Cranberry Morning

Word Verification on Blogger

2012-01-31T05:00:00.007-06:00

Until now, I have not used 'Word Verification' on Blogger comments. Why? Because I thought it was a real nuisance for my readers who are, I know, reading many blogs a day, not just mine. Who wants to spend time tediously typing the letters of a non-word word before hitting the Publish button!

But now, after enduring a solid week of you-know-what coming into my e-mail Inbox, I can bear it no longer. I am sorry to say that I am now asking for those who comment (and you know how all of us Bloggers love to get comments from our readers!) to go through the inconvenience of Word Verification.

I do appreciate every comment I get (well, excluding those from the aforementioned blog stalkers) and hope you will be willing to take the time to indulge the Word Verification requirement and leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you!

Thanks so much for reading Cranberry Morning.

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Homemade Vanilla Bean Soap

2012-01-30T05:00:00.005-06:00

Handcrafted Vanilla Soap

'Tropical Vanilla Bean'

It's the next best thing to being there - in the tropics, that is. You will love the fragrance of this handcrafted bar of vanilla bean soap. Made with quality base oils, a fantastic fragrance oil, and real vanilla beans from the Tropics! Yes, from Indonesia. And, they are handshucked (for the cult followers of the movie What About Bob? - you know who you are!). You'll love the silky smooth and generous lather of Tropical Vanilla Bean Handcrafted Soap. Make sure to have these lovely bars available for your guests, and get extra bars for those upcoming birthdays and other special days.

Each bar of homemade Tropical Vanilla Bean soap comes wrapped in its own special label and is sealed in a clear cello bag to keep fragrances separate. Every bar is a special gift for someone - including you!

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Canola Oil, Castor Oil, quality fragrance oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water, Java Vanilla Beans.

Note: Each hand cut soap is approximately 4 oz., usually more.

Price per bar: $4.50 (Don't miss the Buy-Five-Get-One-Free offer)

Shipping within the U.S. only.

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Homemade Soap'n'Such

This post is linked to some or all of the following: Mop it Up Mondays and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Home and Family Friday

Barns of England

2012-01-27T07:00:00.005-06:00

Near Castle Bolton

It's been a few years since I've seen these barns, but there they were, just as we turned onto the road to Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire. There was something about the weathered wood and stone - and so near a real castle, that I found charming.

Northeast of York

Much less charming, but possessing the redeeming factor of those darling sheep, was this barn near Sutton on the Forest. March has its perks: lambing season being the best.

West of Leyburn

This just said, 'All Creatures Great and Small.' I expected the veterinarian 'James Herriot' to come walking out of that old stone byre any minute! This is one of my favorite pictures from North Yorkshire.

In 'downtown' Hawes

I found it so odd that right in the middle of this town, just a short walk from the (Wallace and Gromit) Wensleydale Creamery, to find a barn and a horse pen - with a real horse and a border collie to boot!

Can you find the horse?

...and here's the ever-watchful border collie

West of Leyburn

Looking stark against the landscape, this barn caught my attention, along with that beautiful, lichen-covered drystone wall.

Near Dorstone

And then there are the barns that I'm not sure whether they have been standing for a couple hundred years or if they were built in 1990 and made to look old! These days, it's often hard for the casual observer to tell.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

Soap'n'Such

1913 Home Comfort Wood Range

2012-01-26T05:00:00.001-06:00

I don't know why this looked pretty to me. Maybe because it's January and any amount of color is thrilling. And maybe because I really am attached to our old 1913 Home Comfort wood range. We only cook on it when we have sub-zero temps outdoors and want to use the wood range for auxiliary heat. And even then, only when I want to feel especially pioneerish. If that urge does hit me, it's usually when winter is new, not when it has worn out its welcome.

The license plate is a 1926 Wisconsin plate that Kevin found somewhere.

The tools on the stove are for (r) shaking down the grates and for (l) lifting the burner lids.

The cute red and black S&P shakers are from Ian and Becky who know that I love all things British, and especially phone boxes and post boxes!

It's smelling particularly like rosemary and mint in the kitchen. An upcoming soap post, perhaps?

I have leftover chicken stirfry in the refrigerator that will be dinner tonight. Love that stuff!

I'm hoping I can stick to carrots and a few almonds (that's always the trick - a FEW) later in the evening.

I am so thankful for the change of seasons, and the knowledge that we will eventually have springtime once again. In the meantime, I'll attend my ladies' Bible study, knit, make soap, cook, clean (well, a little), read, take photos, and blog.

Because of the LORD's great love

we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness!

-Lamentations 3:22-23

I think about those first two lines a lot, for God could squish us like a bug if He wanted to. With hearts that seek to worship anything, almost EVERYthing other than the only Rescuer and Hope that we have, the Lord Jesus Christ, we deserve to be consumed! I am thankful that we have a merciful Savior. I am one who needs mercy.

With random thoughts from the kitchen,

Gluten-Free Chicken Pasta Casserole

2012-01-25T06:55:00.001-06:00

Easy, Quick Chicken Pasta

Kid-friendly

Mother-approved

First of all, pleeeeeease imagine some pimento in here. It would really brighten it up, wouldn't it! Next time...

And don't let the words 'gluten-free' scare you. If you hadn't been told, you would never know that this pasta is gluten free, except that your tummy won't hurt nor will your skin feel super-sensitive after eating it! I realize that many of you don't experience this when you eat wheat, so go ahead and use regular pasta if you want.

A while ago, I put together the following recipe that even the grandsons liked! (Well, make that one grandson. But he liked it well enough for both of them. I always figure it's a good sign if the grandkids like it.)

I would normally bake this in a 350 degree oven for a half hour before serving, but when everyone's gathered around the kitchen and looking like they're going to die from starvation any minute, it can be served right out of the skillet as soon as it's put together and thoroughly heated.

Gluten-Free, Quick and Easy Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe:

3 c. Tinkyada Penne Pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
3 c. cooked chicken, cut into pieces (or 1 large can chicken breast, drained)
3 ribs celery, sliced thin on the diagonal
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
2 T. REAL Wisconsin butter
8 oz. plain yogurt
1/3 to 1/2 c. Kalamata olives, sliced
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. pimento (I did not add it this time, but definitely will next time!)
1/2 c. crushed Stax potato chips

Saute celery, onion, and garlic in olive oil. Add drained Tinkyada pasta and remaining ingredients except for the potato chips. Stir. Place in baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with the crushed potato chips and spray the top with a cooking spray (makes the chips glisten, rather than looking dull) and set in a 350 degree oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

Kid approved: 100%
(We don't count the little brother's opinion, for he only likes candy canes. :-)

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

Soap'n'Such

This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Home and Family Friday

Kitchen Makeover

2012-01-23T07:00:00.005-06:00

When we traveled to Texas in late November to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter and our son-in-law, they had completed an amazing kitchen transformation. Above is the 'House Beautiful' shot of her kitchen. I loved it!! Okay, it wasn't actually in House Beautiful, but it should have been!

Same shot, but BEFORE all the hard work

First Step: Painting the Kitchen Cabinets White

a great improvement!

Looking through the kitchen to the dining room

(with a big surprise waiting in the next dining room shot)

Same shot, after upper cabinets over the stove have been removed

and a new streamlined stove hood installed.
Isn't it gorgeous!

Did you notice the grand piano in what was formerly the dining room? Who wouldn't trade in a dining table for a grand piano! And now, the den is where the dining table is located. Great choice!

Another BEFORE shot, this one looking toward the eating nook

Annnnnnnnd......AFTER - Same perspective

What a huge change!
Love those tangerine-color accents.

The Finished Project

I wonder how ambitious she is going to feel when she comes for her August visit this year. Hmmmm. I'm sitting here looking at my natural oak kitchen cabinets. Wouldn't they look great with a white makeover! Kevin is already shaking his head 'NO.' What a spoiled sport! ;-)

The Homeowners
Awww...aren't they cute!

Thanks for letting me post about your kitchen, Honey!♥

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Soap'n'Such

This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Craft Whatever and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Home and Family Friday

The Inconvenient Truth

2012-01-21T20:00:00.007-06:00

Trust me: Each one of these people has been extremely inconvenient at times.

But where would this world be without them.

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.

And without our old people, we'd never have moments like these...

Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, til I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

January 22, 2012

National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

Have a blessed Lord's Day.

Change of Menu

2012-01-21T07:00:00.005-06:00

When 'peanut butter on a Nylabone' just doesn't cut it

There are times that a dog's just gotta be a dog.

There once was a bunny named Peter

Who thought that life couldn't be sweeter.

So carefree he hopped,

'Til suddenly stopped

By Bridger, the great Peter eater!

Hope you got to enjoy your favorite dinner this week!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Soap'n'Such

Hay-on-Wye, Sedbergh, Book Towns

2012-01-20T07:00:00.120-06:00

It was a cold, bleak, and windy day in Hay-on-Wye

View Larger Map
I don't know if you can see the border between England and Wales on the map, but Hay-in-Wye lies just inside the Welsh border in the county of Powys (rhymes with Lois), Wales. Hay-on-Wye is world famous for its many bookstores. A person could spend days there and not exhaust its great supply of books. It seems that everyplace is a bookstore, including even the castle??

It was mid-March, so the bookstore was not stocked.

Photo Credit: Ian Haskins
The photo above must have been taken in high season. Look at the books!
A castle AND a bookstore? What could be better!

Photo Credit: VisitBritain.com
Trust between the Welsh and English has evidently improved since the 14th c.

In Sedbergh, Cumbria - another Book Town

From www.sedbergh.org.uk:

What is a Book Town?

Well, it's a town, usually small and usually rural, which has brought together a number of bookshops and other businesses based on writing, reading, publishing and so on. In practice many of the shops will concentrate on selling second-hand books. There are thousands of book enthusiasts whose great joy is to find an out-of-print volume to add to their collections; for them a Book Town is a treasure chest just waiting to be opened. Book Towns have spread around the world from the first one, which was founded by Hay-on-Wye bookdealer Richard Booth in 1961. There are now over twenty towns throughout the World describing themselves as Book Towns or Book Villages.

The Sedbergh booktown project was started after the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in order to encourage an increase in the number of visitors, whose enjoyment of the beautiful countryside around Sedbergh supports the functioning of vital town centre amenities. The company, Sedbergh Book Town, was set up in 2003 to develop a community of businesses involved in selling, writing, publishing and designing books and other publications. Sedbergh started with an excellent base to build upon as a Booktown, with a printer's finisher (book maker), writers and several book selling businesses already based in the town. Since then more bookshops have opened and, in May 2006, Sedbergh was officially recognised as England's Booktown when it was elected into the International Organisation of Book Towns. There are now three official Booktowns in the United Kingdom, Hay-on-Wye (where it all started) in Wales, Wigtown in Scotland and Sedbergh in England.

And to think that when we were in Hawes, North Yorkshire, we were only 15 measly miles from Sedbergh and didn't even know about it. Oh well, there's always next time?

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The Shadowlands

2012-01-19T08:22:00.002-06:00

There are lots of reasons, good reasons, to feel like one is living in what C.S. Lewis called 'the shadowlands.'

