Adventures

Love Part One

2010-05-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed to receive good teaching at my local church. One particular study that I've been thinking about often was from our adult Sunday school class taught by Colin Maddix. He runs a company providing discounted Bible and study books through the Internet. If you are looking for study bible, software, etc, I would recommend his site.

The part of the study I've been dwelling on was from this past Sunday, the seventh in a series looking at the church of Ephesus who abandoned the love they had at first. This past Sunday, we reviewed I Cor 13:4-7 to look at what love really is. There are 15 descriptors of love in these four verses alone!

More for my sake than for anyone else reading, I would like to review Colin's look at each of these characteristics of true, godly love. None of the following is my own work.

1. Love is patient. The Greek word (makrothumein, mak-roth-oo-meh'-o) used in the New Testament always describes patience with people and not patience with circumstances. Like many of the characteristics here it is a verb, not an adverb as usually translated in our English Bibles. It is almost always used in the context of people not circumstances. A more understandable translation would be “love is being patient with people”. Chrysostom, a third century Early Church Father, said that it is the word used of the man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself and who yet will not do it. It describes the man who is slow to anger and it is used of God himself in his relationship with men. In our dealings with men, however obstinate and however unkind and hurting they are, we must exercise the same patience as God exercises with us. Such patience is not the sign of weakness but the sign of strength; it is not defeatism but rather the only way to victory.

Harry Emerson Fosdick[1], a New York Presbyterian Pastor and Christian Radio Preacher told an interesting story about President Abraham Lincoln and a contemporary politician called Edward Stanton. Fosdick points out that no one treated Lincoln with more contempt than did Stanton. He called him "a low cunning clown", he nicknamed him "the original gorilla" and said that Du Chaillu (a French American Explorer) was a fool to wander about Africa trying to capture a gorilla when he could have found one so easily at Springfield, Illinois (which was Lincoln’s home town). Lincoln said nothing. He made Stanton his war minister because he was the best man for the job and he treated him with every courtesy. The years wore on. The night came when the assassin's bullet murdered Lincoln in the theatre. In the little room to which the President's body was taken stood that same Stanton, and, looking down on Lincoln's silent face, he said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." The patience of love had conquered in the end.

Are you always patient with others even those who don’t like you?

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosdick,_Harry_Emerson

2010-04-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Snow

2010-01-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

How countlessly they congregate

O'er our tumultuous snow,

Which flows in shapes as tall as trees

When wintry winds do blow!

-Robert Frost

Resolved:

2009-12-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

While New Year's Resolutions are not usually important to me, I have decided to make a short list of resolutions for 2010 and beyond. There are some changes I am wanting to make in my life and since 2010 is approaching, starting in the new year can help me mark progress. My list contains only four items:
1. Develop better spiritual discipline
2. Be a better steward of my health and body
3. Be a better steward of the finances
4. Be a better steward of my home

I have made an extensive list of detailed items in order to achieve these overall goals, but they would be tedious for anyone else to read through.

I make these resolutions with the same prayer Jonathan Edwards did when writing his Resolutions:

"Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake. "

Edwards wrote quite a thorough list of resolutions and committed to read them over once a week. I have posted them below:

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, To be continually endeavouring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

3. Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. Vid. July 30.

9. Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder. xxi

12. Resolved, If I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, To be endeavouring to find out fit objects of liberality and charity.

14. Resolved, Never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, Never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, To live so, at all times, as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, Frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs, and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the fourth Resolution.

24. Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, To examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, To cast away such things as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, Never wilfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, To strive every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, Never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of christian honour, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said any thing against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, To be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Prov. xx. 6. ‘A faithful man, who can find?’ may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, To do always what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without an overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, In narrations, never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, Whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, To inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,—what sin I have committed,—and wherein I have denied myself;—also, at the end of every week, month, and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, Never to utter any thing that is sportive, or matter of laughter, on a Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, Never to do any thing, of which I so much question the lawfulness, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, To inquire every night before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed when I was received into the communion of the church, and which I have solemnly re-made this 12th day of January, 1723.

43. Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s; agreeably to what is to be found in Saturday, Jan. 12th. Jan. 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan. 12, 1723.

45. Resolved, Never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved, to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye; and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving, and sincere, temper; and to do, at all times, what such a temper would xxii lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have so done. Sabbath morning, May 5, 1723.

48. Resolved, Constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, That this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, That I will act so, as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, That I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, To improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Resolved, Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, that I will endeavour to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, When I fear misfortunes and adversity, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it and let the event be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13, 1723.

