Content with the Snow

I stood at the window and watched the snowflakes falling this morning. My first thought was, "It's snowing again?!," and my heart was immediately convicted over my discontent. I decided to look for something to be thankful for about the snow and chose to focus on the beauty of it. And, my, was it beautiful indeed. I thanked the Lord that every single, intricately beautiful flake is from His hand. And I was reminded that ALL things - even more snow - are for my good.

Lent

"Lent (literally "springtime") is a time of preparation, a time to return to the desert where Jesus spent forty trying days readying for his ministry. He allowed himself to be tested, and if we are serious about following him, we will do the same.

First popularized in the fourth century, Lent is traditionally associated with penitence, fasting, almsgiving and prayer. It is a time for "giving things up" balanced by "giving to" those in need. Yet whatever else it may be, Lent should never be morose - an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures. Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement. After all, it is meant to be the church's springtime, a time when, out of the darkness of sin's winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges. No wonder one liturgy refers to it as "this joyful season."

Put another way, Lent is the season in which we ought to be surprised by joy. Our self-sacrifices serve no purpose unless, by laying aside this or that desire, we are able to focus on our heart's deepest longing: unity with Christ. In him - in his suffering and death, his resurrection and triumph - we find our truest joy."

- The Editors of Bread and Wine - Readings for Lent and Easter

An Easter Project

It's snowing outside but my heart is starting to think about spring. This month Victoria has a gorgeous lay-out on decorating wooden eggs with paint and ribbon. On seeing the article, my mind jumped to the beautiful ribbon that was in the box of embellishments that I recently bought at auction. After gathering some pastel-colored paints and pulling out the ribbon, I hope to make a few of these beauties as Easter gifts . . .

Home Beauty

Ideas Galore

For tons of book recommendations, science experiments, art projects, and recipes for kids, visit this site.

Nellie's Hat

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

We had this on Sunday morning for breakfast - delicious!

1 1/2 C. sugar (I used 1/2 Splenda and 1/2 sugar successfully - next time I want to try 3 parts Splenda and 1 part sugar)
4 tsp. cinnamon
1 stick of butter or margarine
4 - 7.5 oz. cans of refrigerated dinner rolls

Generously coat a 2 qt. casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 375. Blend the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. In another small bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Pull the rolls apart and cut each in half. Dip each piece of dough into the butter mixture and then roll in the sugar mixture to coat all sides. Place the dough pieces in the pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until all dough is baked. Let cool slightly. Pull apart to eat.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . snow, snow and snow - but it IS melting somewhat. The boys are getting a lot of snowboarding, sledding and snowmobiling in this winter.

I am remembering . . . a time as a young bride when I spent an afternoon making mints for a Sweetheart Banquet with an older lady from church. I received the news this morning that she's gone Home, and I've been thinking of her since.

I am thankful . . . for my mother-in-law. Her love for people and service to the Lord inspires me.

I am thinking . . . about the weekend - making homemade candy Saturday morning and Caleb's enthusiasm in encouraging me to open a bakery and candy shop (he would eat all my inventory!), Saturday afternoon when E. and I went to see a theatre production of "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe," staying up late Saturday night to watch Apollo Ono race, and then Sunday after church with more sledding and company with the cousins.

I am going . . . to the grocery store to pick up the items for which I have coupons that are about to expire as well as to get a few items for some new recipes. A library stop is in order as well to pick up an armadillo book for Eli and drop off documentaries on the Titanic that the boys watched.

I've been praying . . . for my church family. The Lord is convicting my heart about loving them well - one way is to pray for them faithfully.

From the kitchen . . . Oriental Chicken and Cherry Puddle Cake (in honor of Washington's birthday) for supper.

On the record player . . . an old Andy Williams 33.

Around the house . . . laundry as usual, finishing up March's newsletter, and critiquing Ben's report on Richard Bong.

This week . . . Bible study with my friend, a trip to a local motorcycle plant for a tour (hopefully), and the AWANA Pinewood Derby on Saturday.

A few of my favorite things . . . the warmth from the woodstove, homemade peanut butter cups and hot showers.

