Bella Rissah

Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday

2013-03-24T21:03:00.004-07:00

Last year's bible study on the Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday is available for you on each picture. Have a blessed week and abundant life in our Lord Jesus the Christ and the Lamb slain for our redemption.

Day one is Palm Sunday

Day two is Holy Monday

Day three is called Holy Tuesday.

Day four is Betrayal Wednesday

Day five is Maundy Thursday.

The sixth day is known as Good Friday.

Seventh day is the Sabbath or Shabbat; in this week it is called Holy Saturday.

Resurrection Sunday

Thank you for visiting with me as we journey through

the Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday together.

Blessings,

Shh, It's Almost Homemade Buttercream

2013-03-22T22:25:00.001-07:00

The easiest, almost homemade butter-cream frosting is right here at Delish.com. It was so simple that I will definitely make this again. I made a lemon-aid cake for Jared Tomlinson and Cheramy Moore's rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow is the big day when they will be the new Mr. and Mrs. Jared Tomlinson.

It was a fun evening. Here are a few pictures that I took that I would like to share with you.

First, we have to get there. Hop on, there is room for you and you.

Shh, It's almost homemade butter-cream. Well, I mixed the ingredients, so, I guess you can call it homemade.

A floral planter. What fun this would be to have in an old fashioned garden with an arbor and a wrap-around white picket fence. And a swing, don't forget the swing and of course we must have iced tea.

I enjoyed your visit, thank you for stopping by.

Blessings,

Just saying, "Thank You"

2013-03-18T20:02:00.002-07:00

I was assigned the most stressful job anyone could have: to de-escalate complaints of extremely angry people, listen to every opinion and every cuss word (and although people say it is not directed at me they are just venting non-the-less I am taking the call) and still carry yourself like a professional representing a very important organization; it's a tough job but somebody has got to do it; so they (my bosses) chose a few people to turn around the external escalation situation by putting a special crew to handle these calls. I walked into work one morning and received an email that said, "Congratulations! You were selected..." (but I never applied for this position) I began to hate my job. Really, everyday I was listening to people with explosive verbiage I am not accustomed to hearing. It is stress call after stress call, back to back calls of people yelling at me and I have to NOT become defensive, to just take it. How many times did I say, "I understand", "I'm sorry for the frustration this has caused" or put the caller on mute and vent my frustrations at a screen for being so slow or it would give an error screen, then I had to state to this person, "I'm sorry, I have to reboot my computer" (which is not what an angry person wants to hear, right?) and hope they understand somethings are out of my control. I was so overwhelmed! "I'm listening", "Yes, I'm still here" then with the mute button on, "I wish I were NOT here."

I taped several scriptures to my computer screen but I seemed to quote this one most often:

Great peace have they which love Thy law and NOTHING SHALL OFFEND THEM.
(Some times it was really really close though. Sob-Hic-hh-Hic-Sob).

I also taped this on my computer
Q.T.I.P.
Quit Taking It Personally

I have Christian songs on the eraser board in front of my desk so I can remember that God understands the situation I am in and if I just give it to Him, he will hear me when I cry...

Quietly, I begin to sing the song "I Surrender" by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. (Yes, the mute button is on.)

"I Surrender"

Verse 2

Humble and broken I come to You

I'm trusting and waiting

To see what You will do

Lord You know what's best

And at Your feet I find my rest

I'm coming to You again

Lord here I am

I surrender,

Lord, I surrender my life,

Give it all to You. (All to Jesus)

If it were not for Jesus, I would not have been able to make it through this hard time. I prayed about my job and this situation. I told the Lord, I was going to apply myself to be more Christian in my calls (Not that I did anything wrong but I realized every one around me in the office could hear my complaints and frustrations). I began to start my calls like this:

"Thank you for calling... My name is Darlene. I understand there is a problem with... I promise that if there is something I can do to fix the... I will do so or if I have to get it to a department than can fix it I personally will do so. But, if it is something that is completely out of our control because it is not an issue with our company then I will tell you in what needs to be done once you make the right contact. This call is important to you, I want you to know it is important to me."

Wow, what a mouth full, right; but what an introduction. I have won so many positives in just saying that "I'm listening", and "I'm interested in helping you".

Five months later, I went to work, business as usual, and the select group were asked to come to a room. The BIG BOSS (who was not there) was treating us to lunch. Yum-mm, Honey Baked Ham!! Then they handed each one of us a beautiful glass plaque. We saw a video of the BOSS saying thank you and how we made a 95% turned around for the company. (Does it remind you of Charlie's Angels? Just kidding)

I had to look away from the group, because I wanted to cry. Somebody said,"Thank you". They recognized how hard we worked to accomplish what we did. No, I didn't get a raise but I got a thank you and that, my dear friend, made me like my job all over again. Someone said "Thank you" and that took the edge off of my job.

On my days off, my kids will ask me to take them lunch. I was delivering Christopher's lunch when I was asked if the kids pay for my gas for all the running around I do for them? I said, "No, they pay for the lunch themselves. I don't mind picking it up for them". Christopher approaches me and gives me the biggest smile and hug. We chat, he says "Thanks, Mom" grabs the food and "Bye". I smile and said, "That makes it worth-while." Then I drop off Kristen's lunch. Later, she sends me a text, "Thanks for lunch U R the best mom EVERRR :). Makes me wish Jared wanted a lunch today, one more "Super-Mom" in my day would've been great.

