Easter Peeps

We've got chocolate ones in the kitchen . . .

and real ones in the basement!

The Benefits of His Blood

Good Friday is the day when you can do nothing.  Bewailing and lamenting your manifold sins does not itself make up for them.  Scouring your soul in a frenzy of spring cleaning only sterilizes it; it does not give it life.  On Good Friday, finally, we are all, mourners and mockers alike, reduced to the same impotence.  Someone else is doing the terrible work that gives life to the world. -- Virginia S. Owens

Last weekend at our little mountain church, the Sunday School Hour was a discussion of the benefits of Jesus' blood.  I list some of them here that they might be reflected upon and rejoiced over:

* For the remission of our sins - Matthew 26:28
* For our redemption and forgiveness - Ephesians 1:7
* That all things would be reconciled - Colossians 1:20
* That we are justified and saved - Romans 5:9
* That the deadness of our sins might be removed from our conscience - Hebrews 9:14
* Makes us fit, clothes us in purity and holiness - Revelation 7:14
* Gives us direct access to God - Hebrews 10:19
* Causes us to come near to the LORD - Ephesians 2:13
* Given liberty, washed and set free - Revelation 1:5
* Sanctifies and sets us apart - Hebrews 13:12
* Cleanses us from sin - I John 1:7
* Purchased and owned by Him - Acts 20:28
* Provides communion with Him - I Corinthians 10:16
* That we might overcome all things - Revelation 7:11

Neighborliness

Lest you think neighborliness has gone the way of the dinosaurs, I beg to differ.  I found it in the apartment catty-corner to my mother's.  Inside dwell an elderly couple who, whether they realize it or not, have been God's hands and feet to my mom.  Though they barely know her, they have visited my mom in the hospital, bring her their newspaper when they're finished with it, and retrieve objects that are beyond my mother's reach.  They have stood at the top of the steps holding open the door when they see me coming with groceries, faithfully get Mom's mail out of the box every afternoon and given her their phone number with the request to call her if she has any trouble.  And upon finding out that I was at the apartment helping one day at lunchtime, ladeled up two big bowls of homemade noodle soup and popped over to deliver it.

After washing up those bowls and stepping across the hall to gratefully return them, I remarked to Mom that there are some definite benefits to living two steps away from others.  Neighborliness is definitely not dead.  Praise God. 

Maple Cookies From Our Maple Weekend

M. and I attended Tioga and Potter County's Maple Weekend while in the mountains - we were able to visit 11 of the featured maple farms.  It's fascinating to us how the producers run the gamut - one place we visited was manned by two employees whose owner sells maple syrup in large quantities to stores and restaurants.  On the other end of the scale was a small-time family operation who purposefully don't expand and have the business simply to teach their children values and create memories.  Also interesting is the fact that many of these families have been making sugar for generations.  One woman shared that her father's great-grandfather began making syrup from a sugar bush when he came back from the Civil War - her family has been harvesting maple ever since!

Our favorite thing is interacting with each producer - especially the farms that use the open house as means to a big family reunion.  What a privilege it is to have complete strangers open their home to you because they love what they're doing and want to share it with others.  And not only do they share themselves and their passion for sugar-making but their food as well!!  We enjoyed hot dogs cooked in maple syrup, maple-coated popcorn, maple nut fudge, sundaes with maple peanut butter topping, tender pork with maple sauce and maple granola. 

An elderly woman who has been making maple syrup with her husband for decades offered maple cookies and maple sticky buns in her candy kitchen.  After inquiring what she put in her cookies, she promptly dug out her cookbook with a piece of paper and pen for me to write down the recipe - so I did! 

Chewy Maple Cookies

1/2 C. shortening
1 C. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 C. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. coconut (optional)

Cream shortening and brown sugar until fluffy.  Beat in egg, syrup and vanilla.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture.  Stir in coconut, if desired.  Drop by tablespoon 2" apart onto greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Exploring Big Valley

At the entrance to Big Valley - he was huge!

This weekend M. and I slipped away to the mountains for a few days while my sister held down the fort for Mom here at home. We’d been planning this get-away for awhile actually – we wanted to attend the Maple Festival again this year. The festival being Saturday and Sunday, we had Friday free for other things.

We spent it roaming around Big Valley – a beautiful valley about an hour from our cabin that’s tucked in between rolling, snow-sprinkled mountains and filled with Amish farms. Amid the snowflakes we drove, enjoying the beauty that surrounded us. We were delighted to see yellow-topped buggies in place of the charcoal-colored ones that we’re used to seeing in our neck of the woods. There were also white-topped ones with a blue kerosene lantern swinging from each side! Along the way, we stopped to peruse an Amish-owned dry goods store set in the middle of a field and then attended another mud sale at the local firehouse.

