Creatureliness

"We need to lift high the biblical doctrine of creation today, particularly our own creatureliness. We are not the captains of our souls nor the masters of our fates. We are part of the created order and hence totally dependent. Our posture is not one of arrogant acquisition, but of simple trust. What we have or ever will have comes from His gracious hand."

-- Richard J. Foster, "Freedom of Simplicity"

You, Me, 'N Tea

One of my favorite things to do during summer vacation (or spring vacation in our case!) is to have You, Me, 'N Tea Days with my friend, Candy. Somewhere along the line we developed this little concept. She and her kids come for the day - the kids take off playing and we take off cooking. All morning we work together in the kitchen and pick things from the garden to create a lunch of girlie goodies (i.e., recipes that our husbands and children probably wouldn't appreciate!). We feed the kids standard teenage-food and clean up the kitchen. After all is ready, we sit down to a table set with tea dishes, Guy Lombardo music on the record player and good conversation.

Today was our first You, Me, 'N Tea of the season. It was a definite success. Our menu:

* Asparagus Bacon Quiche (recipe below)
* Butter Lettuce with Ham, Romano Cheese, and Sweet Onion Dressing
* Glazed Lemon Bread (from "The Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook" by Barbara Grunes)
* Plantation Tea (from "Tea-Time at the Inn" by Gail Greco)
* Gingersnap-Raspberry Sandwich Cookies (from "Martha Stewart's Cookies")

Asparagus Bacon Quiche
1-9" unbaked pie shell, prick bottom and sides with fork
1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut into 1" pieces
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 eggs
1 C. shredded Swiss cheese
1 1/2 C. Half and Half
1 tabl. sliced green onions
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Line unbaked pie shell with a double layer of aluminum foil. Bake at 450 for 5 minutes; remove foil and bake 7 minutes more. Remove from oven and set aside. Cook asparagus in small amount of water until crisp tender. Drain well. Arrange asparagus and bacon in the crust. Beat eggs; add Half and Half, 1/2 C. cheese, onion, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over asparagus. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place pie plate on cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 for 20-25 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let sit for at least 5 minutes before cutting.


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Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 C. shortening
1 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. sugar
1 egg
1/4 C. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 C. flour
2 1/2 C. oats

Preheat oven to 375. Cream together shortening and sugars. Add egg, water, vanilla, salt and baking soda. Mix in flour and oats. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Kneeling Before the Lord

"I will bless the LORD at all times" -- Psalm 34:1a

I looked up the word "bless" in the original language, and it means to kneel. In other words, "I will kneel before the LORD at all times." As I pondered that this morning, I realized, of course, that I can't PHYSICALLY kneel before the Lord all the time. But I can kneel before the Lord mentally at all times. How? What does it mean to kneel before Him? I think it has to do with a heart attitude - one of humility. I am to understand in humility my position before Him.

He is Creator. I am the created.

He is the Master. I am the servant.

He is God. And I am not.

I understand how this plays out in my mind and in my heart. But how does it look practically? How do I flesh out kneeling before the Lord in the moments of my day?

That's what I want to know, Lord. Show me today. Teach me today to kneel before you.

Woody

(Photo by Eli)

Learning & Doing

God has gently but firmly opened my eyes to the fact that, although I read and study the Word a lot, I don't spend much time engaging in it, applying it. I'm noticing how often I hear a sermon, read a book, or study the Word and just let it go in one ear and out the other. I'm too often a "hearer," not a "doer." Sometimes I mentally write off the message as being something I already have under control. Other times I think, "I hope so and so's listening." And how often have I sped through a book that could contribute to my spiritual well-being - just to add it to my "Books Read" list. How prideful.

And so, my battle plan is to engage. I've decided to read through I Peter for awhile. All of it, every day. It's not that long - only 5 short chapters. I don't know how long I'll do it - a week or a month. However long it takes to soak in, really soak in. Until I've wrestled with it, tasted it and made it mine. And then, most importantly, put it into practice. For what good is a faith that's all in the brain and never walked out with the feet?

My lessons began this morning. As I read "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling," the verse, as they say, nearly jumped off the page into my face. Immediately, scenes from the recent past popped into my mind. Last night, when the Spirit nudged me to ask my sister if she wanted a cup of tea, I complained and told Him I was too tired to prolong her visit. When my mother-in-law stopped in on Saturday, I ignored His whisper and never offered her a chair because I was too busy. The other evening, when my husband suggested serving the nephews ice cream, I declined - they already had cake.

Ouch.

That's enough, Lord. I get the message - loud and clear. I have much to learn. Oops. Scratch that. I have much to do.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . a rainy day, a glimpse of the cows & a variety of green things (isn't it wonderful that God didn't just create ONE shade of green?!)