For more Daybook links, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Making Candy

My mother-in-law asked E. and I to help her make Valentine candy with some of the residents where she volunteers at a nursing home. We were to go last week - BEFORE Valentine's Day so that the residents could give the candy they made to their families - but, alas, the snowstorm changed our plans. So we went yesterday - and had a great time. We spent two and half hours helping them make chocolate hearts, peanut butter cups, chocolate truffles, and chocolate-covered cherries. The three of us then joined up with Ben (who fixed his grandmother's computer) and Caleb and my father-in-law (who were shoveling the walks around the village) for lunch in the cafeteria. We headed home after our visit, and I went straight to bed for a nap!

Izzy's Perspective

When I walked into the schoolroom this morning, I saw that this photo had been put onto the computer as the screensaver. A couple of weeks ago, Eli took this fun shot from Izzy's perspective.

Pumpkin Scones

2 1/4 C. flour
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. cold butter
1 egg
1/2 C. pumpkin
1/3 C. milk
Cinnamon and sugar

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, spices, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk egg, pumpkin and milk; add to crumb mixture just until moistened. Turn dough onto floured surface; knead 10 times. Pat into an 8" circle and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Cut into 10 wedges; separate wedges and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until done through.

Meditating on the Passion

This passage struck my heart this morning . . .

"Let us meditate a moment on the passion of Christ. Some do so falsely in that they merely rail against Judas and the Jews. Some carry crucifixes to protect themselves from water, fire, and sword, and turn the suffering of Christ into an amulet against suffering. Some weep, and that is the end of it. The true contemplation is that in which the heart is crushed and the conscience smitten. You must be overwhelmed by the frightful wrath of God who so hated sin that he spared not his only begotten Son. What can the sinner expect if the beloved Son was so afflicted? It must be an inexpressible and unendurable yearning that causes God's Son himself so to suffer. Ponder this and you will tremble, and the more you ponder, the deeper you will tremble.

Take this to heart and doubt not that you are the one who killed Christ. Your sins certainly did, and when you see the nails driven through his hands, be sure that you are pounding, and when the thorns pierce his brow, know that they are your evil thoughts. Consider that if one thorn pierced Christ you deserve one hundred thousand.

The whole value of the meditation of the suffering of Christ lies in this, that man should come to the knowledge of himself and sink and tremble. If you are so hardened that you do not tremble, then you have reason to tremble. Pray to God that he may soften your heart and make fruitful your meditation upon the suffering of Christ, for we of ourselves are incapable of proper reflection unless God instills it."

-- Martin Luther, excerpt from Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross - Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter (edited by Nancy Guthrie)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . 30+ inches of snow still lying around looking lovely.

I am remembering . . . the great weekend we had once again - watching the Olympics, making Valentines, receiving Valentines, watching the cousins sled all Sunday afternoon, a nice Sweetheart Banquet, and lots of home-baked goodies.

I am thankful . . . for love that covers a multitude of sins.

I've been praying . . . that God would continue to open my eyes to my need to be continually broken and humble before Him. What things I'm seeing about myself that I've never seen before!! Stretching, convicting, painful but freeing.

I am going . . . to the local auction house with the boys after lunch. My mom called to say there are boxes of material and rick-rack that are right up my alley!

On the record player . . . "Berlin by Lombardo" - great orchestral versions of a variety of Irving Berlin's songs from classic movies

From the kitchen . . . beef pot-pie for supper (I owe Caleb a batch of it to make up for the awful stuff I made for his birthday dinner when I switched powdered sugar for flour!)

From the schoolroom . . . Eli is waiting for his order of library books on muskox for his next report, Caleb is plunged into integers and rational numbers, and Ben is really enjoying a book on how Ancient Rome affects us today.

I've been watching . . . the extended version of "The Return of the King" that my sister loaned us.

Around the house . . . laundry, a little crafting and figuring out what new recipe to try next.

This week . . . I'll be helping my mother-in-law show residents of a nursing home how to make candy, taking a trip to another local thrift shop that's got a 50%-off-the-whole-store sale going on, and getting out for some groceries to replenish my supplies after these snowstorms.

A few of my favorite things . . . rick-rack, chocolate chip bars and fresh, farm eggs.