We live in a fallen world. Unhappiness, sorrow, betrayal, anger, disease, dying, January...
As I was pondering this yesterday, actually while taking a shower, the following words came into my head.

'When darkness seems to hide His face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before the throne.'

Even in this miserable world, we can stand here and be assured, even joyous, that God is just, and all will turn out right in the end. Also, that our relationship with God does not depend upon us 'being good all the time,' making sure we don't mess up. We're not fooling God. He knows our hearts. God knows our frame, that we are but dust. (In other words, we don't need to worry about living up to His expectations. He has no high expectations of us.) We may not want to admit it, but God knows that we are simply helpless sinners in need of a Savior. I don't know about you, but that's a real comfort to me, for it tells me that God's love for me is the same always. He doesn't withhold His love while waiting for me to 'snap out of it.' Even a cranky me can go to God and rest in Him.

Our standing before God depends not upon us, but on His grace, on Christ's righteousness, not our own. There's nothing like the freedom that comes from knowing God's grace, knowing Jesus IS our righteousness, and putting all our trust in Him alone. That makes all the difference. Even in the shadowlands.

'On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand.'

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith inChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.- Philippians 3:8-9

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.- II Corinthians 5:21

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.- Romans 8:28

rhyming lines from The Solid Rock, hymn by Edward Mote.

Best Chili Con Carne Recipe

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

Chili, simmering on the stove

I suppose, for modesty's sake, I should have named this post, 'My Favorite Chili Recipe.' But, in my opinion, it IS the best. There's nothing in it that gives me a headache or makes my skin feel super-sensitive for the next few days. It's just plain ingredients...and delicious!

I actually made a double batch of the following recipe, which fits nicely in my Martha Stewart 10 Qt. stainless steel pot. I'm not lavish with my praise for Martha, but I'll have to say, that particular pot is the best I've ever seen. It heats evenly and things don't scorch in it! (unless you're really trying.)

Judy's Chili Con Carne Recipe:

In a large pot, brown the following in a couple T. olive oil:

2# fairly-lean ground beef

1 1/2 onion, chopt

4 ribs celery, diced

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

some poblano pepper, seeded and diced (optional, but I had some in the freezer from my garden so I used it)

1 red bell pepper or 1 Carmen pepper, seeded and chopt

After the veggies are tender and the beef is thoroughly browned, add the following:

2 1/2 qt. canned tomatoes, slightly drained (that is about 2 1/2# after partially draining)

3 c. cooked red and black beans*, after draining

2 T. chili powder

1 T. brown sugar

1 1/2 t. salt (or to taste)

a healthy sprinkle of cayenne pepper

Mix this and let it simmer for a few hours. It is actually best if it is then refrigerated for a day or two before serving.

P.S. When I made this a few weeks ago, I decided to add an extra quart of tomatoes to stretch it - at the last minute. NOT a good idea. It definitely needed to be the original recipe, or if I needed to increase it, to increase everything. There was a reason that I first wrote down the recipe. I have now learned not to alter it.

*About the beans:

I purchase dried beans, both red and black beans. Then, the night before I want to make the chili, I place a cup (or so) of each (red and black) into a large pot of water and let them soak overnight. In the morning, I drain the water off, add 6+ c. of clean water to the pot, and cook the beans for a couple hours BEFORE [rinsing and draining them] and adding them to the chili. Of course you can use canned black and red beans, but you'd be surprised how much cheaper these are and how little effort it takes to prepare them.

Another day, another bowl of chili!

Hope you enjoy this chili recipe. Be sure to let me know if you make it! :-)

This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Get Schooled Saturday and Home and Family Friday

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

Soap'n'Such

Handcrafted Rose Soap - 'The Subtle Rose'

2012-01-16T06:30:00.001-06:00

Handcrafted Rose Soap

The Subtle Rose

I was trying to come up with a name for my new handcrafted soap. It's rose, yes, but there are other fragrances you'll detect in there also, like a touch of jasmine - and a couple other supporting fragrances that add up to a lovely, subtle fragrance...and something more. Very mysterious. No overpowering floral scent here, just a whisper...subtle! (My daughter thought the name sounded like the title of a romance novel!) I thought about 'The Inconspicuous Rose,' but you can see that it would not have fit on the label. :-)

Made from quality base oils and a luscious fragrance oil, The Subtle Rose is a new addition to Soap'n'Such. With an all-natural colorant used to make the 'subtle' rose hue, this is another soap that has a wonderful lather and is extra gentle to your skin. Great in the shower or bath.

Ingredients: All natural base oils, sodium hydroxide (that gets completely neutralized by the oils in the process of saponification), fragrance oil, natural colorant

The Subtle Rose

All my soaps come wrapped in their own specific labels
and enclosed in cello bags...

ready for gift giving!

What special days are coming up on your calendar? Why not include Soap'n'Such handcrafted soaps on your gift list.

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Lionel's Response...

2012-01-14T06:38:00.000-06:00

...when I told him that I'd blogged about the sleepless night he'd caused.

Don't worry. We've made up and settled upon a pretty good arrangement. He told me that if I took the potted plants off his window seat, he'll refrain from lying on my head and licking my face during the night - at least part of the time.

I'm unveiling a new soap on Monday, here on Cranberry Morning. I just posted it on Soap'n'Such, my online store.

Have a great weekend!

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Soap'n'Such

The Pandy Inn & Bull's Head Free House

2012-01-13T07:00:00.066-06:00

The Pandy Inn, Dorstone

In 2012, because airfare is not coming down any time soon, I will be traveling back to England in photos alone, and reviewing some of my favorites with you. If you tire of seeing these photos, feel free to send airfare from MSP to LON. I'm not picky; either Heathrow or Gatwick will work for me. I will be happy to fly there and take additional photos of the enchanting English countryside, then return to Wisconsin and write blog posts to share with you. It would be a tough job, but I'd be willing to make the sacrifice. :-)

Think about it: This place has been a free house (a pub) since the 1100s! What else happened in the 1100's? Well, for starters, William the Conqueror's son became King of England, the Crusaders captured Acre, Saint Bernard founded the Abbey of Clairvaux in France, and in the United States of America, we were...oh wait...

The twelfth century was a long time ago, but that doesn't mean the people were less intelligent than today or carrying clubs and grunting at their toothless women with straggly hair. Don't believe it. People were going places and doing things! And some of them were busy establishing this cool little pub in Herefordshire (above).

The village of Craswall is near the Welsh border (see map below).

View Larger Map

photo from The Bull's Head

Photo from Bull's Head, a 17th century pub

Famous old drovers inn in the superb country of the Black Mountains south of Hay on Wye. Now a pub restaurant concentrating on serving good food. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunch. 'The Bull's Head pub in Craswall is one of the best rural pubs in the UK with great food.' Owen Sheers, The Daily Telegraph. - from Facebook

View Larger Map

Point A represents Craswall. Point B represents Dorstone. Now you can see why it took us twice as long to get anywhere in England than what we had planned. At home, if the place we wanted to visit was 60 miles away, we'd figure that it would take about an hour. In England, we would have to figure at least two hours. But I'm not complaining. The journey by car through the English countryside was always worth it!

These aren't the only pubs in Herefordshire, of course, but they're the only ones we visited. We had lunch on a Sunday at the Bull's Head and dinner one night at The Pandy Inn with friends. There are lots of other places to see, such as cathedrals, castles, and ancient burial sites - and, of course, the beautiful Golden Valley!

P.S. I'm hoping to keep Fridays as a Travel Blog day. Sometimes England, sometimes Wisconsin, etc. We'll see how it goes.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Soap'n'Such

Big Cat and Sleepless Nights

2012-01-11T13:24:00.001-06:00

The Culprit

I know, there are people who endure sleepless nights because of pain, hunger, lack of adequate shelter, a crisis in the family, etc. I know I have thousands of blessings that I can count. But I have to tell you, when you're sleep deprived, rationality does not necessarily reign supreme.

I am tired. Actually going to bed at 10 PM, which isn't always the norm, I expected to get a good night's sleep. Doesn't that seem reasonable? BUT, You-Know-Who has been so clingy ever since about November, when there were other people in the house and it was very busy around here.

Now, Lionel, who used to be somewhat content to lie at the foot of our bed or between us, has taken to literally (and I do not use the word 'literally' carelessly) wrapping himself around my head and trying to rest his chin on my head or in my ear.

Yes, sane people would simply close the door and keep the cats out of the bedroom. I don't remember ever claiming sanity, so you can't fault me there. I do feel a little sorry for the cats because they live upstairs during the day and only get to spend time with us at night. (Remember Bridger and Misty? They intimidate the cats in a major way.) So at night, after I've cleaned the litter boxes and given the cats fresh water and additional food, I climb into bed and pretty soon I feel the pitter patter of huge cat feet on the bed, walking toward my pillow.

Oh NO! Pleeeease, Lionel. But he's very needy right now. I truly don't think that I got as much as 20 minutes of uninterrupted sleep last night. Something has to be done. I hate thinking about it, but I hate being dead tired and cranky (oh. I didn't mention cranky?)

I need to go take a nap (now that he's sleeping for the day). I will spend time praying for others who actually are suffering things like persecution, imprisonment, poverty, and hunger. And I will try hard not to feel sorry for myself.

And don't worry about Lionel. It's just that he and I have to agree to a better arrangement.

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

Soap'n'Such

Cutting the Cheese...so to speak

2012-01-10T07:00:00.011-06:00

Wee dishes of feta cheese, ready for the freezer

After learning how to make Feta cheese, I doubt I'll ever buy it again. It is EASY, although it is one of those projects that takes a bit of your attention from time to time, so you're pretty much tied to the house for 9 or 10 hours. This is a project I like to start at 11 AM or noon, for I like to go to bed before midnight.

I was nearly out of Feta, having only one little dish remaining, which I was planning to use on a pizza. So it was time to make Feta again!

I learned how to make Feta cheese from Keila on 'How To With Keila' on YouTube. Watch the video and enjoy. You'll learn how to make Feta cheese and save yourself a lot of money and have fun doing it!

The cheese after it has hung in cheesecloth for 12 hours.

The cheese is crumbling but moist

I then divide this among 6 little sundae dishes

Ready for the freezer

I then put a large (2 gal.) Ziploc bag around this whole tray of cheese dishes and set it in the freezer. As I need to use one, I take one dish out and set it in a sandwich baggie, placing it on its side in the refrigerator (so it can drain even more as it thaws). When I'm ready to use it, I pour off any drained whey and I've got a wonderful, crumbly Feta for salads or pizza. YUM

Last March I wrote a post (with pictures) on my first experience with making Feta cheese! You might enjoy looking at it.

Come on, you know you want to try it!! Be sure to let me know if you do. :-)

This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Get Schooled Saturday and Home and Family Friday

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

Soap'n'Such

Handcrafted Soaps - Winter Collection

2012-01-09T07:00:00.053-06:00

Handcrafted Soaps, Winter Collection

from top left, going clockwise:

Field of Dreams Lavender

Almond & Cocoa

Peppermint Tea

Moonlight & Jasmine

Sandalwood & Vanilla

Incense Pleasure Patchouli

Please click on each individual link for information on that particular soap.

