Reformation Day Celebration Cake...Black Forest Cake! (Indulgence Cake--the good kind! ;)

I know so little about celebrating Reformation Day as some do and have for years... but I love the idea! It is a wonderful alternative to a "Halloween" observance... and another option besides the "Harvest Festivities" which are fine, but I just thought this was a great option as well.
Reformation day marks the separation of our faith from the hands of the Catholic Church and its control and oppression... and brought God's marvelous truths and the Truth of His Son's grace and redemptive work on the cross back into the minds and hearts of the commoners of the time. We now have a Bible that we can read ourselves without interpretation from the popes and cardinals or any church hierarchy. Thank you Lord and Thank you Martin Luther for being obedient to the call of the Lord on your heart...

So, to commemorate, we're gonna do our own "indulging" on this delectable German cake!
It's been stated by a native from Germany that this specific recipe is the closet to the authentic German rendition of this cake as she has ever seen... only difference being the cherries in the original recipe were soaked in high proof alcohol for an extended period of time.
...and I'm sure if my daughter Noelle has her way ... we will all be relaxing after dinner and dessert to the annual showing of the film "Luther" starring Joseph Fiennes and Sir Peter Ustinov. It is a little off on the Katherina and Martin's relationship... but I hear the documentation of the facts through out are close to authentic. In any case, it is an inspiring work. (Note: I do have a few concerns to share about some of the contents of the movie for youngers...email me for details if interested at vintagemommy@gmail.com)

So, Here's the recipe...

Black Forest Cake Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Ready In: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Yields: 12 servings

"Wonderful chocolate layer cake which is soaked in Kirsch liqueur, with cherry filling.

"INGREDIENTS:1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
t1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1/2 cup kirschwasser
1/2 cup butter
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon strong brewed coffee
2 (14 ounce) cans pitted Bing cherries,
drained 2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon kirschwasser
1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Line the bottoms of two 8 inch round pans with parchment paper circles.
Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt.
Set aside.
2. Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.-- Beat in eggs and vanilla. --Beat in flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, until combined. -- Pour into 2 round 8 inch pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.-- Cool completely.
Remove paper from the cakes.-- Cut each layer in half, horizontally, making 4 layers total.-- Sprinkle layers with the 1/2 cup kirshwasser.
4. In a medium bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.-- Add confectioners sugar,-- pinch of salt, and coffee;-- beat until smooth.
If the consistency is too thick, add a couple teaspoons of cherry juice or milk.-- Spread first layer of cake with 1/3 of the filling.-- Top with 1/3 of the cherries.-- Repeat with the remaining layers.
5. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks.-- Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon kirshwasser.-- Frost top and sides of cake.-- Sprinkle with chocolate curls made by using a potato peeler on semisweet baking chocolate.

Yum!

I asked the Lord

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith and love, and every grace;

Might more of His salvation know,

And seek more earnestly His face.

I hoped that in some favored hour

At once He'd answer my request;

And by His love's constraining power,

Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart,

And let the angry powers of hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with his own hand He seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe;

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Blasted my hopes, and laid me low.

"Lord, why is this," I trembling cried --

"Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death!"

"Tis in this way," the Lord replied,

"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

"These inward trials I employ,

From self, and pride, to set thee free;

And break thy schemes of earthly joy,

That thou may'st seek thy all in Me."

~and now for something new and totally different...

The Great Soy Deception

...because I feel so strongly about this topic...
Below is an article I found of interest...
It couters popular opinion on the health benefits of soy. Please read and judge for yourself. being a premenopausal wonaman and hearing so many others lauding soy as a remedy and treatment option for symptoms most of us know all know too well... I had to share this.

The Great Soy Deception
The article posted below gives a great overview of the confusion and misrepresentations put out by the soy industry in this country. Their propaganda has been so successful that even many in the natural health field have been duped into thinking soy is the holy grail of health foods.It is critical to understand that the soy used in the vast majority of food products here in the US is not the same as fermented soy used in Asian countries, and that the way soy is consumed is completely different than the way it is used here. Cheap, unfermented forms of soy are one of the favorite ingredients and fillers used by food manufacturers and processors in the West, and despite their attempts to convince us this is beneficial for our health, the main reason they do it is because this type of soy is almost always genetically modified, thus cheap and plentiful. Rather than being a healthful choice, soy consumption has led to an onslaught of concerns, and is a factor in a multitude of disease conditions. The mass consumption of soy has led to an epidemic of unhealthy situations that is the direct result of the hormonal imbalances triggered by an excess of soy in our diets.