For more Daybook links, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Valentine Making

My mom, sister and I were finally able to hold our Valentine-making session last night. As soon as I walked in my sister's door, my four-year-old nephew wanted me to come to his room - he has huge, beautiful icicles hanging right outside his window which he is very excited about! After helping to put the baby to bed and seeing my sister's latest projects (a small wooden house that she's painting and glittering for next Christmas and a small topiary that she's decorating with Easter eggs), we got down to creating Valentines. We spent several hours crafting a pile of them from all the wonderful goodies we've collected over the years - gorgeous ribbon and stickers, fun paper, doilies and all manner of embellishments. Eli made several Valentines, and I enjoyed helping my nephew craft two Valentines which he proudly presented to his daddy and Eli. While we created, our guys played games, snacked and sat by the fire and talked until they decided they wanted to have a contest and judge our Valentines. We laughed over how "official" they made everything and the awards ceremony they so enthusiastically presented.

Thanks, J., for another sweet memory-making session!

A Snow Fort

The boys enjoyed working on their fort yesterday - they built it out of the HUGE snow drift that blew itself up against the barn.

Valentine Brownie Cupcakes

Played Last Night

Brokenness

"Brokenness is not a feeling or an emotion. Rather, it requires a choice, an act of the will. Further, this choice is not primarily a onetime experience, though there may be profound and life-changing spiritual turning points in our lives. True brokenness is an ongoing, constant way of life. True brokenness is a lifestyle - a moment-by-moment lifestyle of agreeing with God about the true condition of my heart and life - not as everyone else thinks it is but as He knows it to be."

-- Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Brokenness - The Heart God Revives

French Bread

Last night this French Bread was voted as the new favorite homemade bread. It was also noted that the recipe should be doubled next time, so that there are sure to be no fist-fights over the last piece.

1 package of active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp.)
1 C. warm water
1 tabl. gluten (The original recipe didn't call for this - if you don't have it or are allergic to it, leave it out. My breads just seem to come out better with it.)
2 tabl. sugar
2 tabl. canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
Cornmeal
1 egg white
1 tsp. cold water

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water for at least 5 minutes. Add the gluten, sugar, oil, salt and 2 C. of the flour. Beat until blended with a wooden spoon. Stir in remaining flour. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down; return to bowl. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a 16"x2 1/2" loaf with tapered ends. Sprinkle a greased baking sheet with cornmeal; place loaf on baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes. Beat egg white and cold water; brush over dough. With a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes 2" apart across top of loaf. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . the sun is making the two feet of snow we got this weekend shimmer like diamonds.

I am remembering . . . the perfect snow day we had yesterday. The five of us went snowmobiling and then built a snow cave in the huge drifts up in the fields. Later we had a Superbowl Party minus the football! M.'s sister and her family came over - more snow play, tea and talk, snacks and games. So as to keep us updated, M.'s mom called us everytime one of the teams scored.

I have been thinking . . . of the restlessness in my spirit lately. The Lord is in the midst of teaching me something, and the picture's still a little fuzzy. Though I'm restless, it's good because it's stretching me.

I am thankful . . . for a husband who is such a hard and willing worker. He was out most of Saturday digging us out as well as half the neighborhood.

From the kitchen . . . I hope to try out a new French bread recipe this week. Maybe I'll try it later today to go with the Hamburg Vegetable Soup I plan to make for supper. I also want to try a new recipe for Pumpkin Scones to put in the freezer for breakfasts. Brownie cupcakes with pink frosting and heart sprinkles for later in the week.

Around the house . . . lots of laundry from the myriad of clothes changed due to winter play this weekend. There are also Valentines to sign and mail out as well as the living room to vacuum and the schoolroom to clean.

This week . . . I won't be out and about too much as we're to get another (smaller) snowstorm on Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday evening is our re-scheduled Valentine-making session and Saturday evening is a Sweetheart Banquet at our old church.

A few of my favorite things . . . red and pink glitter glue, chocolate cupcakes, and Sunday afternoon naps with the warmth of the sun shining in on you.

For more Daybook links, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Superbowl Cupcakes

These football cupcakes were fun to make on a snowy afternoon. Just cut the corners off Andes mints and pipe on the threading with some white icing.

White As Snow

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." -- Isaiah 1:18

Heart-Shaped Peppermint Patties

So cute AND refreshingly delicious - I don't know if I'll ever be able to eat a store-bought Peppermint Patty again!

1 egg white
4 C. powdered sugar
1/3 C. light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract (I used peppermint oil which is much more concentrated than extract. I used 9 drops of oil from a 1/2 oz. eyedropper.)
Cornstarch for dusting
1 lb. good dipping chocolate (I used Mercken's Cocoa Dark Wafers.)