And yes, this is what I do when I'm not letting the dogs in and out, (you'd be surprised at how much time this actually eats up, for Bridger and Misty never want to go in OR out at the same time!) knitting, blogging, cooking, cleaning, reading, or gardening.

Making my own handcrafted soaps has been a fun skill to acquire. I like to grow as many of the botanicals as possible in my own garden, then dehydrate them to use in my soaps. Kevin makes my soap molds and I've accumulated a great set of stainless steel pots that I use for the process. I only use quality base and essential oils in my soaps, for I want you to have a product that's gentle on your skin and that you will LOVE. When an essential oil is not available (such as peach), then I will use a fragrance oil.

All of my Soap'n'Such bars come wrapped in their own specific and decorative band labels and are enclosed in cello bags to keep fragrances fresh - and to be ready to give as an instant gift!

Handcrafted Soaps, Winter Collection:

Usual price ~~$4.50 each~~ Now only $3.75 per bar when you purchase this collection.

All six luxurious homemade soaps in the Winter Collection: only $22.50

Shipping within the U.S. only.

Check it out on Soap'n'Such!

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This post is linked to some or all of the following: Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Serenity Saturday and Get Schooled Saturday and Home and Family Friday

The Lanyard

2012-01-07T08:55:00.000-06:00

Remember making these??

A lanyard

I saw this video clip the other night on PBS and had to share it with you. I too remember being a child and sitting on a bench - at Bible camp, beside a lake, making a lanyard...

From YouTube

I think this is a poem that will touch every mother's heart.

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The Round Church, Cambridge England

2012-01-06T06:50:00.002-06:00

The Round Church, Cambridge, England
a.k.a. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The round part of the church was built in about 1130 by the ‘fraternity of the Holy Sepulchre’. They were evidently influenced by the round church in Jerusalem called the Church of the Holy Sepulchre built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th ct. Since they were Normans, recently arrived from France in 1066, they used the Norman or Romanesque style: hence the thick pillars and rounded arches. (Read the rest of the article from Christian Heritage here...)

Look at those massive columns!

(or are they pillars?)

Baptismal Font

A series of arches

The domed ceiling

I also came upon this interesting bit of information. The following letter was written by Ranald Macaulay, son-in-law of the late Francis Schaeffer: (copied from their website)

THE L'ABRI-CAMBRIDGE CONNECTION

'Although there isn’t an official L’Abri branch in Cambridge there is a strong connection. In fact English L’Abri has two parts, the residential work in Hampshire and my personal contribution to the work of Christian Heritage in Cambridge. In other words, I continue as a L’Abri worker but work in Cambridge.

The Cambridge bit happened like this. When in 1996 Susan and I felt it was time to make way for younger workers at the branch in Hampshire, we came back to Cambridge where we’d spent a sabbatical in 1988-89. But we hadn’t a clue about what might open up. In the event, the ancient Round Church right in the heart of the city, which you can see above, fell vacant in 1998. Its amazing design and heritage attracts about 180,000 visitors each year! Built by 1130, that’s about 80 years before the university began, it was modeled on the church in Jerusalem where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. But no one seemed to know what to do with it.

So, this was what opened up – the ROUND CHURCH! To take care of it appropriately, a charitable organization called ‘CHRISTIAN HERITAGE’ was formed and this became officially responsible for the building in January 2001. Our first project was to make a 23 minute video called ‘Saints & Scholars’. This is on view all day every day; so people can sit down with headsets and get an impression of how significant, indeed essential, Christianity was in the formation of the West. We also have a schedule of guided tours around the colleges...'(Read More from Christian Heritage UK)

P.S. My first introduction to Susan Schaeffer Macaulay was through her books 'How to Be Your Own Selfish Pig' and 'For the Children's Sake,' and later her lectures at homeschooling conferences (which I listened to via audio tape). Of course, her father, Francis Schaeffer the great theologian has been a help to and influence on so many of us!

When we were visiting the The Round Church, we were thrilled so see and hear such a very Christian message being disseminated from The Round Church to the residents and visitors of Cambridge. But I did not know until I was gathering information from the Christian Heritage website for this post, that Ranald and Susan Schaeffer Macaulay were involved in this ministry.

P.P.S. Photos are mine.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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That crazy English language!

2012-01-05T07:00:00.007-06:00

My daughters sent me these two fun language ~~time wasters~~ articles. The first, sent by Dänika, is a looooong rhyme about the inconsistencies of the English language. Copied here is just a wee sampling of what you'll find if you click on the link.

From: The Poke - Time Well Wasted

...River, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
Doll and roll and some and home.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Souls but foul, haunt but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand, and grant,
Shoes, goes, does. Now first say finger,
And then singer, ginger, linger,
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, and age...
(...and lots more.)

This one, sent to me by Angela, is entitled Dialect Survey

There is a long list of words and phrases, and it's fun to compare your pronunciation with that of your friends. I notice that even within Wisconsin, pronunciation can be different depending upon what part of Wisconsin one is from. And of course we're such a mobile society that it's really fun to hear how others pronounce things. I remember when I first heard my southern Californian cousin pronounce the word 'brown.' For the life of me, I cannot figure out how a linguist might write that sound, but in recalling it, I hear it coming from the mouth of Eliza in My Fair Lady, or Tuppence, calling me to come upstairs at night. :-) (Just kidding! no offense intended to you dear California bloggers!!)

A friend of ours from Florida once phoned, and in the middle of our conversation stopped and said, 'I just love hearing your Wisconsin accent!' (which of course seemed funny to me, for we don't think we have an accent. :-)

AND, I remember the first time I heard someone pronounce the word insurance with the stress on the first syllable. In NW Wisconsin, we say, inSURance, not INsurance. It's that type of thing that simply fascinates me. Then again, I am probably easily fascinated. Winters are long in NW Wisconsin.

SO, How do you pronounce:

1.aunt
2.been
3.the first vowel in "Bowie knife"
4.caramel
5.the vowel in the second syllable of "cauliflower"
6.the last vowel in "centaur"
7.coupon
8.Craig (the name)
9.crayon
10.creek (a small body of running water)
11.the first vowel in "Florida"
12.flourish

and you will find MANY many more if you follow that link above. I hope you enjoy this stuff as much as I do.

I realize that this doesn't come anywhere near the differences between American English and British English. The other night when I was RE-watching Downton Abbey, Daisy one of the young maids said to William, 'Dun be such a spalled spot.'*

LOVE those accents! :-)

And on this topic, might I suggest two of my very favorite movies: Stone of Destiny and Mrs. Brown. No, you will not find them at Mr. Movies. You're more likely to find them on Netflix or on Amazon.com. Move over Mr. Darcy.

Another language topic that interests me is regional phrases. For example, when I was little, my cousin from Milwaukee would come to the NW Wisconsin area where my family and my grandparents lived. My cousin, when visiting us, would say, 'We went by Grandma's today.' I always wondered why on earth they would drive the 6-7 hours and not actually go TO Grandma's!'

Now go track down 'Mrs. Brown.'

AND, if you have some regional phrases you'd like to share - or things that should be on these lists but aren't - Please share them with us!

*'Don't be such a spoiled sport.'

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Making a Felted Bag

2012-01-03T07:00:00.049-06:00

Knitted, Felted Bag with Decoration and Snap Closure

After having family around for nearly a week, I'll have to admit it's sort of a letdown to get back to 'normal.' It's wonderful when the kids and grandkids are here, and the house seems very big and very quiet when they all go home. Then again, this is why we have dogs and cats. :-) One can hardly feel lonely with dogs underfoot all day and a cat wrapped around one's head at night. Do you suppose that I'd get better sleep at night if there weren't a 22 pound cat resting his chin in my ear and purrrrrring??

Okay, on to the felted bag...

This bag was guesswork when I first knitted it. After finally getting it small enough through felting it many times in the washing machine, along with a friend taking it home and running it through HER washing machine, it became a nice size: about 7 x 9 inches. (It's already been given away as a Christmas gift, so I'm once again guessing at the size.) If you missed the first blog post about this bag, you can read it here and see the needles and yarn I used for the project.

As you can see by the date of that blog post, the poor felted bag sat around, feeling neglected, because it just didn't thrill me - until a few weeks ago, when I had a brilliant idea (if I do say so myself). What made all the difference was purchasing a pair of earrings and a large sew-in snap. I cut the hook from one of the earrings, then affixed it to the front-middle of the bag with needle and thread. On the inside, at the top-middle, I sewed a large (3/4"?) snap so that the bag now has a nice decoration and will stay closed when you want.

For the instructions, CLICK HERE and scroll down until you get to 'Taos.' When you read the instructions, you will see that I followed them somewhat loosely. Still, I love the final outcome. I'm thinking about making a pair of slippers and felting them, but I'll admit that's a little scary. Somehow I just can't imagine that they'd come out the same size. That could be a problem.

I know that some of you are knitters. Have you made any felted projects?? Anything scheduled for 2012?

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This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Home and Family Friday

Goodbye, 2011

2011-12-31T00:01:00.005-06:00

January 2011

February 2011

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

September 2011

October 2011

November 2011

December 2011

And I wish you all a wonderful 2012!!

This post is linked to Mosaic Monday, which I didn't know about until Jan 2!

Muker, Pronounced 'MEW-ker'

2011-12-30T07:00:00.004-06:00

I plan to be back visiting your blogs next week. Until then, I'm taking a break with the family, enjoying the grandkids, too much good food, and the unseasonably warm weather here in NW Wisconsin! I posted the following earlier, but thought you wouldn't mind seeing that cute little sheep again:

You may have noticed the annoying little munching sound when you visited this blog in early 2011. If you had scrolled down to find the source of the racket, you would have seen 'Muker,' my (virtual) pet sheep. I've had his sound turned off since then because evidently he was annoying to some people. Can you believe it??!

Muker is named after the sheep pictured here, who was one of those indescribably cute sheep grazing in the Askrigg Common, an area of the Yorkshire Dales. It's a beautifully bleak and harsh area one finds when driving from Askrigg to Gunnerside, LowRow, and Muker (from whence comes the name of my sheep.)

Here are a few more pics of Muker. There's just something about those little Yorkshire villages that is so appealing to me and makes me want to go back. It seems to be this time of year every year when I want to make plans to go to England. And, believe it or not, I particularly long to go back to the Askrigg Common and look up those lovely sheep.

Alas, airfare keeps me looking at photos instead.

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Aert van der Neer

2011-12-29T07:00:00.002-06:00

A Frozen River Near a Village, With Golfers and Skaters

National Gallery - London

This picture was among those on my Jacquie Lawson London Advent Calendar this year.

I thought it was so beautiful, I had to look it up and find out something about the artist.

