Monday, January 31, 2011
Thank you Crissy!
My heart pitter patters at what my friend, Crissy did for me here.. She redid my blog , organizing it to perfection. I just want everyone to go to her for any web design work you need done.. Shes amazing, just simply amazing at capturing what your ideas are, and then putting the pedal to the metal, and gettin the job done! Thank you , Crissy , for making my blog so pretty... just love it!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Save the Date..for Another Day
Being an avid reader, I review books for BookSneeze. It is a blogger review's website where we can recieve free books, just to post our honest thoughts about any of the offered books BookSneeze has to offer.
The review below,for " Save the Date " by Jenny B. Jones, was an ok book,though it was not quite what I expected it to be. I was, well, a little disappointed .. But, it was one of those books young women would love to read, and it was Christian fiction which says alot for the clean content within the pages. Here is my review:
Save the Date, by Jenny B. Jones , was one that I was a bit disappointed in. Not that it was a bad read, because it wasn't, but it was just a tad bit to girly girl for my reading taste.. The story, a bit predictable, but with a positive ending I will say. The front cover drew me in, with it's colorful, and simple but beautifully design..
For those readers who wanted substance in the story, this was not really that type, but "Save the Date" was a book that intermingled joy, and sorrow, laughter and pain - all reminiscent of lives many people live in real life.
In the story of Lucy, and Alex, a former NFL player out to make his presence known in Congress, Lucy and Alex devised a plan that would meet each of their needs. He has the money to fund " Saving Grace" the residential home that Lucy operates, and she can give him a " life" that shows him in a better light in his bid for Congress.
One thing that did stand out to me, and that surprised me, not having read any of the books by this author, was how easily she wrote that drew me into the lives of the characters. It was as if I could have stepped into the pages of the book, and become friends with Lucy, as well as Alex, and every one else who was written into the story line.
Would I read this book again? Probably no. Would I suggest it to other readers? Probably so, but to young women , rather than mature adults.. It just was a little to " cutesy " for my reading.
I reviewed this book , in all honesty, as part of the Thomas Nelson, " Booksneeze" bloggers program. I do not have to post it as a great book, or even a lousy book.. Just an honest review, which I have done.
The review below,for " Save the Date " by Jenny B. Jones, was an ok book,though it was not quite what I expected it to be. I was, well, a little disappointed .. But, it was one of those books young women would love to read, and it was Christian fiction which says alot for the clean content within the pages. Here is my review:
Save the Date, by Jenny B. Jones , was one that I was a bit disappointed in. Not that it was a bad read, because it wasn't, but it was just a tad bit to girly girl for my reading taste.. The story, a bit predictable, but with a positive ending I will say. The front cover drew me in, with it's colorful, and simple but beautifully design..
For those readers who wanted substance in the story, this was not really that type, but "Save the Date" was a book that intermingled joy, and sorrow, laughter and pain - all reminiscent of lives many people live in real life.
In the story of Lucy, and Alex, a former NFL player out to make his presence known in Congress, Lucy and Alex devised a plan that would meet each of their needs. He has the money to fund " Saving Grace" the residential home that Lucy operates, and she can give him a " life" that shows him in a better light in his bid for Congress.
One thing that did stand out to me, and that surprised me, not having read any of the books by this author, was how easily she wrote that drew me into the lives of the characters. It was as if I could have stepped into the pages of the book, and become friends with Lucy, as well as Alex, and every one else who was written into the story line.
Would I read this book again? Probably no. Would I suggest it to other readers? Probably so, but to young women , rather than mature adults.. It just was a little to " cutesy " for my reading.
I reviewed this book , in all honesty, as part of the Thomas Nelson, " Booksneeze" bloggers program. I do not have to post it as a great book, or even a lousy book.. Just an honest review, which I have done.
A Glorious Sunrise this morning
Well, it is a different sort of Sunrise this morning.. haha, a breakfast Enchilada Sunrise.. I had some corn tortilla shells, some green chiles, my homemade salsa, and pepperjack cheese all waiting to be consumed with 2 eggs cracked on top.. I popped them in the oven at 400 degrees, and was in heaven after the eggs were set, and the cheese ooey-gooey..
Yes, a beautiful Sunrise this morning for breakfast.. Enjoy the smell a vision in the before, and after shots, served along with my home canned cherries ..
Yes, a beautiful Sunrise this morning for breakfast.. Enjoy the smell a vision in the before, and after shots, served along with my home canned cherries ..