Six Surprising Facts About Soy
by Ella Andersen

(NaturalNews) When people think of living healthfully, usually what comes to mind is eating tofu or drinking soymilk. Why wouldn't they? After all, the popular magazines point to soy consumption as the ultimate form of health. This article will show some surprising facts that many do not know about soy, and facts that are actually contrary to what the magazines print and the health "officials" promote.

Soy is not the cornerstone of Asian diets

This is probably by far the most common misconception about soy products. Many of the fitness magazines, and even some dietitians, overplay the role of soy in the Asian diet. In China and Japan, people only eat about 10 grams (2 teaspoons) a day. What's more, soy is viewed and consumed as a condiment, not as a replacement for animal products or as an entire meal. Basically, soy in those regions would be like ketchup or mustard, rather than the main dish.Additionally, the type of soy that is consumed in the Asiatic region is quite different from the way it is eaten in the West. The soy that is prepared in Asian countries is fermented. More will be revealed below about fermented soy.

The soy that westerners eat is unhealthy

Yes, that's right. The popular soy-mantra that "soy prevents osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer," is what the soy industry would like you to think, but in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Above, fermented soy was mentioned. The reason it was mentioned is because raw, unfermented soy contains anti-nutrients that pose great risks for those who consume soy on a regular basis.The main anti-nutrients that are in soy are phytates, trypsin inhibitors and phytoestrogens. Soy processing results in some undesirable components as well: toxic lysinoalanine, carcinogenic nitrosamines, monosodium glutamate or MSG (a potent neurotoxin), and aluminum (a toxin to the nervous system and kidneys).The phytates in soy reduces the assimilation of the minerals copper, iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium, creating deficiencies. Methods such as soaking and sprouting are ineffective at reducing the phytate amounts in soy.The trypsin inhibitors make digesting proteins problematic and can lead to pancreatic disorders.Phytoestrogens are potent anti-thyroid agents that interfere with the endocrine system, along with causing menstruation problems in women. Furthermore, women who consumed soy during pregnancy had a higher chance of giving birth to babies born with hypospadias, which is where the urethral opening of the penis is misplaced (near the base of the penis instead of at the tip). Also, phytoestrogens, along with PCBs and DDE, contribute to premature development of girls.

In Asia, soy is fermented, so many of the above problems, with the exception of the phytoestrogens, are eliminated.

Soy does not contribute to bone health

Despite popular belief soy does not contribute to bone health. Soy increases the body's need for calcium and vitamin D, actually taking away from bone health! Also, Westerners are deficient in vitamin D as it is, eating soy foods will just make the problem worse!

Soy contributes to infertility

This fact is what many men and women need to know because if you are consuming large amounts of unfermented soy products, you will likely experience this effect. Since the phytoestrogens interfere with the delicate hormonal systems of healthy individuals, such problems are not uncommon. In fact for women, painful and irregular periods are common and for men, a decreased sperm count can be found among heavy soy consumers.Additionally in Japan, when housewives want to decrease the virility of their husbands, typically they give them soy products.

Soy is not good for postmenopausal women

Since soy contains high amounts of phytoestrogens, a potent anti-thyroid agent and endocrine disruptor, the problems of low thyroid function during postmenopausal years is heightened. Also, tumors that require large amounts of estrogen can feed off of the phytoestrogens in the soy.

Soy formula is not a good substitute for breast milk or even milk formulas

All infants should be fed breast milk for at the very least, the first year of life. The best substitute after breast milk is raw goat's milk. Soy formula should not be considered. This is because soy-based formulas are high in phytoestrogens and the other anti-nutrients.

Bottom line, feeding an infant soy formula is comparable to giving the baby five birth control pills. For girls, this can cause premature development such as breast buds, pubic hair and even menstruation before age eight. In boys, this can retard sexual development and even cause learning disabilities.At the risk of being redundant, the point must be made again: soy formula is not a good replacement for the highest form of infant nutrition, breast milk. It is also poor when nutritionally compared to wholesome raw goat's milk.SummarySoy has been upheld for many years as the pinnacle of health and wellness. It has been over-glorified by being placed on a pedestal above foods that truly should represent health. Through all of its promotions, through all of the publicity, it has failed many people, leaving them with problems that are difficult to treat. Not every health fad is what it is cracked up to be. A little research into these effects goes a long way.

http://www.naturalnews.com/z024407.html

Cute Mug!