So, from www.getty.edu

Aert van der Neer

b. 1603 Amsterdam, d. 1677 Amsterdam

painter

Dutch

"A master at representing light, Aert van der Neer painted moonlit river views that embody the principles of Dutch landscape painting in the 1600s. Those principles included isolated figures on meandering paths that cut through a wooded forest, and cloud-filled skies. Van der Neer used a restricted palette of earthy colors and, like most artists during this period, painted indoors. Although he did not receive much attention in his own time, modern scholars praise his ability to create a sense of space and atmosphere.

Van der Neer first worked as a steward and then became a painter, possibly as a result of contact with his wife's brothers, both of whom were painters. His first known painting, which dates to 1632, shares stylistic similarities with those of his brother-in-laws. Later in his life, between 1659-1662, Van der Neer and his son were the keepers of a tavern. After then declaring bankruptcy, his property--including his paintings--were appraised at little value. He continued to paint, residing in a state of extreme poverty, until his death fifteen years later."

I remember that famous line from the movie Gettysburg, when Aert said, in his Georgian drawl, 'My people were Dutch.' (Sorry, that's just a little inside joke for my family, great fans of James Longstreet.)

By the way, if you haven't yet seen the Jacquie Lawson London Advent Calendar, be sure to visit her site. You won't be sorry. I know Christmas is over, but the calendar is worth looking at anytime.

I plan to be back reading your blogs next week.

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Ignorance and Want

2011-12-28T07:00:00.012-06:00

I plan to be back to your blogs next week. For now, I'm including the following, a post I wrote in early 2010. I hope you all have a great week!...

Ignorance and Want

In northwest Wisconsin when it's 15 degrees below zero, we become fascinated by things like fire, woodpiles, and watching the outdoor thermometer. Fire is one of those paradoxical things - it's comforting and terrifying. Comforting when it's contained and terrifying when it's not. The photo above is of the fire contained within our wood-burning stove in the living room. The reflection of my robe as I'm taking the fire reminds me of Dickens' Christmas Carol where, under the robe of the Spirit of Christmas Present, are revealed the two dirty and neglected children, Ignorance and Want. Doesn't that look like a head inside the stove? But of course it's just a hunk of oak. Actually, I cropped the photo, leaving out the piece lying horizontally in front - that looked enough like an arm to creep out the faint of heart.

And here is the lovely, much-appreciated wood pile, especially enjoyed by me because I'm not the one who has to go out to the woods and chop down the tree or cut and split the wood. I only have to sweep up the wood chips now and then, and keep the fire going - not too difficult when all I have to do is open the door of the stove occasionally and throw in another stick of wood. I love having a wood-burning stove - which, unless the fire's out, guarantees that there's at least one spot in the house that's warm.

It's time to take the dogs out for their last potty break of the day.

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Little Books and Netflix

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

The following is one of the first ever blog posts I wrote, in January of 2010. Since this is a busy week for us, I decided to take a break and simply post a few re-runs.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I plan to be getting back to your blogs next week...

There is just something so appealing about little books. Whether it's my pocket-size Emma or Treasure Island or Chicken Soup With Rice, little books can easily fit into a purse or rest snugly in your hands. I think that a love of little books begins in childhood. Little kids - little books. When my children were little, they loved little books. Remember Beatrix Potter? She obviously was aware of this fact.

I recently discovered a wonderful series of books from the turn of the last century. Published by the Henry Altemus Company, these small-format (about 4 x 6) books are part of the Vademecum Series and have beautiful hard covers, some with paste-ons. Having enjoyed the series 'Cranford' on PBS Masterpiece Classic, I managed to locate Elizabeth Gaskell's book Cranford in the Vademecum series. It doesn't have a publication date, but according to the above-mentioned website, it was probably published before 1901 when the covers with pictorial paste-ons came on the Vademecum scene. Paste-on or no paste-on, my copy of Cranford is a beautiful little book (pictured above).

So... my husband and I had this discussion tonight, 'Which Movie to Watch.' I suggested that we watch 'North and South', from the book of the same title by Elizabeth Gaskell. He absolutely refused. He likened it to Jane Austen's Emma and would have nothing to do with it. Try as I might to convince him that it is nothing like Emma, (which I loved, by the way) that he would enjoy it because of the subject of cotton mills in 19th century England and the relationship between management and labor, the misunderstandings and misperceptions people hold about one another, etc. etc., he remained resolute.

We are going to watch a Netflix Instant, Cities of the Underworld - 'City of Caves,' Budapest, Hungary. Okay, so I'm giving in. I'll have to admit that it is absolutely fascinating and worth watching a second time. Maybe he'll have to ease slowly into 'North and South.' This may take some time.

***

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The Word Became Flesh

2011-12-25T07:00:00.011-06:00

Adoration of the Shepherds

by Gerrit Van Honthorst, 1592-1656

'But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.' John 1:12-14

Have a very Merry Christmas! In Jesus Christ, we have hope and a future!

Dog Waiting for Santa

2011-12-24T19:00:00.001-06:00

Just in case there's anyone out there who hasn't yet had the opportunity to see this CUTE YouTube video!

For all you dog lovers out there. :-)

Awwwwwwww.

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Shepherds, Dung Sweepers, Tax Collectors, and Women

2011-12-24T07:00:00.015-06:00

Photo Credit

The following are excerpts from the book Come Thou, Long Expected Jesus.

'No Christmas program is complete without its little band of gunnysack shepherds. Frightened by the angel’s sudden appearance, they marvel at the good news from the angel and rush to Bethlehem to see the Savior-King. As they return to their flocks, they praise God and tell all who will listen about the birth of the chosen Child.

They finish spreading the good tidings, leave the stage, and we hardly give them another thought.But why did the announcement come to them at all? Why not to priests and kings? Who were they that they should be eyewitnesses of God’s glory and receive history’s greatest birth announcement? In Christ’s day, shepherds stood on the bottom rung of the Palestinian social ladder. They shared the same unenviable status as tax collectors and dung sweepers.' - Randy Alcorn

'In the incarnation, the annunciation comes to a woman. God penetrates the world through the womb of a poor, unwed, Jewish, teenage girl. The first theological reflection group trying to wrap their minds around this to figure out what this means and what is going on is Mary and Elizabeth.

We know that in those days women had a very, very low status. They were marginalized and oppressed. For example, we know that a woman's testimony was not admissible in court. Why? Because of prejudice against women.' - Tim Keller

God first appeared to the poor, the downtrodden, the despised. Unlike us, God is not a respecter of persons, i.e. He's not impressed by people or 'status.' Scripture reminds us that we are ALL born in sin, we are all hopelessly lost but for the love and grace of God. We are all on a level playing field - at the very, very bottom, 'dead in trespasses and sins.' Like Lazarus dead in the tomb, there is nothing we can to do save ourselves, nothing we can possibly do to merit our salvation.

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death - but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

BUT, while we were yet sinners, God, in His great love for us, made a way for us to be reconciled to Himself. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died for us, paying the penalty for our sin, and giving HIS righteousness to all who trust in Him.

'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.' John 3: 16-18

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

May you have a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, our only hope.

Shock and Awe

2011-12-23T18:00:00.002-06:00

the littlest grandson

photo sent to me by his mama

his uncle, Christmas 1971

So filled with awe and wonder...

...that he fell over backwards

Who came up with the decor for the '70s anyway???! YIKES.

Merry Christmas!

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The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

2011-12-23T07:00:00.011-06:00

King's College Chapel, Cambridge

This Christmas Eve morning, we'll once again be listening to the live performance of The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, England. (And actually, tonight we're going to be meeting our son and daughter-in-law in Minneapolis for a performance of The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, so we'll get to hear it twice!)

www.telegraph.co.uk

As of December 12, we are able to print out the program booklet that accompanies this year's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. I love to do that, for then I can follow along while listening to the performance. It's not like we have to have the printed word in order to understand what they're saying, but you've heard the saying, 'two nations divided by a common language.' :-)

And what are the Nine Lessons? They take us from Creation to mankind's fall into sin and hopelessness, to the birth of our Savior and the Redemption of his people.

Remember: Listen to the LIVE broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio, KSJN, 99.5 FM, 9 AM Christmas Eve Day. (That's 3 PM Christmas Eve in Cambridge, England.)

...♪Once in Royal David's City♫...

choir boys

getting drenched on the way to the chapel

Listening to The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a tradition here. I hope you'll make it a tradition at your house too!

P.S. I wrote a post about The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols last year also, with a video clip of some of the music. You might enjoy it!

Have a very merry Christmas!

Christmas Stockings

2011-12-22T07:00:00.015-06:00

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

for

Tuppence & Lionel

Misty & Bridger

This is what it has come to.

Good thing they have pretty low expectations.

Here's hoping you find more than dog and cat treats in your Christmas stocking!

P.S. When I was ~~complaining~~ mentioning to Kevin yesterday that it seemed like it was already getting dark!! at 3:30!!, he reminded me that it was, after all, 'the shortest day of the year. Just think, from now on, the days will be getting longer!' That man is an eternal optimist...and much to my benefit, I might add.

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A Christmas Story - by Brian Wildsmith

2011-12-21T06:55:00.000-06:00

another of my favorite Christmas picture books
A Christmas Story, by Brian Wildsmith

I don't know how Lionel got into the picture!

'And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.'- Luke 2:9-11

This book, A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith c. 1989, Alfred A. Knoph (and even then they were outsourcing, for this was printed in Hong Kong.) is a lovely picture book with beautiful illustrations, but it would definitely have to be categorized as 'picture book historical fiction.' I'd certainly not skip reading the Biblical account, the actual history of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2.

After all, this is what Christmas is really all about: the birth of Jesus, God in the flesh, who came to rescue us from our sinful, hopeless state.

Luke 2:1-20, Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem:

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and *the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

* The other night, a friend and I were discussing 'the glory of the Lord'. He reminded me of the Scripture that talks about Moses coming down from the mountain, his face aglow because he's been with the Lord. He had to keep his face covered in the company of the children of Israel. Also we read of Moses being hidden in the cleft of the rock as God passed by, the glory of the Lord being so powerful and radiant that it would have killed him, had God not had His back to Moses and Moses been protected by rock. No wonder the shepherds were terrified when 'the glory of the Lord shone round about them.' Then again, would we expect the Creator (who can call worlds into being with His spoken word) and Sustainer of the Universe to be anything less than awesome and terrifying?

God loved us and sent a Savior.

The angels told the shepherds not to be afraid BECAUSE 'there has been born for you a Savior.' It is the Savior, the Rescuer, who stands between us and judgment. He is our only hope.

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

all other ground is sinking sand.

- Edward Mote

Have a blessed CHRISTmas.

...Procrastination...

2011-12-19T22:00:00.000-06:00

♫Oh, there's no snow at home for the holidays♪

And you won't find me complaining one bit! Even though no one is going to be sledding, skiing, or snowshoeing??, it is so nice (and unusual) to have no snow and ice on the roads, no ice balls clumping up on the dogs' feet, no boots tracking in snow all over the floor. I love it! It could snow on Christmas Eve morning while I'm listening to The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and on Christmas Eve as we come out of the church service. That's about as much snow as I'd like this year. Then we could skip January, February, and March - and go directly to April.