58. Resolved, Not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness, and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, When I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it—that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, &c. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, Never to do any thing but my duty, and then, according to Eph. vi. 6-8. to do it willingly and cheerfully, as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall be receive of the Lord. June 25, and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, To act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14, and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, When I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered," of which the apostle speaks, and those "breathings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the psalmist speaks, Psalm cxix. 20. that I will promote them to the utmost of my power; and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and Aug. 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, Very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness of which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him, all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton’s Sermon on the 119th Psalm,. July 26, and Aug. 10, 1723.

66. Resolved, That I will endeavour always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking, in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them; and, what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, To confess frankly to myself, all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, Always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723.

Psalm 1

2009-11-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Waxing Leaves

2009-10-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

I have read and/or heard about waxing leaves recently. Here are some colorful and complete instructions for waxing your own leaves.

We had a windy and rainy night, so we have a mat of leaves in the lawn right now.

When It's All Been Said and Done by Jim Cowan

2009-10-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

It is always good to have a reminder of the purpose of our lives.

Don Moen sings this version:

How To: Make a Sunflower Bouquet

2009-10-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

I love to create crafty things but have the hardest time composing them without inspiration. Because of this, I'm always saving ideas that have inspired me. One such idea was a page from a magazine from one of those online flower stores that had a bouquet of a beautiful sunflower arrangement displayed. I was able to use the picture to make my own sunflower bouquet using the flowers from local craft stores. It was easier than I expected to make my own bouquet by identifying what I liked about the picture and what kind of personal touches to include.

Sunflowers evoke a cheerfulness. I associate them with the blue cloudless days of late summer and early fall. I feel this photograph captures their beauty well.

They are visually stunning by themselves or with a grouping of other flowers. This display of sunflowers and goldenrod is very cheerful.

The easiest way to make a sunflower arrangement that you will love is to start by looking for visual inspiration. Perhaps you can think of a bouquet you have seen at a wedding, restaurant, or friend's home. One of my favorite ways to get ideas is to do a google search or flickr creative commons search. Here is an example of what you might find.

Once you find at least one bouquet or arrangement that you like either print a copy or write down the elements that you like. In the above arrangement, I like how full it looks and the contrast of the yellow sunflower with the blue delphinium. Knowing what you like will help you from becoming overwhelmed with options once you are in the craft store flower aisle. Choose the flowers that look good to you and as you choose different stems, do a preliminary arrangement to see how they look.

Another decision to make is what kind of vase you would like to put your arrangement in. Consider how this simple arrangement catches your eye with the use of a blue and white pitcher as a vase.

I chose a simple wooden vase that would add height to the arrangement and a medium styrofoam ball to keep the stems in place. I like the container I chose because I can easily take the flowers out and add different ones for a new look; and because I put my arrangement in place with the styrofoam, it holds its shape and form for the next display.

This is how my project turned out. I used medium sunflowers, white delphinium, yellow carnations, eucalyptus, and blue larkspur.

October by Robert Frost

2009-10-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release aonther leaf;

One from our trees, one far away;

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes' sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--

For the grapes' sake along the wall.

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

2009-10-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

One of the best works of Christian fiction that I have read is Elizabeth Prentiss' book Stepping Heavenward. The book is written in the first person in a journal or diary format and chronicles the life of a young girl living in the 1800's. The book is full of humor as well as sadness, but I enjoyed seeing that this girl struggled with the very same things that women do today! Her process of sanctification is undeniable throughout. I very highly recommend this for men and women alike.

Just a note regarding the author--Elizabeth Prentiss also is the author of a fairly well-known hymn, More Love to Thee. I've embedded the song and posted the words below.

1. More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!

Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.

This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;

more love to thee, more love to thee!

2. Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;

now thee alone I seek, give what is best.

This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;

more love to thee, more love to thee!

3. Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain;

sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,

when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee;

more love to thee, more love to thee!

4. Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;

this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;

this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;

more love to thee, more love to thee!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

2009-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

I love the words of this contemporary hymn and Fernando Ortega sings it beautifully. Enjoy!

Chicken Teriyaki Meal

2009-10-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

An easy recipe for chicken teriyaki served with rice and veggies

Ingredients:

Chicken

1 can white chicken meat or 2 cooked chicken breasts

3 tbsp teriyaki sauce (la choy has less sodium)

1 tsp fresh chopped ginger

1 tsp fresh chopped garlic

1/4 cup diced onion

Veggies

1 bag of frozen veggie mix(I got the broccoli, carrot, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts mix)

2 tbsp evoo (extra virgin olive oil)

1 tbsp sesame seed oil

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp fresh chopped ginger

1 tsp fresh chopped garlic

Rice

3/4 cup dried brown rice

1 1/2 cups water

pinch salt

Directions:

Place the cooked chicken and other ingredients into a small frying pan to marinate.Combine ingredients for rice and cook according to time listed on rice package. (This can vary from 11 minutes to 50 minutes, so check beforehand.) When the rice is done, remove from heat. Heat oils for veggies in a large frying pan or wok over medium to medium-high heat. Add veggie mix, soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Stir-fry until heated through. Cook chicken in sauce until heated through over medium-high heat.

