Memorial Day weekend

 

beautiful graphic from Little Birdie Blessings

 

 I hope that all of you have enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, even though it may have rained much of the time as it did here in New Hampshire.

However we celebrated, I hope that each of us took some time to remember those who have given their lives that we might live in freedom, and that we were able to convey to the children in our lives just what this holiday is really all about.  I trust that each of us also took some time to pray for those brave men and women who are currently serving our country, some in very hard and dangerous places.  We owe them much gratitude for their service to America.

Our own weekend was wonderful.  Friday morning, our dear young friends Sam and Jennifer,  along with their boys, joined us for brunch.  This was quite an unexpected treat.  Jennifer, who is planning a home birth and is very close to delivery, needed to have an ultrasound, and it ended up being at the hospital in our town.  What could work out better than for them to join us for brunch afterward?  We made two different varieties of Sheet Pan Pancakes, and served them with maple syrup, berry sauce, fruit salad, and bacon.

 Saturday morning,  Mr. T took part in the weekly flag wave along with other local patriots.  In the afternoon, he took his 95-year-old mom to visit two local cemeteries and place flowers on the graves of family members.

 Sunday was, of course, church, with each of us teaching Sunday School and enjoying a blessed day with God's people -- a privilege we don't take for granted as much as we might have prior to the "pandemic".

And then Monday was a blessed time with family and friends as we hosted a hot dog roast at our little cottage.  The photo below is from last year, but things looked much the same.

 

Others contributed food as well and we had quite a feast with baked beans, salads, chips, deviled eggs, and then strawberry-rhubarb pie and, later, s'mores to round out the day.  It is a joy and blessing to us to watch our little camp coming to life again -- in truth, more lively than I ever remember it being.  With our friend Cyndy's guitar, and granddaughter Julia's violin, we enjoyed glorious music together, singing the marvelous truths of God's Word.

I have shared this quote before.  Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said,

 "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." 

This seems as if it has never been more true.   The men and women who gave up so much, and in many cases, their very lives, for the cause of freedom, are such an inspiration,  and we owe them much.  I have been reading Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation Speaks, and it has been such a challenge to be reminded of all that so many young people gave up during World War ll.

We should never take our freedom for granted, though many have, and right at this moment in time it feels as if we have never been closer to losing those freedoms.  Let's not ever forget that people paid for our liberty with their lives.  This way of life that we have so long enjoyed -- this privilege of living "a quiet and peaceable life" -- is due to their sacrifice and God's grace.   Let's be sure that we are showing our appreciation to our veterans,  thanking God for the freedoms we still enjoy, exercising the liberties that remain, and praying faithfully for our nation and leaders.

Sunday Scripture

 

Here goes with another Sunday post from my Fall 2020 study of 2 Corinthians with Good Morning Girls.  As mentioned previously, I use the SOAP method of Bible study , and their study guide uses a similar method.  For 2 Corinthians chapter 7, the verse to study was verse 10.  

S= "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death."  (2 Corinthians 7:10)

O= A cross-reference for "godly sorrow" is Psalm 32:10 -- "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about."  Godly sorrow over sin will result in our finding all-encompassing mercy.  

The Corinthians verse states that godly sorrow results in salvation not to be regretted.  "Salvation" in this context means "being saved from the habit and dominion of sin."  Worldly sorrow, however, leads to death, ultimately -- with bad consequences in this life as well.

A= I'm thankful that with the Lord "there is mercy and plenteous redemption" (Psalm 130:7)  It is a blessing to be reminded that when we genuinely grieve over our sin, and truly repent of it, sweet forgiveness is available to us.

P= "Lord, I pray that You will help me in considering my own life: Is there sin I need to repent of?  I pray that You will help me to think about this honestly and to deal with any sin with true repentance.  Help me also to be able to extend forgiveness to others when they truly repent.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

Spring scenes from here and there

 

No time for a long post, but I thought I'd share a few spring photos from here and there around New Hampshire.  We've been coming and going a lot of late, and we've even managed to snap a few pictures along the way.  At top, you see a pretty perennial I received as a Mother's Day gift at church.  One lady potted up these plants and gave them to all of the other ladies at church.  Mr. T and grandson Sam planted it over at our little camp, where it is looking quite happy indeed.

Several years ago we purchased a mini daffodil plant to have at church on Easter in memory of a dear young friend who passed away at 18.  We planted it out back and, to our surprise, it has thrived there.  This year was its prettiest, most prolific year ever.

This pretty wildflower -- bloodroot -- seeded itself by a corner of our garage.

The lovely tulip pictured above and below is on the grounds of a camp where Mr. T and I have been volunteering this spring.

What a sweet sight is a beautiful old truck in a green New Hampshire field in springtime! Even sweeter is the sight of two old trucks, and an old sawmill in the background.

 On our way home Friday afternoons from working our volunteer jobs, we've been stopping at this fabulous ice cream place.    Such delicious homemade ice cream and such fascinating sights to see.

 

 

The shadow of a fern was so pretty on the threshold of our little cottage!  I asked Mr. T to snap a photo or two when we were there on Monday.

There are so many other glorious shrubs, bushes and flowers that we haven't taken time to photograph.  (One of my very favorites is a lilac bush with both white and lavender blossoms.)  For now, these will have to do.  Hope you've enjoyed this little peek at springtime in the Granite State!

Sunday Scripture

 

 Here's yet another Sunday post from my Fall 2020 study of 2 Corinthians with Good Morning Girls.  As mentioned previously, I use the SOAP method of Bible study , and their study guide uses a similar method.  For 2 Corinthians chapter 6, I chose to study verses 16 and 17.  