Using a mixer, beat the egg in a metal bowl until frothy but not stiff. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and mix well. By hand, mix in the corn syrup and peppermint extract or oil. Knead the mixture with your hands until it has the smooth consistency of dough. Add a bit more powdered sugar if necessary so that the mixture isn't sticky. (I didn't need to.) Coat a hard surface and rolling pin with cornstarch and roll out the dough until it is about 1/4" thick. Using a mini heart-shaped cutter, cut out as many shapes as you can. Place the hearts on a cookie sheet and gather the remaining dough to roll out and cut again. Continue gathering and cutting until you use up all the dough. Let the hearts get firm in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour. Melt your chocolate (I used the microwave) and drop one heart at a time into the chocolate using a dinner fork. Lift the coated patty out of the chocolate and tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Put your finger on the backside of the heart and carefully slide the heart back onto the cookie sheet. When all hearts are coated, place the sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. You can later transfer the hearts to a covered container and place back in the freezer to store. Made 85 patties with a 1 1/2" heart cutter.

Beaded Valentine

My nephew and I got into the bead box this afternoon. I came up with a Valentine; he decided on a rainbow circle.

Chocolate-Peanut Popcorn

Oh, my. I made a batch of this yesterday afternoon so that we could enjoy it in lieu of dessert with a movie in the evening. The stuff is addicting. I'm guessing that you could leave out the cocoa powder for a caramel-peanut mixture - might try that next time just to see how it is.

20 cups air-popped popcorn (I used 2 - 3.5 oz. bags of microwaveable natural popcorn)
1 C. salted peanuts
1 1/2 C. sugar
3/4 C. butter
1/2 C. corn syrup
3 tabl. water
1 tsp. salt
1/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 250. Place popcorn and peanuts in a large roasting pan (which I don't have so I used a large cookie sheet with a lip); set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until mixture reaches 260 on a candy thermometer without stirring. Remove from heat and add cocoa, vanilla, and baking soda, stirring to combine. Working quickly, pour sugar mixture over popcorn mixture, stirring until popcorn is evenly coated. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Immediately spread popcorn onto parchment paper to cool. Store in airtight container. Makes 20 servings which is a lot!

Valentine Decorations

A Glimpse

Friday night was torture for me. When we got home from Ben's party, I did what I could to make Eli comfortable which wasn't much. I went to bed and laid there listening to him crying in his room. Oh how I wished that I could somehow take on that pain rather than him. My mind refused to speak God's promises to my soul. Eli's body was in pain and so was my mind.

Yesterday morning during my quiet time, I thought on that experience. And the Lord, in His graciousness, reminded me that He, too, experienced pain over His Son's pain. I thought of God the Father's anguish as He watched His Son be tortured and killed. And though I could do nothing about my son's pain, God could have removed His Son's pain in an instant. Yet, He CHOSE not to. Why? For me. God the Father allowed His Son to experience far more mental and physical anguish than anyone can imagine - and they both did it willingly, for you, for me.

This experience has given me a fresh perspective on my salvation. And a newer appreciation for the One Who provided it. And though I wouldn't wish pain on anyone, I'm so thankful that God truly does use everything that happens to us for our good.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . nothing but darkness.

I am thinking . . . of lots of Valentine ideas and plans for this week and next. I was just paging through an old entertaining book, reading of ideas for a Valentine luncheon with bridge afterward and suggestions of food to serve at a Valentine tea. I really was born in the wrong decade - the 1950's suit my style much better than the 2000's.

I am thankful . . . that my husband is upstairs working on our taxes (and I am not!). I view that task as a true act of service on his part.

From the kitchen . . . ice cream while we finish watching "The Fellowship of the Ring." For supper we had grilled burgers and fries - nice and easy after an afternoon of running errands.

Around the house . . . laundry is done and the schoolroom cleaned. E. and I decorated for Valentine's Day a little while ago.

This week . . . I plan on making heart-shaped Peppermint Patties, celebrating Groundhog Day tomorrow, possibly taking the boys to tour a local motorcycle plant, checking out a 50% sale at a local thrift shop, and a Valentine-making party with my mom and sister.

From the schoolroom . . . Ben's working on a report about a WWII ace pilot, Caleb is enjoying drafting, and Eli is eagerly putting together a report on octopus (octopuses, octopi!).

Some of my favorite things . . . red heart-shaped doilies, Valentine stickers and sending love notes.

For more Daybook links, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.