Monday, January 24, 2011
Affirmation.. the Word of the Day
Sometimes one word , standing alone,is all it takes to bring someone to a place of fullness.. a word, standing alone that rises one from the level of his, or her knees, to a place where they stand, holding their head up high, and walking forward in the truth of who they are.. No matter the path that once was walked, sometimes that newness of thought, and acceptance, leads one to be affirmed just by the one word that reaches the core of a soul.. Today, that word is " Affirmation".. The one word in my day where I have learned to embrace its meaning, it's truth, and it's strength in a day that has not been easy .. Thank you "Mr. Webster" for defining the power of the Word today..
Affirmation:
1.establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
2.to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
3.say yes to
Affirmation:
1.establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
2.to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
3.say yes to
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Pink Slippers..A story of Beauty
This story, written by Alisa Hope Wagner, was posted on my other blog a year or two ago. I was so touched by Alisa's story at that time, and then today, as it came back to mind from her own website, I had to repost it on My Passionate Obsessions today.. Alisa is a gifted communicator, writer, mother, and identical twin sister to Christina , who will be revamping my blog design in the weeks to come.. Be blessed as you put on your own Slippers of Beauty!
When I was a little girl, I almost never wore shoes. I didn’t see the need for them. But when I rode my bike, I had to scrounge up a pair. The pedals of my bike had jagged prongs on them, and they would hurt my bare feet.
I remember one sunny morning I really wanted to ride my bike. I was eight years old, and I had places to explore! I looked for a pair of shoes and found little pink slippers. I didn’t know whose they were, but they might have been hand-me-downs. I slipped them on, and I felt feminine and beautiful. I tiptoed out the front door like a ballerina.
I hopped on my bike, and leisurely rode around my block. I took in the soft summer breeze and the early morning glow of the sun. I coasted to an intersection, got off my bike and waited for the light to turn green. There was another little girl on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street with me. She was a few years older than I was. She stared at me for a good while then looked at my slippers and said, “Nice shoes.”
I looked down at my slippers and analyzed what she saw. Until this day, I still have the image of them in my mind. Although it was obvious they were once pink, they had turned a brownish color with dirty smudges across the plastic sides. There was a hole where my right big toe was and you could see my toe sticking out. The seams where the plastic tops were sewn to the soles were unraveling. The strap across the top of the left slipper was broken. I think about them now and realize that they should have been thrown away years ago.
Because I had no clue what sarcasm was, I thought the little girl was being genuine with her compliment. I stared back up at her face and beamed a smile, “Thank you,” I said. “These are my new slippers.”
The girl looked at me for a moment longer, chuckled and walked off.
I had found a treasure, and I was so pleased someone else had noticed. In my childish mind, I only knew that slippers were beautiful. It didn’t matter to me the condition of them.
And you are beautiful to the Creator. He has made you into His treasure and it doesn’t matter what the world has put you through or what kind of condition you find yourself. You are valued simply because You are His.
God doesn’t see the smudges, the holes or the unraveling seams; He only sees you – His beautiful slippers. Why? Because God came into this world in a form of a man, taught us how to love, and took the ugliness of our lives. Jesus Christ shields God’s view of our sin, so God only sees beauty. If you don’t feel beautiful, worthy or valued; then you might be viewing yourself through the world’s eyes. See yourself through God’s eyes, and you’ll wake up every morning feeling like the treasure you were created to be.
When I was a little girl, I almost never wore shoes. I didn’t see the need for them. But when I rode my bike, I had to scrounge up a pair. The pedals of my bike had jagged prongs on them, and they would hurt my bare feet.
I remember one sunny morning I really wanted to ride my bike. I was eight years old, and I had places to explore! I looked for a pair of shoes and found little pink slippers. I didn’t know whose they were, but they might have been hand-me-downs. I slipped them on, and I felt feminine and beautiful. I tiptoed out the front door like a ballerina.
I hopped on my bike, and leisurely rode around my block. I took in the soft summer breeze and the early morning glow of the sun. I coasted to an intersection, got off my bike and waited for the light to turn green. There was another little girl on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street with me. She was a few years older than I was. She stared at me for a good while then looked at my slippers and said, “Nice shoes.”
I looked down at my slippers and analyzed what she saw. Until this day, I still have the image of them in my mind. Although it was obvious they were once pink, they had turned a brownish color with dirty smudges across the plastic sides. There was a hole where my right big toe was and you could see my toe sticking out. The seams where the plastic tops were sewn to the soles were unraveling. The strap across the top of the left slipper was broken. I think about them now and realize that they should have been thrown away years ago.
