APRIL COOKING CLASS

 The Menu for April's cooking class was Hushpuppies, and Spinach Quiche.  Do you see my pearls?  I wore then today to honor two women who loved to wear pearls.  Barbara Bush who recently passed away, and never was without her pearls.  And Julia Child, who always cooked wearing pearls.  Today I joined them!

 The table is set, all the ingredients are in place, the folks are starting to gather...so let the cooking class begin.

 I made the Quiche ahead of time as we had done that in a previous cooking class, but I wanted something to serve with the hushpuppies.

A beautiful cornmeal batter, rich in color and in taste with some creamed corn added to the mix.

 

Dropped by spoonfuls into the hot oil, and within  a few minutes we had golden brown steaming hot hushpuppies.

I dusted them with powdered sugar and maple syrup and added a slice of quiche to each plate.

I made the quiche at home this morning so we could have a little brunch together.

The class is small, but many of the residents are at work.  Usually we have 6 to 8, but they all enjoy the food I make, the stories I tell, and the fun of just being together.  This is one of the highlights of my month.  PS.  We had a gentleman show up today...and he was really excited to get a copy of the recipe.

SUN TEA TIME

It happened yesterday....the urge for SUN TEA.  The balcony had a spot of sunshine that just begged for a jar of sun tea.  I responded.  And as that beautiful amber color filled the jar, I filled a glass with ice and it was a beautiful moment!  You just can't brew tea better than sun tea.   A busy week ahead.  Kids Time at Church tonight, and cooking class tomorrow.  How is your week going?

THOUGHTS FOR SUNDAY

Proverbs 4:18  "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."


Thank you Lord, for your light of truth that makes my way both safe and pleasant.  With the light of Your presence You warm my heart.  With the light of Your wisdom You enlighten my mind.  With the light of Your Word you illuminate my path.  How I long
for the full light of that great and glorious Day when we Your people, will reach our destination around Your throne.  There we will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for You, O Lord, will give us light and we will reign with You forever and ever.  I love You.  Amen.

Maranatha Worship Bible

HUSHPUPPIES AND A NEW BIBLE STUDY

 My cooking class is next week, and if I'm making something for the first time, I always make a "practice" batch to save the embarrassment of a disaster in front of the class. 

I found a recipe from Taste of Home that looked really good, so this morning I made a batch and the result was yummy.  I added some powered sugar and syrup to ours and both my dearest and I gave them a "thumbs up".
 

I feel like the first day of school when we were so excited to get new books, pencils and supplies.  We start a new series next week on the Women of the Bible.  Our leader is so gracious to give us folders with all information about the class and schedules we will need, and a prayer journal to record the prayer requests each week.

Looking forward to studying the lives of these special women recorded in the Bible.

SCRIBBLE PICNIC ~ PAJAMAS

The theme for this week is "PAJAMAS".   Jumping into PJ's after a long days work, or a hot bath, or just to be comfortable, PJ's are your ticket.  That is if you are a pajama junkie!

We all have our preferences and I have always preferred a gown over pj's.  Maybe it started when I was a little girl and my mom made the most lovely night gowns and robes for me.  There was always enough material left over to make my dolls a matching gown, and sometimes a pillow.

I did the same for my girls when they were little and know of one daughter that caught the gown bug and prefers them to pj's.

The little girl cuddling her teddy bear in her pretty flowered pajamas before crawling into a warm cozy bed was just something I pictured in my mind and tried to capture on my sketch pad.  I decided to leave the bed and covers in pen and ink to give emphasis to the theme.

Are you a pajama gal, or like me, do you prefer a gown.  btw, I don't especially like granny gowns, but prefer the "pretty"ones (with a little silk and lace) haha.

To join the Pajama Party just click on the Scribble Picnic Badge on my sidebar.

AROUND THE TREE HOUSE LATELY

Julie stopped by to check on her dad, and we had a nice visit and lunch together.  Dad's doing a lot better.  See how good he looks!

The humming birds spied my hibiscus and have come by for a couple visits.

My metal rooster found a new spot in my spider plant.

This little artificial plant is on the window ledge outside my kitchen window by the front door.  Not a good place for a live plant.

The colors are so vivid.

And also very soft and lovely.

Sometimes it a full hedge ~~

and sometimes a single white rose.

But new life and new green leaves are showing up everywhere.

What's blooming around you?

THOUGHTS FOR SUNDAY ~God's Glory

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

How great and gracious You are,  my God, to give me ways to participate in Your glory.  Your glory calls me when I stray from You and fills me when I look to You.  You fill my life with choices~~how will I glorify you today?  What means will I chose tomorrow?  You make it easy for me to offer my praise.  Your glory is pure joy.   Amen.

"It is not only prayer that gives God glory but work.  Smiting on an anvil, sawing a beam, whitewashing a wall, driving horses, sweeping, scouring, everything gives God glory if being in his grace to you ~ do it as your duty.