I am procrastinating. Like a friend of mine said, when asked what she did all day, 'I don't know, but it took me all day to do it.' I have candy to make that I'm going to give as gifts, jams to wrap, and soaps to label. I have a bed upstairs covered in gifts (I'm very visual, so I need to do that to keep track of who gets what and what it looks like). One would assume that I could write all this information down on paper, but then one would be assuming that I'd be able to find it again. I am a great list maker. I'm not a great list finder.

I have a couple toddler sweaters I need to finish up, although one may actually end up being a springtime birthday present since I was overly optimistic about my ability to knit without dropping a stitch here and there. Since I still can't seem to figure out how to pick up a stitch (Yes, Heide, I need to see your video!!), I have to wait until someone fixes it for me before I move on. Even the YouTube videos, which are ordinarily so helpful, go too fast for me to see exactly what they do to pick up a dropped stitch. They seem to talk about it slowly, then do it quickly. Grrrrr. Fortunately, Becky, a great knitter, was at our Advent devotional/caroling party last night, so she fixed my most recent 'issue', which happened to be nothing more than not making an increase at a certain spot. Since I do count every stitch on each knit row (as instructed), the problem was only in that row.

Bridger is lying behind me, whining. Shepherds are notorious for whining, so I think I can be thankful that he doesn't do it as much as he could. He only whines when he wants me to go into the living room with him, put peanut butter on his favorite bone, and watch a movie (together!) while I knit. He thinks it's great bonding time. I may have to drag out another Foyle's War or a Lord Peter DVD tonight.

I'm pretty sure Kevin won't be watching it with us.

P.S. My dad died a year ago today. I sure miss him.

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Angel Food Candy aka Sponge Candy Recipe

2011-12-18T07:00:00.002-06:00

Angel food candy, as it is known here in Wisconsin, actually goes by many other names. Among them, 'sponge candy,' which is what it is called in Buffalo, NY, where it supposedly originated.

Whoever thought it up was brilliant...and persistent. Although it's one of my favorite candies, it is known for being temperamental, so I'd never tried making it before. Actually, putting the ingredients together is very simple. BUT, the weather has to cooperate. I think you need to have high-pressure weather conditions for this to be successful. Mine did not rise as high as I wanted it to, but it still is porous and delicious. Give it a try!

Angel Food Candy*, Recipe:
recipe originally from cookingwithdoyle.com, with some additions and omissions

2 T. melted butter
1 c. Dark Corn Syrup
1 c. granulated sugar
1 T. cider vinegar
1 T. baking soda
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. shortening

Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil. Brush with melted butter and set aside.
In a large pot, mix corn syrup, sugar, and vinegar. Cook on stove top over high heat until it reaches hard crack stage, 300 degrees F. DO NOT STIR. (Actually, I cooked it on med-medhi heat. I was a little afraid of scorching the sugar).

As soon as the temperature reaches 300 degrees, stir in the baking soda, mixing quickly. DON'T bang the pan around too much. This needs to be light and airy. Think 'souffle.'

Pour this mixture into the foil-lined pan. DO NOT SPREAD IT. Let it rise, and leave it alone while it cools to room temperature.

When cool, remove it from the foil and break it apart into pieces.

Mix chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler OR as I did, put one small pan on top of another, with water in the bottom pan. Heat over med-hi heat and stir chocolate mixture until completely melted.

Dip candy pieces into chocolate and set aside on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Chill to set chocolate. Serve.

* And, this little bit of information from spongecandy.com in Buffalo, NY:

Other names for Sponge Candy are:

Sponge Toffee (Canada)

Cinder Toffee (Great Britain)

Sea Foam (Oregon, California, Michigan)

Honeycomb (Australia)

Puff Candy (Scotland)

Hokey Pokey (New Zealand)

Fairy Food (Wisconsin, Chicago)

Angel Food (Wisconsin)

Cinder Block (???)

Molasses Puffs (St. Louis)

Gingerbread (New Hampshire)Wherever you're from, I bet you'll enjoy this candy. You might want to hide it 'til Christmas. ;-)

This post is linked to: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Home and Family Friday

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The Twelve Days of Christmas...by Laurel Long

2011-12-16T07:00:00.012-06:00

...♪♫ and a partridge in a pear tree♫

According to this lovely new book by Laurel Long, the 'partridge in a pear tree' is actually a mis-transcription from the French, a partridge, 'une perdrix.'

So here I was, looking for a new Christmas picture book. This one is a beauty!

Ten lords a leaping

It was this photo, the double-page spread of 'ten lords a leaping' that totally sold me on the book. I may have bought it even sooner if it had had a castle in the background.

And did you know that 'four calling birds,' which I've always sung, is really supposed to be 'four collie birds' ??? Who knew!

are you sure it's not 'border collie-English springer spaniel' birds?

Evidently 'collie birds' is another name for common black birds. Fascinating!

This is a great book to have on hand when you're going to sing 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' with your kids or grandkids. The artwork is superb!

Actually, The Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and ends with Epiphany, January 6, which is when people celebrate 'Twelfth Night.'

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Putting up the Christmas Tree

2011-12-14T07:00:00.004-06:00

Our happy little 4' balsam

I decided to leave more seating space in the living room, so we got a short tree this year and set it on the window seat in the [former schoolroom] library. Once I had the lights strung, the grandsons did all the decorating. It was so much fun to have them here for the weekend!!! It does their grandma's heart good to have them around.

The following photo represents a set of Christmas ornaments that refused to stay on the tree. Through no one's fault but their own, they ended up in the trash can.

the casualties of hard work

When the first one dropped, it was kinda 'awww'. When the second one broke, we were laughing. I swear those things were suicidal! I decided to keep broom and dust pan close by. What a silly idea to have glass balls on a tree anyway! The boys will be amused to know that when I came downstairs the following morning, there lay yet another smashed glass ball on the floor - due to the curiosity of Tuppence!

Me? Curious??

The tree decorators

one of my favorite pics - with their grandpa,

taken last May

♫ O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Please keep your needles 'til New Year's Day ♪

Looking forward to the family being here at Christmas!

Don't forget the stocking stuffers!

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Important Events on December 13

2011-12-13T10:28:00.002-06:00

Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862

Valor in Gray

by Mort Kunstler

Kevin and Judy's Wedding Anniversary

I think this is from 1971

Yes, well before many of you were born!
Amazing how I was able to colorize that Daguerreotype!

(couldn't find an earlier photo, but it is SCARY to see how young we were!)

December 2010

We're celebrating our 42nd (FORTY-TWO) wedding anniversary today by meeting our son (in photo, though he's a bit bigger now) and our daughter-in-law at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis, eating fish'n'chips together, then walking down Nicollet Avenue (seeing all the pretty Christmas lights and window displays), and spending time at Barnes and Noble. There I'll look for the latest issue of BBC History Magazine! Sounds like fun, doesn't it!

***************

Lee: They are massing very heavily and will break your line, I am afraid.

Longstreet: General, if you put every man now on the other side of the Potomac in that field to approach me over that same line, and give me plenty of ammunition, I will kill them all before they reach my line.

What a sweet thought on our wedding anniversary. lol

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Florentines - Recipe

2011-12-12T07:00:00.010-06:00

Florentines, ready to serve

I don't know why I'd never made these before. They're mostly almond, something I eat a lot! And then you add dark chocolate to the top. What a spectacular combination!

So, in between bouts of frustration with the USPS online service (Grrrrr), I was working on making a batch of these delicious treats.

Florentines: Recipe
This recipe is from www.foodnetwork.com

5 oz. finely ground almonds (You can buy them that way, and they're a lot cheaper than whole or sliced almonds)
3 T. all-purpose flour
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (Appx. 2 T.)
1/4 t. fine salt
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. heavy cream (I used heavy whipping cream)
2 T. light corn syrup
5 T. butter
1/2 t. vanilla extract

Chocolate Topping, optional. (Optional?? Are you kidding?)
2-4 oz. semisweet chocolate (I used 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine almonds, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.

Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup, and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally (I didn't take any chances. I stirred it constantly) until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes.

Scoop rounded teaspoons (? I made dough balls that were the size of shooter marbles and got a dozen balls on each large baking sheet. They will spread out, so leave plenty of space around each dough ball.)

Just out of the oven

I had a dozen cookies on each of two baking sheets. It worked well to place one on the middle shelf and one of the shelf above that. I baked them for 5 minutes, switched pans to the opposite oven racks, and baked another 6 minutes. I let them completely cool on the pans before spreading chocolate on top.

In a double boiler, melt the semi-sweet chocolate pieces. I couldn't manage to drizzle this, but spread a spoonful onto each cookie, then sprinkled additional ground almonds on top.

These cookies need to be chilled to help the chocolate set up. Then they're ready to serve or store. Right now, I have a box of them sitting outdoors on the deck where it's -5 degrees F. I'm pretty sure they'll stay cool enough there.

EASY and DELICIOUS

FLORENTINES

on one of my mom's Christmas plates. :-)

This post is linked to: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing with Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Home and Family Friday

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Made Himself Nothing

2011-12-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

by Brian Wildsmith

The following is excerpted from an essay by Alistair Begg.
It is included in the book, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
compiled by Nancy Guthrie

'Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-7, “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Coming in the very form or nature of God, Jesus didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped. In other words, instead of holding on to his own uninterrupted glory, he chose to set it aside.

Paul tells us that “he made himself nothing,” or literally, “himself he emptied.” In the King James Version we read, he “made himself of no reputation.” What does this say?

It says that coming into the world, Christ chose not to arrive in a fashion that was so marked with dignity and style that it would immediately cause people to say, “Oh, this must be God Incarnate.”

In fact, remember what the angel said to the shepherds: “This will be a sign to you. You will find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” What a strange site. Not that the shepherds were unfamiliar with a manger. It was part of their routine activities. But a child in a manger? What child is this that would be laid in a manger? The sign is not a chariot parked outside. It’s not a scepter, but a stable.

He “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.” In other words, he became as much of an earthly servant as he had been a heavenly sovereign.

We see this same picture in another scene much later in Jesus’ life.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3-5)

Wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger . . . wrapped in a towel and wiping his disciples’ feet. Taking the form of a servant.

If you look again at Philippians 2:7, you notice that there is a comma after “nothing,” and then you have a verb in the present continuous: He “made himself nothing, taking . . .” There is a link here between nothing and taking.

Alec Mattea, a wonderful scholar and friend of mine, suggests that if we ask, what did he empty himself into? rather than, of what did he empty himself? we will be closer to coming to grips with it.

It’s a fantastic paradox. It’s what the Lord Jesus took to himself that humbled him, not what he laid aside. He emptied himself, “taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” It was in taking to himself humanity that he became nothing.

Of course, for those of us who think that man is the apex of it all, we can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be absolutely excited to be a man. But if you were God? Imagine. To be God and come down a birth canal, to be laid in a manger, to live as an outcast, to die as a stranger, to bear the abuse and the curse of the law – sounds like “nothing” to me.

There’s no analogy that is adequate to express this, but it doesn’t stop me from trying. Those of you who follow professional golf will know that Andrew Martinez has been a caddy on the PGA tour for a long time for many championship golfers.

