A tourist-y morning

We live in a gorgeously scenic area, and every now and then we welcome the chance to “play tourist” for a day or a few hours. Friends from Florida were visiting over the weekend and didn’t have to leave until Monday afternoon, so Mr. T took that morning off from work and we went off on a tourist-y jaunt with our friends.


First we went out for breakfast at a fun cafe´with a wonderful view. I had been here before, but my hubby had not, so it was a treat for him as well as for our friends. The breakfast was yummy. We all had eggs, homefries and blueberry pancakes with different meats. I had ham, my friend had bacon and the men had sausage. And bottomless cups of coffee! We enjoyed a leisurely meal and great fellowship.

Then we did a little shopping and sightseeing. Our area is surrounded by many lakes, and we visited several during the morning, plus did a little walking and visited some quaint shops and a covered bridge. The most fascinating shop we went in had all vintage items -- from cast iron to fine china and everything in between. We all saw things we remembered from our childhoods, as well as items we still use. I saw a Dutch oven just like the one I inherited from my grandmother -- and still use probably every week -- for sale for $65!

In another shop I bought some of my favorite scents of Yankee Candles in the sampler size, and a new “car jar” for the car. This shop also had the Lang pocket calendars reduced to $2, and I purchased one of those as well. In a bookstore, I found some terrific books on sale to purchase ahead for Christmas.

We all enjoyed the scenic ride home, and stopped at a covered bridge en route to take pictures. Magenta-colored wild roses and deep blue wild iris added even more beauty and color to the scene. Our friends asked us if we didn’t get used to all of this beauty and begin to take it for granted. As we thought about their question, we realized that we really don’t. Winter here is beautiful in its way, but long and cold and really rather monochromatic. Spring is my least favorite season in New England, being muddy and -- to my mind anyway -- rather ugly. But summer and fall -- now, those are our truly beautiful seasons, and I don’t believe we ever become used to that. We seem to enjoy them afresh each year, and give glory to God for the incredible beauty of His creation.

“Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.” ~ Psalm 147:5

It's all about blogging

I found this meme on Mrs. B's blog, and I understand it is written by Blest With Sons. From my answers, I guess I'm not a hard-core blog addict yet. Thankfully!

How many do you read regularly?

There are about 3 or 4 I look at daily. Others I check once or twice a week.


How many are written by women? By men?

All are by women.


Are they all Christian? How about the same denomination?

All are Christian. I’m not sure of their denomination.


What kinds of posts do you like the best?

I like the encouraging, the honest, the funny and the ones that bring me closer to God’s heart.(that was Mrs. Blythe's answer [and Mrs.B’s] but it was so good I decided to leave it). I also like homemaking ideas and posts that convict and challenge me.


What kinds of posts are you most likely to comment on?

I like to get comments so I try and reciprocate by commenting on other's blogs, but we still have dialup so commenting is not as quick and easy as it might be. For that reason I don’t comment as much as I might like to. I like to comment on posts that speak to me personally, or posts where I think a comment might encourage the writer or someone else.


What makes you add a blog to your favorites list/bloglines? Or conversely, what drives you away from a blog?

If I regularly enjoy reading a blog – beautiful or funny writing. Inspiring posts. Lovely pictures or artwork. The ones I am likely to avoid visiting are debating/argumentative types. (I’m with you on that one, Mrs. B!)


What’s your favorite kind of post to write?

Posts about the Bible or the Christian life and posts about my home. Also posts about something interesting (small or great) that we might have been doing. I also like to write posts about cooking and recipes, and posts about my memories. Maybe you have deduced that I just plain like to write!


What do you think is your biggest strength blogwise? Biggest weakness?

Biggest strength is that I enjoy writing just for its own sake. Although I hope that others are reading my blog and enjoying it, I would probably blog even if I knew no one else would read it. But then, my biggest weakness is feeling bad if my post doesn't get comments....it's silly, I know! (Again I left Mrs. B’s answer in place -- it was so true of me!)


What do you want to change, if anything, about the way you blog?

I would like to find more time for blogging. I have so many ideas for posts I’d like to share. I am trying to get over the idea (and I’ve been helped in this by reading Mrs. Wilt and Mrs. B) that I need to have a long post to make it worth my blogging time. Shorter posts can be every bit as interesting and helpful. I’d also like to include more pictures.


How many times a day do you say the word blog?

Maybe once or twice. (You didn't ask how many times I *think* the word!)

How many bloggers have you met in real life – not counting the ones you knew before they started blogging?

None. Several of my real-life acquaintances have blogs, however.


And that's all about blogging for now!

Words of faith and wisdom...