~ this sweet little mug is one of our neighbors ...her and her bother & sister were the subjects of a great photo shoot my daughter Noelle did for them the other day. It turned out just fabulous!... see her pics of the kiddos on her blog! :)



She was a natural... just knew exactly how to pose! How fun1 I took these few here ;)

My dh, and best friend Tom shopping our local grocery store...
I have always thought of taking the camera on a shop with me... Something different, ya know?
um...well maybe not.. but I know some of you out there might relate?!
~well, till this day, I hadn't had the nerve.
I guess I was in a nervy mood! :)
I had fun... and my husband took the cart and humored me.. (he's a good sport) :)
(not to mention we were only running on for a couple of items)













Like I said, he "is" a good sport... and a great husband ;)

What the World Finds Unbelievable

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

--Anonymous--

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Susan at Safe Thus Far! :)

Here's the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag sixish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So here's my six trivia:

1. One of my favorite songs is The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot.
2. I like ice cream heated up (slightly) in the microwave. Tastes richer! Try it! :)
3. I adore pictures of sheep.
4. My hubby and I married after 30.
5. I almost died giving birth to Noelle (and she had a true knot in her umbilical cord and had to be resuscitated).
6. I cook pretty well, and never use a recipe. To me, it's art.

And I tag...

Whoever wants to participate! :)

a few pics from my trip :)

Brandi & Noelle at Brandi's in Pgh PA
Hi all, I want to thank all who might have seen my daughter Noelle's blog and prayed for me and my trip to PA this past week. I am happy to be home and am thanking the Lord for all.
I got to visit my son Josh and my mom and step-father Bill and my dad and stepmom Leslie as well. besides almost missing my flight, (They had the wrong person on my seat and had began taxying down the runway before I got to the gate! (they fixed the problem (wink) and I got home (on time!) -- to coming down with the bug during the trip... and my sweet husband having to drive down to get me -- to the hard but needful things that were discussed by my dear daughter Brandi and myself during my visit that lightened both our loads and cleared up many things that needed to be cleared up...and to her being even somewhat receptive to the message that she isn't gonna be able to do the things or be the mom/wife that she desires to be without Christ in her life as her Savior and Guide-- It was a very necessary and successful trip!
Thanks again to all who lifted us up. :)
I wanted to post a few pics in memory of my trip and as a tribute to these people that I love and hold up in prayer.



Noelle took care of my flowers before I left (before the frost) here in the U.P.!
She hung them for me to dry and arrange into into gifts later... somehow ;)
Jacob and to the right of him, Jocelyn, my grandsweeties

My Mom and Bill (and below-- her kitties that hid in the wardrobe in the basement) :(

and lastly, my 2 adult kiddos, Josh and Brandi...

My Dog Hobbes // a fun post

~~ well, he's the family dog, but I'm the "mommy" & he is such like a child... sooo smart & intuitive and , well, a mama's boy ;)
We adopted him 5 plus years ago (when he was 4) .We are all in agreement that he was a gift from the Lord in a time when our family needed a diversion. He needed us, as he had come from a pretty rough place in his life and needed a respite and a family to dote on him. Like I said, God knew-- Hobbes was special and a fit for us...yep, we needed him. Sometimes in life , there come blessings in packages that we ordinarily wouldn't look for them in.... Hobbes was one of those. This is a tribute to our sweet, faithful Hobbes.
PS.. yes, he is winking... and he shows his teeth & squints when he's happy to see us as well... and for the record, his ears usually stick way up... (big ears!) LOL!

Live and Shine
(the TV addiction poem)

Our Source of time and light and life,
forget Him not In the midst, and as blight prevails in time and space
capturing egos amidst self exaltation lusts and guises ,
however chosen to pose for capture …

scourge seeps in amidst the furious green and blue, the glow of the orb, that sits exultant in an idols stance, by chance , though no-one notices,
they wink and lounge in it's midst… reveling in the iniquity , relevant to our time, transcendent, they view it as sublime, to each his own …
it covertly errodes the mind...

Come away and live, or lie down and sigh, in the, seemingly serene, in the repose of self sacrifice to the darkness
Flee, fear, fly away!
relinquish to the Light, there's still a chance
come away~~ Live and Shine

little by bit...

A few misc. snapshots that capture an ecclectic view of my life and that of my families, and a few of their loved ones, over the past (few?) ha! years. Not nearly in order... and not nearly a complete portrayal.. . it gives a peek into some fun, poignant, joyous, reflective and a couple regrettable times in my life and our lives together.