Andrew is well known among his friends. He’s intelligent and athletic. He is, in his own right, a good golfer; he’s a better tennis player; and he’s an even better backgammon player. Andrew as Andrew is a somebody in his own right.

But on the occasions that I’ve been with Andrew when he has made the transition from Andres, friend and companion, to Andrew, caddy, he’s gotten out of the car and walked into the clubhouse and reappeared in white overalls. He has poured himself into something. He has emptied himself by taking. He’s still Andrew – athletic, golfer, intelligent. He’s still Andrew in all of his essence as Andrew, but by taking to himself, he has emptied himself.

It is not by a diminution that he makes himself nothing. It is by an addition that he makes himself nothing. He has not ceased to be who he is. But by wearing the overalls – by pouring himself into them – he constitutes a completely different entity. He who is a somebody in his own right has become a nobody in order that he might serve others.

Jesus did not approach the incarnation asking, “What’s in it for me, what do I get out of it?”

In coming to earth he said, “I don’t matter.”
Jesus, you’re going to be laid in a manger.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Jesus, you will have nowhere to lay your head.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Jesus, you will be an outcast and a stranger.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Jesus, they will nail you to a cross and your followers will all dessert you.
And Jesus says, “That’s okay.”

This is what it means. He “made himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”'

Flint Hills of Kansas

2011-12-09T07:00:00.017-06:00

We left home on Tuesday the 22nd of November and spent the better part of the next two days driving to Denton, TX to visit our daughter and son-in-law who live there. My husband mostly drove; I mostly knitted and read. I have never had a good attitude about Kansas. I pretty much thought of it as a huge, flat land to get through on the way to something more interesting. This trip cured me of that.

Yes, it is pretty much flat, but...

Photo Credit

After I read the sign (first photo), the more I thought about it, the more I was in awe of this amazing, vast and productive land that can feed so many cattle. It was like the Askrigg Common in North Yorkshire, on steroids. Every summer, a million head of cattle graze here on four and a half million acres! It is huge!

Some summer, I want to go there just to see the amazing sight of all those cattle...

and then come right back to Wisconsin where it will be a lot cooler!

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By the way, Home Educating Family Publishing is having a giveaway of Visual Latin. I'm entering the giveaway, for sure! If you're interested in entering too, check it out HERE.

Enjoying Winter

2011-12-08T07:00:00.001-06:00

I know ONE person who really enjoys the snow and the cold of NW Wisconsin:

Big Dog on the Deck

Bridger, covered in long hair, does not like a toasty warm house. He'd much rather be outdoors, lying in the snow. Winter is his favorite time of year.

Cooling off

Now that his little pal Jazzie (the grandpuppy) has gone home, Bridger's been telling me how bored he is.

...except when playing in the snow

Oh wait. Did I say person? I keep forgetting...

It's what happens when the humans grow up and leave home.
;-)

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Looking for Stocking Stuffers?

2011-12-07T07:00:00.042-06:00

Handcrafted Christmas Soap Assortment

6 special soaps for the holidays

I decided to put together this Special Offer of Soap'n'Such handcrafted soaps that you will want to give as gifts or have around the house during the holiday season. Each soap is not only made with quality base oils and botanicals, along with premium essential and fragrance oils, but these lovely soaps are mild, gently-fragranced, (unlike other soaps that are overpowering!) and luxurious!

When you purchase my Special Offer Christmas Soap Assortment, you will receive one bar of each of the following soaps:

Mandarin Orange Spice

Grandma's Kitchen

Peppermint Tea

Mulled Cranberry Cider

Into the Woods

Close Shave Vanilla

(does not have to be used as a shaving soap!)

Bars come wrapped in their own decorative labels and enclosed in individual cello wraps, keeping fragrances separated and making ready gifts!

Note: Each soap is approximately 4 oz., usually more. There may be slight variation because I hand cut all my soaps.

Price per bar: ~~$4.50~~ $3.75

6 Bar Christmas Soap Assortment - Only $22.50 plus S&H

I make my soap in small batches, so please order early to avoid disappointment.

Shipping within the U.S. only

This will be shipped USPS Priority Mail. Order by December 19 to ensure delivery by December 24 (according to the USPS website). Personally, I would order earlier, just to be sure.

Other soaps are also available. Check out my 'Buy Five - Get One Free.'

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This post is linked to Market Yourself Monday

Christmas Stollen Recipe

2011-12-05T00:00:00.006-06:00

I'm going to be making Stollen this week. But instead of taking photos all over again, I'm going to re-post this entry from last year. And by the way, I was able to find crushed (ground) almonds far cheaper than regular almonds, and I use them to make the almond paste.

I'm warning you, this is a very fussy recipe, but definitely worth the time and effort.

So, repeated from last year:

'Doesn't this look delicious? It is. Way too delicious. And now I also know why it's called 'Stollen.' Because by the time you take the first bite of this delicious pastry, it has actually stolen a good five hours of your life! No kidding. It is the fussiest thing!

So why did I bother? Well, this is all the fault of Lorraine, Scott, and Matthew, who sent us a box of stollen.

It was amazing! We savored every single melt-in-your-mouth morsel and I knew right then that I had to learn how to make this stuff.

Dried fruit, soaking in brandy

The 'sponge' just before fermenting

The dough ball

Patted out and ready to apply the almond paste

Shaped into a crescent, or in this case, a boomerang

The final product, sprinkled with powdered sugar and sliced

I must say that the kitchen smelled fantastic when the stollen was baking. And it does taste wonderful, although mine is no competition for the stollen that we received as a gift. I think they must sprinkle magic on it. Or maybe it just seemed better because it was a gift and I hadn't spent five hours monkeying around with a fussy recipe.

For those of you who would like to try your hand at this delightful treat, I'm sharing the recipe I found online:

Christmas Stollen: Okay, let's make that JANUARY STOLLEN.

The almond paste, which can be made ahead of time (otherwise this would be a six hour project!) and stored in the refrigerator to use within a week. (Actually, I had some I'd made and stored in the freezer):

Ingredients:

10 oz dried blanched almonds (I actually used ground almonds that I found at Farm & Fleet for $1.99 a bag, contrasted with the much greater price of regular almonds.)
10 oz powdered sugar
5 oz granulated sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 cup water

Instructions:

Make a sugar syrup by placing the water, granulated sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan. Stir it to combine. Bring it to a boil and let it boil for a few minutes. Let it cool.

Place the almonds in a food processor and process them to a fine powder. Add the powdered sugar. With the food processor running, slowly add the sugar syrup until the mixture forms a paste.

Store the almond paste tightly covered. If you will be storing it for more than a week, store in the refrigerator. It also freezes well.

Now on to the Stollen itself:

STOLLEN:

    Makes 1 large or 2 small loaves. I doubled the following recipe to get two large loaves.

    Sponge
    1/2 cup milk
    1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    4-5 teaspoons (or 2 packets) instant or active dry yeast

    Fruit
    2 cups dried fruit. I used a combination of dried blueberries, golden raisins, dried cherries, and dried apricots.

    1/2 cup Grand Marnier, brandy, rum, or schnapps
    1 tablespoon orange or lemon extract and/or grated lemon or orange rind

    Dough
    2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
    1 tablespoon sugar
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1 egg
    4 tablespoons butter, softened
    1/4 to 1/2 cups water
    1/2 cup almond slivers or marzipan (I used almond paste.)

    Topping
    Butter or oil
    powdered sugar

Two hours before making the stollen, combine the dried fruit, brandy, and orange peel. Set aside.

Warm the milk to approximately 100 degrees. Mix the yeast into the milk and stir into the flour. Cover with plastic wrap and ferment for 1 hour until the sponge is very foamy.

When the sponge is ready, combine the remaining flour, salt, sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in the sponge, egg, softened butter, and enough water to form a soft but not sticky dough. Stir in the dried fruit mixture and knead in a mixer or by hand for 5 to 10 minutes. I needed to use additional flour so that it wouldn't be a sticky dough.

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic or a damp towel, and set aside to rise for 45 minutes to an hour.

On a floured surface, shape the dough into something like a rectangle, either by rolling it out or pressing it with your hands.

Place the marzipan or slivered almonds (or almond paste) in the center of the loaf. Fold the dough closed and shape the loaf into something resembling a crescent.

Cover the loaf loosely with plastic and set it aside to rise for approximately an hour to an hour and a half. While it is rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

When fully risen (raised?), bake the stollen for approximately 20 minutes. Rotate it (I have no idea why this is necessary) and bake it until the internal temperature is approximately 190 degrees. That would be about 15 or 20 minutes. (Check after 15. I wish I had.)

Remove the stollen from the oven. While still hot, brush the top of the loaf with butter or vegetable oil and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Wrap and store out of sight, or I can almost promise that it will be gone before you've had a chance to share it with anyone!

And finally, this recipe was 'stolen' from the world wide web.

This post is linked to: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Home and Family Friday

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The Advent Tree

2011-12-04T07:00:00.006-06:00

I was gone last week, or I would have re-posted this post from November 2010. I'm posting it again for those who may not have seen it, and who would like a good Advent devotional to use with young families.

This is Advent, the time when we remember the prophecy and fulfillment of the coming of our Savior. Once again, I'll be getting out the Advent wreath and candles for the season. When our children were younger, I made a large felt tree on a white felt background which we hung from the wall, like a banner.

First, I cut out many felt circles, then used scraps of various colors of felt and other odds and ends to make the symbols, which I glued onto the felt circles. Of course, the felt circles adhere nicely to the felt tree. After Christmas, I store the symbols in a large Ziploc bag, to be used the following year.

This is the tree I made for our son's family. For the background, I used a shiny gold, flannel-backed table cloth, which I thought the little kids would especially enjoy. You know, shiny and gold, kid appealing.

And this is the book that shows how to make the Advent tree and symbols, with Scripture selections and suggested carols for two Advent seasons. It's a great book to use with young families, especially.

Besides the Advent wreath and candles which we would light on the four Sundays before Christmas, we also had a single large candle that we would light on weeknights. Each night of Advent, our children would take turns being the one who got to put the symbol on the tree AND got to blow out the candle at the end of our devotions, carols, and prayer time. Believe me, they kept track to make sure they got their turn!

This was a wonderful tradition for many years, and helped us teach our children what Christmas is really all about.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. - John 3:17

Have a blessed Lord's Day.
Celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent,

Judy

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir

2011-12-02T06:45:00.001-06:00

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir

I hope you will be as blessed by these words and this music as much as I am. Praise God for music, which, like all things, He created to bring glory to Himself!

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir
For the Beauty of the Earth, arr. by John Rutter
Source: YouTube, of course.

For the Beauty of the Earth -

by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

For the beauty of the earth,

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight;
For the mystic harmony,
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child;

Friends on earth and friends above;

For all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy Church that evermore

Lifteth holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best gift divine,

To our race so freely given,

For that great, great love of Thine,

Peace on earth, and joy in heaven:

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, author of "For the Beauty of the Earth" was born in 1835 in Bath, England. He graduated from Queen's College, Cambridge University in 1857. He spent many years at Somersetshire College as a classics master. After retiring he lived in various places in the West Country. - from Songs and Hymns website.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

My Favorite Molasses Cookies Recipe

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

How can these be crispy and chewy at the same time??