In addition to my journal, I keep a separate small binder (the sort that holds 3” x 5” file cards) where I record helpful, inspiring quotes as well as encouraging Scripture verses. In times of discouragement I love to get out this little notebook and read through it. It never fails to uplift and encourage me. Because the binder is so small, it is easy to take along in a purse or tote bag. If I have a lot of waiting to do at a hospital or wherever, I take this little notebook along. I have even been able to share it with others on occasion. It occurred to me this morning that perhaps others who visit here at my kitchen table would also be uplifted and encouraged by these quotes. So I’m going to share a few here today.

“Unbelief sees God through circumstances, as we sometimes see the sun shorn of his rays through smoky air; but faith puts God between itself and circumstances, and looks at them through Him.” ~ F.B. Meyer


“When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom.” ~ Way of Faith


“That which I know not teach Thou me.
Who, blessed, Lord, teacheth like Thee?
Lead my desires that they may be
According to Thy will.” ~ Amy Carmichael


“It is tragically possible to have a saved soul, but a lost life.” ~ Charles Spurgeon


“With His healing hand on a broken heart,
And the other on a star,
Our wonderful God views the miles apart,
And they seem not very far.
There is hope and help for our sighs and tears,
For the wound that stings and smarts;
Our God is at home with the rolling spheres,
And at home with broken hearts.” ~ M.P. Ferguson
See Psalm 147:3,4)


“Faith is that God-given faculty which, when exercised, brings the unseen into plain view, and by which the impossible things are made possible.” ~ E. A. Kilbourne

“Saints have never yet reached the limit to the possibilities of prayer. Whatever has been attained or achieved has touched but the fringe of the garment of a prayer-hearing God.” ~ Dr. A.T. Pierson
(I have the above quote on the front of my prayer journal.)


“Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea.
What matter beating wind and tossing billow,
If only we are in the boat with Thee?” ~ Amy Carmichael

(Both of the photos (and I apologize that they are a bit blurry)  show a quote journal I made for someone else ... a mom whose child had undergone a kidney transplant.  She was spending lots of time at the hospital and this made a nice little gift.)

So there you have just a few of the quotes from my notebook. More next time!

Philippians 4:13

Gorgeous graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

What a blessing this verse is! So many times we think that we just can't do a particular thing. And in a way we're right ... in our own strength, we can't. But in God's strength, we can!

Someone has said that the Lord's commands are the Lord's enablements. He will never call on us to do some task without giving us the grace that is necessary to do that task. It helps, too, to remember that all we do is to be done as unto the Lord, and for His glory.

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:3)

Tortilla Soup

Mrs. B asked for my recipe for tortilla soup, mentioned in my post about the four-fruit crumble. It's a little different, but so easy. We really enjoy it. So, for Mrs. B and anyone else who may be interested, here's the recipe. It's a good day for soup here in New England -- cold and rainy!


TORTILLA ENCHILADA SOUP

4 cups chicken broth
2 cans chicken with rice soup
1 small boneless skinless chicken breast (frozen is fine)
1 cup salsa or picante sauce
1 can red enchilada sauce
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheddar cheese OR cubes of velveeta-type cheese

In crock pot combine the broth, soup, chicken breast, salsa, and enchilada sauce. Cook on low for about 4 hours. Remove chicken breast from soup; shred it or cut in small pieces. Return to soup.

When ready to eat, cut flour tortillas into strips (scissors work bestfor this). Put tortilla strips in each bowl and ladle the hot soup on top. Top with shredded cheddar or cubed velveeta. About 6 servings.

This is another favorite in our “rotation” of crockpot meals. It is just delicious and soooo easy. Great with cornbread!

Oh, it just occurred to me that others might like my cornbread recipe too. So, here it is!

FAVORITE CORN BREAD

3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 stick melted margarine (1/2 cup)
2 cups buttermilk baking mix (I use the store brand)
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal (I use the Hodgson Mill stone-ground brand)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9-inch square pan. Blend eggs, milk, and melted margarine. Sift sugar, cornmeal and baking powder together and add to egg mixture along with baking mix. (There will be some bran left in the sifter if you use the stone-ground cornmeal. Just add it into the mixture.) Whisk the ingredients together just until blended. Pour batter into greased pan and bake approximately 30 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the corn bread comes out clean.
(It may take up to 40 minutes, depending on your oven.) Makes one 9-inch pan of corn bread. Recipe may be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan.

This may not be the healthiest corn bread in the world, but it may well be the best corn bread you’ve ever tasted! Wonderful with a bowl of chili or soup!