A Heart of Hope, New Beginnings, and Old Places Revisited

Wow, it's late and I have much to share, but I need to get some sleep. I will see how far this is gonna go :)
First off, I am heading back home! To Pgh, PA to visit my dd, Brandi and my ds, Josh... and... my mom & my dad & step mom... and hopefully a friend or two...( so...if anyone thinks of me on the 29th of Sept.. . through the next week or so thereafter)...please send up a prayer for me, for closeness and reliance on the Father. I also ask for prayer for my family here in the UP -- as well as my family there (in Pgh) and all that we'll be collectively going through. I am sure this is going to be a trying as well joyous time. Ihave seen the Lord's hand has orchestrating this whole thing from the beginning. He is confirming in so many ways. First off, it is for my kids... I believe He wants me to intercede for them and be there to share many things in ways that can only be shared by living out your convictions and your peace (from Him) amidst lifes barrages of unpredictability! He's looking to do only good things I know, this as well as others. That is so like the Father, to take care of so many intricasies of things in one feel swoop! There is a lot of healing that needs to happen and His time is perfect. I also see how incredibly, wonderfully, perfect His timing is for my own healing through this (which has everything to do with and directly affects the relationships and issues of my family here as well)

My husband and I are in the midst of some pretty intense counsel... prayer... repent and re-learn... etc...type of things together. I would love to share more on the medium the Lord chose for us (and I will later, Lord willing) as a tool to enlighten us to some blind spots and to work through repentence and forgiveness issues .. etc... and I just know that my visit home has everything to do with seeing things / facing things in new light and deeper ways that were heretofore (msp?) too painful to delve too far into... His time is perfect (I said that huh!?) ;) and I praise Him..and though I am apprensive, no matter, all things work together for good....


on another note.. I am sobered in huge ways by the state of our economy and the state of the underworkings (covert and sinister) not to sound like an alarmist ...of the government's plans to overthrow and undermine with the end goal to knock out of the running... the natural health and nutricuitical companies... etc... so as to monopolize things even more-so than already-- and that is only the beginnning of things.. I would go on, but that's all out there for anyone who wants to get into it and be more privy and look deeper into these things... many blogs and sites expose are alive and kicking... sharing the real deal on these and so many other similar and just as relevant (and eye opening at times) issues... I just thank the Lord that none of this is news to Him :) In any case, the heart of my blog isn't geared to these things... (though I've been tempted) :) and I may post a section with links to the best of the best (by popular consensus) where this type of info is to be found. I am hoping my husband will begin (when his work slows down this winter) will blog on some of these issues himself...I am excited for that :)
well,
goodnight all...
have a blessed tomorrow,
In Jesus,
Suz

It seems like an age since I've posted... But it's been good...

...Being away that is... as the Lord has been at work in my heart in ways that only He can. I knew I was getting to be in a stale place and it grieved me. He knew it too... and again, is ever so faithful not to leave us in these barren places forever. He heard my heart-cry for revival and a renewed zeal. Though God's time is not our time and it seemed like forever that I felt dry and deserted... I did know better as His time is perfect. I didn't call out to Him for renewal so that I could "feel" better... but so that I can again have that calm purposeful insight and assurance that He is in all and that therefore -- "All Is Good!" I long to be used in any way he chooses... So I continue to grow... and love basking in that very process. Hope rekindled is all I needed to be content as he sifts me... as I know how it all ends! (big smile)

~So, anyway, thanks for visiting :) Here are a few pics I thought I'd share. I have really neglected my photo blog... but , well... all in due time. I surely have enough shots to build it up-- in the thousands... no doubt, as I just cannot stop capturing life and it's moments, via looking at everything partially filtered though the eyes of photography!...
~but first things first... I think they'll still be there!

About the pics below...

~This sweet little bird, well, It flew directly into our closed window and seemed to be experiencing a bit of brain fog... I could definately relate! LOL! I took pity on him sitting there in a daze on the porch and made him a cave like place to feel safe as he tried to get a grip and catch his breath ... which he did, and was soon off again, on his way home, I suppose, :)
Just wondering...Anyone have any idea what kind of bird this was?

~ The next photo is jsut an evening shot up on a ski hill the other day ~It's called Mt. Zion... and has a beautiful view.. for miles and miles!
directly above the ground off the far horizon, before the sky... you can, just barely see Lake Superior...

~The other photo is a chipmunk under our tree (that holds our bird-feeders)... (the birds are really droppy/sloppy, which he loves!-- and visits often ... doing his part to keep the ground clean :)

~That's about all exciting photo-wise going on around here lately. Things will look up in that arena too I am hoping-- LOL!
~Though, I do have my hands full lately...and I also have much to share--including more thoughts on the different aspects of the causes and cures of fibro....
~Well, I'd best take my tired bones to bed...
Nighters all!