Because I had no clue what sarcasm was, I thought the little girl was being genuine with her compliment. I stared back up at her face and beamed a smile, “Thank you,” I said. “These are my new slippers.”
The girl looked at me for a moment longer, chuckled and walked off.
I had found a treasure, and I was so pleased someone else had noticed. In my childish mind, I only knew that slippers were beautiful. It didn’t matter to me the condition of them.
And you are beautiful to the Creator. He has made you into His treasure and it doesn’t matter what the world has put you through or what kind of condition you find yourself. You are valued simply because You are His.
God doesn’t see the smudges, the holes or the unraveling seams; He only sees you – His beautiful slippers. Why? Because God came into this world in a form of a man, taught us how to love, and took the ugliness of our lives. Jesus Christ shields God’s view of our sin, so God only sees beauty. If you don’t feel beautiful, worthy or valued; then you might be viewing yourself through the world’s eyes. See yourself through God’s eyes, and you’ll wake up every morning feeling like the treasure you were created to be.
A Star is Born...
A friend of mine, whose name is Charisma , lives in Ephrata, Washington.. She belongs to a quilt group that I also belong to, and she has just the most incredible gift to make a quilt top into one of exquisite beauty..
This photo of a quilt was not created by me, nor do I know whose it is, other than she is also part of the quilting group. She sent it to be machine quilted on Charisma's long arm machine, and man, is it ever beautiful!! I just wanted to show what my friend can do for those who need machine quilting done. She lives in Ephrata, yes, but she has people from all over the US that send her their beloved quilts to be quilted.. She is a very , very special lady, and also a strong believer in Jesus.. which in my book, makes her so very awesome!! Just love reading email
messages from her, because she just encourages me in the Lord so very much!!
messages from her, because she just encourages me in the Lord so very much!!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A recipe Thai - die for! play on words??
Curried Coconut Chicken
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed, diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
Directions
1.Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2.Heat oil and curry powder in a large skillet over medium-high heat for two minutes. Stir in onions and garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add chicken, tossing lightly to coat with curry oil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and juices run clear.
3.Pour coconut milk, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar into the pan, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed, diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
Directions
1.Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2.Heat oil and curry powder in a large skillet over medium-high heat for two minutes. Stir in onions and garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add chicken, tossing lightly to coat with curry oil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and juices run clear.
3.Pour coconut milk, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar into the pan, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
Contradiction
Contradiction ..word for the day..
noun: opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
Wondering if this must be why attitudes, and beliefs that are differing, are the cause of broken relationships..
noun: opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
Wondering if this must be why attitudes, and beliefs that are differing, are the cause of broken relationships..
Life is like a bowl of ...Contradictions..
Life sometimes is a contradictory experience.. from one day being on a mountain top because a quilt top was completed, to the next, when that same quilt top gets spilled on by a bottle of red wine.. No!! That didn't happen, but just sayin' that life is contradictory in how we experience it some days.
Today, well actually started a few days ago, some not so kind words were shared with me from someone who sent me a message.. it was about another dear friend of mine, whose life is often times, straddled with ugly comments, and unfortunately, hate mail because of his choice to walk free of a life that he felt he had been born into. My friend, very honest in how, and WHO led him out of that lifetime of shame, is often times peppered with disgusting attitudes, comments, and plain lies about his choice.
Because of understanding what his life is NOW, and knowing how much society as a whole disagrees with him, his friendship to me, as well as his wife , is something I hold VERY near to my heart.. I dont just like Dennis and Melinda, but I respect them for their stance in being who they are, and standing true to whom they believe in, in this often times, ugly world. They live daily by what they believe, and follow closely, what they know is to be truth. And to me, thats the best kind of friendship one can have in life.. being real, and being true.
Sadly, because of that walking free of what society says is normal, they are wounded , but not despondent. They are hated, but never without God's amazing Love. They might be friendless, in those that disagree, and finally walk away from lifelong friendships, but yet, they are surrounded by the greatest Friend, ever known to man.. His name is Jesus..
Today, because I chose to walk along side of them in an event that they will be hosting, I , too, have lost a friend whom I thought was someone I coud relate to. In that friendship these last few days, theres much wounding going on because of something that she can not see beyond.. That my friend, Dennis, and Melinda are real people, with a real life of sin, and redemption.. They are real people to acknowlege grace, and mercy at His best for their lives, and because of that, I , too , understand the ' hateful ' comments that come with ignorance of knowing truth..
