Monday, December 27, 2010

Going back to regular life...slowly

Hey, you all!

Today is a beautiful day, sun is shining...doing laundry...tidying up...

I am working on a baby blanket.  Making a pair of socks, using Cat Bordhi's sock method.  Planing to put #5's quilt back on the frame, to see if I can get some progress on it...sigh...

It's been cold, and super dry, we've only had a dusting of snow, and a sprinkle of rain, and about 10 sleet pellets.  I think we are in a drought...all the water was left on the west coast, and the other storms are on the east coast...so, ok, no shoveling is nice...but the static...oy...

Yeah, I know WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????.  Mr. PeasantHouse cleaned downloaded all the pics to his computer, now I have a clean chip to take pics and show you.  It was taking for...e...ver...to upload pictures to the blog...show you soon.

Mom is much, much, better...one could say, back to normal regular.  Thank you all for praying for her.

I'll leave you with this:

 "Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit."  Leviticus 26:4

In His hands,  ^__^

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Busy with...

I've been busy with my Mom.  She needs me to help her.  No time to blog.

If you are a believer, would you pray for her?

I'll leave you with this:

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b

In His hands,  ^__^

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The sun has a happy face!

Solar fflairs are awesome.
enjoy








Too cool to pass up...
I tried but could not paste the picture, you'll have to go see it here
I am posting this at 8:30pm Central time, and it may not be the same at another time.
I think it's very cool!
Enjoy...the heavens declaring the glory of God...

Never, never give up...I got the pictures, hope NASA doesn't mind me borrowing them.

I'll leave you with this:

"They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations." Psalms 72:5



In His hands,  ^__^

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Monday Muggings...but...it's Wednesday...

Had some other pestilence...yikes, now getting better...enough about that!

Winter got here ahead of time (did not wait until the 21st).  It's been in the 20s F and 30s F for many days.  It is typical of this part of December...and...we've been in a drought bubble in this part of the country, but we have rain coming in a couple of days,  Thank you Lord!

Knitted a scarf on the machine from Diana (there are two videos)  It turned out beautiful.  It went to 5b and she loved it--now she asked for 'sleevies'  or 'sleevelettes' to keep warm the area between the end of the mittens, and the beginning of the coat.  She is intrigued with mine.  I'll have to get a picture of it to show you.


Of all the KU jayhawks I like this one the best and it was designed in 1946.

This KU colors scarf-to-wrap-as-a-muffler is finished.

I used Plymouth's Galway...I really like that wool yarn.  It is soft and very resilient. It is a four ply, 45 angle twist, which makes it very durable and has minimum pilling.  They have 'tons' of colours, go look!  Also, it's not expensive...for real wool.





This kitty--I named--Mostly, he is white with a black cap and a black nose and a black tail.  He lives in the neighbourhood, and when I saw him I named him...he is 'mostly' white.  


Must go do some laundry...

I'll leave you with this: 

 "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Titus 3:9



In His hands,  ^__^

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday Muggings--Microscopic alien beings




Sometimes known as germs...are gone!

We did not eat as much as our eyes desired on Thanksgiving day, but on 'leftover day' [which was Saturday] we had to finish all the stuff, and also add some Bratts that #5 barbecued--they were a nice welcome.

The attacking microscopic alien beings had me in a furious battle, so, the very kind Mrs. #5 took it upon herself to fetch many pies of different flavours from our local 'excellent pie baker' So dear of her! Thank you.



I'm altering some skirts for a friend.  It will be nice to do these.  They need a new casing for elastic.  In the tropical village where they live, it is cooler to have elastic than a regular waist band.  She will be going back next week after her sister's wedding.



This week I have no burr under my saddle, and nothing caught in my craw... except...this latest pestilence. 

Some of our children have had the same thing...but one of them lives many states away and have not been together (in person) with them for months.   Then a friend at one of the shores had it also, and at the same time, with the same, same, same, exact symptoms...?  We are thousands of miles apart. How can that be?  Did any of you have this?

 It began with a tickle in the throat, and a slight fever.  And soon a sinus pain all over my face, and on my jaw and the glands under my jaw. (I had only one other sinus thing in my life) Then a big fever for a couple of days, all the while having a 'clear' runny nose.  The last thing was a huge cough, I would say convulsive at times. [that would only stop when I 'rinsed' my nose on the inside].  Boy-o-boy, I am glad it's gone.