Just saying "Thank you" really makes a difference.

Oh, by the way, thank you for stopping by for a visit. It has been a long time since we visited but I think things are looking up. Oh, hello, Sister Franks. It was good seeing you again the other day. Love you.

Blessings,

The Beauty of No More Stains

2013-01-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

We just finished our week of prayer and fasting at our church. On the last day we partake in foot washing and communion. The Lord's blood covering our past and the new year starting off with a clean slate is what makes this week something we look forward to each year. The beauty of being clean is that I am washed and forgiven. And when the Lord looks upon my heart He does not see the sinful stains that marred my soul but He sees the blood that covers me.

There was a man who on the cusp of despair after learning that his past would be looked into closed himself in a room and began the attempt in ending his life. After many hours of breaking through the barrier of a tormented mind he wrote the song, "There is a fountain Filled with Blood". Congregations would fill the churches in England with their voice as they would sing the song that became a much sung hymnal. Perhaps, many appreciating the beautiful words as they sang, "Lose all their guilty stains" and were thankful for the blood that washed their sins away. William Cowper no longer saw failure looming before him but a "Fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins". It is a beautiful song you can listen to it here.

There is a fountain Filled with Blood

Words by William Cowper (1771)

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains,
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.

How beautiful it is to be stainless.

This post was going to be just about the heat stain I was able to get off my table and the "How To Remove Stains on Wood" but as I saw the stain was gone and I could see the beauty of the wood with it's shine I began to appreciate that stains in my life were gone and thanked God for His blood so divine that covered me.

Who would have thought that steam could remove stains that were caused by heat in the first place? But it is true and here are the pictures. You can see the problem in using a paper plate without a place mat can really damage the beauty of wood (a lesson learned). Well, Darlene, don't fall into despair; all is not lost, just a little bit of work will get the stain right off your lovely table.

The tools are few:

An iron on steam setting, a small cotton towel, elbow grease and a few minutes. See the results in the pictures below.

Then polish the wood and add your loveliest table runner to show the shine. No one can tell that there was a stain that marred so lovely a table; only you will know there was a stain and how the stain was erased. Just like the song said, "Lose all their guilty stains" Amen.

I really appreciate that you stopped by to visit with me; it always makes me happy.

Have a wonderful and blessed year.

XOX

Blessings,

Source

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/thereisafountainfilledwithbloodlyrics.html

http://sovereigngracemusic.bandcamp.com/track/there-is-a-fountain-filled-with-blood

Cream Puff Tree

2012-11-25T20:22:00.002-08:00

I hope your thanksgiving was all things wonderful. My day was full of happiness and family. I spent it with my two sisters Olga and Eva, along with my brother Jerry. The food was delicious and in abundance. Olga's daughter, Erika, was there with her kids and that was really nice. After we ate we hiked Thunderbird Mountain at the Tapatio Cliffs (We hiked to burn the calories so that we could eat dessert. Wink).

Here is a a picture of the cream puff tree that I made. The flower is a true turquoise color although in the picture it looks almost royal blue. With the second picture you can see how it looks when it is being built. It's fun and everyone stopped talking and went on about the tree with all the "Ooh" and "Aah". I knew it was a real hit went someone said they want these at their anniversary dinner.

Oh! Every cream puff was so light and tasted so good I couldn't believe how many I ate in such a short time. Where did I put that cabbage diet recipe? I think I need to do something about losing these pounds, again.

Have fun and enjoy the winter holidays.

XOX

Blessings,

"Sweet" Brown Rice

2012-11-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

Day Seven on the Cabbage Soup Diet

(Oops. Hey, what is going on with my camera phone? It is blurry.)

I cannot believe it, this week has flown by so fast. I made it! This diet calls for a lot of eating. It feels as if I am stuffing myself each day but I am losing weight and I am losing inches. A total of seven pounds lost and thinner by 2 1/4 inches on my waist.

Brown rice and real juice is on today's menu. If I am going to have brown rice for breakfast I want it to be sweetened and I want it to taste good. I searched for a sugar replacement and found that I could add coconut milk. It is slightly sweet and because it is made from coconut then it is milk and fruit juice at the same time, (I can have as much as I want). I was surprised that it taste so good and sweet; it does not leave me with that milkish-coated feeling in my stomach. I can also add vanilla and cinnamon to my sweet rice because both are spices or flavors and not really considered food.

Well, we are down to final day. Folks, I will post the weight and inches lost in this post so you won't have to wait any longer to know if this really works.

Breakfast: A glass of coconut milk.

Cooked brown rice, add coconut milk, vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon. Now, here is a little something I am going to add as a treat, almond butter. But just very little of the butter is all I need. (No, the diet does not mention nuts, but I always eat almonds.)

Lunch: I had a bowl of soup and added the brown rice.
And a glass of coconut milk.

