Poured Out Like Wine

Psalm 139 (KJV)

2012-05-13T19:48:00.001-07:00

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising;

thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down,

and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before,

and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?

Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvelous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;

and in thy book all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake, I am still with thee.

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee?

And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

I hate them with perfect hatred:

I count them mine enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart:

try me, and know my thoughts:

and see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

29 Kid Friendly Ways to get Cultured Foods into Your Child’s Diet!

2012-05-13T19:08:00.004-07:00

Just a quick post tonight because I found this information VERY helpful!

http://www.domesticdiva.ca/blog/29-kid-friendly-ways-to-get-cultured-foods-into-your-childs-diet/

Butterfinger Ice Cream Dessert

2012-05-04T14:53:00.002-07:00

I had to make this dessert for the youth group at church so I decided to do a short tutorial on this EASY 2-ingredient dessert. Here we go.....

Ingredients:

1 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
17 oz. crushed Butterfinger candy bars

Step 1
Throw the bag of candy bars on the floor or place on a sturdy surface. With a heavy skillet, pound the bars until they are crushed. Unwrap and dump the crushed candy into a bowl.

Step 2
Scoop softened ice cream into a mixing bowl. Add to the ice cream the crushed candy bar, reserving about a cup for the top, and stir until well-combined. I did this in my Kitchen Aid mixer.

Step 3

Pour the ice cream mixture into a 9 x 13 inch casserole pan.

Step 4
Sprinkle top with the remaining crushed candy. Cover tightly and place in freezer until completely re-frozen and set.

Cut into squares and serve. Delicious and so EASY! Great for a last minute dessert for company. Enjoy!

My Testimony

2012-05-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well..... I believe that I have belonged to the Lord since, I don't know....birth? It sure seems like we have been walking hand-in-hand (or crawling side-by-side) since before I can remember. But, there was definitely a defining moment in my life, a moment that would change me forever.

It was on July 26, 1983 (tears are welling up as I type). A hot and humid 104° day. I was just a barley-13-year-old girl, full of life and loving spending time with my friends, going to the pool everyday, riding my bike all over my small town and just being a teenager. My dad was the love of my life, my best friend, my Prince Charming, my world. Then there was Rocky. Yes, Sylvester Stallone... I had been very, VERY eager to see this movie and one day I was invited to my friend's sister's house around the corner from my home. You see, they had just gotten Showtime and Rocky was about to come on the screen!! (We'll come back to that in a bit).

My dad had come home from work that day and I was lying on the floor in front of the stereo listening to my beloved Ricky Skaggs "Highways and Heartaches" cassette tape. Dad came in the backdoor and said, "Neen, I'm going up to Terry's to get the van aligned". Those words would come to haunt me for the next year. (Tears again). He left and some time later I made my way around the corner on my bike to my friend's to watch Rocky.

I walked into the house just as the movie was coming on, sat down on the couch and stood straight back up and said to my friend, Becky, "I have to go home". She grabbed my arm and pulled me back down, reminding me how much I had been wanting to see this movie. Five minutes later, an uncontrollable urge came over me to hurry home. I jumped up, went out the door and peddled as fast as I could toward my house. I don't know what this urgency was. An Angel? My dad's spirit? God? But, someone was trying to tell me something.

As I arrived at the end of my driveway, I saw my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Alcorn, turning around and walking to her house. Behind her was my dad lying in the driveway close to the side of the house. I threw my bike down and ran to him somewhat chuckling as I thought, "You silly, what are you doing?" You see, my dad was a jokester, always doing something to make us laugh. But, as I reached him I could see clearly that this was no joke. He was blue in the face with his eyes open, looking at nothing. (I'm amazed at how much this still affects my emotions). I shook him violently begging him to wake up. He did not. I ran to Mrs. Alcorn who had not reached her front door yet. She came with me to my house and ran in to call the ambulance. I ran back outside to find a strange man performing CPR. This man drove a white car but that is all I remember. My 17-year-old neighbor, Todd, from across the street came running over and took over with the CPR. It was a very unpleasant sight to me. I was very frightened. Soon the ambulance arrived and a friend of my parents came. So many people had heard the news on their scanners and came running. My dad was a beloved member of our community. As the paramedics worked on my dad, Todd comforted me. I will never forget that and I will be forever grateful for his caring arms that held me.

The man in the white car left and we never were able to thank him. My dad was loaded into the ambulance and the family friend loaded me into her car and away we went to the hospital. I don't remember the drive. I just remember sitting in a small room in the emergency department waiting....waiting....waiting and then, the doctor came in. He said that there was nothing they could do and that it was probably a massive heart attack. My best friend was gone. Gone.

My life had become a blur. I seemed to wonder aimlessly. I was angry at times. My family seemed to have abandoned me because I was never asked how I was doing and I was made to feel that my feelings were not valid. That I should "just get over it". My mom went to work full-time. But then there was my brother. On the night of the viewing, he stopped me outside the back door and he said to me, "I'm going to be your dad now. Whatever you need, I will be there for you". My "new" Knight in Shining Armor.