~ isn't he just adorable? he makes my mama heart swoon ;)
~he is beginning to have his wits about him again...
~he seems to be thinking that he'd best get going!
~that's a plane off in the distance. We are close by small airport ~the little chipmunk cleaning up the fallen seeds.. he munches while his cheek/pouches are full of loot to carry on home for the long winter...
Doesn't it look like a fairy tale scene the way it is misty looking?

I believe the majority of people want to sing, but die with the music still inside.

photo compliments of a photographer on flickr :)

The Child

This is a piece my daughter Noelle wrote at 12 or 13.

In it, she shares some of her innermost upon us moving North... It tells of her, while a 10 yr old child, confused and a bit apprehensive. It is a provocative piece that captures these feelings poignantly... I think you'll like it too ...

The Child

The truck lurched and rumbled gruffly as the wheels cringed into the small entrance of the gas station. The child stared out the window soberly. It was dreary and muddy, and dusk was very slowly happening upon the little family in the Penske truck. They were in Wisconsin. They were almost there. They were almost home.

And yet, what really was home? Had they not just left ‘home’? Or were they on their way ‘home’? As the child stepped out of the huge truck, holding her daddy’s hand, her heart leapt at the thought of their destination. Yet somehow, deep, deep inside of her, she knew there was something she had left behind that she could never recapture. Her roots had been yanked out of her native soil, and brought to a foreign land…for what? For the sake of life and hope. Yet what was really in store?

Her mama squeezed her shoulder as they walked side by side into the convenience store. Fluorescent lights glared inside, steady and strong; the outside breeze, dizzy and unsteady, swirled and churned, kneading the air. The child smiled softly and tucked a wisp of sunny hair behind her ear.

With bright eyes she peered around the store as they stepped inside, curious to know what it was about this strange area that so intrigued her. Suddenly her eyes fastened on some objects hanging on the far wall, and she felt herself moving toward them slowly. “Wait for me,” she heard her mother say. Suddenly forgetting her former distraction, the child winced as the strained, tired voice of her mother pierced her heart. Oh, what lay ahead? And would it be worth it?

They made their purchases and walked outside. Their legs were cramped from the tight cab of the truck, and they so wanted to get a bit of exercise; but they had to keep going. Pressing on, ever onward…would it never end?

So the child walked on between her parents, slowly, heavily, tiredly toward the huge truck that would take her away from all familiarity, and slam her down into a garden with soil she was unaccustomed to. Almost tearfully, she plodded on. Suddenly lifting her head to look at the sky; so grey, so bleak; she gasped and stopped in her tracks. Big as life, colorful as hope, beautiful and heart-wrenching as a rose being tramped upon by the feet of men, was a rainbow in the sky…

Oh, what was the meaning of life?

--Noelle Mathison, 2008--

Thy Soul Delights In Me

Thy Soul Delights In Me

Thy soul delights in me:
I, depraved with sin,
Am actually loved by Thee;
With all my faults, my rebellion within:

Still, oh perfect Love, I am loved by Thee.
I am Thy servant, whom thou upholds;
Thy Love, oh Love!, around me folds;
And though I flounder, though I fail,
I am upheld by a Love too sweet to describe...
Oh Lord, Thy Love is ever upon me;
Though I see it not at times,
It is there -- wastefully abundant;
Thy Love is like an ocean, Lord --
Oh, let me return it to Thee full.
Thy soul delights in me:

I, depraved with sin,

Am actually loved by Thee;

With all my faults, my rebellion within:
Still, oh perfect Love, I am loved by Thee.

--Noelle Mathison, 2008--

~After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up,walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening,he briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. with that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak. "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast ," he began, when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.' the old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking some what interested in his story. the aged minister continued with his story, grabbing a rescue line, the father had tomake the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. he only had seconds to make the decision.the father knew that his son was a christian and he, also, knew that his son's friend was not. the agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, "Ilove you, son!" he threw out the life line to his son's friend. by the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. his body was never recovered. by this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth. "the father", he continued,"knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the hought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus..therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend." how great is the love of God that he should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line he is throwing out to you in this service.' with that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. the pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "that was a nice story," stated one of them politely, but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a christian." "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. a big smile broadened his narrow face. he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it?" but, I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up his Son for me. You see... I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend.

shared by ShuttersBuddy

~found a few more minutes... to post a couple more pics before retiring

-- Hobbes thoroughly enjoyed his day at the beach

-- the driftwood sat like a bump

-- and my sweet husband made me smile

a day

things were ho-hum.. a little dull... maybe 2 dimensional? Noelle tried to liven things up a bit...
they got a little brighter after a while... Whats going on here?
things got really bright! you never know what will come about in...
a day.