 It was not a regular cold, and it was not 'the flu'--the baffling thing still remains, how can we three have the same thing at the same time when we had no contact with each other.  Only electronically.  Well, that will remain 'puzzlement' until they say that some foreign evil conspiracy from the bad guys did this to us.  Sure...that's it.

Well, I'm not eating the Thanksgiving 'table' until next year, and I shall fare well.

I'll leave you with this:

 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves". Philippians 2:3

In His hands,  ^__^

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

'head cold'...for the birds!, and on Thanksgiving week...sigh..,

What a pain! Yesterday I was 'out of it' with a fever, today...much better, and no fever.  Lots and lots of garlic cloves [which I could not taste, rather smell--it makes me think that my sinuses were badly attacked] and lots of vitamin C.

Mr. PeasantHouse made dinner and did the dishes...what a huge thing that was for me.  So, this post may not be very long.  Still have to bake the six or more pies, and prepare the turkey to take to my Mom's to bake.  She offers her oven every year to free-up everyone else's oven for the day in question.  This is also a giant help.  I prepare the turkey with my 'secret, ancient' recipe--Reynolds oven bags...love them!--and there is not looking or basting or any interfering with the baking process.  Wednesday in the pm I prepare the bird and bring it to my Mom's refrigerator and Thursday about 10am someone places it in the oven [it is too heavy for her to lift and carry]  The bird is ready shortly after noon, and does not get out of the bag until ready for carving, later.

I've watched many turkey recipes and styles of baking all the traditional dishes, but I'm pleased with what we've been making for a few years. 

I wish you all to have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING day with your families. Do not forget to thank the Lord for all the bakers, cooks, assemblers, carriers of tables and chairs, and for the table fellows, who will be eating with you; but, especially for those who were not able to join you.

I'll leave you with this:

 "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
  They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright."   Psalms 20:7-8

In His hands,   ^__^

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Pondering...on the word Self

All this baking has caused me to ponder on a phrase I read.  Someone wrote of 'self' in the Christian woman's context, that writing was doctrinally inferior by its Biblical deficiency...but that phrase made me wonder why it was so inane.

The piece (which was pathetic)had the phrase "left of self" (that is, what remains of self) So then, I thought, when all is said and done: what is left of self is actually "Left of self" I will explain:  I mean directionally-wise.  Meaning actually that the only vestige that is left IS on the left, not on the right.  I know, I know...bare with me.

When self is used in the Bible it is not alone [as we use it today as a stand-alone-entity] it is always accompanied with the word 'own'. So "own self"appears 6 times in scripture.  But as part of a word, it appears 977 times, i.e., thineself, himself, selfsame, myself, etc.

{A note in an old person's Bible said "Self is fles(h)" well, I partially agree...it would be so in today's usage.}

Now...consider this approach.  The use of our words 'right' and 'left' come from the latin dexter and sinister. 
Dexter is the root of the word dexterity which means industrious or productive, by means of using one's right hand primarily.
And Sinister standing all by itself needs no definition.  It is all done (implied) with the left hand, or all that is 'backwards' 'untoward' '\badly' 'evil' etc.  I did not originate the usage.  It's been around for centuries...albeit the use of 'dexter' has lost its bravado, and some people call their dogs Dexter.  My favourite use is Ambidextrous:  which means 'right handed on both sides' [you know, ambi=both, dexter=right hand...]

Well, look here for etymologies, for your own self improvement (mwahaha)

Gotta go and continue baking, next...peach pies with crumble topping...one might call them 'Dutch' peach pies.

I'll leave you with this:

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." I Peter 2:24

In His hands,  ^__^

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Baking Season

This is the season for baking.  One thing for sure, nothing can be put off, or all the baking will be piled on one day.  We cannot have that!

Mr. PeasantHouse has his office's Thanksgiving feast--several things for that.
Sadly, a funeral at our church--elderly elder passed on--several things for that.
People coming over for a visit--some things for that.
Regular daily eating--several things for that.

So, dear girls, I'll be living by the oven...good thing that the weather is cold--loving that!

More than likely, there will be no pictures.  But in lieu of my pictures, look at someone else's blog--and there are tons of them--who will show you food pictures (I'm so mean!)

I endeavour to keep you updated.

I'll leave you with this:

"O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD." Psalms 117:1-2
 
In His hands,  ^__^

Friday, November 12, 2010

Knitted Dishrags--Crocheted Hot Pads

Wanted to show you that I'm almost finished making these hot pads.  This red one may not be the last one.  I could make a cream one also.  It depends how long I have.
These are a gift for friend...bridal shower tomorrow...