I like to serve the meat, veggie and rice separately, but meat and veggie can be combined. Layer onto plate as desired and enjoy!

Two Kinds of Slaves

2009-10-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Would you be surprised to know that I was once a slave? If so, you might be even more surprised to hear that I am still a slave, although I have a different master now.

Would you be surpirsed to know that you are a slave? It's true! God's Word clearly shows that all humans are slaves to one of two masters: sin or righteousness.

In today's culture, we seem to value independence and autonomy. Yet what we accomplish is merely an illusion of autonomy! I'm sure Satan-the father of lies would want us to believe that we can achieve a freedom without restrictions. Consider the following text:

Romans 6:16-23 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)

Just a note, the word that has been translated slave is the Greek word, δοῦλος. Some translations prefer the terms servant or bond-servant, but literally translated it means slave. Who wouldn't want to be a slave fo God and receive the fruits of sanctification and eternal life as well as being set free from sin?

John Piper's website contains a well-written and brief commontary on this passage.

Reflection

What kind of slave am I? Will I hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful slave" someday?
Are there things that my Master has clearly asked me to do (or not do) where I am rebellious and disobedient? I was bought with a price from slavery to sin; does my attitude reflect this?

Wheat Fields with Crows by Vincent van Gogh

2009-10-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

I think this work of art captures some of the most common feelings I enjoy about the autumn season. The first is the sense of adventure. The path in the center of the painting cannot be ignored and presents a possibility for discovery. Another is the intense activity that occurs in the natural world at this time of year. The artist captures much of this simply with his brush strokes. One can imagine the wild swaying of the ripe wheat, the furious beat of the crows' wings. I can sense that the same wind that sweeps the clouds quickly across the sky is making my hair dance intricately through the open air. Yet this frenzy leads to a seemingly opposite sense of loneliness--another common experience in the fall. There is no human figure shown and the wheat is left unharvested as yet. While it does not suggest abandonment, it does popose a sense of solitude to the observer. The decision to follow the path or meander through the wheat are solely his. There is an intense awareness that this moment is not being shared with another human being--only God. The last feeling with which I feel familiar throughout the autumn months is that of change. Again, this is hinted at in a variety of ways through this particular work. The clouds seem to be moving quickly, bringing those that are darker and possibly heavy with cool rain. The crows are in mid-flight and the viewer is anticipating their path and their destination. The tall, ripe fields of today could be reduced to only the hint of the fruit that was produced the previous two seasons remaining on the stark ground. The knowledge of imminent change calls for heightened awareness at the current state of the natural world, in order to not miss each stage. In a month or two, the ground will be covered with fine frost or heavy snow, the crows will be south enjoying warmer weather and the clouds will be more permenant in the sky as they hide a brief sun. Yet--with another look at the painting--one is quickly transported. It is a reminder that there is always adventure, always action, always solitude, always change.

Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Autumn

2009-10-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

A Taste of Autumn

2009-10-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

I still remember my first pumpkin flavored drink. My brother and I were driving from Geneva to see family in Ohio just after my car accident in 2001. We stopped at a gas station to put gas in the rental and I decided to try the pumpkin flavored cappaccino. I know that those machines do little more than blend hot water and a powder mix, but I was hooked. Now, you can see advertizing for Pumpkin Spice Lattes many coffee shops and they are hard to pass up. However, I love to try to make things myself and in the process save some money. I checked out several recipes and eventually ended up with the mix you see below. We tried it last night and it was very good. I hope you enjoy!

Jessica's Pumpkin Spice Latte

makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups milk

3 tablespoons canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Be careful not to boil the milk. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spices, and whisk the mixture with a wire whisk for 30 seconds.

Pour into two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional:

If you don't like the spices in your drink, strain after whisking 1 minute or longer.

Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Beginnings of Autumn

2009-10-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

September Pitch

by Pamela Steed Hill

Enter autumn as you would
a closing door. Quickly,
cautiously. Look for something inside
that promises color, but be wary
of its cast--a desolate reflection,
an indelible tint.
What is it?
Thieves who steal thoughts,
cannot answer. They roam the distracted space
between madness and resolve,
madness and calm.
Let me take you out of this room.
Let me take you to a different season,
one distillate, and beige.
There is too much motion here, too much
color, and voices not yours.
Mama, the autumn is deep.
Its pitch is only beginning, and will brighten
before the end. Brighten
into darkness,
or into spring.