For the next year, I faced a recurring nightmare where I was lying in the floor listening to my Ricky Skaggs tape but this time my dad came in and said, "Neen

One day, after a particularly upsetting incident involving a classmate who kept telling me he was certain that he saw my dad walking up my driveway and me not being able to spit out the words that my dad was dead, I became angry and stormed back into the school building from lunch. A teacher witnessed this incident. I was in my English class when my History and homeroom teacher, Mr. Harlow, came tapping on the door asking to speak with me and I followed him to the guidance counselor's office. We sat down and with deep concern in his eyes he said to me words I will never forget, "When I was 13, my dad died too". I don't know if anything else was said, I just don't remember. Both of us broke into tears and my life turned a new course. From that point on, I knew someone cared and the healing was about to begin. I am forever indebted to Mr. Harlow. He just doesn't know how he changed my life.

Unfortunately, my recurring nightmare continued night-after-night. The same scenario over and over. But, then one night I had had enough. I just couldn't take it anymore. I was afraid to go to bed. So, in desperation I got on my knees, crying my heart out to God, asking him to take the dream away. I know that this is when my relationship with the Lord became more real than it had ever been. I was His and He was mine. After praying for a time, I got into bed and fell asleep. I began dreaming again but this time it was different. In this dream I was at my school in the same hallway as the payphone that I spent so much time dialing. There were friends and relatives sitting on the steps that led to our middle school auditorium. Next to the window was a casket with my dad's lifeless body inside. Strangely, he had a red handkerchief laying over his face. He sneezed and blew the handkerchief off. Everyone in the room froze by me and him. He got up out of the casket, walked over and sat down beside me. Putting his arm around my shoulders he said, "Now, Neen, dry it up. I am still here. I will always take care of you. You need to move on with your life". After this, I never had that nightmare again and I was finally finding peace. God delivered me.

It has been many years since I was that 13-year-old daddy's girl. At this writing, I am almost 42. There are not many days that go by that I don't think about my dad and miss him. I will love him the rest of my life and into eternity. He taught me what true love is and I often think, "If my earthly father loved me that much, how much more does my Father in Heaven love me?" My dad gave me a gift that keeps on giving.

I have struggled over the years to find peace and through it all my Savior, Jesus Christ, has walked with me and many times has carried me. We have a love together that has no match. He is my best friend and will always be. It is a relationship that I want to share with everyone and I tell people of His love every chance I get. My life was changed because of what He did on the cross, to save me from my sin so that I may someday go to Heaven to live with Him throughout all eternity. And some sweet day, not only will I see my Savior face-to-face but I will see my dad. You just can't beat that. <3 <3 <3

Dehydrating Oregano

2012-04-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year once again to harvest the first cuttings of Oregano. Oregano is a very hardy plant and can spread quickly, giving you ample amounts to dry at home to save money and to enjoy the bounty of your herb garden throughout the cold winter months.

Oregano is the well-known "pizza herb" which is widely used in Italian dishes as well as Mexican meals. It can also be used to season a variety of foods including: meats, milk products, condiments and relishes. I particularly like a little of it's flavor in avocado salsa.

Below is a step-by-step tutorial showing the process of dehydrating this wonderful herb in a food dehydrator, right on your kitchen counter.

Step 1: Harvest oregano by making clippings of 4 to 6 inches long, leaving approximately 3 to 4 inches left on the plant so that it can continue to grow and give you more harvests later in the season.

Step 2: Gently rinse the oregano and shake off excess water. Place the stems onto the dehydrator racks, being careful to leave space between the stems in order for air to flow freely.

Step 3: Stack the drying racks, making sure all leaves and stems are on the rack itself so that the lids can be placed on securely.

Step 4: Place the top on the dehydrator, plug it in and turn the dial to 95° F to 115° F. Temperatures as high as 125° F may be needed in more humid climates. Drying time varies depending on temperature and humidity and can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. Check periodically. Herbs are dry when they crumble and the stems break when bent. Check your dehydrator instruction booklet for specific details. Mine says to preheat the dehydrator but I do not do that. Seems hard to preheat to me when you have to take it all apart in order to put the herbs on the racks. I don't know....maybe I'm missing something in the details. ;-) I do not claim to be the Queen of the Dehydrator or, really, anything close to an expert.

Again, oregano is completely dry when the leaves crumble and the stems break when bent.

Step 5: Pull dried leaves from the stems and place into jars. Discard stems! To use, crumble them at the time of use or crush them ahead of time.

Store in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight or heat for 1 to 3 years. Keep lid tightly closed when not in use.

My Future

2012-04-25T18:05:00.002-07:00

I have a future all sublime,
Beyond the realms of space and time,
Where my Redeemer I shall see,
And sorrow nevermore shall be.

A precious heritage is mine;
’Tis kept above by love divine;
And while I tarry here below,
He gives me what is best, I know.

O, God be praised, He planned for me;
From anxious care I’m spared and free;
He bids me cast on Him my care—
What then remains for me to bear?

Sweet peace within my soul doth dwell;
With joy I sing: “Now all is well,”
He leads me safely by His hand
Until I reach the Glory Land.