I cannot find the link for this crocheted one--you know it's like a pouch and then it is joined askew.  I'll link it on another post.

These two are a sort of replica from my little circles from which I'm making a sweater for me.  Their  purpose is to be hot pads for the table.

These two knitted dishcloths are from Homespunliving's blog.  She has both tutorials here and here.  Thank you Deb.
 I used Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Cotton" it is very, very soft and does not split in knitting nor crocheting. Wonderful, and in my opinion, better than "Peaches and Cream"
 Made this "drop peach cake" from Gardenfork He uses a square 9 inch cake pan, but I don't have one of those so I used two 9 inch pie pans--because a 9 inch circle contains less volume than a 9 inch square, but you knew that. 
 I took a little taste from the stainless steel pan...while it was still hot...it is awesome...!
I'll leave you with this:

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

In His hands,  ^__^

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Monday Muggings: Thanksgiving...where did it go?



I read an interesting essay by Dr. Gipp, on the fate of Thanksgiving.

The author lamented that ALL the stores have the Oct 31st's horrible decorations, everywhere, and right on the heels of those decorations come the December 25th decorations. 
I thought that his observation was interesting, and left it at that. 

Well, I went to Hobby Lobby again, I really like that store.  They do not 'do' October 31st--for which I am very glad--so I shop only there during those days.  All of our other fabric and craft shops have 10-31 plastered all over the place in every shape, size and design.  I make it a point NOT to go to any of those shops during their promotions of such an event--it took me a while to decide NOT take advantage of their HUGE sale on some fabrics and notions.

Back to my disappearing Thanksgiving...Two weeks ago I received the fabric shop's sales catalog which started on the following Sunday (10-31) and on the cover was 12-25 ALL OVER that catalogue.  They had SKIPPED Thanksgiving! just as the astute aforementioned author had stated...

They have taken my Thanksgiving away...only the grocery stores have some sort of allusion to it by the stuffing--canned corn--baking bags--canned pumpkin et.al.  Some grocery stores may have displays of assorted sizes and colors of gourds, but that's it. 

Our Thanksgiving Holiday has gone from the remembrance of thanking God for His provision of the Plymouth Rock folks, to the Pilgrims thanking the Indians/Native Americans for introducing them to "corn",  to Turkey Day, to making stuffing with some vegan turkey! Whaaaaaa.....??!!!!

I am STILL grateful to our Great and Wonderful God for having brought a group of gutsy families to this coast for the purpose of giving God the glory for their accomplished enterprise in the name of their Sovereign King James the first (with all of his titles)...and...our family will be remembering that event, and once again thanking God, our Great and Wonderful God for His continual provision...at all times. 
Join us in remembering what this FOURTH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER is for.

I'll leave you with this:

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:"   Psalms 103:2

In His hands,  ^__^


P.S.  If you don't want to fulfill the doom sayers sayings, and would like to avoid the 'unpleasant family' thing...be grateful for being part of YOUR family and not some other horrible family worse than yours...  "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5:20

      

Monday, November 1, 2010

Monday Muggings--Huh? is it Monday again?!...coffee roast.


[I had some babies on Friday...they are a blessing!...and did not pick up the toys with which they played...did not go to the living room until this morning...so...I thought that these blocks would make a good picture...KU colors and all...]

The coffee was good this morning, ok, rabbit trail...got some coffee this weekend and was 'hit' again with the changes in the coffee cans.  I buy coffee in the two pound--so called--can, and you may not know this, but when I was a child the coffee can was 3lbs, and then it became a 2lbs can.  All the coffee companies did the same.  I have been a fan of HILLS BROTHERS for some time, ever since the guy on the can was a man in a "1001 Arabian Nights Tales" costume with a demitasse in his hand.  Later on, maybe in the 80s the guy was cut back to a picture of the upper torso, arms and head, albeit still wearing the turban and with demitasse in hand.  More recently, the guy became a "Juan Valdez" look-alike.  I wrote to the company asking why they had adopted those changes and I received no reply.  But, companies will do whatever is necessary to stay competitive and with "9-11" and all, I do not blame them for wanting to come away from their former glorious pictures which may have associated them with Islam.  Perhaps they changed their coffee provenance from Indonesian Sumatran or Java, to all Colombian.  