To go to Communion worthily gives God great glory, but to take food in thankfulness and temperance gives him glory too.  To lift up hands in prayer gives God glory, but a man with a dungfork in his hand, a woman with a slop pail, gives him glory too.

He is so great that all things give him glory if you mean they should."

~~Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)

QUACK QUACK ~ THEY ARE BACK!

 Last year they few in, took a swim and left!

This year they came, and decided it was such a pretty place and clean pond they would stay.  They've been here almost a week, and it looks like they plan on making it their home.

 They can be messy, so I don't know how long Management will tolerate them.  But in the meantime, everyone at the Villa seems to enjoying watching them.

I was thinking what if mother duck lays eggs in the bushes and we get to see a family in the pool.  HaHa.

 

SCRIBBLE PICNIC ~ WATERING CAN

 Showers of blessings from the Heavenly Watering Can!  

When I was a little girl, my mom said when it rained the angels were taking a shower...that is where this idea started from.

Several years ago I did this painting of a watering can for an Art Challenge.  

Do you have a watering can?

To see all the other watering cans, just click on the Scribble Picnic badge on my sidebar.

ODDS AND ENDS

A favorite recipe "Chicken Marsala" and Banana Bread with chocolate chips and drizzle for dessert.

 My chicken marsala doesn't look quite like the picture, as I used white cooking wine, and I should have used red wine.  It still tasted good on a bed of angel hair pasta and roasted brussel spouts.

 Molly's special place for afternoon napping~the comfy shag rug under the coffee table.

The cookie jar was empty yesterday, and my little neighborhood kids were not too happy about it..haha.  This morning, a new batch to share.

Please say a prayer for my dearest.  He's under the weather, and requested I not share a picture...haha.  I can't remember him missing a Good Friday Service or Easter Sunday. 

We had a doctor's appointment Monday and he's on four different medicines so should be over this soon.  Thanks for your prayers.

DMV DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL

 

Yikes ~ it that time again.  Renewal of my drivers license!  As I have been studying for the written test, I see there are many new laws since my test five years ago.

Why do they ask "trick" questions?? HaHa.  There are several practice tests on line, and I have been spending some time each morning reviewing the questions.

I still have a couple of weeks to practice and hopefully my study will pay off.  If not, you can take it again...and again three times and after the third time pay an additional $35.00 ugh!  I don't want to go there....To be continued..haha

 

goggleimages.com

SUDDENLY ONE MORNING

 Christ is risen!

He is risen INDEED!

Hallelujah

Praise the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ!

He has made us his people by raising

JESUS FROM THE DEAD!

He lived and died, 

but

HE LIVES TODAY

and influences present history.

We celebrate

HIS TRIUMPH

We applaud

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

We declare our love for him 

in worship and celebration.

REJOICE

then, even in your distress. 

He has called us

FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

Glory to the 

ANCIENT OF DAYS!

May all creatures

LIFT THEIR VOICES

in a symphony of praise.

WORTHY, WORTHY, WORTHY

Is the Lamb

THAT WAS SLAIN

CHRIST IS RISEN ~ HE IS ALIVE!

HALLELUJAH!!!

AMEN and AMEN!

Suddenly One Morning ~ Charles Swindoll

JACK IN THE BEAN STALK

Last Christmas my friend Teresa gave me a little burlap package with a "bulb" inside.  I planted it right after Christmas, and within the past few days, it's growing like a weed.

Sunday, when I saw her I ask if she had mistakenly given me "magic beans" as I think I'm growing Jack's bean stalk.  HaHa.

She assured me it will get taller, and hopefully in the end will bless me with a large red bloom.  So Jack, it looks like you are safe!!

SCRIBBLE PICNIC ~ EGG HUNT

The Golden Egg

Easter afternoon at my Aunt Nevada's was the best egg hunt ever.  Each year after the Easter Church Service, we would hurry to get out of our fancy clothes and shoes and put on our scrubbiest clothes for the "Egg Hunt".

It was held in the orchard next to my aunt's home.  Lots of tall grass, trees and shrubs ~~ The perfect place to hide a "ca-jillion" Easter eggs.  There were hard boiled and fancy colored, there were plastic eggs with little surprises inside.  Maybe candy, maybe a nickle or dime.  But what we all wanted to find was the

GOLDEN EGG

It was always the hardest to find, but what a reward waited inside it's shinny gold shell.   $5.00 !!  In the late 1940's when I was looking for that egg ~ $5.00 might as well been a million!

I don't ever remember finding it.  But the hunt was worth it.  I remember the look on my cousins face when he found it!  Pure JOY!

Do you have an Easter story from your childhood?

If you want to join the "hunt" just click on the Scribble Picnic Badge on my sidebar.  

FOOD FOR THE SOUL AND BODY

We need food for our body and soul.  Sometimes I spend more time on the body than the soul.  I love my kitchen and I love fixing appealing and tasty meals for my dearest.  This is his lunch and I like how it looks on the new yellow plates.
 

