A Poem for the Moment

Hope    

by Emily Dickinson 

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Please Go Vote!

Just a quick commercial, here. . . .

An acquaintance of mine through church has a  child that is severely disabled by Sanfilippo Disease - for which there is no known cure.  They've applied for a $250,000 grant through Pepsi to fund gene research - and right now, they're in #1 position! 

Voting ends January 31st - so -

Would you please go vote for them?

Here's the link:

http://www.refresheverything.com/curesanfilippo

Thanks!

Book Review: The Shelter of God's Promises by Sheila Walsh

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ.  And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 1:20

I needed to read this book.

Readers of this blog  - and those who know me in real life - know that the storms of life have been very real and very hard indeed these last four or five years.   And honestly, there have been a few holes in my spiritual umbrella lately.  So when I was searching my book review website for my next title, this one fairly leaped off the page. 

I read - engulfed it - in one sitting.  Truthfully, I didn't really know who Sheila Walsh was - turns out, she's the author of the popular Gigi series for little girls, and a speaker on the Women of Faith conference team.   Her writing is spot-on biblically:  she takes the reader through a tour of God's promises - roughly categorized into 10 chapters - with powerful Scripture to back up each promise.  (In addition, much to my delight, she includes interesting insights into the text with references to the original Greek structure of the verse or an important note about ancient Hebrew culture at the time of the Scripture's writing.  Good stuff!)

In addition to the main text of the book, the author has included a Bible study appendix, with questions for scriptural study and personal application based on each chapter.  This would be most appropriate for a personal quiet time study, in my opinion - and something I'm hoping to start on myself very soon.

Sheila Walsh has written a powerful, helpful book, with just the right combination of scripture (heavy on that) and personal stories (not overwhelming, and help to emphasize her point).  I was refreshed while reading it, and rejoiced as I felt my own "umbrella" renewed and strengthened not by me or my own efforts, but the timeless, unchanging principles of God.  This book is sure to stay on my shelf to be pulled out for times of refreshing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

In Which I Imitate Pioneer Woman and Almost Burn My House Down

We've been in a serious food rut.

Same old, same old - baked ziti, chili, spaghetti, beans and rice, quiche.

Rinse. Repeat.

It was time to break out, I tell you!  In a moment of inspiration, I revisited two of my favorite things: my crockpot and The Pioneer Woman.

First, let's revisit the crockpot.  Remember my recipe series?  OK, so it was "kind of" a series.  But there were some yummy recipes I was posting for a time.  Well, here's another one for you.

I just want to warn you.  It involves (looking around furtively). . . . 

Beer.

OK.  That's done now.

May also recommend that when you go to purchase said ingredient, you do NOT visit the convenience store across the street from your church.  Just in case you run in to one of the pastors of your church.

Which I didn't.

But I could have.  And that would have been a GREAT story for the blog.

Kinda like the time our Pastor Emeritus showed up at our house for a visit, unannounced, and I came upstairs to see who it was.

In my jammies and bathrobe.  

True story.

At this point, you're wishing I would just get on with the recipe.

Me too.  So here it is!

Pulled Beef Sandwiches 

(by romeacademy from the WTMBoards)

2-3 lb. chuck roast

1 packet of Italian Good Seasonings Dressing Mix

1 12-oz. can of beer (I used Miller Lite, cuz I don't know any better!)

Cut the roast into 4-5 pieces.

Sprinkle the dressing on top.

Pour the beer over all.

Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4.

Pull meat out and shred.

Hot.  Steaming.  Ready for the sandwiches!

Pile the meat in a nice, fresh roll.  Delicious!

Not Portuguese rolls.  But close enough!

But, really, the best part of the meal was "Crash Hot Potatoes" from The Pioneer Woman.

Oh. My. Stars.

You. Must. Make. These.

I'm not going to reprint the recipe - you can go to PW's site for it - but can I just brag a bit and tell you that my own Marlboro Man made these - almost all by himself?

Can I just give you a teensy-weensy bit of advice? 

Do not - repeat - do NOT bake these on a regular cookie sheet.  Like this:

And if you decide to ignore my warning, and the olive oil drips down onto the bottom of your oven (my mother is cringing right now),

and you see flames?

Well, I warned you.

My kids thought it was cool.

Anyways.

You should have heard the chorus of "Ooohs" and "Aaaahs" when they were served!

Heaven in a potato.  Seriously.

Even the potato hater in my family said they were, and I quote, "Pretty good."

Top it off with some fudge that your amazing sister-in-law sent your from snow-covered Connecticut?

Food rut officially. Over.

Now I'm off to clean my oven.

Wordless Wednesday - Tooth Fairy Edition

Book Review: Redefining Beautiful

"Am I beautiful?"

I suppose that is a question that - like it or not - most teen girls wrestle with.  As the mother of one teen girl (who will cringe when she sees I've labeled her as such!), one almost-teen, and two more sure to come, it's a topic that gains attention in my house.  

Jenna Lucado has written a helpful book, but one that is written squarely for the teen market.  She covers topics such as a young woman's value to God, finding identity in Christ, and security in knowing the love of God.  Along the way, she includes actual beauty tips (Vaseline, anyone?) and plenty of space in the book for teens to write their thoughts.

The message is good:  don't define yourself by the world's standards.  Our scriptural plumb line should be from our fear of the Lord (Proverbs 31: 30) and our gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4).  (Note to readers:  I'm still working on that one!) 

The delivery - at least for our family - leaves me wanting.  The language used is immature and flippant, very geared to the "teen culture" and lowest common denominator.  We tend to stay away from resources that are more "popular" in tone. . . but that's just us.  For other families that are looking for a book to use as a discussion starter with their teens, Jenna Lucado's Redefining Beautiful will be a good resource to bring God's perspective on a timely subject.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

(British Accent) I'm Not Dead Yet! I. . . Feel. . . .Happy!!!

(And bonus points to anyone who can name the movie that's from!)

Contrary to all the rumors floating out there, I'm still here!

The past two weeks have included:

A very fun Christmas visit with my family

Kids dropping like flies from the flu

A New Year's Resolution to spend less time on the computer and more time with my family

~which was GREATLY assisted by~

The crash of my hard drive.

So there you have it!  I'll return to your regularly scheduled broadcasts soon. . . . .

Lord willing!