The last 2  Hills Brothers cans that I bought had a much darker coffee--I do not like the 'burned'/over-roasted/french type of coffee, I much prefer the dark golden color bean which make a full flavour coffee with no bitterness.
So...I decided to change brands and see if their labels displayed 'truth in advertising'...not so much...OK, so I bought a can of  MAXWELL HOUSE which was labeled MILD, and a can of FOLGERS which was, also, labeled MILD...I don't think so!  
I compared the three coffees and they all looked the same [you don't think that they all come from the same vat, do you?] and they tasted the same.  Whaaaaaaat????  They are--all three--equally bitter.  
This ploy will not deter me from finding a dark golden roasted bean, and I say "down with chocolate-chip-looking roasted bean"...
I'm just saying...

But not to leave it just there, and while I'm on the subject...the "NEW" can of Hills Brothers is only two thirds the size it used to be just a few weeks ago--but the same price as before. [at walmart] I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO BE HONEST AND RAISE THE PRICE AND LEAVE THE CAN SIZE AS ALWAYS. 


 Now, to needlepoint:  This is a pillow that I designed and stitched [(C) (R)] for our church's nursery [a couple of years ago, and had never taken a picture of it.  Got one now!  It is part of I Corinthians 15:51 and very appropriate for the nursery.  They have treated it well, considering the numbers of babies that have passed through there.
Still busy with the home improvements:  carpeting may be the next thing...or not! Prices, budget, quality, budget, neeeeeed new carpet, budget...

I have nixed the pink and the patterned large gold sample.  I am leaning towards the cream/gold and the light olive green.  Maybe bedrooms in the cream and the dining and family room in green.  Have not decided what color to do the living room. 
 The close up does not do justice to the colors.  The pink is not so 'agressive' and gold is not so light.  The green is yellower.  I tried flash and no flash, but I cannot reproduce the actual color. Oh..well...
 Last but not least...the sunset was glorious...It gave everything a golden glow...I should like to have those colors in a sweater, but with the glow of the sunset, which is not achievable in wool...

 Just a couple of minutes made all the difference, during this scene everything was orange-ish and reddish...
Mr. PeasantHouse took the pictures...so beautiful!

I'll leave you with this:

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"  Philippians 1:6


In His hands,  ^__^

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I'm in a reading mood

Finally got some rain.  I think it was 25 drops.  Then some thunder all around us...but later a good shower.
Ah, it is finally fall! The trees are beginning to turn, the sumac is red, and the maples are getting awesome.  Temps in the 60s...love it!

It is the season for burning leaves, and other yard waste...sort of ugly smelling, but the pretty breezes take away the smell.

Started baking--just a couple of meals, so far. 


But, to the topic at hand:  I've been in a reading mood, not only increasing my Bible reading, but other books reading.  Too many books started, most nice, one boooorrrrrriiiing, but I will complete it.  "Our Guilty Silence" is a short book by John Stott.  He has a twisted understanding of Salvation and of the Person of Jesus Christ., he is an old fellow, who was 'converted' many years before I was born--so he should know better.  You check him out, and decide for yourself.   I don't know if I should put 'it' in my book list. 
Also reading "The Sinfulness of Sin" by Ralph Venning (written in 1665) another Puritan Paperback.
The others are by Cloud, Gipp, and George Foxx--the founder of Quakerism--his autobiography. Also found the UNABRIDGED "The Christian in Complete Armour"  by William Gurnall. (It was in a super sale.  Got it for $9.99.  It is a 1300 page tome, [who reads these books anymore???] which may take me a while to read--especially since I'm reading so many at a time.


I  know that all these authors are ALL OVER THE "DOCTRINAL" PLACE, but I like to read from the horse's mouth--as it were--to what all the denominational groups adhere.  I SHALL NOT read Calvin...he is so sloooowwww to get to the point.  I don't think he ever does...all Calvinists hold on!  Don't throw things at me yet.   Even considering the language style of the day, and making room for translation issues...still...I can write my weekly grocery shopping list and plan my meals, while reading Calvin, and not miss a 'jot or tittle' of what he says.  Holey-canoley, Batman!

I was listening to a testimony of a lady who reads her Bible approximately FIVE times a year!  The way she accomplishes it is by reading the Bible for an hour and a half per day.  Yup, 1 and 1/2 hours per day.  She says that anyone can do this.  Instead of reading the newspaper, or a magazine, or other books [ouch!] or be on the internet for 1 and 1//2 hours, use that time to read the Bible.  A very nice and doable challenge. 