My Favorite Molasses Cookies Recipe:
Makes 4 dozen+ 2.5" diameter cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. dark molasses

Place the above ingredients into your mixer bowl and mix thoroughly on medium.

Into a separate bowl, measure the following ingredients:
4 c. all-purpose flour
4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 t. ground cloves
1 1/2 t. ginger

As your mixer is running, pour the dry ingredients slowly into the mixing bowl, mixing thoroughly with the shortening, sugar, eggs, and molasses.

Form dough into 1 1/8 inch balls. I use heavy jellyroll pans to bake cookies. Use a good cooking spray to spray the pans, then arrange cookies on pans, about a dozen to a jellyroll pan. Don't crowd the cookie dough balls or you'll end up with one gigantic pan cookie.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven on middle shelf. This should take 10-12 minutes. I take mine out at exactly 11 minutes and then let the cookies finish setting up as they cool on the pans. You do not want the cookies to be brown (like overdone brown) when you take them out, but you also don't want them to look wet. This may take some experimentation with your oven.

When I first take the cookies out of the oven, I smack the pan on the top of the stove to encourage all the cookies to lie flat. They just seem to need that little jolt so they don't stay puffy in the center. No, I'm not going to make a video of this, but thought I'd tell you on the odd chance that someone would understand what on earth I'm talking about.

Although these are delicious just as they are, next time I'm going to increase the amount of ginger, clove, and cinnamon - just a tad.

You'll have a hard time keeping these around. AND, they're also good right out of the freezer, just in case you feel a need to try to hide them.

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This post is linked to: Making the World Cuter Mondays and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Delectable Tuesday and Anything Related Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Wandering Wednesday and What's Cookin' Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and Thrilling Thursday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Home and Family Friday and Fat Camp Friday and Fun With Food Friday

Cinnamon and Clove Handcrafted Soap

2011-11-28T07:00:00.015-06:00

'Grandma's Kitchen'

Cinnamon and Clove Handcrafted Soap

This luxurious soap will take you back to Grandma's kitchen (or maybe that would be Great-Grandma's kitchen), to the delicious fragrance of cinnamon and clove - and those yummy cookies that were baking in the oven! (Be sure to catch my 'Favorite Molasses Cookies Recipe' post on Wednesday.) Did you almost burn your mouth because you couldn't wait for them to cool??

My 'Grandma's Kitchen' handcrafted soap is a favorite with everyone, not just because it smells good enough to eat, but because it is has great moisturizing properties as well. Some people tell me that when they use my soaps, they can stop using moisturizer!

Keep 'Grandma's Kitchen' in the shower, the bath, and also for shaving.

You'll love Grandma's Kitchen, a fragrant cinnamon and clove handcrafted soap. Made with quality base oils and essential oils, plus all-natural botanicals.

Each bar comes with its own attractive label and wrapped in a cello bag. You'll want them for gifts, for the shower or bath! And don't forget to put one at the kitchen sink.

All of my handcrafted bar soaps make great stocking stuffers, so be sure to order plenty!

Ingredients: Coconut oil, Palm oil, Soybean oil, Apricot kernel oil, Shea butter, Essential oils, All-natural botanicals, Distilled water, Sodium hydroxide

Note: Each soap is approximately 4 oz, usually more.

Be sure to check out my Buy Five - Get One Free offer.

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

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This post is linked to some or all of the following: Amaze Me Monday and Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and What's in the Gunny Sack and Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Made By You Monday and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and Overflowing With Creativity and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and We Did it Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday and Creative Bloggers and Serenity Saturday and Home and Family Friday

Arthur's Stone Nr. Dorstone, Herefordshire

2011-11-25T07:00:00.008-06:00

Arthur's Stone

Just four miles from the Welsh border, between the B4348 and the B4352, on a beautiful hill near Dorstone in Herefordshire, stands Arthur's Stone. We were privileged to have friends who live nearby take us there (just a short drive from their house).

Arthur's Stone, another view

From Authur's Stone, a view of the Golden Valley

From the nearby sign, above:

'Arthur's Stone is a multi-chambered tomb of the neolithic period dating from between about 3700 and 2700 BC. (This is conjecture, and may not have been quite that long ago.)*

Neolithic people were the first inhabitants of Britain to farm the land and make pottery, but they had not yet discovered the use of metal. (Although there had been others who had worked with metals prior to that time, so it's possible that those skills had simply not yet migrated to Britain.)* They lived in small communities, perhaps numbering no more than 25-100 people.

One of their settlements has been discovered on Dorstone Hill, just to the southeast of here, where flint tools, stone axes and pottery have been found.

Chambered tombs were used to bury the dead from such communities. They were communal burial vaults often used over several generations. A tomb might contain the remains of anything from one or two to more than a hundred individuals - accompanied by simple grave goods such as pots, stone beads and flint arrowheads.

The tombs were important to their builders. With only very simple tools the raising of the massive roof slab, Arthur's Stone was a considerable feat.

The mound which once covered the tomb has now largely eroded away, and many of the stones were removed in the 19th century. The great roof stone has partly collapsed.

According to folklore, Arthur's Stone marks the spot of one of King Arthur's battles, but this legend dates from thousands of years after the real builders of the tomb had been forgotten.'

but long before Clive Owen became King Arthur (I did like him much better as a blind detective.)

Photo Credit

***

*Italicized comments are mine and are not copied from the sign near Arthur's Stone.

That area of England seems untouched by the hustle and bustle of London, far away from the crowds and noise. It's a beautiful part of England to which I'd love to return!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

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Book Review - Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

2011-11-23T07:00:00.002-06:00

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Edited by Nancy Guthrie

With all the secular busyness of the season, it's often difficult to keep our hearts and minds focused on the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, God's only son, came to this sin-cursed world to RESCUE His people. This Baby, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, went to the Cross to suffer the punishment for our sin. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus conquered death and hell, securing forgiveness of sin, new life, and freedom to all who put their trust in Him.

I'm looking forward to using a new book to supplement our Scripture readings during the upcoming Advent season. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, which comprises 22 essays or sermons, was edited and compiled by Nancy Guthrie. She had been disappointed when trying to find 'a book with short readings on Advent themes from a number of different writers I trust and respect; that reflected a high view of Scripture; and that put the incarnation in the context of God's unfolding plan of redemption. And not finding such a book available, I embarked on what has been a sacred adventure of putting such a collection together.'

With the list of authors including John Piper, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Saint Augustine, R.C. Sproul, Francis Schaeffer, Timothy Keller and others, this will make a great addition to our Advent devotions. Some selections have a longer Scripture reading than others, so with some, I will be using an additional Scripture passage as well as Christmas Carols appropriate to the Sunday.

I've read through the selections in this book, and am very pleased to have Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus to use with our Advent devotions for 2011.

'But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.' - John 1:12

'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' - John 3:16

Do you have any favorite devotional books you like to use at Advent? I'd love to hear about them, for I always like finding out what's out there!

Next week I'll be posting (or actually re-posting a blog post I put up last November,) which shows the Advent tree I made when the kids were little and the devotional book we used at that time. It is excellent for young families.

Remember, the First Sunday of Advent is November 27.

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables Recipe

2011-11-22T07:00:00.002-06:00

Crispy from a 450 degree oven

Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables Recipe:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Prepare the following vegetables:

Sweet Potatoes

Onions

Green Peppers

Sweet Red Peppers

Parsnips

Potatoes

Scrub potatoes and quarter. Peel onion and quarter. Pare parsnips and cut into slices. Seed the peppers and cut into chunks.

Place all vegetables into a large Ziploc bag and pour in 1/8 c. olive oil. Shake bag to completely coat the vegetables. Pour out onto a heavy jelly roll pan. Sprinkle on a little sea salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

Place in a preheated 450 degree oven.

Bake for 45 minutes+ until veggies are tender and crisp. Turn halfway through to crisp up the other side.

Note: Parsnips should go into the oven first, for about 5-10 minutes because they take a little longer to get tender.

Vegetables, ready for the oven

Roasted Thanksgiving Vegetables

Admired by a few wee visitors

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

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This post is linked to: Making the World Cuter Mondays and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Made by You Mondays and Delectable Tuesday and Anything Related Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Foodie Friday and Home and Family Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday

Looking Forward to Winter

2011-11-21T06:55:00.000-06:00

Kevin put up the snow fence last week, and just in the nick of time, it seems. Yesterday morning we awakened to 4 inches of snow on the ground (and 18 degrees).

the pictures below were taken the first part of December, 2010. It's coming...

Bridger and Misty

I'm going to try to have a better attitude about winter in 2012.

This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I do have this short verse memorized. I just need to refer to it more often, I think.

****

Today I need to get some clothes washed and packed, for we're heading out before dawn tomorrow morning for the long drive from NW Wisconsin to Dallas, TX to have Thanksgiving with our daughter and her husband. I checked the mileage, and did you know that it's as far from our house to Dallas as it is from London to Rome? No kidding. And we don't even get to drive through France (but we also don't have to cross the Alps.)

I have some posts scheduled to appear during that time (like tomorrow's recipe for roasted vegetables my favorite!) and I hope to check your blogs. But if you don't see me leaving comments, you'll know that we're busy having a great time, and that I'll be getting back to you next week on the 30th.

I hope our neighbor has his deer by the time we leave. I hate deer hunting season, for my dogs have to be on leads every time they go outdoors during daylight hours. Grrr.

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Winner of the 5-Bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway...

2011-11-19T07:00:00.006-06:00

...and the winner of the 5-bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway is...JEAN (djeanquarles)
Please contact me by noon on Monday the 21st of November with your postal address, so I can get your five handcrafted soaps mailed out to you!

CONGRATULATIONS, JEAN!

Thanks to all who entered my Soap'n'Such Giveaway. :-)

Chosen by Random.org

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Sudeley Castle and Chapel

2011-11-18T07:00:00.011-06:00

The ruins of Sudeley Castle Nr. Winchcombe

in the Cotswolds

map (minus the arrow) from

www.cotswolds.info

We started out at Cirencester, (just about the middle of the map above) where we spent a few nights at a great B&B. From there, we drove straight north on a narrow (aren't they all narrow??) formerly-Roman road (sometimes path) called the White Way. It was the short cut. Short cuts in England are not necessarily faster, but way more fun and interesting!

From the Sudeley Castle Website:
(I learned my lesson!)

The Castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII. Henry himself, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Queen Elizabeth 1 and Richard III have all played a part in Sudeley’s story. King Charles 1 found refuge here during the Civil War, when his nephew Prince Rupert established headquarters at the Castle.

Following it’s ‘slighting’ on Cromwell’s orders at the end of the Civil War, Sudeley lay neglected and derelict for nearly 200 years. King George III was among those sightseers who came to admire its romantic ruins.

Continuing from the website...