We browsed through the auction tents, looking at the wares and had an Amish Wedding Dinner in the firehall to benefit the community. The kitchen was a colorful sight of Amish ladies in blue and green and purple, washing dishes, tending children and keeping the big roasting pans filled. The tables groaned with food, and I tried a little bit of nearly everything. There was chicken mixed in with stuffing; mashed potatoes with gravy; cheesy noodles; sweet, stewed celery; baked beans with bacon, onion and green beans; pepper slaw; cooked apples; vanilla pudding; raspberry coffeecake; strawberry pie and chocolate shoo-fly pie. Those tables weren’t the only thing groaning that evening!

Chili Casserole

Tried another new supper recipe this week - this time from Gooseberry Patch's Hometown Favorites.   It disappeared mighty quick -

Chili Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced
16 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/4 oz. pkg. chili mix
1 C. water
3/4 C. cheddar, shredded
1 1/4 C. mozzarella, shredded
2 C. corn chips, crushed

Brown beef and onion; drain.  Add tomato sauce, chili mix and water.  Simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring 2-3 times.  In a 2 qt. bowl, layer beef mixture, cheese and corn chips; repeat.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Mud Saling

Don't know if there are mud sales in other parts of the country or not, but around here this is the season for such.  Lots of volunteer fire companies in the area hold mud sales to raise funds, auctioning off all manner of things.  M. and I attended my first one last weekend - a pleasant way to spend an evening.  Friday night was the grocery auction - we sat on benches in the firehouse for three hours and had fun picking up some bargains, people-watching, and eating homemade goodies from the Amish-tended food stands.  There was a family with a 3-month old baby right in front of us - the two of us especially enjoyed watching him and reminiscing over similar things our babies used to do.  The next day M. and Caleb went back to the auction for a few hours to see other things being sold - hay, equipment, household items and all kinds of odds and ends.  They brought home some chicken wire, a bucket and a pair of 50 cent skis!  Look for mud sales in your area - if you have the opportunity, check one out -

Pondering Palm Sunday

"So it is ourselves we must spread under Christ's feet, not coats or lifeless branches or shoots of trees, matter which wastes away and delights the eye only for a few brief hours.  But we have clothed ourselves with Christ's grace, with the whole Christ - 'for as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ' - so let us spread ourselves like coats under his feet." -- Andrew of Crete

A Few Tips on Short-Term Care-Giving

My mother had double-knee surgery with complications several weeks ago and so I've been playing care-giver for awhile.  Talking with M.'s aunt the other day (who has been a care-giver of her husband for several years now) had us comparing notes about the things we've learned about taking care of others.  And though she has way more experience than I do, we found similar themes running through our experiences.  After our helpful conversation, I thought I'd share a few things here to perhaps encourage someone else who finds themselves in a similar situation.

1.)  Adjust your schedule.  From taking care of my mother several years ago with another health issue, I learned that this time I needed to clear my calendar.  Years ago, I tried to keep up with my regular schedule AND take care of her.  It didn't go well - my family suffered, my mother suffered and I suffered the consequences.  This time, I put aside all my regular outside commitments and focused ONLY on taking care of my family and my mother. 

2.)  Don't do more than is expected.  This might not sound quite right at first, but my tendency is to go overboard and do way more than my mother ever expects me to do.  I then end up stressed, exhausted and resentful.  I've learned to ask specifically what needs done and what doesn't need done.

3.)  Keep their preferences in mind.  I've come to learn to be thoughtful in how I do things for my mother.  My tendency is to sail in and just start putting things in order and doing things the way I would do them.  And because my mother is non-confrontational, she'll let me go ahead.  However, the Lord spoke to my heart about considering how she would like her cupboards arranged or her paperwork done.  I realized that my mother has her own way of keeping house - and even though it's different than mine, I want to be respectful of it.  (Though that doesn't mean I can't make helpful suggestions from time to time.)

4.)  Communicate and ask, don't assume.  This one goes along with some of the others I've mentioned.  I've found it best to be as honest as possible and ask, not assume.  Though my mother and I both tend to be non-confrontational people, I've found this can be dangerous in a relationship and result in resentment.  I must force myself to be open and encourage her to do the same. 

5.)  Take one moment at a time.  I know this sounds cliche, but it's a fact.  I find that if I get into the mindset of thinking what next month or next week or tomorrow will look like, I can get easily overwhelmed thinking of all that needs done.  What needs done will get done - and the rest will get sifted out. 

6.)  Have a sounding board.  Have someone you can call up for encouragement.  Care-giving can be demanding, stressful and overwhelming at times, even short-term care-giving.  When I need some fresh air, I call my sister.  Though she can't help much with the nitty-gritty because of her season of life, she's great at moral support.  M.'s aunt is also such a help to me because she's far deeper in the trenches than me and understands.