Better go get something done,

I'll leave you with this:

 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."  I Corinthians 2:9-10

In His hands,  ^__^

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I'm here, just busy

You may not see me, but I'm busy as a bee...well, not flying though.  But got some honey, 2 more gallons.  My honey-bee lady said that this year there will be abundant honey again.  Thank you Lord!  It seems that the bees are not 'dissappearing' anymore.  That was strange...so strange that even the scientist were baffled.

Still working on the outside of the house.  Painting takes much longer than we expected.  Since we do not have a crew at our disposal, the painting is done piecemeal, as the guys have time...and it does not rain.  Weather guy said about another week without rain.  Maybe our guys will be done by then.

Got new garage doors...what a difference!  I cannot see any sunlight when they are closed...they are all super-duper insulated...we could be in the North Pole and it would keep us from freezing.  However, we do not take our garage doors with us when we go to the North Pole, or anywhere else.. we are different that way.

So many things to do still...like the rest of you...working on it...

I'll leave you with this:

"Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them."  Psalms 17:7

In His hands,  ^__^

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Mugging? on Thursday?...about Shirley Adams

Could not let my picture go to waste...although there were no Muggings on Monday.
Do have a matter that I thought it would be appropriate.
I want to give 'honour where honour is due'...the honoured person is Shirley Adams of the Sewing Connection.

I found Shirley on PBS many years ago, but I only saw 2 or 3 of her programs before it went off the air.  I found her to be an excellent teacher.  i.e.,
                  She speaks clearly
                  She demonstrates all that she speaks about
                  She KNOWS what she is talking about
                  Detail is second nature to her
                  "Loving hands at home" look is a no-no to her
                  She aims toward, and achieves Old Country excellence
And many more qualities that her viewers and students observe in her videos/DVDs.

When my parents lived in California, my Dad taped many of her shows for my Mom.  After he died, Mom could not bring herself to watch them--it was too emotional for her, so I inherited them, and watched them over and over again.  I have purchased several seasons that my Dad did not get on tape. 
I have learned more from her than from any other 'seamstress' with whom I have been acquainted over the years.  Even though I have never seen her in person, I have had the pleasure of speaking with her on the phone when I've called to order, tapes or patterns or books. 
In fact I have spoken with her this week, when I had a question about altering a neckline.  Because I am so familiar with her teaching method, it was easy for me to understand--even on the phone--when she explained the procedure. 

Shirley Adams is "retiring" at the end of this year, which means she will not be doing Live Seminars any more.  But her DVDs are all there for purchase. 

I was not the only one to honour Shirley Adams...the American Sewing Guild has inducted her into the Hall of Fame.  A great honor indeed.

Go to her page, The Sewing Connection, and glean some important information.  She offers sample lessons there, so you can whet you sewing appetite.

As Shirley says, with one T shirt pattern you can make many, many tops and blouses; and with one suit pattern you can make dozens of suits.  She shows you how...amazing!

I'll leave you with this:

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." Rom 12:10

In His hands,  ^__^

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Monday Muggings on Tuesday

When we were in school, one of the things we were taught was how to choose a 'worthy' person to be saved from the proverbial drifting boat on the high seas.   Only one was to be 'dumped' as there was not enough water to sustain all. 
You remember--if you are older than 25--how it went.  We were given: a minister, a pregnant woman, a runaway person, a child, an intellectual, an old person, and an athlete of some sort.  Voila`! 
The feelings of pity, anger, and indecisiveness were too much for the students.  But the 'wise teacher' would comfort us by way of 'this is only make believe...just an exercise...just pick someone...'  So we chose one, and then another, until the water was gone or the remainder was rescued.  The uneasiness only lasted for the class period, and off we went.

Later on, another NOTION appeared in classrooms.  "THERE ARE NO WINNERS!"  "WE ARE ALL PARTICIPANTS"  During gym class, the teachers would device new games that did not have a CHAMPION.  Spelling Bees were set aside. Teachers abolished competitions, dethroned achievers, and ridiculed overt effort.    There came from those years in the classroom myriads of overconfident buffoons, arrogant jerks, overbearing misfits.  Those from these ranks, do not marry but live together, they beget but do not take responsibility, they take but cannot own.  Like permanent babies they expect, rather demand to be fed, clothed, and mobilized in full luxury, all the while reserving their energy for play, diversion, and delussion.
If that were not enough, they voicetrously complain and murmur about the style, frequency, and quality of service and supply which they received...they are never satisfied.

Exactly the fulfillment of:   II Timothy 3
 1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."  
Were these words written a decade ago? So, is man as he has always been?
 