Dinner: Bowl of soup with Tapatio sauce.

We made it through the whole week and I found the skinnier side of me!

But, the best part of it all was sharing my journey with you.

Thank you for visiting me each day.
Mmwah!
And that, my friend, came from a "I lost seven pounds" woman.

XOX

Blessings,

There's Something Fishy Going On Around Here

2012-11-13T20:36:00.002-08:00

Day Six on the Cabbage SoupDiet

Now, the diet says you can eat, "two or three steaks", Uh, no thank you. I will be having salmon for dinner tonight. (I am glad switching items is okay) So, fish it is! Oh, and Kristen makes the best salmon. I will share the recipe with you. (And all because I love you, dear.) I can eat a salad with dinner, too.

Breakfast: Hot cup of broth.

Lunch: 1 C. soup and crushed chilies.

Dinner: Salmon with ginger root, cilantro, lemon slice and cooked in orange juice.

Tossed salad.

This is Kristen's salmon recipe.

She places the salmon on top of sliced lemons, then adds grated ginger, garlic, adds a sprig of cilantro on each filet,and cooks it in orange juice for around ten minutes. Doesn't it look great? She knows how much I enjoy this dish. Yumm!

Maestro, Drumm roll please.
I lost 2 pounds but I have lost 1 1/4 inches on my waist! Woohoo!

Oh, things are looking so much better, since, you stopped by for a visit.

XOX

Blessings,

Beefy Tomato Stroganof

2012-11-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

Day Five on the Cabbage Soup Diet

This is when I can add ten-twenty ounces of meat into my diet, it's a good thing I set aside the meat from day one when I made the soup. I should eat six tomatoes (That is a lot of tomatoes for one person!)
I also need to drink a lot of water on this day. There is a whole lot of eating in this diet. I did not eat the tomatoes and very little bit of meat. I cannot do more without feeling stuffed.

I prepared my day the night before. I cleaned out four medium size tomato for the bowls and placed them in the fridge. I made the tomato juice for the morning. (Christopher helped me with the picture)

Breakfast: 1 C. hot broth and

1 glass of fresh tomato juice:
I used the inside of the tomatoes for my juice, bottled water, and freshly squeezed lemon.

Lunch: Bowl C.S., diced tomato and Tapatio sauce.

Dinner: Beef Stroganof with Tomato Bowl. (I should have taken a picture after I cut into the tomato and let the creamy sauce run over the spinach leaves.)

Saute meat with onions add some of the broth from the soup. Lower the heat and add plain Greek yogurt (Just cook it long enough to heat up the yogurt and still look creamy. Otherwise it will look curdled). No flour can be used to thicken the sauce but that's okay, because the broth is what I am using for the dressing on the spinach once I cut into the tomato.

Fill the tomato bowl with the stroganof. Serve on a bed of spinach.

Snack: None. I was too full to eat a snack.

My sons and I enjoyed the Tomato and Beef Stroganof for dinner. (Kristen is vegetarian). I was not able to eat all the tomatoes called for but I had plenty.

I weighed myself this morning lost one pound. But I am not discouraged, I am going to finish the seven days through because I have lost another 1/4 inch. Yay!!

Your visit made my day!

XOX

Blessings,

Fruit and Cottage Cheese Lettuce Wrap

2012-11-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

Day Four on the Cabbage Soup Diet

Okay, I weighed myself and lost two pounds, I lost 1/2 inch on my waist and my shoes fit loosely. I was worried since I did not see much progress on the scale earlier (I had only lost one pound before) although my clothes started fitting more comfortably. I am encouraged to continue this journey of finding the lighter side of me.

This is a "High Potassium" day. Yay! I have waited for this day to eat all the fruit I want to eat, Yay!!!

The program says I can eat up to eight bananas but I used other fruits instead and I replaced the skim milk with cottage cheese, cheese and yogurt. To view which other fruits are high in potassium go to Moms Who Think.

Breakfast: 1 Lettuce wrap.

Green leaf lettuce, low fat cottage cheese, cubed orange, sliced strawberries, with shredded cheese.
(It was very good but I should have used iceberg lettuce)
One cup of ~~coffee~~ broth.

Lunch: 1 1/2 C. of mixed fruit mixed with low fat plain Greek yogurt.

Kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, apple, and orange.

Dinner: Cabbage soup topped with shredded cheese and crushed red chilies.

Snack: 2 string cheese packages.

The potassium content in one banana has 422 mg. Times that by the allowed number of bananas, it comes to 3376 mg. As I stated above, I used other fruit instead: 1 C/ blueberries, two large oranges cubed, eight strawberries sliced, two kiwi sliced, 1/2 medium size Gala apple, and one lettuce leaf. Even with all this, I only achieved a potassium intake of 1285 mg. But it was very filling and satisfying.

I was pleased to see I lost two pounds. I am really enjoying the morning cup of the heated broth and am thinking of taking extra to work with me.