7.)  Remember that this is only a season.  Taking care of my mom is a season - just like childrearing, it won't last forever.  Whether short-term care or long-term care, this is only a small portion of life.  And though hard at times, there is also joy - which leads to the next one . . .

8.)  Look for, and pray for, joy.  In the past few weeks, Mom and I have had some great moments.  Keeping things light, laughing over moments, and looking for things for which we can be thankful has helped to make the situation easier.  I've been praying that the LORD would help me have a deeper love and compassion for my mother through this situation and He's answering.

A St. Patrick's Day Prayer

The gift of a shamrock plant from a friend -

Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

-- St. Patrick of Ireland

Cheeseburger Macaroni

This is a new-to-me recipe that I found in an old issue of Southern Living.  The only thing I changed from the original recipe was to add an extra 1/4 C. ketchup.  Otherwise, this one's definitely a keeper and will be added to the master supper idea list!  So easy, delicious and hearty -

Cheeseburger Macaroni

8 oz. (2 C.) elbow macaroni
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 - 14.5 oz. cans of Italian stewed tomatoes (I chopped these into smaller pieces.)
1/2 C. ketchup
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. shredded cheddar

Cook and drain macaroni.  Cook and drain beef and onion.  Add tomatoes, ketchup and seasonings to beef.  Mix in macaroni.  Simmer for 7-10 minutes.  Sprinkle cheddar over top immediately before serving.

Thank You, LORD . . .

Photo by Eli

3272.) that at the end of the day, regardless of all else, I'm still loving, still trusting, still believing, still holding on to the end of Your rope
3273.) that You never stop loving me - Your love is wonderful! (Psalm 17:7)
3274.) for helping Caleb and me get Mom settled back into her apartment
3275.) for the Shamrock Shakes the two of us had after our work
3276.) for the time I had last evening to putter and rearrange in the kitchen
3277.) for the anticipation of trying a new supper recipe
3278.) that Spring is beginning to show its colors
3279.) that my house stands because You are its foundation (Luke 6:47-49)
3280.) that the Israelites obeyed Your command to move when You moved and stay when You stayed - help me, also, to keep my eyes on the "cloud" and move as You direct (Numbers 9:15-23)
3281.) for the reminder that pride will destroy and ruin - put it down, LORD (Proverbs 16:18)
3282.) for our own fresh eggs (though the photo is of a neighborhood rooster!)

A St. Pat's Tea Party on a Tray

Last evening a sweet friend surprised me with a well-timed St. Patrick's Day gift. She found two, small green vintage trays, layered them with shamrock-shaped and flower-shaped Spritz cookies, added some mint tea, and wa-la . . . a St. Pat's Tea Party on a Tray. Love it.

Sure Signs of Spring

Last evening, my husband . . .

brought home two bags of these and

directed Caleb to till the bottom row of the garden.

All of which means that Spring is almost here!

The God Who Understands Suffering

"I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross.  The only God I believe in is the one Nietzsche ridiculed as "God on the Cross."  In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who as immune to it?  I have entered many Buddhist temples and stood respectfully before the statue of Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world.  But each time after a while I have had to turn away.  And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness.  That is the God for me!  He laid aside his immunity to pain.  He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death.  He suffered for us."  -- John Stott

A Book Review of The Silver Chalice

The Silver Chalice by Thomas B. Costain is a novel of historical fiction that was on the Bestseller's List in the '50s.  It's a richly woven story that centers around the cup that was used by Christ at the Last Supper.  Mr. Costain wrote his novel based on the artifact of the Chalice of Antioch which is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  (Check the web for a photo of the intricately-designed chalice.) 

The story is about the life of the fictional artisan of the Chalice, Basil of Antioch.  From his adoption by a wealthy merchant to his unjust thrust into slavery to his conversion to Christianity, Basil's life is intermixed with a cast of Biblical characters familiar to us - Paul, Peter, John, Nero and Simon the Magician.  The book gives further insight into the New Testament by sharing the customs and history of the time period.  Especially interesting to me was the information given about sculpting that was explained throughout the story - the history of Greek sculpture as well as the process of capturing a likeness in clay.

If I had to sum up the book in one word, I would say, "Beauty."  Beauty of descriptive paragraphs, rich and layered characters, glimpses of eternal truths, gifts and resources used for His service.  I especially loved this word picture about artistry:

"He is a vile fellow, this Simon," said the middle-aged man at this point, leaning closer to Nero, who was still nursing his amusement.  "He is so very ugly that he makes my flesh creep.  But this must be said for him: he is an artist."