S=  "What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
"Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord."(2 Corinthians 6:16-17)

O=  Back in verse 11-13 Paul states that his speech to the Corinthians is candid, and his heart is wide open to them.  He asks that they open their hearts to what he is about to say -- then begins to instruct them not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers or idol worshipers.  As believers, they are the temple of the living God; He is dwelling in them; therefore, they must separate themselves from sin.

A= Obviously, this applies to me also.  God Himself is dwelling in me in the Person of the Holy Spirit.  My body is His temple; therefore I am not to defile it by allowing ungodly influences to gain a foothold in my life.  I must not have close associations with unbelievers.  I can build friendships with them to point them to Christ and show them His love, but I must not allow any worldly thinking to influence me.

P= "Lord, I am overwhelmed to think that You, the living God, are dwelling in me and that my body is the temple of Your Holy Spirit.  These truths should cause me to be deadly serious about the associations that I allow myself to have.  I pray that You will help me to pay close attention to this and to separate myself from ungodly influences of any kind.  I thank You for how You will work in this area, in Jesus' name, Amen."

A fun little dessert recipe

 

I thought I would share the nice little dessert that I took to our daughter Carrie's home on Mother's Day.  This choice of dessert was the result of an impulse buy at the grocery store.  Have you tried the Athens Phyllo Cups?  They've been around for years, but it's been awhile since I purchased or used any.  

While grocery shopping on the Friday before Mother's Day, I noticed a stack of the Athens Phyllo Cups on display in the produce department.  To my surprise, they had not only the traditional phyllo cups but also a chocolate flavor and a graham flavor.  They were 3 boxes for $5.  I scooped up a box of each, not sure what I would do with them.

A recipe for Petite Cheesecakes was on the box of the regular flavor shells.  I had all of the ingredients on hand (very simple ones), so that decided the matter.  Here is the recipe as I prepared it.

PETITE CHEESECAKES

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 pkgs. (15-count each) Athens Phyllo Shells (I used 1 box of regular and 1 box of chocolate)
1/2 cup seasonal fruit, preserves, or favorite topping for garnish

Preheat oven to 325º.  Arrange phyllo shells on a sheet pan.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and flour.  Blend in egg, vanilla and lemon juice until smooth.

Spoon filling into each phyllo shell.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.  ( I went for 15.)  

Let cool for 10 minutes.  Garnish as desired.  I used lemon curd, strawberry pieces, halved Andes mints, and some lovely organic raspberry preserves that Vee had given me when we met up in February.

As you can see, these turned out quite pretty.  They were also delicious.  

These little tarts transport well and are easy to serve and eat.  They would make a fun dessert to share at upcoming graduation parties, weddings, recitals, and more. 

Sunday Scripture

 

 Here's more from my study of 2 Corinthians with Good Morning Girls.  As mentioned previously, I use the SOAP method of Bible study , and their study guide uses a similar method.  For 2 Corinthians chapter 5, the verse studied is verse 17.  The entire chapter is great, of course, but it's verse 17 that stands out as the centerpiece, or the key, if you will.  

S=  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

O=  Looking back to verse 15, it points out that Jesus died for all.  So, if any person trusts Him as Savior, that person is a new creation in Him.  The old things in our lives pass from us, and all things become new in our lives.  Then, those who trust Christ are no longer to live unto themselves, but unto Jesus, who died for them.

A= I'm so thankful to be a new creation in Christ!  What a blessing that old things are passed away, to remembered no more by the Lord!  But these stupendous facts are not to simply elicit a passive response on my part, just a placid acceptance and enjoyment of my new life.  I am no longer to live life for myself, but instead I am to live for Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me -- to live for Him who died for me and rose again from the dead!

P= "Lord, I thank and praise You for loving me so much that You sent Your only Son to die for me.  I am so thankful that my old ways of life are passed away  -- that I'm not the sad, unhappy, sin-drenched person that I once was.  I'm incredibly thankful and grateful for the new life that I have in Christ.  I pray that You will help me to live every moment of my remaining years as unto You and for Your glory.  Amen."

May 12 Hodgepodge

 

Time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge which takes place weekly at From This Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, readers answer them on their own blogs and then link up.  Here we go with this week's questions:

 1. It's like my mama always said, "______________________________________________." 

"This house is falling down around our ears!"  Usually uttered on a Saturday morning to inspire us all to clean our rooms before going out to play.  Right now I feel the same way.  Cleaning and decluttering desperately needed here.  I just can't seem to summon up the energy.

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration? 

I wish I had known this ahead of time. I would have chosen a warm meat loaf sandwich on a sub roll with barbecue sauce and melted cheese, along with oven potato wedges and some coleslaw.  For dessert, I would go out for ice cream at one of our seasonal local places.

What I actually did have: some roasted red pepper tomato soup (packaged and oh-so-yummy) and a few saltines.

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

Green grass, apple blossoms, warm sun, soft breeze, no black flies ... maybe even a picnic. 

4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by. 

I'm going to pick growth, So thankful for the opportunity to grow spiritually and to grow as a person. Even though the past year has been a huge challenge, I'm thankful that even pandemics and lockdowns can't keep us from personal and spiritual growth.

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

The last thing I bought on Amazon was vitamins -- two bottles each of a super fruit formula and a pomegranate extract.  Obviously wielding these in the battle for good health.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today is the birthday of my hubby's youngest sister.  Happy Birthday, Carolyn, if you happen to be reading this.

And there is the Hodgepodge for May 12!