This was such a good day. Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

XOX

Blessings,

Steamy Potatoes

2012-11-10T16:46:00.002-08:00

Day Two

I know I will have to be creative to enjoy my meals. So, I will try a few things differently than what might be on the diet. I might replace one item for another or prepare it differently for the sake of something more appealing. For instance, The recipe says you can eat one baked potato, but how about mashing the potato or broth and potato, instead. On the first day I cooked the soup with potatoes and meat, I will eat the cooked potatoes tonight instead of a baked potato.

Breakfast: Cabbage soup smoothie.

I read on the Cabbage Soup Diet site for breakfast you can blend the soup as a juice/smoothie type drink.

I added raw celery and I am counting this as my first bowl of soup of the day. (All I will say is that it was different. Not bad, but different.)

Lunch: Cabbage soup.

Dinner: Cubed potato from the soup with real butter, pepper, and a little bit of the broth. This is flavorful because it was cooked with seasonings and with the butter, Mmm, so good!!

Snack: 7 Almonds

I have been exercising with weights and tummy crunches. I know many people say not to use weights in dieting because it builds muscle, but I always use weights because I want to build muscle; I am getting older and need stronger bones and muscle. If I lose inches then I know it is working. I am looking for a thinner me.

Thank you for sharing my journey on the Cabbage Diet.

XOX

Blessings,

Asian Roasted Cabbage

2012-11-10T15:54:00.003-08:00

Day Three of the Cabbage Soup Diet

Today, I can eat all fruits or vegetables. Since, I am eating cabbage anyway, why not roasted cabbage with lemon and ginger? 哈利路亞 (That means "Hallelujah" in Mandarin)

Breakfast: (1) Apple slices with shredded carrot.

One coffee mug of hot broth ( I count this as one cup of soup).

(Pretend it is a cup of coffee. Hmm, this is good).

Lunch: Cabbage soup with Tapatio sauce

Dinner: Broiled cabbage

Serves two.

Ingredients:
Half a cabbage
2 T. Lemon juice
1 tsp. minced ginger
Sea salt and pepper (to taste)
Black roasted sesame seeds

Cut cut into strips. Set aside.
Mix the lemon, ginger, salt, pepper together. Add the cabbage and mix well. Pour into a roasting dish then sprinkle the top with black roasted sesame seeds (I did a light sprinkle but I should have used more).

Broil in oven for 12 minutes. Take out of the oven, turn cabbage over in the dish, and roast for another eight minutes.

Serve with sweet chili sauce.

Snack: I did not have any; I was not hungry.

I lost 1/4 inch on my waist and lost one pound! Hallelujah!! I am on this journey to find the skinny me. ;)

That was so good! So glad I can share the recipe with you. Enjoy!

XOX

Blessings,

My Journey on the Cabbage Soup Diet

2012-11-09T20:53:00.000-08:00

My Version of the Cabbage Soup Diet.

I have been wanting to go on the Cabbage Soup diet for quite some time and as we are entering cooler weather, what a perfect time to begin. You can find the recipe at www.cabbage-soup-diet.com.

I added meat and potatoes to the soup for the rest of my family, I do not think that will affect the diet as long as I am not eating it today. Before putting the soup away, I separated the meat and the potatoes from the soup in separate containers and will save them for later in the diet. The program says to eat 2-3 bowls of soup a day. On this diet I will need to drink plenty of water. Well, here goes.

Day One

I decided I would start my day with a detox juice and have the soup for dinner.

Breakfast: Juice

I used 1 bunch of cilantro, lemon with peel, a 1/2 tsp. Brewer's yeast, 1 bottled water, and ten almonds in a blender. It made plenty that I had the rest for lunch.

Lunch:

Cilantro juice

I am not supposed to have meat nor dairy on this day but I ate two paper-thin slices of elk sausage (Bro. Smith's elk sausage, it really is the best elk sausage I have ever tasted!) with 1/2 C. low fat cottage cheese.

Okay, now I am going to start.

Dinner: Cabbage soup with crushed dried chilies for flavor.
(The picture of the soup was taken on day four; that is why it had cheese)

Enjoy the cooler weather with a bowl of soup and stay warm.

XOX

Blessings,

I Am So Far Behind!

2012-10-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

What! October is almost over?

As the White Rabbit in, Alice in Wonderland said,

"I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!"

October is almost over and I am just getting started.

Here's a little taste of autumn with apple cinnamon chips.
With help from Christopher, we were able to make these apple chips and applesauce.

See the star in the center?
I got the recipe for the apple chips from Rachel at www.bakedbyrachel.com. It looked so simple and I thought making these for a nice autumn treat. I usually make caramel apples but am running behind for my October plannings. What caught my eye was the baking time, 1 to 3 hours( it took almost three). I used Gala apples for that October taste. Three items is all it takes: apples, cinnamon, and sugar; you can find the recipe here.

Finally, I caught up with October. Thank you, Christopher.

Wouldn't it have been wonderful if October were all year?

XOX

Blessings,

Keep Going

2012-10-14T13:51:00.003-07:00

I came across this post on, People I Admire.

"If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."-Harriet Tubman.

It gave me the sensation of the urgency, "Don't Stop For Anything!!", and I was stirred and encouraged. Jared walked in the living room after I read it and I turned and said to him, "Son, if you want to be saved, keep going. If you want to see Jesus, keep going. I want you to be saved so when I am in heaven I will be looking for you, because I knew that you kept going."