Possibly, the powers-that-be saw the impending doom and rushed to repair the damage.  Or as they tagged it Damage Control...too late. 
Their effort makes those 'professional children'  [those who are made to remain ignorant, or are willingly and sluggardly so] simply watch and receive a twisted reality.  The TV programs  which I name following, are so- called reality shows, but 'real life' is not this way.  However as the above mentioned professional children are filled to overflowing with these sorts of programming, then what they present becomes 'reality' or the 'norm' completely and successfully changing perception.  The shows, in no particular order:  Survivor,  The Biggest Looser, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, American Idol, America's Got Talent,  Hell's Kitchen,  The Apprentice, America's Top Model. 
I could not think of any more titles, but I'm sure that those who have Dish, or Cable could name dozens more.  I DO NOT WATCH THOSE SHOWS*, in fact I cannot stand their pathetic, manipulative, and demeaning approach to competition.  WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A COMPETITION?    I change the channel at lighting speed when I see their trailers. 
 
*(I have watched some of the Biggest Looser)
 
Even in  award programs, such as the Oscars--never watched those, but saw them on the news.  They have stopped saying, long since:  "And the Winner is..."  Several years ago they switched to:  "And the Oscar goes to..."
I suggest that they ought to do the same with the Pulitzer Prize, the Nobel Prize, et al., and stop "awarding" all those Dollars to the One Who Did The Best and spread the 'participating moneys' to all the assistants who worked feverishly and contributed all to the "Recipients" of those "awards"
 
As Christian women [if you did not know:  this blog is for Christian women, other may read it also, but the aim is for Christian women] As I was saying, we ought do all we do for the glory of God, our reward is  great in heaven.  We may receive appreciation, and even acclamation, but our reward is from On High.  Now, the world must not teach our children...we must!  It must be made plain to them that God is who examines what we do.  It is Him whom we must please.  It is Him who we must answer to.  That all they do, don't do, say and don't say must be measured by the Words He gave us...the Bible.

I'll leave you with this:

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them"   II Timothy  3:14


In His hands,  ^__^

Friday, September 17, 2010

It's a BOY!

All went well. 8.5lbs of blessing.  Thank you Lord!
Be back soon.

No pictures, you know what babies look like.  (haaa, haaa, haaaa)

I'll leave you with this:

 "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."   John 16:21

In His hands,  ^__^

Monday, September 13, 2010

Another mini-holiday...[no muggings today..no pictures...no camera]

Well, sort-of...a working one...sort-of...

DH took the week off from his job, but worked the entire time, at home.  We looked at garage doors, carpeting, flooring...and are hoping that Bill Gates or Warren Buffet will come forward and adopt us...sigh...actually, I would rather that the salesmen would say:  "Your order is free, absolutely free.  And...We will pay you for your time of shopping in our store, and having us in your home"...I can always hope...

Ok, back to reality.  Since we "were all over the place" for an entire week, one day we, actually, took 'off' and went to our secret used book store, and found more reading treasures.
Having had the camera in the car--in the event of a photo op--I forgot to retrieve it from its temporary home. 
When I searched for it and found it NOT, I knew that I would have to postpone the Muggings to Tuesday...was all ready...mug, calendar page, etc...

I will give you a preview--or a heads-up--of the topic that I will broach:  "Are we being led/manipulated/influenced/controlled?"   More surmisings from our Peasant House to your house.

I will leave you with this:

 "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah."
 Psalms 67:1


In His hands,  ^__^

Friday, September 3, 2010

Recycled, or what was it called?

When our Mothers and Grandmothers had sweaters that got too small, or too old, or out of style, they did not give these sweaters away. 

Some sweaters that were ancient, were cut up and used as dusting rags.  [You know that wool is great for dusting.]  Some sweaters were cut up and sewn into children's sweaters or baby soakers.  Other sweaters were raveled--or incorrectly: unraveled [sic.], and the wool was skeined and washed and wound into balls, and used for a new sweater. 

What was this process called? Definitely NOT recycling.  NOT re-purposed, NOT redone...My great aunts, grandmothers, and aunts called it:  "I'm going to take this sweater apart and make another one". 

Well, I took a sweater apart, wound it into balls...skeined it...and washed it [to get the knitting kink out] and hung it to dry. 

This yarn is ready to be skeined, not much left to do...

Skeined on the niddy-noddy

They are ready for their cleansing bath...


Hanging out to dry...



Drying in the beautiful, bright sunshine...72F 40% humidity...awesome!

