite what Punxsutawny Phil or Chimney Rock, NC's Grady say,

it sure looks like Spring is right around the corner here.

The tulips are coming and this Hyacinth is definitely showing out!

I love gardening, but the beginning of February still seems a little ridiculous.

I spent some time on Wednesday cleaning up the perennial beds.

In addition to this cheer, a project arrived in the mail yesterday.

A bolt of denim fabric, elastic, and thread.

Before too long, this little pile will be Wednesday night skirts

for the young ladies at my brother's church.

 Proverbs 13:12 

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:

but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Thankful Thursday.

Today I am thankful for an avenue to pursue,

... a ministry opportunity,

... a new path.

It may not be the path we end up on,

but hope always cheers the heart.

Reminder to Keep Working On It

Many people seek to read through the Bible each year, and it is one of my yearly goals as well. 

I am currently reading in the book of Numbers. 

What a reminder of what God thinks of discontent

(remember my word for the year). 

Miriam complained that Moses had a greater position than she did and received leprosy for a time. 

The children of Israel complained about their lack of meat and God gave them so much quail that it became loathsome to them and became the beginning of a plague. 

The sons of Korah complained about their position and the earth swallowed them up. 

Oh the number of times that we read that the children of Israel angered God! 

God is not pleased with a discontent heart. 

What are you displeased with today? 

The food on your table? 

The car that you have to drive? 

The clothes in your closet? 

Your spouse? 

Your children? 

 Your friends? 

 These are all gifts and should be received and valued as such.

It is easy to look at others and compare.

It is better to look at God and be grateful.