I hope you are encouraged!

XOX

Blessings,

Pinterest Source

People I Admire

Cloning Pictures

2012-10-12T20:58:00.002-07:00

This is the open enrollment period for insurance plans and that means we have entered the busiest time of the year at my job. But I wanted to show you a bit of cloning I did with pictures at My Pic Monkey.

These are the original pictures taken at the family reunion.

By using the cloning tool I was able to make individual photos of my sisters and my cousin. All the pictures you see below were cloned. You just target the clone spot you want and then see it develop where you need it.

My sister Tencha is no longer visible in the background because I cloned the tree to make it look as if though Olga had posed alone for this picture.

My cousin Amelia was standing beside Tencha, can you see the white

t-shirt just over Tencha's shoulder? Oops. missed a spot.

Rosalva used to have three people behind her.

Oh, do you see where I left a bit of Carol's turquoise colored shirt?

This is Carol. I cloned the tree where Eva was on the right and Rosalva below.

It was fun working on these pictures, You may have seen them on the slideshow I had up from PhotoBucket.

Well, like the song says, "Everything is Beautiful" but, in my own way.

XOX

Blessings,

Brewers Yeast and Calcium

2012-09-20T18:13:00.001-07:00

I was hospitalized recently, and with the result of the diagnosis I decided to do a little bit of research on how to improve my health and hopefully prevent future ailments from happening. The doctors ran several tests and I found that I have not taken very good care of myself as I should or as I thought I had done. In my research in what my body needs I have come across a few things I would like to share with you.

1. Did you know that fresh fruit and vegetables have more calcium if they are cooked rather than fresh?
See the Facts here
Tomato

EI: Fresh tomato=1% Tomato soup=3% Tomato sauce without salt=3%

Some fruits and vegetables increase in much greater percentage amounts.

As for meats, cooking with the bone increases the calcium content in food. Here's an example: Cook the meaty bone as if preparing stock, the calcium levels increases in the duration of the cooking. Then add your vegetables and meat. Read here.

That is just a small example of the many food products I have looked up. Not all cheeses are equal in calcium content nor are the nuts. One may be higher than the other such as with almonds, they are loaded with over 70 mg calcium, whereas walnuts have under 27 mg (eHow).

I am not amazed how often I come across the information on almonds. Since Aaron's rod budded with almonds (Numbers 17:8), I have always felt that, since God used them they must be an above average nut. (Uhh, did that sound right or right funny). I eat a lot of almonds, always have and always will. (Remember the post I wrote on St. Ives, Almond Milk soap? Almonds have many health benefits. I buy natural almonds at Walmart on 51st Ave and Northern. By natural I mean they are not roasted, salted, etc...If you look in the produce section and in the snack aisle, the prices are outrages but if you go to the aisle where they have the dried fruit and pistachios and other nuts, on the top, top, top shelf hardly in the eye's view you will find packages for under $5.00. I have been grounding it and turning it into almond flour, which by the way is very expensive. (I save so much money making my own for baking, toppings, or gravies)

I decided to visit other sites and found (which I already knew) magnesium and the B complex vitamins were needed to be added (or I should say, taken FAITHFULLY, since I already have them in my cabinet). One piece of information I found was Brewers Yeast (not bakers yeast) and the health benefits (it does not have calcium) and what it can do to our hair. Amen, Sister! I ordered the Brewers Yeast Flakes on Amazon and the brand I purchased was...

Did you notice the label, Kosher and Glutten Free.NOTHING ADDED!

In doing the research I found a lot of positive remarks and rating on this product. I cannot wait to get started. I can add it to fruit, cooking, a juice or water, lose some weight, increase my good health, have shiny and restorative hair.

According to Healthline, "Brewer's yeast contains all the essential amino acids, 14 minerals, and 17 vitamins. It is one of the best natural sources of the B-complex vitamins thiamin, riboflavin,niacin, B₆, pantothenic acid, biotin, and folic acid. It is also high in minerals, including chromium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and selenium. Brewer's yeast is also a good source of protein. It contains approximately 16 g of protein per 30 g of powdered yeast. Brewer's yeast is a good source of RNA, an immune-enhancing nucleic acid that may help in the prevention of degenerative diseases and slowing the aging process."

I read on Livestrong.com, "Brewer's yeast contains many nutrients important for healthful hair. It contains the B vitamins biotin, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine and folic acid. It's also a source of selenium. All of these nutrients contribute to the health of your hair. There are many ways to incorporate this nutritional powerhouse into your diet. Try it on popcorn, in soups or sauces, on salad, mixed with butter on broccoli or in mashed potatoes.

You can add it as a topping on ice cream, or add to milk as a "malt-shake", sprinkle it on fruit, the list is endless.

I read it can help heal acne, read here.

Someone who might be on antidepressants, or high blood pressure medication should not take this. It can cause some problems so talk with your doctor first. None of the information I am sharing with you is medical advice but web sources I have come across and you may want to discuss with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before trying or adding anything to your diet.

For the overall improvement of my health, Brewer's Yeast and a calcium-magnesium drink.