I am thinking . . . about finishing up this post and then heading upstairs to figure out what resources I need for the boys' schooling next year.

I am remembering . . . Saturday evening and the enjoyable time we had eating out with M.'s mom and dad at Hoss'. What fun in-laws I have!

I am praying . . . that God would keep my eyes open to my own sin. It's so easy to see it in other's lives and so hard to see it in my own.

I am thankful . . . that another year of schooling is finished. I love to homeschool, but it certainly is nice to have a break!

I am hearing . . . the boys upstairs discussing something and the dryer running and running and running.

Around the house . . . laundry, dusting some of the bedrooms, school planning for next year, and cookie baking.

From the kitchen . . . spaghetti and meatballs for supper with some sort of cookie for dessert.

This week . . . keeping my sister's little boys overnight, a cooking day with a friend, and preparing for the homeschool curriculum fair in two weeks.

A few of my favorite things . . . studying the Word, shortbread with tea, and Sunday afternoon naps.

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

Baking Day

This morning, as nothing else was pressing, I decided to do a long-overdue Baking Day.

Here's the line-up:

* Four loaves of bread - three plain white and one cinnamon - We cut and enjoyed the cinnamon bread when it was still warm - delicious, though we did decide that it needs more cinnamon next time.

* A Sock-It-To-Me Cake (see the recipe below) - an old family favorite

* Twenty Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins - After cooling, they got put in the freezer for breakfasts.

* Two pans of Cinnamon Shortbread - I stored these away for afternoon teatime. This is a recipe I got from a cookbook I picked up from Border's bargain shelves - "The Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook" by Barbara Grunes. The shortbread is good but not as good as the Ginger Shortbread recipe I got from The Pleasant View Schoolhouse.

Sock-It-To-Me Cake (a moist, flavorful cake with no need for frosting)

1 pkg. Butter Recipe cake mix
1 C. sour cream
1/2 C. oil
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. water
4 eggs
2 tabl. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix cake mix, sour cream, oil, sugar, water and eggs together with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour 1/3 of the batter into a greased 13x9" pan. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together; sprinkle over batter. Pour the rest of the batter over the top. Bake at 375 for approx. 40 minutes.

Book Sale Finds Today

Homemade Corn Dogs

My friend, Emily, recently shared how she makes homemade corn dogs for her family. I made them for our lunch today and all happily approved!

Mix up two small boxes of corn muffin mix according to package directions. (Emily said she tried this recipe with a homemade cornbread recipe but it didn't come out as well as with the mix.) Set aside; place muffin liners in tins. Cut 4 hot dogs into length-wise slices. Place a small amount of batter into the bottom of each cup. Layer several slices of hot dogs on top of the batter and put more batter over the top. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until baked through. Makes about 15 corn dogs. (Next time, I think I'll do another layer of dogs and batter for each cup.) Happy lunch!

Good Morning!

Bye!

Away from my computer for a few days - see you next week!

The U.S. Capitol

Ben and Caleb finished this impressive 3-D puzzle of the U. S. Capitol this morning. (Now they hope to find the White House at a yard sale.)

Cheesy Meat Pie

A favorite for supper . . .

Pie crust
1/2 lb. hamburger
1 small onion, chopped
3 tabl. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 C. cheddar cheese,
1 1/2 C. milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 450. Prepare pie crust by pricking with holes on bottom and sides and baking for about 8 minutes or until almost done; set aside. Lower oven temperature to 400. Brown beef and onion; drain. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Spread beef mixture in pie crust. Sprinkle cheese over beef mixture. Mix together milk, eggs and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over top. Place pie plate on top of cookie sheet to prevent spills. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until pie is "set" and all ingredients are firm when pie plate is jiggled. Allow to sit at least 5 minutes before serving. (I usually double this recipe for two meat pies - it makes good left-overs.)

The Apple Tree in Blossom

(Photo by Eli)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window . . . my hosta is growing large and full, the picnic table is back in place after being used for egg-painting on Easter eve, and the grass is green and thick.

I am thinking . . . how much I am looking forward to our mountain trip at the end of the week.

I am remembering . . . the fun we had yesterday. The yard was littered with a dozen boys at various times throughout the afternoon and evening playing their boy games. My friend, Candy, and I watched from a "safe" position on the porch - that is, until the porch swing decided to let loose from the roof. We dropped to the floor a foot away and covered our heads while the swing chain, siding, a board and a pile of debris came down on us. The men and boys came running to rescue us. All was fine (except the roof!), and we have yet another funny memory to add to our collection!