Me Again...

As a Christian woman, trying to grow closer to the Father, mentor a 13 y/o young lady and grow into grace and truth with a husband who also shares the heritage of a decimated past, with many similarities to my own…I have developed a myriad of chronic problems.

Some of you would recognize these symptoms as the affliction coined fibromyalgia. Fibro (as some all too familiar with it say) is an autoimmune disease brought on by stress, environmental factors and trauma. Some believe it is a genetic mis-configuration. (Is that a word? Seems like one! :)

Or could it be something more akin to “Consequences Shrouded in Grace”… allowed by an Omniscient Loving Father as a result of these things stated above, examined below...or for reasons we haven't even yet figured on?

Could it be that He allows this -- as well as other afflictions -- to help us to grow up, grow beyond, and grow closer to Him, and our fellow sojourners on our pilgrimage through life as we know it?

This is one of the questions I have begun to ponder as of late. As I strive to grow and move beyond, I am getting small windows of insight and becoming more able to see things through different eyes which is bringing me closer to the Lord and is causing me to look -- open faced -- into His love and His desired purposes for my (and all of our) lives... and closer to the realization of the deep trenches of shame, regret, fear, bitterness and pain that often lie buried...the pain of seeing…with an open and vulnerable heart. The pain that my sin of self protection and keeping all at arms length trying to make sure that I'm safe has on other's lives.

~Meanwhile, I come to see that all the while I have inadvertently defrauded and stolen from so many others who I may have been able to reach or touch with His love...or encourage or share my hope with, if only I would have taken another path and not turned inward with the junk of my own past.

When we do this… I believe, many times, consequenses follow (the inward stuffing) and we become sick.

Our bodies cannot contain all of the toxic emotions we harbor. With some of us, our vessels are overflowing with toxicity by the time we begin grade school. This is a
tragedy, but unfortunately , the case for so many.

What do we do with all of the junk we carry through those years?…these things, one building upon the other till they become big and formidable elephants that situate themselves -- one day -- smack in the middle of our family's living room -- our family -- us -- our spouse -- and our children if we are so blessed.

--and the elephant!

Often, while trying to live our lives hindered by our pasts, we are trying to do everything outwardly ok… but not leaving the past baggage at the Fathers feet… where he bids us to leave it... for our own good.
~So here we go again, because we are full of fear... and shame in
the first place, we try to ignore the obvious, and make things work out anyway… while carrying this load around that hinders all of our best efforts in life.

Now, we know that surrendering our past hurts to the Father is an option (and a commandment), but the knowledge of this stops at the gate of our minds and never quite makes the journey down the path to our hearts where we would be
inspired to really do something about it!

So where does all of this junk go? (that we would/should have left at the Father’s feet)

~ I dare-say, it is shoved inward...

Stated another way, it goes underground, safe (or so we think) keeping us temporarily sheltered from this rogue pain.
However, this turmoil finds vent for itself one way or another...this is just the way it goes, and I think, many times it all comes out in the form of chronic illness.

How does God fit into this?
Well, it's obvious to some of you -- and others of you will have an intuition about what I might be getting at next. In any case...

You may ask: Consequences? A loving God doling out consequences for our having experienced pain and suffering?

No, not at all...but we do have consequences for our responses to the sin in this world... the sin that was inflicted upon us... and the sin we ourselves perpetrated in response to those people and sins.

I want to continue this...

but I think I'm gonna stop here this evening

and pick it back up in a day or two.

I would like to continue expounding on these thoughts.

Until when?
I have no idea. I'm letting the Lord lead in
this... and whatever happens and wherever it
goes, I'm there ;)

Please come back & join me on this
exploratory journey if you wish.

I’ll welcome you here... and it’ll encourage me as well… to
know God might have a word to share with
someone through this writing... a bit of hope
or solace maybe?

In any case, I wanted to share a video… to bring us to the end here, on
a lighter note ;)

This is what I had originally intended to post... I had thought I'd begin
posting about fibro, and more specifically, brain fog... but it ended up taking a
bit if a different direction... so I'm gonna keep going with it.

About the video…This guy is so
funny... as he just hits the nail right on the
head!… like I shared, the subject is "brain fog" or “memory
lapses”

More on that later but suffice it to say, on a practical (and humorous) note, it all looks something like this!...

click video below :)

And don't forget to turn off the music first!