O precious Savior, teach Thou me
To live my life more true to Thee
The little while I yet must roam
Before I reach my heav’nly home.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/f/myfuture.htm

Words: Nils Frykman, 1883 (Min framtidsdag är ljus och lång); translated from Swedish to English by Andrew L. Skoog, 1920.

Music: Future, Nils Frykman (MIDI, score).

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/f/myfuture.htm

Raw Milk. Is it safe?

2012-04-23T10:27:00.005-07:00

http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/tuberculosis.html

Plant Herbs in Mason Jars! What a fun idea!

2012-04-22T09:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/one-glassy-garden-growing-herbs-in-mason-jars.html

Attracting Bats to Your Homestead

2012-04-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

We love our bats. They live in our barn and we never hear a peep out of them. But, in the evenings just before dusk they awaken from their daytime slumber and fly about the barn yard with graceful ease, gliding ever so peacefully as they rid our homestead of pesky mosquitoes and other undesirable pests. Though they are not our "pets", they have become part of the family and are a joy to have around.

We have never had to do anything to attract our bats as they were here long before we were. But, below is a link that will show you 4 ways that you can also have these wonderful creatures that God made to help control the pest population.

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crafts-and-nature/4-ways-to-attract-bats-to-farm.aspx?cm_mmc=5302806

Sausage and Egg "Mc" Muffins

2012-04-17T17:57:00.006-07:00

Here is a great breakfast (or any meal) idea. Make these up ahead and freeze them for a convenient breakfast, lunch or supper. Tastes great with an ice-cold glass of O.J.!

Needed for recipe:

Eggs
Sage Sausage
English muffins
Butter
Salt
Pepper

Step 1: Fry sausage, press to approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.

Step 2: Butter each well of the muffin pan generously.

Step 3: Crack eggs into each well. Break yolks and stir slightly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Bake eggs in a 350° F oven until eggs are completely set (approximately 12-15 minutes). They will look like this when done.

Step 5: Split and lightly butter English muffins. Bake at 350° F until golden brown.

Step 6: Make a sandwich by placing one egg and one piece of sausage between two halves of an English muffin.

Mmmmm........Bon Appetite!

Cheesy Quinoa Pasta Bake

2012-04-15T21:00:00.003-07:00

~ I love Quinoa! A couple of years ago due to food allergies, I tried to go on a gluten-free diet. While I did feel better on that diet, it just didn't make sense to me. Why would God give us wheat and then allow us to become allergic to it? I have really wrestled with that question and I have prayed for the answer to my food allergies, against the better judgement of family members who thought that I should jump off the wheat wagon and quit gluten-containing grains cold turkey. NOT! I'm too stubborn for that and if it doesn't make any sense to me then I feel compelled to search until I can search no more for an answer that does make sense.

So, in the process of all this searching and trying gluten-free food, I came across this wonderful thing called Quinoa. I like it so much better that regular wheat pasta. Wheat pasta can leave me feeling overly full and sluggish but Quinoa leaves me with none of this, and it tastes GREAT! I use it all the time in my favorite Italian recipes, for pasta salads and even for macaroni salad. While I do not adhere to a gluten-free diet, I still enjoy this pasta over regular wheat pasta. No one is ever the wiser either. It is nearly impossible to tell the difference.

Here is a recipe with a picture tutorial of my Cheesy Quinoa Pasta Bake. A lot like lasagna and so, so good!

Recipe:

2 lbs. Italian sausage, casings removed (I use Bob Evans Italian Sausage)

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 14 oz. jar pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce

1 Tbs. garlic powder (yes, that is a "tablespoon")

2 Tbs. Italian seasoning

1/8 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 boxes Quinoa Shell Pasta

1 30 oz. container Ricotta cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

4 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Fry ground beef and sausage in a stock pot until no longer pink.

To the ground beef add the crushed tomatoes, pizza sauce, enough water to clean out the pizza sauce jar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pepper and salt. Stir until combined. Let simmer.

While sauce is simmering. Cook pasta according to package directions. Follow this instructions closely so that the pasta does not get thick and sticky.

It should look like this!

While the pasta is cooking, mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Mine was rather thick so I added enough Kefir to make is spreadable. You could also use milk, but right now I'm having a love affair with Kefir so it just sounded good. (That's a whole other post at a later date!)

Once you have all your ingredients mixed up, it is time to start layering. I layer this just like I do lasagna. I put it in a deep casserole dish but the dish doesn't tell me what size it is so, be your own judge on that one!

Place one third of the meat mixture in the bottom of the casserole dish.

Next, place half of the quinoa pasta on top of the sauce.

Followed by another layer of sauce.

And then a layer of the Ricotta cheese mixture. I dollop this on so it is easier to spread.

Top the Ricotta mixture with 2 cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese.

Repeat this process once more ending with a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle cheese with a little Italian seasoning and pepper and bake at 350° F until bubbly.

And Wallah! I served mine with a simple green salad with my favorite homemade Kefir "Ranch" dressing.

ENJOY!