I'll leave you with this:

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  II Corinthians 9:6

In His hands,  ^__^

Monday, August 30, 2010

Monday Muggings--New Blogger text format

This Monday's Mug is about quirks.  Well...one particular quirk of mine regarding coffee mugs.  As all people do, I have some favoured mugs.  I reach for the favoured mugs for morning coffee or afternoon tea. 

Some of my mugs are all one color, like today's mug; but, most of them are colored on the outside and white or cream on the inside.  I favour the white or cream inside mugs. 
I discovered this quirk a few years ago.  It seems that I like to see the contents of the mug, and if the mug is dark on the inside--like the coffee or tea, it messes with my process of enjoying the refreshment. 

Yes, I did say it was a quirk, so there!

I suggest that you try it and see if it makes a difference to you.  I'm sure there is some name for this coffee-mug-insides-quirk, probably Disfunctional Imbiving Perception Syndrome or DIPS for the peasants to understand. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ok,  Now to the crochet circles.  (Not to be associated with crop circles, or stone circles)

These crocheted cuties will be some sort of shawl, for me...woohoo!
I had the better part of several balls of sock yarn, and it was not enough for "anything" so I started crocheting.
I copied a coaster from a set that a friend made for me a long time ago. 

It will be put  together with this full ball of black.  I will see if it looks the same way after I do it, as I have it in my mind. 
Do you like the mug?  I got it from  Cottage Creations many years ago...two kitties hiding by a basket of yarn, cute!

Not too much going on, besides working on the outside of the house.  The temps are lower and so is the humidity...so pleasant.

Gotta go, have dishes and laundry waiting...

I'll leave you with this:

    "For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods."  Psalms 97:9

In His hands,  ^__^


 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Monday Muggings--What are horns for?

This Monday's Mug is for pondering about horns: specifically The little horn in the book of Daniel.
We were watching a preacher's YouTube last night and he was preaching about the horns in Daniel and he said--like all other preachers that I have heard preach about it--that this little horn is the antichrist, or some leader of some sort, or some form of power, etc. I was pondering about horns...and began to go on a 'rabbit trail' in my head.

Knowing about the 'rule' of interpretation, which is, the "law of first mention" the horns are first mentioned in Genesis: the ram caught in the thicket. Then it is in the next 3 books as the horns of the altar. Then it is mentioned as a pushing force. Then as Media and Persia.

Then I was thinking about actual horns of animals and which animals have horns. Goats, sheep, deer, elk, moose (those may be antlers, but bear with me) oxen, buffalo, Narwhals (probably the biblical unicorns--which probably means north whale, since they only live in the northern waters) And how they use their horns.
These thoughts and ponderings about horns must have been chewed-on by Bible readers for centuries and centuries. But here is my partial and temporary surmising: Horns are typically not a weapon of prey or destruction. I'm thinking that horns are self preservation instruments, or even defense instruments, i.e., a deer is eating a shrub, minding his own business, and suddenly some other stalking critter appears and threatens this deer's space. The deer flees or turns toward the 'evil' critter and, horns first and forward, goes after the invading critter. He may use his hooves for stomping also.
He may engage another buck in a challenge for the herd, but it is always pushing, pushing, pushing--although in the case of rams it may be a charge-and-BANG!-CRASH! confrontation--like in Wild America--the wilderness show.

I do not see any of the horned (or antlered) animals stalking their pray, and slicing the unsuspecting 'meal' with their horns. What I observe in the animal kingdom is that horns are more of a "leave me alone, I am POWERFUL" kind of thing.

Must chew on this a lot more before I agree with the preachers' varied descriptions of the 'little horn' before I agree with any of their surmisings.

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."" Psalms 18:2

"All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."
Psalms 75:10

These are only two that looked up. Horns are in my Bible 67 times and Horn 36. I may be the only one who ponders these things with such interest. I will study these verses in more detail, I know that the Lord will bless me and open my understanding regarding this.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Well, heavy stuff for Monday morning, but the coffee was so good, I had such a good time looking these verses up.
I enjoy knitting and crocheting with Galway wool, from Plymouth Yarns. It is relatively inexpensive, and quite soft. It is also lofty--a must for winter things. They have lots of colors.

These green and gold pieces will become a teapot pad. I copied the one that one of my aunts made for me, umpteen years ago. I'll show you these and that one when these are completed.

Got some 'big' heirloom tomatoes that the Boy's Scouts had planted, tended and harvested. The tomatoes are so sweet that I can eat them as apples. One of our friends is a Scout leader and he oversaw the entire operation. A very yummy treat indeed.


