Reminder: Groundhog Day

(Photo by Eli of Punxsutaney Phil - Pennsylvania's famous groundhog- whom he was thrilled to take a picture of at the PA Farm Show!)

Groundhog Day is on Monday (Feb. 2), and here's a little game our family plays each year on the day. It's a simple one but a fun one. Whomever is the last one out of bed on Groundhog Day is deemed Groundhog for the year - not an especially coveted title by the way. It's fun in the next few days to forecast who will end up Mr. (or Mrs.!) Groundhog! For more info. and activities regarding Groundhog Day and Phil, visit here.

His Lovingkindness

(Photo by Eli of last night's sunset)

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They drink their fill of abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:5-10

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Perfect to make on a snowy afternoon (which it is!) -

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

3/4 C. butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C. cocoa powder
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. sugar
1 pkg. of peanut butter chips

Cream butter, eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in chips. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen.

A Snippet From I Corinthians 13

(Photo by Eli)

Some thought-provoking questions from yesterday's sermon on the aspect of kindness from I Corinthians 13:

How do I respond if I am sinned against?

Is my goal to serve or be served?

Do I have a confident expectation that God will use my kindness to spiritually grow others?

If God Himself is kind to the unthankful and evil (Luke 6:35), how much more should I be kind to my redeemed brothers and sisters?

Do I realize that kindness is one way to mainfest (make known) Christ to others?

How can I cultivate a heart of kindness?

What specifically does faith in Christ look like in this situation (specifically how I do apply kindness here)? What truths should I be trusting in? What lies am I believing?

Fighter Verses 15

(Photo by Eli)

Fighter Memory Verses for weeks of 1/25 & 2/1:

REVIEW and CATCH UP on last 4 passages:

Daniel 2:20-21
John 1:14
James 1:17
Matthew 6:25-26

Perfect Pot Roast!

Wow - this is good. I made this pot roast last night from a recipe for Beginner's Pot Roast that I adapted from this cookbook.

Here's my version:

Perfect Pot Roast

Place desired size and type of roast in slow cooker. Slice as many onions as you like and place on roast. In a bowl, stir together 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 C. water, 1 package of brown gravy mix (I used one that would make 2 C. of gravy), and 1/4 tsp. garlic powder. Pour over roast and allow to cook on a low heat for as long as you usually cook your roast. Stir every now and then. This could also be done in the oven or crockpot I imagine. This makes its' own gravy, so make some mashed potatoes and enjoy. Delicious!

Ribbon Note Holder

A length of ribbon is attached with thumbtacks to the wooden windowsill in our schoolroom. With clothespins it holds notes, photos and messages that are in perfect reach when working at my desk. It's a handy little organizer as well as being pleasing to the eye. Actually a mini version of the picture ribbon in my living room . . .

I Can Link!

I don't usually write two posts in one day, but I couldn't help myself! My husband recently updated some software on our computer. A day later when I went to post, I realized that I now have the capacity to link to other sites within my posts. Yeah!!

So . . . I just have to try it. Since Eli just requested a coloring page of a Snowy Owl from the internet, I thought I would share a site that he especially likes. At Enchanted Learning, we've printed out all kinds of animal printouts for him to color and make into "books." I also have used it for information and activities about various events and holidays for homeschooling. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Daily Loaded With Blessings

"Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father 'daily loadeth us with benefits' (Psalm 68:19). Think of some of the common things which are nevertheless wonderful:
- the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily and silently taking in fresh air eighteen to twenty times a minute;
- the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the labyrinth of blood vessels;
- the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;
- the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so much as to destroy human and animal life;
- the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans accordingly;
- the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;
- the beauties of each day - the morning star and growing light of sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;
- the symphony of early morning bird songs, ranging from the unmusical trill of the chipping sparrow to the lilting ectasy of the goldfinch and the calm, rich, bell-like tones of the wood and hermit thrushes;
- the refreshment that sleep brings;
- the simple joys of home - the children's laughter and whimsical remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together in praise to God.
All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him 'who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth they mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's' (Psalm 103:4,5)
'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness' (Lamentations 3:22,23).'
'It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High' (Psalm 92:1)."

-- From "Keep A Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot (the list was compiled by her father)

Cleansing

(Photo by Eli)

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
-- I Corinthians 6:19-20

"Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
-- John 2:13-16

What needs driven out of my temple today? What needs poured out and filled back up with Him? Drive and pour, Lord. Drive and pour.