Irish Oatmeal (and other varieties - not necessarily green, but all healthy!)

A healthy breakfast to start the day

Green Oatmeal ( pictured above) instructions not included...

don't try this at home kids ;p

(Oatmeal 12 ways!)

Oatmeal is a whole grain complex carbohydrate that is high in fiber and has staying power to get you off to a great start in the morning. It’s also very quick, versatile and inexpensive. Below are 12 takes on oatmeal that will have you loving this healthy hot breakfast. A different way for every day!

For all these recipes, start with a cup of hot cooked oatmeal, then add other ingredients as desired.

Try these, and think of combos of your own!

1. Tropical – Add chopped, fresh pineapple, coconut flakes, chopped mango and ¼ cup orange juice.

2. Apple cinnamon – Add unsweetened applesauce, raisins, and sprinkle with cinnamon. You could substitute ½ cup diced apple for applesauce.

3. Maple nut – Add pecans and maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon (optional).

4. Cranberry orange – Add dried cranberries and some o.j.

5. Banana walnut – Add sliced bananas and chopped walnuts.

6.High-Five Fiber – Add 2 T. ground flaxseeds and 2 T. raisins. (I suggest adding 2 T. ground flaxseeds to every one of these, as flaxseeds are such a healing aid to our diets!)

7. High-Five Protein – Mix together ¼ cup milk and a ½ cup whey protein to cooked oatmeal, add chopped walnuts, and chopped, fresh apple. (Or bananas…or raisins…)

8. Eye-Opener – Add ¼ cup fresh grated carrot, 1 T. chopped parsley, ¼ cup tomato juice, and a dash of celery salt, and Tabasco sauce if you wish. (YIKES!)

9. Brain-Power – Add 1-2 T. flaxseed oil; mix well. Add 1-2 T. sliced almonds.

10. Speedy Seeds – Take 1 T. each of raw pumpkin seed, raw sunflower seeds, 2 t. almonds, and cover with boiling water for at least 15 minutes before the oatmeal is done. Let sit, then drain, and rinse again in boiling water. Add to cooked oatmeal – the seeds will have plumped up and will be more chewy than crunchy.

11. Good and Sweet – Add 1 T. Tahini and 2 T. molasses. Stir well.

12. Good Child – Place excellent quality (55% or more cocoa) broken up chocolate at bottom of bowl. About 1-2 oz. or ¼ bar, cover with hot oatmeal, and watch your child’s smile as they discover the melty chocolate!

Do not Trudge Through Days...

I saw this on my fridge :)
It was placed there by a friend of the family, as he and my dd, Noelle were fooling around making sentences with our magnetic words... we kept it there when we moved... I snapped a picture of it to remember it by :)

He IS Alive..

I am ever so thankful for this and even more, that He is alive in my heart. However, There are times, when I am weighed down by baggage/or should I say - bondage that defined my life before I knew the Lord and my before my spirit was alive in Him. It is those times that I have to cry out to Him to have mercy on me and to lift my burdened heart out of the blue. I have so many regrets and I know He doesn't want us to live in the shadows of yesterday... yet we must assess our pasts when they keep hindering our here and now, despite our position as heirs of His life-giving and life-sustaining power.

At times , He will allow us to see into our pasts, and there-by offer the opportunity for us to choose to embrace the reality of what was, then surrender it to His care (and disposal). otherwise we will, as I find myself doing much too often... begin to peer into the shadows of my past and re-identifying myself with that dark rendition of what was.

I don't want to do that. It is so terribly destructive and grievous to our Lord. It hinders our walk-- skews our vision, and steals our purpose and hope... even if only for a while.

The danger, I have found is letting this happen too often. It can covertly become commonplace by our not taking dominion over these negative thoughts and letting them fester and become a pattern or a mind set. Some call it a strong hold. Whatever you call it, It is not His will ... and it can , so easily, put us in bondage to negativity, there-by, opening us up to believing other satanic lies that come at us , vying for attention. "Ugh." I need to remember.. and I encourage anyone who can relate... to remember who we are (In Him) ...

"Redeemed",

Titus 2:12-14

and "overcomers by His blood shed for us".

1 John 5:4

where "we stand" (In Him)

1 peter 5:9

"In the heavenly places with Jesus", as "co-heirs and Victors with Him"...

and who are enemy is... what he is ...( thief, a liar and defeated!)

and we need to.. like the saying goes... "act like we know!" walking within this Truth, continually ... renewing our minds in His Word and Truth... till we are walking, once again in the total freedom meant for us as His children, Holy and dearly loved...