These tomatoes on the sill are ours, still little, but flavourful.


My DH brought these in on Saturday and still had a little green on one side...not anymore. It is a HUGE bell pepper, next to the little jalapeno.



Gotta go do some stuff, like laundry...vacumming...naah, start dinner preparation, yup.
I'll leave you with this:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Timothy 2:15
In His hands, ^__^

Friday, August 20, 2010

Bread and Pizza Tutorial in pictures--lots--and recipes

But, first the finished dollie for the 'pink girlie's b'day'
It made everybody smile...it's that kind of doll! The 'pink girlie' loooved it.
Even though she has 'real' dollies, this one is for holding in the hand. (I had to draw a face with Daddy's Sharpie...she insisted.)
I was working on this triangular shawl for an elder's wife at church, and dropped a stitch for several rows to straighten a loopy stitch...so while I waited for the dough to rise, I knitted.

First: Mill the best wheat on earth--no exaggeration.
8 cups of wheat (after milling it's 12 cups of flour)

Place 5 cups of warm water {in your Bosch}
3T powdered yeast
1/2 c honey
1/2 c soft or melted butter
1T salt
1c sour dough starter from 2 days ago.
2 heaping Tablespoons of wheat glutten.
Stir for several seconds
Allow to rest for 20 minutes

Add the flour and mix until the dough is formed, and it is tacky not sticky.
Remove from the bowl, knead on the counter for about a minute.
Place the dough in a large bowl to rise until double...

Cover the bowl with a plate or platter, or serving tray...whatever you have that will cover the bowl, but not tightly.
I use my Oneida platter--it is 24 inches wide.


See...?

My dough trippled in size, sometimes it overflows making the platter rise 3 inches or so.

Place the dough on the counter and separate into the desired number of loaves or buns.
I mostly make 4 loaves--2 lbs each...sometimes I make rolls, sometimes buns.

The bread pans are sprayed with a cooking spray--I use Pam.

Loaves resting and rising for 29 minutes. This amount of time is perfect so that you do not get the 'handle' on the top of the slices after baking. (That is, the bubble on the top of the loaf)

Loaves ready to go into the 350F oven.

Fully baked for 30 minutes. Doubled in size. The line you see is the loaf pan's edge mark.
I love my bread...
I had to use the rest of the sour dough starter. ( The weather guy said it was going to be back in the 90s for a week again, so I was not going to be baking until the temps go below 80.)
I decided to make pizza, with my secret sauce.
But I had a little bit of dough left so I made a pretzel-wanna-be.

Yummy!

Next: The Pizza
Make the dough, let it rise until double, separate into portions--this time I made 2...let them rise, covered until the dough could be 'poured out'-- which is a very bubbly, elastic soft dough [approximately 25 minutes]

poke the bubbles with fingertips

cover with Secret Sauce (recipe): In a blender place, the juice of 1 can of diced tomatoes
2T European Oregano
1T red pepper flakes
1 can of drained anchovies
1 medium jar of pimentos
1T dry parsley--may use the equivalent in fresh parsley
6 garlic cloves--may use equivalent in dry garlic
1 medium onion coarsely cut--may use equivalent in dry onions
NO SALT
The rest of the diced tomatoes from the can.
Blend well until creamy, pour into a bowl and add 1/2 c of extra virgin olive oil, mix with a spoon.
(if you add the oil to the blender, you will have pink sauce)
Ladle sauce to the dough in your preferred amount.

Add meat or veggy toppings...this one is pepperoni.

Cover with your preferred amount of cheese...mozzarella only or a blend of cheeses of your choice. This one is mozzarella only.
Bake in HOT oven...450F or 500F for approx 7 or 8 minutes. This method will give you a quick melting and goldening of the cheese and a crispy crust...which is what we like, while all the fresh ingredients, i.e., garlic and onions retain all their nutritional potency.

This one is hamburger topping.
I always place the cheese on the toppings because I DO NOT like the burnt meats and veggies. Some people do.
We ate a couple of pieces and I froze the rest for Sunday's church meal.
Phew! That was fun! and it was DELICIOUS also.
If you use my SECRET recipes let me know how you like it, and send me pictures.
NOTE: If you do not tell anyone that there are anchovies in the sauce, no one will know. [some of my people think that they can taste it, but NOT! Once they know...they can taste it...so don't tell]
I'll leave you with this:

"He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat." Psalms 147:14
In His hands, ^__^