There is only one you, so please, take care of yourself!
And know that I love you.
(That sounds like two spoons of sugar)

XOX

Blessings,

Sources

Healthline

Livestrong.com
Health Corner by Julene Tripp Weaver

You Oughta Be In Pictures -Espinoza Family Reunion

2012-09-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

A picture paints a thousand words.

We were gathered together as Family and as family, we knew we were loved and blessed to be together.

My Tia Ruth is helping make tortillas. It was Carlo's recipe and they were wonderful!!

psst... I got the recipe, too.

The Organizer of the reunion was my brother, Carlo, he has a heart of gold. Carlo, Bingham, Monica, Olga, were responsible in the programs, I did the games, and everyone helped where a hand was needed.

I love being with my sisters; it's a girl thing, I guess. Of the girls born into the family, Carol is the first and Eva is number five, and I am the sixth.

Olga, sister number three.

Erika is grilling chicken. Ray is in the red hat.

Diane is in the background, Olga is also making tortillas, Ismael is to the right of Olga and Carlo is to the left.

Stephanie helped in the grilling, too.

My sister, Hortencia (Tencha) is the second of the girls born to the family.

My mom looks great in hats and has quite the collection of them.
That is where we girls get our love for hats.

Eva, Olga, Carol, our cousin Amelia, my Aunt Angela, me and Tencha

My aunts with my mom.

Me, Ismael and Carlo.

Top L-R: Erika, Rosalva, Alicia, Carol, Amelia, and I.

Seated L-R: Tencha, Olga, Eva, Tia Ruth, Tia Angela, and Linda.

You oughta be in pictures, we had a spot right beside us for you.

XOX

Blessings,

Mason Jars and Green Tea-Bag Cookies

2012-09-03T15:51:00.001-07:00

The Espinoza Family Reunion has come and gone. Our loved ones are traveling back home and it was sad to see them go.

The events were:
Saturday, a day at the park.
Sunday in the morning, many went bowling dressed in 50's style.
Sunday dinner was at The Rustler's Roost and the dress up theme was Western.
Monday, breakfast and farewells.

For Sunday's events I do not have any pictures to post, but I will post pictures from the day at the park and Monday's breakfast.

I love this picture of my mom laughing as we were talking to my brother, Ismael.

We had a wonderful time at the park and took many pictures to share with our families and friends. We were able to spend time with two of my dad's sisters, one of which I had only seen once when I was but a child. The volley ball game was played and I won't say which side won but the score was 21-3. There was so much food!! And would you believe it, we had an old fashioned way of making tortillas, FRESH and HOMEMADE tortillas, on the grill and on a comar (which is a cast iron griddle). We all participated in the cooking and in the eating, too. (Okay, stop right there! No more on that subject; I start my diet again on Tuesday. Wink!)

My sisters, Olga, Eva, Hortencia and my mom and I prepared the departure gifts. Mason Jars filled with homemade goodies and green tea bag cookies.

The "Green-Tea" bags cookies are made using a sugar cookie recipe that is refrigerated for a minimum of two hours or overnight. Then rolled out and shaped with a tea bag template (You have to make your own). After the cookies are baked then take a straw and make the hole. Once they are cooled dip into Candy Quick chocolate. You need embroidery string, labels, baggies and ties. The labels were made with the help of my good friend, Adrienne from Married My Love and the baggies and ties are from Hobby Lobby.

Olga and Eva baked the cookies in the jars and I, the brownies.

With Adrienne's wonderful machine, the Cameo, and Adrienne's love and talent with paper designs, these labels were made for the mason jars. The ribbon was purchased at Walmart.

For those who did not make it, We really missed you and wished you here with us; you were what we needed to make this a perfect family reunion.

We love everyone of you, dearly.

XOX

Blessings,

The Best Buttermilk Pie is Aunt Ruthie's

2012-08-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

Come and Dine

Jesus has a table spread

Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, “Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

I just love buttermilk pie! It is a Southern Style and Old Fashioned Home style of cooking pie. Ya'll are gonna just love this here, pie. For those that are wrinkling up their noses, BELIEVE ME, YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY IT. Not every buttermilk pie makes you want a second bite but Aunt Ruthie from Sugar Pie Farmhouse, her buttermilk pie recipe makes you hope there is one more slice of pie left. You can find her button on my sidebar.

“Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine”;

You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now, “Come and dine.”

I am so proud to say, "This is my buttermilk pie."
psst, I said that with humility in my heart.
In case you wanted to know I was being humble about it.

The disciples came to land,

Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, “Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.

Now, for the crust I used another recipe that is the old fashioned way of making crust using two knives. I used to have a recipe back when I first got married to the man I love, that used this same method for making pie dough and never thought I could find another recipe like it. You can find the recipe here at The New Homemaker. The recipe says it will make one double-crust pie (shell and top) or two pie shells. I got four pie shells out of this recipe so I shared some of the dough with my sister, Olga. It was so good, she went to the The New Homemaker and wrote down the recipe for herself.

Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of heaven will assembled be;
Oh, ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.