I am thankful . . . for this big, beautiful farm where boys ride bikes, play with goats, learn to work, swim in the pond, catch frogs and play in forts.

I am hearing . . . Ben jumping his bike up the sidewalk and Caleb grinding the rust off a piece of machinery.

From the kitchen . . . Cheesy Meat Pie for supper and a Peanut Butter Pie from the freezer.

Around the house . . . asparagus to pick, dishes to do and flower boxes to water.

This week . . . a trip to the library to return all of the documentaries, a grocery shopping trip and preparations for the cabin.

A few of my favorite things . . . grilled asparagus, starting a new book and two more weeks of school!!

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

A Spring Tea

My sister had an impromptu Spring Tea for a friend and me this afternoon. Though we were hoping to eat out under the blossoming trees on her little patio, the air was just too cool. Maybe next year! We instead had tea in her dining room and spent an hour-and-a-half in good discussion, looking at photos, and finishing with a tour of J.'s flower beds to see what was blooming.

* Baby Spinach & Grape Salad with Raspberry-Walnut Vinaigrette
* Cinnamon Chip Scones
* Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
* A variety of hot teas

A Boy and His Goat

Macaroni Salad

I made up a big batch of macaroni salad this afternoon to use up some of the Easter eggs around here. This recipe is a family favorite from M.'s aunt.

Macaroni Salad

1 1/2 C. sugar
1/4 C. flour
1/2 C. vinegar
1 1/2 C. water
1 pt. mayonaisse
1/4 C. mustard
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper
1 lb. macaroni
1 C. celery, chopped
1/2 C. onion, chopped
1/2 C. carrots, chopped
1 tabl. parsley
1/2 dozen hard-boiled eggs, diced

In a saucepan, mix sugar and flour well. Add vinegar, water, mayo, mustard, salt and pepper. Stirring constantly, boil for several minutes until mixture becomes clear (opaque). Set aside to cool. Cook macaroni and drain. Add celery, onion, carrots, parsley and eggs to macaroni. Pour cooked mixture over macaroni and stir. Refrigerate. Makes 1/2 gallon.

A Day in Gettysburg

The boys and I went on a field trip to Gettysburg today - again. We've been there several times before - there's so much to see and do! Historic Gettysburg is really a quaint and beautiful place. This time we toured the new Visitors' Center - the museum, the excellent film they offer and the Cyclorama presentation which involves the largest painting on display in North America. We visited a military surplus store and a toy soldier store. Rode through the battlefields. Had lunch at a picnic table outside the Visitors' Center. Enjoyed a quirky little museum that's stuck back in 1968 - the Lincoln Train Museum - where we took a simulated "train ride" with Lincoln. Walked through the serene and beautiful National Cemetary. Then promptly had a van-break-down. Thankfully, it was in the train museum's parking lot and the attendant running the museum bent over backward in helping us. My knight-in-shining-armor left work early to rescue us (and quite graciously I might add). He jimmied it and got it working. So our lovely day had a happy ending after all . . .

Easter Eggs

Ben and Eli dipped a few eggs yesterday to use on Easter morning for our egg-rolling contest. McCormick's makes some beautiful hues with their Neon Food Coloring. They make it easy by including the instructions for egg dyeing right on the back of the box. The eggs the boys dipped were originally brown since that's what our chickens lay. As lovely as they are, I can't imagine the beauty of the hues on white eggs.

Our Mediator

"The Maker of man was made man; that the Ruler of the stars might suck at the bre*st; that the Bread might be hungered; the Fountain, thirst; the Light, sleep; the Way, be wearied by the journey; the Truth, be accused by false witnesses; the Judge of the living and the dead, be judged by a mortal judge; the Chastener, be chastised with whips; the Vine, be crowned with thorns; the Foundation, be hung upon the tree; Strength, be made weak; Health, be wounded; Life, die. To suffer these and suchlike things, undeserved things, that He might free the undeserving, for neither did He deserve any evil, who for our sakes endured so many evils, nor were we deserving of anything good, we who through Him received such good."

- Saint Augustine, The Confessions

Hot Cross Muffins

Our traditional Good Friday breakfast . . .

Hot Cross Muffins

1 1/2 C. flour
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C. oil
1/2 C. milk

Combine all dry ingredients. Mix well; then add egg, oil and milk. Stir to moisten. Put in muffin tins and bake at 400 for about 15 minutes. Makes about 15 muffins. While muffins cool for a few minutes, mix 1 C. 10X sugar with a few tablespoons of milk (just enough for desired thickness). Serve muffins and allow each person to drizzle icing onto muffin in the shape of a cross.

"Stained Glass" by Eli