I just know that as life is contradicting everything that is good and true, the real friends I have, with DJ, or Mel , and so many others I am honored to know in real time, or other ways, will be what I stand behind today. No matter how cruel words may be , I stand behind my friends and have uttmost respect for the stand they continue to have in being real in such an unreal world sometimes..
Today, well actually started a few days ago, some not so kind words were shared with me from someone who sent me a message.. it was about another dear friend of mine, whose life is often times, straddled with ugly comments, and unfortunately, hate mail because of his choice to walk free of a life that he felt he had been born into. My friend, very honest in how, and WHO led him out of that lifetime of shame, is often times peppered with disgusting attitudes, comments, and plain lies about his choice.
Because of understanding what his life is NOW, and knowing how much society as a whole disagrees with him, his friendship to me, as well as his wife , is something I hold VERY near to my heart.. I dont just like Dennis and Melinda, but I respect them for their stance in being who they are, and standing true to whom they believe in, in this often times, ugly world. They live daily by what they believe, and follow closely, what they know is to be truth. And to me, thats the best kind of friendship one can have in life.. being real, and being true.
Sadly, because of that walking free of what society says is normal, they are wounded , but not despondent. They are hated, but never without God's amazing Love. They might be friendless, in those that disagree, and finally walk away from lifelong friendships, but yet, they are surrounded by the greatest Friend, ever known to man.. His name is Jesus..
Today, because I chose to walk along side of them in an event that they will be hosting, I , too, have lost a friend whom I thought was someone I coud relate to. In that friendship these last few days, theres much wounding going on because of something that she can not see beyond.. That my friend, Dennis, and Melinda are real people, with a real life of sin, and redemption.. They are real people to acknowlege grace, and mercy at His best for their lives, and because of that, I , too , understand the ' hateful ' comments that come with ignorance of knowing truth..
I just know that as life is contradicting everything that is good and true, the real friends I have, with DJ, or Mel , and so many others I am honored to know in real time, or other ways, will be what I stand behind today. No matter how cruel words may be , I stand behind my friends and have uttmost respect for the stand they continue to have in being real in such an unreal world sometimes..
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A place, and taste.. of yummy Goodness..
Just popping in here to post a short little recipe for some yummy Peanut Butter Cookies.. yea, yea, just plain old peanut butter cookies that I am sure most people would just say, " yea, so whats so good about THESE cookies? Well , to be honest, everything.. and to me, thats a big thing, because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE peanut butter in any recipe, at any time.. I love it in cookies, cakes, mexican recipes ( yea, you heard it right ! ), and on apples, or celery sticks.. I just plain love that sticky, gooey bunch of goodness..
So heres the deal.. I print the recipe here, and you get to take the calories.. hows that for a great trade off.. see ya next time I have another book to review, or just when I think of something to post.. ( and Alleuliabelle - I am SO glad to see your beautiful face on the followers list.. I know its not like my other blog was, but this is what I need to do for me for awhile.. Its all good though!
Recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cp Peanut Butter ( any kind )
1/2 cp margarine, or butter - softened
1 egg
1 1/4 cp flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Cup peanut butter chips ( optional )
granulated sugar
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix brown sugar, butter, Peanut Butter, and egg.
Add dry ingredients and chips, if using them. Shape dough into 1 to 1/2 inch balls. Dip top of balls in granulated sugar. Place sugar side up on ungreased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
Bake 9-10 minutes until golden, cool 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.
DO NOT FLATTEN tops for this recipe, and do not criss cross either. These spread out and get those crackle tops as regular cookies do. If you make the balls perfectly round, they will look like professional bakery cookies.. yummy, yummy for your tummy
So heres the deal.. I print the recipe here, and you get to take the calories.. hows that for a great trade off.. see ya next time I have another book to review, or just when I think of something to post.. ( and Alleuliabelle - I am SO glad to see your beautiful face on the followers list.. I know its not like my other blog was, but this is what I need to do for me for awhile.. Its all good though!
Recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cp Peanut Butter ( any kind )
1/2 cp margarine, or butter - softened
1 egg
1 1/4 cp flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Cup peanut butter chips ( optional )
granulated sugar
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix brown sugar, butter, Peanut Butter, and egg.
Add dry ingredients and chips, if using them. Shape dough into 1 to 1/2 inch balls. Dip top of balls in granulated sugar. Place sugar side up on ungreased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
Bake 9-10 minutes until golden, cool 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.
DO NOT FLATTEN tops for this recipe, and do not criss cross either. These spread out and get those crackle tops as regular cookies do. If you make the balls perfectly round, they will look like professional bakery cookies.. yummy, yummy for your tummy
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