My, my, I have done a good deed today sharing with my friends how to make a wonderful buttermilk pie. Amen. You have just got to read the story about Buttermilk Blessings at "Aunt Ruthie from Sugar Pie Farmhouse" blog to understand I want to give God the glory. After you read it, you will want to share with all your friends those wonderful recipes and the blessings of the Lord will come your way and He gets the glory. Amen.

XOX

Blessings,

"Come and Dine"

by Charles Widmeyer

Bruce Wayne aka Batman

2012-08-20T15:48:00.001-07:00

Do you think that maybe Bruce Wayne, aka "BATMAN"

probably played golf on days he wasn't fighting crime in Gotham City.

Because Jared enjoys golf and his favorite superhero is Batman, I combined the two for his birthday. I hope it's OKAY to post these, but it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Right? Happy birthday, Son!

Jared, I consider you to be one of my super heroes of the faith.
I am so proud of you and pray for you always.
I love you soooo mucho and mucho!

XOX

Blessings,

Happy Birthday, Jared!

2012-08-19T16:39:00.002-07:00

August 20

Happy Birthday, Jared!

May God continue to bless and draw you closer to Him!

May He be your guide until He comes to take us home to be with Him.

I love you, Son.

My daughter, Kristen and Jared at the Arizona Biltmore.

Cool, Jared! Happy 22nd birthday!!

Love, Mom

XOX

Blessings,

My Checklist

2012-08-03T18:54:00.001-07:00

With so many things on my list, I haven't had the time for a break. Shampooing carpets, painting the moldings inside the living room, wash and iron curtains, and preparing for the Espinoza Family Reunion has kept me quite busy. Here is a glimpse of what I have been doing.

When I am done I will be baking tea cookies and macarons.

What fun we will have being together with family.

Thank you for visiting me while I stopped for a cup of coffee.

And when I am done with my list of things that need to be done, you can help me with my baking.

XOX

Blessings,

Source:

Google

If I Could Express My Praise

2012-07-28T10:50:00.001-07:00

"If only I express all my praise to you, Lord", do you pray that way? I listen to music while I am jogging and the song from my saved playlist, "Pour My Love on You" came on my phone, I had to stop and just weep. Then I realized someone might think something was wrong and ask if I was okay, so I went back home to continue my prayer. If you never heard this song I would recommend it.

Pour My Love on You

(Juanita Bynum)

Like oil upon your feet

Like wine for you to drink

Like water from my heart

I pour my love on you

If praise is like perfume

I'll lavish mine on you

Till every drop is gone

I'll pour my love on you

You can hear Juanita Bynum's songs and other great songs on
Pandora.com

Friend, have a very blessed day.

XOX

Blessings,

Source

Artists:Juanita Bynum
Pandora.com
Phillips, Craig and Dean

Dad, Watch Me!

2012-07-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

The parable of The Prodigal Son is one of my favorite bible stories. The Father is watching and waiting for the return of the son who had strayed from the way of good and right. For us who are expecting God to restore a lost loved one, it is a story of hope and believing God for a miracle. And to those who have fallen this story brings to us that God is merciful to forgive and claim us as His own.

There are two sons in the bible story but I only wrote of the younger son and not the elder. For the story line, I wrote scenes that may have been familiar with that time-frame of history such as learning how to use the slingshot. The father tells the story as each leaf is turned from the pages of his memory. He shares of when his son was a young adventurous lad wanting his daddy's attention, then the day that his son, as a grown man, decides to move out and experience the world, and last of all, his son's homecoming day.

The gift of repentance truly is a wonderful thing: we can see ourselves in the mirror of God's Word and see the areas that do not reflect the Lord as we ought, we can repent, we can weep, and be restored.

I hope you enjoy the story of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:10-24

And Jesus said, A certain man had two sons,

Dad, Watch Me

I remember when my son called out to me, “Dad, watch me”, then he swung his slingshot round and round and hit his target. Boy was he excited and with a big grin he asked, “Dad, did you see that? I hit the post!”

“I see you have improved your aim in such a short time, have you been practicing much”, I asked knowing he broke a few of his mother’s things during his practices. “I will talk to him”, I said when his mother showed me the gifts I bought her in many broken pieces.

“Son, you must be careful during your practice time that you do not use your slingshot too near the house. Your mother has told me she no longer has the alabaster I gave her on her birthday. A slingshot will cause much damage if not used properly, and it can be dangerous, too. Use your slingshot, but use it away from the house.” I could tell he heard the order in my voice even though he looked at me with such a sheepish grin to see if I was proud of his achievements at the same time. I winked and ruffled his hair. It felt good when he threw his arms around my waist and continued telling me of his adventures with every creature he aimed for being the biggest spider or the longest grasshopper ever; how his eyes shone with excitement. “I’m listening” and “I'm watching, Son”, I must have said that several times that day as I listened to my son tell of his fearless acts .

Big Plans

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

WHERE IS MY BOY? What has it been, four, almost five years since I have seen him last? Is he alive, is he well? Oh! Where is he? I remember hearing his words, “Dad, I want to leave. I don't want to wait for my inheritance, I want it now. I want to experience the world and see new things. Why should I wait for what is already mine? I want to enjoy it while I am young. I want to take part of my money and invest it, too. Dad, I have big plans, just wait and see what I make of myself.” My heart was hurting when he said he wanted to leave. I listened to my son as he spoke. And as I watched his animation, the concern for my son grew.