Farm Show Fun

For those of you who live in Pennsylvania (or in close proximity to it), the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg is open this week through Saturday. Our family spent the day there yesterday watching carriage racing and horsepulling, eating deliciously fresh potato donuts, seeing Punxsatany Phil (PA's famous groundhog), and viewing breeds of chickens and ducks that we never knew existed. It's a great field trip and homeschooling opportunity packed with fun and educational stuff. Visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us for more info.

Recipe Inspiration

We've recently enjoyed several recipes from this cookbook - the Kids Cookbook by Southern Living - which I ordered through the Interlibrary Loan System at our local library. We've tried Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Pizza Dip, and Rocky Top Brownies (brownies with chopped peanut butter cups slightly melted on top!). Beginner's Pot Roast is next on the list. Why not pull out a cookbook today and try something new?

A Tea Drinker's Gift

I received this as a door prize at a Christmas gathering and thought I would pass along the idea. It would be nice to use as a birthday gift for someone, a hostess gift, or a gift for any holiday really. The tea cup was attached to the saucer with some wide clear tape so that it wouldn't shift. The package of napkins also had a piece of tape on it to keep them attached to the tea cup. As you can see from the picture, there was a small silver spoon in the cup along with four packets of tea. Two pieces of biscotti were placed on the saucer and then the whole thing was cellophaned and tied with a silver bow. Simple yet elegant and very welcome to a tea drinker!

Fighter Verses 14

(Photo by Eli)

Fighter Memory Verses for weeks of 1/11 & 1/18 -

Matthew 6:25-26: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

The Choice of Simplicity

"Directly or by default, we are choosing to live simple or complex lives every day. If your life is rushed or stressed or complicated, you may feel that circumstances or fate have somehow trapped you in your crazy lifestyle. But I would challenge you to look very closely at your life and see how often your choices are dictating the simplicity or the chaos in which you live. I really believe that when we are honest with ourselves we can see that, at least to some extent, we are choosing our way into the complicated conditions that confound us. At the very least, we are failing to choose a simpler way."

-- From "A Place Called Simplicity - The Quiet Beauty of Simple Living" by Claire Cloninger

Muffin Tin Organizing

Organizing Tip:

Place an old muffin tin in your desk drawer to use as an organizer for paper clips, rubber bands, etc. I've often found neat old vintage tins at thrift shops. Definitely prettier than plastic!

Standing in the Light

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

-- John 3:19-21

Thoughts from Matthew Henry on the truth and the light:

"(The character of a good man) is one that cometh to the light. He is ready to receive and entertain divine revelation as far as it appears to him to be so, what uneasiness soever it may create him. He that doeth truth is willing to know the truth by himself, and to have his deeds made manifest (made known). A good man is much employed in trying himself, and is desirous that God would try him, Ps. 26:2 - "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart." He is solicitous to know what the will of God is, and resolves to do it, though ever so contrary to his own will and interest."

Abba, draw me to Your light. Examine my heart, expose my heart. Allow me to see my sin though it may cause uneasiness. Help me to remember that when I see my sin, I see my need for You. Standing in Your light, though contrary to my own will, is better for me than hiding in the dark.

Lasagna

Made two pans of this on the weekend for our last holiday gathering of the season. I love this recipe as you don't have to cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time - it contains extra liquid for them to cook in. Make sure to let the lasagna rest about 10 minutes before serving.

For one pan of lasagna:

1/2 lb. ground beef
28 oz. spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 C. water
15 oz. ricotta cheese
2 C. shredded mozzarella
1/2 C. Parmesan
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 pkg. (8 oz.) lasagna noodles, uncooked

In a large saucepan, brown meat. Drain then add sauce and water. Simmer for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, 1/2 of the mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, salt and pepper. Pour 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of a 13x9" pan. Arrange 3 uncooked pasta noodles over sauce; cover with 1 cup of sauce. Spread 1/2 of the cheese filling over sauce. Repeat layers of lasagna noodles, sauce and cheese filling. Top with layer of noodles and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with rest of mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake approx. 45 minutes at 350. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving.

Fighter Verses 13

Fighter Memory Verse for week of 1/4/09 -

James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

(The photo is of the ice suncatchers we made a few years ago to decorate for an ice skating party when the pond froze over. They're simple to make - fill flat containers with natural items [pinecones, holly, cranberries, orange slices, etc.], the ends of a piece of rope, and water [with or without added food coloring]. Freeze and then pop out. Hang in trees during cold weather.)