All About Mrs.T

Mrs. B and Mrs. Wilt both posted this fun meme. Here are my answers -- some are different today than they were yesterday, when I actually answered the questions but didn't have time to post them.

1) FIRST NAME? Mrs. (Also Honey, Sweetie, Mom, and Grammy.)
2) WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My great-aunt.
QUESTION NUMBER 3 DISAPPEARED AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT!
4) WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I get a bit teary-eyed whenever I’m missing my faraway daughter. So, a day or two ago.
5) DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, but most of the time I’m in too much of a hurry to write my best.
6) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Smoked turkey.
7) KIDS? One boy, two girls, all grown up and out of the nest. Three granddaughters, one grandson, and another grandchild on the way .
8) WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely, but (as Mrs. Wilt put it so nicely) I’d probably drive myself crazy.
9) DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes, as well as a blog.
10) DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Probably more than I should.
11) DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No.
12) WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No.
13) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Homemade apple oatmeal or homemade granola.
14) DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually.
15) DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I do OK with firewood, but I can’t heave 50-lb. hay bales around any more. Emotionally -- not too bad. Spiritually -- fairly strong.
16) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Some of the Girl Scout cookie flavors by Edy’s.
17) SHOE SIZE? 8 1⁄2.
18) RED OR PINK? Red!
19) WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My tendency speak before I think.
20) WHO DO YOU MISS MOST? My youngest daughter.
21) DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I would love to know how others answer these.
22) WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans in a sage green color. Brown Mary Janes with no backs.
23) LAST THING YOU ATE? A meat loaf sandwich and marinated vegetables.
24) WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? ”Music for the Royal Fireworks.”
25) IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Aquamarine.
26) FAVORITE SMELL? Right now, Yankee Candle’s Cranberry Chutney.
27) WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? One of my Sunday School students (I teach ladies).
28) THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and smile.
29) DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I found this on Mrs. B's and Mrs.Wilt’s blogs, so yes!
30) FAVORITE DRINK? Hot drink: tea. Cold drink: iced tea.
31) FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Basketball.
32) HAIR COLOR? Brown/silver.
33) EYE COLOR? Blue.
34) DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
35) FAVORITE FOOD? Anything Italian. Chocolate. Chinese food.
36) SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
37) WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? A dark green turtleneck and a lavender print flannel shirt. It’s cold up here!
38) HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.
39) WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Well, I’m not actually sending this to anyone, so no one, I guess. Unfortunately, all my friends are so busy I wouldn’t expect a response from anyone if I did send it out.
40) WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
41) WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? "The Hidden Art of Homemaking", “The Secret of Guidance” by F.B. Meyer, and the Bible.
42) WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A picture of blue water spots.
43) WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Nothing -- we don’t own a TV.
44) FAVORITE SOUNDS? The white-throated sparrow’s song. The song of the wood thrush. Waves on the seashore. Water cascading over rocks.
45) ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither one.
46) THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Nevada.
47) DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Occasionally I’ve been able to read my children’s minds.
48) WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 56 years ago in New England.

Fabulous Four-Fruit Crumble

Yesterday we had our monthly fellowship dinner at church. The first Sunday of each month, we have a potluck meal after the morning service and then hold an afternoon service at two, rather than our usual evening service. This dinner is always a nice time to reconnect with people over a great meal. I usually bring something in a crockpot for the main course, although with summer coming my main contribution will likely be a main-dish salad. That's what I'd planned to do for yesterday, but the weather was cool and rainy so I opted for tortilla soup instead. For dessert, I thought I'd make a rhubarb crisp or crumble. Rhubarb is gloriously in season right now, and I had some in the fridge, all cleaned and diced. But when I got it into the baking dish, it really looked like a small amount. I remembered a recipe I have for Four-Fruit Pie, which calls for rhubarb along with apples, raspberries and blueberries and is really yummy. So I adapted my rhubarb crumble recipe to four fruits. While in the recipe-modifying mode, I also changed the 1 cup of butter/shortening called for to 1/2 cup of canola oil. Much healthier! The dessert turned out to be delicious, and we only had a serving or 2 left to bring home out of a 13x9" dish. I thought someone else might like to try it too, so here's the recipe:

FABULOUS FOUR-FRUIT CRUMBLE
3 cups diced rhubarb
2 medium apples, chopped
1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 cup raspberries (frozen or fresh)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
TOPPING:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup canola oil
Combine fruit, sugar and flour; place in greased 13x9x2” baking dish. Combine brown sugar, oats, and flour; mix in oil until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit mixture. Bake at 375º for 40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
Yield: 10-12 servings.

Enjoy!