Tuna Salad on pumpernickel bread was my lunch

 

Now concerning my soul, I have made a couple new adjustment.  I'm involved in my Tuesday morning Women's Bible Study and it's pretty intense, so I spend many hours each week searching out the scriptures and answering the questions for discussion.  I love doing this, but it takes time.

Broccoli baked potato with cheese and bacon

 

Beginning this year I am also serving in our church on Wednesday nights with "Kids Time".  I teach two sessions.  with 4 and 5 year old, and 1st and 2nd graders.  So fun.  They keep me young at heart, since all our grandchildren are older.  So important that these little ones learn early on that the Bible is God's Word and every word is true, and who Jesus is and his role in our lives.
 

I'm using my electric skillet more and more for evening meals.  Getting ready to cook pork chops, sliced red potatoes, onions, and asparagus.

To make more time for my "soul", I have deactivated my fb account and already see that has freed up a lot of time for the things I want to focus on now.  So if you don't see me on fb, you'll know why.  I plan to keep my blog open, and share my life here.  It takes a lot less time....no scrolling.....hahaha

I trust you will have a wonderful week, feeding your body and soul.

PALM SUNDAY

  

 "Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest!"

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was greeted by the crowd on Olivet with hallelujahs, but who in that same week was mocked as he went lonely to the Cross, forbid that our welcome to him should be words alone.  Help us, we beg you, to keep the road open for him into our hearts; and let him find there not another crucifixion, but love and loyalty in which his kingdom may be established evermore.  Amen.    ~ Walter Russell Bowie (1882-1969)

SCRIBBLE PICNIC ~ CREAMS

Click on picture to enlarge

"Creams" have many faces.

• Cream in a glass bottle
• Cream in a pretty little china pitcher
• Cream in the raw ~ haha
• Cream that's whipped
• Cream for shaving
• Cream in a large carton
• Cream Brulee
• Cream in a cone

After I finished my little thumb nail sketches of "creams", my dearest said "What about cream of wheat?"  Sorry, too late ~ no room for cream of wheat...tee hee.

Be sure and click on my Scribble Picnic sidebar to see "The Cream of the Crop".

THOUGHTS FOR SUNDAY~ EVERLASTING LOVE

 Jeremiah 31:3  "The Lord has appeared to us in the past, saying "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

"If He could grow weary of me, He would have been tired of me long before now.  If He had not loved me with a love as deep as hell, and as strong as death, He would have turned from me long ago.  Oh joy above all joys, to know that I am His everlasting inheritance, given to Him by His Father e'er the earth was!  Everlasting love shall be the pillow for my head this night.                                         ~~Charles Hadden Spurgeon (1834-1892)


 Dear Lord, as I read and ponder the words of Charles Spurgeon, my mind cannot truly wrap around the everlasting love you have for me.  Truly this is our comfort and our security. No matter how we fail at times, your everlasting love and loving kindness is the rock we hold too, and the pillow we rest our heads on.  Thank you that you love does not change as we do, but is the same yesterday, today and forever.  I love You.   Amen

SCRIBBLE PICNIC ~ ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

YIKES ~ it's Wednesday and I just remembered it was Scribble Picnic Day!  The theme was "Across the Universe".  
I thought for a moment and two pictures came to mind.  A space shuttle zooming across the universe, and ET a little slower in the basket on a bike.  I chose the latter.   Who didn't love ET?

Since I was under the gun, so to speak, I made the moon with a salad plate (haha) and then splashed on some dark blue and added some sea salt, unfortunately my camera didn't pick up the stars it created.  ET and his driver was done with a sharpie, and dabbed the moon with a sponge and a little paint.

Sorry I couldn't take more time for this theme, but life got in the way.  I really hate to not participate, so this will have to do for this time.

So zip across the universe by clicking on the Scribble Picnic Badge on my sidebar.  

ODDS AND ENDS AND PULLED PORK FOR TWO

 I found my Easter Bunny Welcome sign so it's now enjoying the balcony.  Can't hang things on our front door, so it's welcoming me and my dearest!  HaHa

 Made an apple crisp in my new blue square casserole.

 It's pretty sad when your dog's wardrobe is bigger than yours.  Just kidding Molly!

 "Pulled Pork" for Two!  I get a small pork roast at Trader Joe's.  

Approximately 8" long.  Cut into smaller pieces, season and brown in olive oil.

 I know a lot of recipes put the raw meat directly into the crock pot.  But I find that the searing seals in the juices and the meat is so tender and juicy.  (I don't mind the extra step)

 This is my favorite BBQ sauce for pulled pork.  I think I could just drink it!!!

 I bought this small crock pot which is perfect when cooking for two.  I put BBQ sauce in the bottom and more on the top of the meat and let it cook for several hours until it falls apart.

It takes up very little room on the counter.  Years ago a friend was remodeling her kitchen and gave me a left over large tile.  I like sitting the crock pot on that rather than on the counter top.

Well, that what I'm up to today.  Got a couple loads of laundry done, and my dearest vacuumed.  I have started another bag for good will because for some reason...things keep multiplying, and it's time to DE-CLUTTER again!!!!