'Then in 1837 Sudeley was rescued by the wealthy Worcester glove-makers, brothers John and William Dent, who began an ambitious restoration programme which was continued by their nephew, John Coucher Dent, when he inherited the Castle in 1855. His wife, Emma Brocklehurst, threw herself enthusiastically into Sudeley’s restoration, at the same time forging strong links with the nearby town of Winchcombe. It is the results of Emma’s dedication that are so evident in the gardens and exhibitions at Sudeley today.

The Chapel

Chapel Rood Screen and Pulpit

Inside the small, cold, and dank chapel

Tomb of Catherine Parr, Sixth wife of Henry VIII

Sudeley Chapel

...Sudeley is now the home of the Dent-Brocklehursts and Lord and Lady Ashcombe. The family are committed to the continued preservation of the Castle and its treasures and the ongoing restoration and regeneration of the gardens.'

I was told that Hugh Grant hangs out there (not necessarily in the chapel, but that area) with friends from time to time. I'm not a huge Hugh Grant fan and thought he was a mediocre Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility, but one of my all-time favorite movies is Two Weeks' Notice, in which he was absolutely hilarious!!

The Sweet Cotswold Sheep north of Cirencester

(You thought I'd miss an opportunity to include those sweet little faces??)

Be sure to enter my 5-Bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway. Ends tonight, Nov.18 at 10 PM. Winner will be announced tomorrow here on Cranberry Morning!

...and more! Check out all my soaps at

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Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Story of David

2011-11-17T07:00:00.010-06:00

This is the story of David. He had been a fun kid, my favorite boy cousin, and full of life. We used to play in the haymow, ride on the toboggan behind the horse, and chow down the Christmas treats that my aunt would hide under the eaves in the cold, where she thought they were safe.

But after David served in Vietnam, he came back a changed person. He turned to drugs, smoking, and alcohol for consolation, his body eventually ravaged by years of harmful substances. As time and emphysema took its toll on him, David became thin and haggard, hardly recognizable as the healthy, handsome, and fun kid he had once been. He looked like an old man years before he should have.

David's body and life were riddled with pain. He had no time for God.

But, In the last year of his life, David learned what all true Christ followers know:

It's not about us or what we do that merits our salvation. It's all about Jesus and what He has done at the Cross, paying the penalty for the sin of all who put their trust in Him.

I remember when my dad died last December and I was told by another family member that David wanted me to know that he would be praying for our family. What?! I was shocked. And shocked to learn that David was trusting Jesus. David had acknowledged his hopelessness and ran to the only Rescuer, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lavished on him grace and mercy unlimited. (He never turns anyone away). David, his sins forgiven, looked forward to seeing His Savior.

Oh sure, he still lived in that unhealthy, painful body, but he had a Savior who loved him and hope and a future! 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

Why should I have been shocked? I'm ashamed to say that I'd pretty much written him off as a lost cause. And from a human perspective, he probably was. We've all been born into Adam's sinful race, and are totally unable to save ourselves. It is foolish for us to trust other fellow sinners to make a good decision! But Christ IS worthy of our trust. God knows no such thing as a lost cause.The Creator and Master of the Universe is not limited. He forgives sin. He changes hearts. He gives us hope!

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b,14

David recognized his hopeless state. He threw himself upon the mercy of God, and God graciously forgave his sin and clothed him with Christ's righteousness.

...not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. - Philippians 3:9b

David went to be with his Savior the last week of October.

Praise God for the hope that we have in Christ!

Swedish Meatballs and Irritability

2011-11-16T07:00:00.058-06:00

I am now on a quest to obtain my Aunt Esther's Swedish meatball recipe. She was Swedish, she married a Swede, and I know she made Swedish meatballs.

Over the weekend, my husband and I drove to the Big City and found the Big Blue Store, where we were herded like cattle through the maze of clutter. I'm not sure why people find this enjoyable. I'll have to admit that the prices are better than many retail outlets, but the fact that there are big directional arrows painted on the floor and everyone seems to be directed by some unspoken entity to walk in the same direction does not appeal to me in the least. I felt like I was being managed (I have an aversion to that sort of thing) and that if I dared go against the flow of traffic, there might be a loud siren and flashing lights as someone quickly arrived to give me a traffic ticket - or haul me off to a labor camp. It was not an auspicious beginning.

Then we had lunch. What I was told were Swedish meatballs tasted to me like spherical hot dogs. I couldn't believe that anyone really likes those things. So while my husband was eating a huge portion of 'meatballs' which we had planned to share, I ate an entire piece of fudge, disguised as chocolate cake (which we had also planned to share). I was annoyed, because I hadn't wanted any gravy on my meatballs or potatoes (because most gravy has poison in it and it's usually easier to avoid it than to ask questions and get weird looks), yet it all happened so fast that someone had already poured gravy on the potatoes before we could wrench it out of her hand and avoid getting gravy on the meatballs. But one taste of the meatballs and it was all over for me anyway. Spongey, hot-doggie weirdness. My mouth immediately knew it was a foreign object that should not be ingested.

You're right. My husband puts up with a lot. But he doesn't seem to have any food sensitivities or allergies except for Bing cherries which make his lips numb. But that's another story.

Now we had a situation in which I not only had no protein for lunch, but had substituted a huge dose of sugar for the protein. I know, this was really stupid. But my choice had been between a three-day headache or a half-day headache. In reality, there was a third option, but that would have required ~~being rational~~ going to the back of a long line. I was in no shape to be making decisions. Result? After about 20 minutes I had the headache, was depressed, irritable, and simply wanted to go home. OR find a large Barnes & Noble, a comfortable, quiet place where one could take refuge in ~~chocolate~~ and coffee, magazines and books.

We went home.

Yes, this is very predictable.

Moral of the story?

a) Always carry a protein bar in my purse in case of emergencies. (I usually do)
b) Always eat before getting hungry.

b) I shouldn't have let Aunt Esther pass from this world without getting her Swedish meatball recipe.

c) Use the Big Blue Store for a fun stroll through a retail business, but don't go there when I'm actually on a quest to find certain items on a list.

d) Remember to tell Kevin OFTEN how much I appreciate him.
e) I'm not kidding about Kevin. He is a good man!
f) Tell my friends OFTEN how much I appreciate them.

Be sure to enter my 5-Bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway. Ends Friday, November 18 at 10 PM.

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Preoccupied

2011-11-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

"♪♫ Oh Lionel...♫"

"Whaaaat??!!"

...I imagine him with a sort of Andy Rooney voice

After spending most of the night on my pillow, attempting to keep at least one paw on my face or neck at all times, Lionel moves to the window seat where he scopes out the fields before his morning nap. I get the feeling that he doesn't like being bothered.

The extra screen that you see in the photo is one that I set in front of the original screen because Lionel's not-exactly-petite (22 lb) body had pushed the screen out on the bottom - and it's a looooong way to the ground from that window!

(Yes, I realize that I could put in a new screen window, but it's just not at the top of my to-do list. But I do want him to enjoy the breeze and the view, and yet be safe. Probably within the week those windows will be closed for at least four months! )

Lionel and Tuppence, a symbiotic relationship

Be sure to enter my 5 Bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway!
Pass the word. This week only. Ends Friday night.

Thanks!

PORK AND RICE CASSEROLE

2011-11-14T07:00:00.009-06:00

Emergency Church Casserole

It was about 9 PM on Saturday evening when my husband nonchalantly said, 'Remember what tomorrow is?'

Hmmmm. I dredged my little brain for the answer and all of the sudden remembered that we were having a pot luck dinner at church, after Sunday School.

I was not in the mood to do ANYthing at that time, but after getting 3 nice, thick pork loin cuts out of the freezer, I poured some balsamic vinegar and some minced garlic into the Ziploc baggies they were in, stuck them in the refrigerator, and stopped worrying about what tomorrow would bring. I knew I had a good head start, and would come up with something eventually.

So morning arrived and I decided to throw together the following:

PORK and RICE CASSEROLE RECIPE:

3 thick-cut pork loin pieces

4 cloves garlic, chopped

6 T. balsamic vinegar

Combine meat, garlic, and vinegar in a Ziploc bag and marinate overnight in the refrig.

In the morning:

Cook enough white rice to have 3 cups of cooked rice for this casserole. I usually use 2 c. of rice and 4 c. of water, then the cooked rice I don't use gets put into the refrigerator to use later in the week.

Cut the pork loin pieces into very thin strips

With a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a skillet, saute the pork loin strips until nice and browned. You can get started on a med high heat, but you'll have to turn it down to med or med-low to slowly brown it. Stir occasionally to get all sides browned. (Browned is just so much nicer, making it a bit crispy.)

While sauteeing the pork, use another skillet and a couple Tablespoons EVOO to stir-fry the following:

1/2 stalk (The stalk is the whole thing; a rib is one of the pieces) celery, sliced thinly on the diagonal

1 large carrot, pared and diced

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

When the vegetables are translucent and tender and the pork is browned, combine the cooked rice, vegetables, and pork into a large bowl. Stir thoroughly.

Stir in some Sea Salt, Chinese 5 Spice Powder, and Cayenne to taste.

I used about 1/2-1t. Chinese 5 Spice Powder, 1/2 t. salt, and about 1/2 t. Cayenne.

Pour into casserole dish that's been sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake in 350 degree oven for about a half hour.

If you don't want any of the rice crispy, then cover the casserole before baking.

If you're in a rush, you don't actually need to bake it at all. At this point, everything in it is cooked anyway.

You'll be surprised at how good this is!

The best part? It was easy, fast, and didn't contain any canned soups which have so many scary ingredients in them!

Be sure to enter my 5-bar Handcrafted Soap'n'Such Giveaway, running only this week. Hurry! Ends Friday evening.

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This post is linked to: Making the World Cuter Mondays and Something I Whipped Up Monday and Motivate Me Monday and Making Monday Marvelous and Made from Scratch Tuesday and Made by You Mondays and Delectable Tuesday and Anything Related Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Two Maids a Baking and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Cast Party Wednesday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Foodie Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday

5 Bar Soap'n'Such Giveaway!!

2011-11-12T07:00:00.066-06:00

PLUS: 1 BAR YOUR CHOICE=

Soap'n'Such Giveaway of
Five Special Handcrafted Soaps

From top left:

Grandma's Kitchen

Mulled Cranberry Cider
Mandarin Orange Spice

Apple Peel

Your Choice Bar

How to qualify for this 5-Bar Soap'n'Such Giveaway:

1. Entrant MUST become a follower of Cranberry Morning blog through Google Friend Connect (GFC) and leave a comment on this post, letting me know that you are!

2. View all my soaps at Soap'n'Such, then come back here to include in your comment your choice for Bar #5.

Giveaway will end on Friday night, November 18, at 10 PM. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Saturday morning, November 19 on my Cranberry Morning blog.

3. Winner of this giveaway must contact me by e-mail with their postal address by Monday, November 21, at NOON.

Right now I have 17 different soaps available at Soap'n'Such. Be sure to check out my Buy Five - Get One Free offer!

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THANKS FOR ENTERING MY GIVEAWAY!!

And please be sure to let your friends know about it.

Giveaway open to US residents only. :-(