"An artist?" The Emperor's voice showed that this point of view came to him as a surprise.  "Come, Petronius, you are leading up to one of your quips.  A paradox, perhaps.  You do not believe this fellow to be an artist.  Can there be artistry in as low a trade as the making of magic?"

"There is artistry," declared Petronius, watching the thin streak of light in the green cymophane ring he was wearing, "in the the building of a dry wall, in the flexing of a bow, in the concoction of a double-faced tart to tickle the palate of a Caesar and smear the cheeks of his greedy henchman." 

A fascinating read full of intrigue, romance, insight and beauty -

A Spirited Mind Blog

I came across this blog a month or so ago - A Spirited Mind.  It's loaded with scads of great book reviews from a wide variety of genres.  If you need another source to help add to your "to read" list, this is the place to visit.  Thanks, Catherine!

Skillet-Baked Chocolate-Chip Cookie

This is an adaptation of typical chocolate chip cookies - one big cookie in a skillet.  This would work well to serve for company.  Just put it in the oven as you sit down to dinner, and later in the evening you can serve it slightly warm with some milk or coffee.

Skillet-Baked Chocolate-Chip Cookie

2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.  With a mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add egg and vanilla; mix until they are fully incorporated.  Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Transfer dough to a 10" ovenproof skillet, and press to flatten, covering bottom of pan.  Bake until edges are brown and top is golden, about 40-45 minutes.  Don't overbake; it will continue to cook a few minutes out of the oven.  Cool for about 15-20 minutes, then cut.  Serve with a scoop of ice cream, if desired.

Spending Seuss Day at the Seussical

Appropriately, Eli and I spent Dr. Seuss' birthday at a performance of Seussical: The Musical at the local high school.  The musical combined various Seuss tales and characters into one clever story.  It certainly brought back lots of fun memories of all the Dr. Seuss books that I read to the boys when they were little.   

One of the main characters was Horton the Elephant, of Horton Hatches the Egg fame.  In that book and in the musical, Horton frequently quotes a line that becomes his mantra and are some of my favorite words that Dr. Seuss ever wrote:  "I meant what I said and I said what I meant - An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!"

I would often quote that line to the boys as they were growing.  It was important to me to implant in them a strong sense of integrity - to be men of their word.  That Horton the Elephant would proclaim his insistent faithfulness over keeping a promise in their Seuss storybook gave even more credence to the teaching.

Thanks, Dr. Seuss, for using Horton to help teach my boys about the wisdom of keeping their word.

A Book Review of A Lion Called Christian

A Lion Called Christian - The True Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall is a book that Eli and I recently enjoyed together.  This story started in the late '60s when the two Australian authors bought a lion cub at London's Harrod's Department Store.  It tells of the trio's adventures in the furniture shop where the men worked, in the local walled garden where Christian was exercised, and on various excursions out and about.  Christian's adventures continue as he outgrows his owners' flat and is eventually flown to Kenya and successfully rehabilitated back into the wild.  I especially enjoyed learning about the fascinating habits, nature and behavior of lions.  And photos of Christian sprinkled throughout the book reveal the beauty and grace of these amazing creations -

Worship His Holy Name

Bless the Lord, Oh my soul,
Oh my soul,
Worship His holy Name.  
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul,
I worship Your holy Name.

If you don't recognize these words, they're the chorus to Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons.  And they're precious to me, not only because they never fail to draw forth praise from my lips, but also because they remind me of a story.

The story is one my sister told me of a day when her family was running errands.  10,000 Reasons began playing on the local radio station, and it wasn't long before she and her husband heard a little voice emanating from the back of the car.  That little voice belongs to my four-year-old nephew, Asher, and he was singing the chorus to this song.  Jenna and her husband looked at one another with tears in their eyes.  The precious words of praise were even sweeter coming from the lips of a child. How beautiful it must have sounded to the One to Whom the praise is due.

You sing it, Ash - for 10,000 years and then forevermore.  I can't wait to sing it with you before the Throne.

Thank You, LORD . . .

3192.) for the fun and excitement of B. and C.'s championship volleyball game last night
3193.) for bright moonlight falling in the window 
3194.) for an especially good cup of Tower of London tea this morning
3195.) for the strength, energy and time to care for Mom
3196.) for the anticipation of double chocolate muffins for breakfast
3197.) for the anticipation of going out to dinner with Marty tonight
3198.) that You created within us the ability to anticipate!
3199.) for reminding me that You are not a tame God, but holy and honorable (Leviticus 10:1-3)
3200.) that You hear my cries for help (Psalm 6:9)
3201.) for the admonishment that You hate a proud look (Proverbs 6:16-17) - so often, not only are my looks proud but so with my words, thoughts and actions - strike it down, LORD