What a freedom and a sweet place to be.

There is no other way to be free to be used of Him... no pouring out.. no infilling, no real life.. without being connected and drawing our life from the Vine...empty of selves and all of the lies that like to come and stick to us!

Lord, thank You for Your gracious mercy and deliverence from myself... and help me to keep my eyes on You and continue to walk in Your Truth...

...and to "not trudge through days, for You are Alive!

so I will soar and sing"!

I have more visitors! (big smile)

...One more thing for today... I am so excited ! I installed this new software/gidget thing ... that dispalys where my blog visitors are from... and I see that there are some of you from out of the country! I am so excited, as I had no idea this happened so often, as even this. I am on the edge of my seat here waiting & hoping for comments, from my sisters (and brothers :) in this country and now from those of you from outside the US!
I would like to be able to visit your blogs too! so please, all of you/ any of you? leave me comments with your link so I can drop in and say hey! :)
Blessings to you all!
Suz in the Northwoods

The Necklace /a 'kind of allegorical' short story

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite." "That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time; he was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Note from me: Even if that 'something better' is just a peace in your heart from knowing that you did the right thing by giving your all for Jesus! :)

Are You An Aspiring Songbird? :)

Click on the link below to take advantage of free voice training from a talented female vocalist.

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/3015_female-voice-training-warming-up.htm

Part of the Series:
Female Voice Training Exercises

Summary: Learn how to warm up your voice for singing vocals in these free how-to videos lesson on female voice training exercises.

"About the Expert"


Erica Lane is a recording artist and music teacher. She graduated, Cum Laude, from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, with a Bachelor of Music degree.

**********************************************************

hope you enjoy! My dd, Noelle has liked and benefited from them
so I thought I'd pass them along :)

~just a thought...

There is so much good in the worst of us; and so much bad in the best of us,

~ that it ill behooves any of one us; to find fault with the rest of us.

author unknown

a new blog twist...and a poem to share

Hi friends :)
I'm here with an update. My daughter Noelle wanted an opportunity to do her own blogging for a bit. So we decided that I will keep this one as is.. and I link up to her's... and she to mine.
Hopefully as I get rolling and into the swing of this all... I will have some more frequent and interesting content.
As it is now, I am just beginning to get my blogger boots wet. and they feel a bit stiff yet. :) I did however have a poem/lyric to share... I would love any feedback on any posts... so pease feel free ;D

the poem goes like this....
***********************************
Hurt People
Dear Jesus, please don't stop working in my life;
It's been a long hard row to hoe, And through such cold, dark strife.
I need You Lord~ help me let You, keep on working in my life.

Forgive me Lord, for my weak will, and reveling, amidst my pain;

Broken spirits are strewn around me

That masquerade as hidden bounty, and covert lies drive some insane.

Guard my heart and gird my loins; Fill my life & heart with joy...
Your promise I hold fast and cling to;
all your precepts I employ.
I've hurt so many on the way... Lord,

pretense keeps us blind to need;
and keeps us cloistered in confusion:
far from God, His light, His Creed.
~Hurt people, they hurt people
Born of sorrow; born afraid.

Hurt people -- they hurt people,
Born of sorrow; born of shame.
~
Parading pretense, self-protection;
Where we try to cope in vain,
When we're hurt and sorrow's leading,

tears in torrents, veil of rain.

Dear Savior Jesus,

Holy Spirit; help and keep...

...my spirit tuned,

To Your soft answer 'n steely will;

the strength and meekness you exude.

~

Create in me a heart like Yours,

In exchange for my old worn-out one;

--Hurt people, Lord, they hurt people.

But You came so that Joy we'd see:

Hurt people, they hurt people

--Lord, You came to set us free.

Two young maidens in romantic era hat

~Two of my favorite pictures of this past summer. They were from a practice photo shoot ... with dd, Noelle (once known as Dustynne :) and our neighbor , a sweet young lady named Pandora... aka, Panny Joy ... they seemed so old fashioned and feminine...

and fun ;)

~and below is....

Noelle :)

Dear Deer

I thought I was gonna try and keep the deer out of my yard this summer... (to guard my garden of course:) I had googled many natural deterrents.. but alas, never used any of them... so far they have left our garden alone... as there is sooo much folliage everywhere.. they really don't need to venture so close to the house... though even they did, I just adore them'n don't think I could scare these babies away :) These two were about 15 feet from Tom and I they other evening... in our side yard. You'll frequently find the deer walking down the sidewalk in the middle of town, any time of the day -so, not big news .. but I just love when they visit us at home...