His mother cried for days. On the first day after he left, we sat down to dinner and being that his chair was empty, I held her hand a little longer after the prayer was said. Looking at the meal, I noticed she had cooked his favorite meal and was having a hard time with her son being away. The conversation was slow at first but I put every effort to change the atmosphere for those at the table to enjoy their dinner. I asked my older son how the herd is coming along? The men at the table joined in the discussion but it all seemed as if though it was mere conversation; we all felt the absence of my youngest son. Since my wife did not have the heart to enjoy the meal she carefully prepared knowing he would not be here to eat it, she ate very little. I ate my meal heartily and I ate seconds so there would not be much left over when the dishes were cleared. While she was washing the dishes, I put my arm around her and kissed her cheek, "I was hungrier than I thought and everything looked so good", I said. She turned around in my embrace and wept. Wanting to be a strength to her, I stroked her hair and prayed for her and for our son. When she looked up at me, I smiled and told her that I love her.

Still Watching

“My love, it is getting late, you must get some sleep”, said my wife as she rested her head on my chest.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, “I will”, I assured her as we stood on the hill. In the light of the oil lamp, I saw her concern and with a tenderness she said, “Each day, I see you climb the hill’s crest watching for our son; it sends an ache to my heart. Come, tomorrow will bring another day for us to watch the road for our son.”

“You’re right”, I said reaching for her hand as we turned and walked back to the house.

Though many years have passed I continued watching for my son. “Dad, watch me”, “I am watching, Son” how many times did I say that to him when he wanted to show me something he accomplished. And now I am watching the road for any sign of his coming home. I believe if I continue to hope for his return, my prayers will be answered.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

There is a small dust cloud in the distance. The type of dust a traveler makes. Someone must be coming this way. I can make out the form of a man. A very thin looking man but is it him? He is at quite a distance but he looks familiar, is it him? I ran down the road, the closer I got the faster I tried to run, “I was watching, Son. I was watching for you, Son” I said over and over as I ran. “I was watching for you!” Tears nearly blinded my sight but I already knew, my son was coming home, I saw him coming up the road. As I threw my arms around my weakened boy, I kept saying, “I was watching, Son. I was watching for you to come home.”

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Through his tears my son asked me to let him become a servant stating that he did not deserve to be called my son.

“What?”, I asked. “Son, you are home. You will not be a servant to me. You are welcomed as my own son: my son, bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.”

With my arm around his shoulder, we walked back home.

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.

His mother? Well, she came running out crying, “My baby! My baby!” and they embraced. For dinner, she wanted to make every one of his favorite dishes but I said, "We are going to celebrate tonight! Kill the fatted calf, my son has come home”, and the house was in a state of excitement.

I knew my son wanted to talk and when I came into his room he smiled and tears filled his eyes as he said, "Dad, thank you for letting me come home. I have made such a mess of my life... You see, Dad, I..."

I listened as he spoke and saw his repentance.

It was,

riotous living. And when I had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and I began to be in want. And I went and joined myself to a citizen of that country; and he sent me into his fields to feed swine. And I would fain have filled my belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto me. Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet”

I brought the family ring to my son and placed it on his finger to show that he belongs here. Everyone who sees this ring on his finger will recognize him as my son and that he has the rights of a son: to be free and not a servant. I placed the robe on his back, after the shoes were put on his feet, I stepped back and took a good look at him.

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

I smiled at him and said, "Welcome home, Son. I have watched for you to come home and here you are with us. The Lord, has answered our prayers and restored you to your family. I have so much to be thankful of, Son. The Lord is good and He covers us with His mercy. And His mercy is everlasting."

The Father watched the road to see his miracle. He watched, expecting to see his miracle. I am watching the road, expecting to see my miracle. Several weeks ago, Bro. Swindal preached in our morning service on prayer can change the situation from ending in tragedy to an blessed event. I began to hope once more on a special prayer request of mine. And I am hoping for you, too.

I enjoyed sharing the bible story with you. Thank you for stopping by.

XOX

Blessings,

Our Flag

2012-07-04T09:26:00.002-07:00

Mr. Washington, "I would like the stars to be six pointed".

"The stars in the sky are five pointed stars", said Mrs. Ross.

Everyone stepped outside to see the night sky and George Washington agreed that the stars were five pointed and not six.

As a child, I learned this part of history in school and I wanted to share it with you, dear friend. Just a little bit of the history of our flag, and a grand, Ol Flag, she was! Thirteen stars, one for each colony.

Click on the picture of Betsy Ross to read more about the story of our flag.

I happen to believe that we aught to share with our children the love for our Country, the Anthem and the American flag. And when the Anthem is being sung we should be on our feet and with our right hand over our heart. Our children should know how to say the Pledge of Allegiance and the importance of God being in it. God Bless America! It is the land that I love!

Happy Fourth of July!!

XOX

Blessings,

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Ross_flag