DEVOTION BY OUR PASTOR GARY ROGERS

Our wonderful Pastor sends out a devotional each week and this is the one we received last night. It is so good I wanted to share it will all of you here on my blog.

September 29, 2008

If the stock market fails and the economy falls what should the Christian do? Should we spiral into a devastating depression and the American dream become a nightmare what should the Christian do? If the things we’ve counted on for financial security and financial independence collapse what should the Christian do? Psalm 11:3 says, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" NIV Though written hundreds of years ago the writer of this psalm seems to be aware of our current events. The American economy is the foundation that influences our standard of living. For many people financial security is the foundation of their life. Security, identity, value, and even purpose for living have each become commodities found in the economy.

2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." NIV Here we find the sure foundation. This is the foundation that is not changed by speculation of man. In this foundation you can find assurance, permanence, stability, consistency, longevity, and every lasting hope. This is God’s solid foundation! Notice the inscription on the foundation, “The Lord knows those who are His.” God knows your address. God knows the balance in your bank account. God knows when your bills are due. God knows when you should retire. God knows how much it cost monthly for your needs to be met. On this divine foundation is written a proclamation that God knows those who are His.

God’s foundation has also a reminder written on it that says, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” This tells us about a sure investment that will yield a wonderful life. Here we are given an insider’s tip of how to handle our life in a way that results in great dividends. Turning from wickedness is the best life to live. This brings a rock solid stability in life. This provides a life without regrets.

The foundations of the world may crumble. The temporary sources of confidence and security found in this world will prove to be a bad investment. But there is a solid foundation that stands firm! The only place you can find this rock solid foundation is in God! Place your confidence and trust in Him and you will never be disappointed no matter what the stock market does.

I prayed for you,

PG

I also invite you to link on the button on my sidebar to My Church and listen to this past Sunday's message "COMPATIBLE BUT DIFFERENT" It is some of the best, and also very fun, teaching on marriage that you could find.

I'd love for you to leave me a comment on it!!

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We are leaving this morning on our trip to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on October 4th. We are not traveling with a computer so I will not be posting until we return. Please keep us in your prayers for traveling mercies. I did write up a post about my wonderful husband that is pre-set to post on October 4th so hope you'll drop by that day and read it.

EDITORIAL & A FRUGAL TIP

The dow is down 777.68.

All the commentators (common taters!) are telling us the sky is falling.

One of them is now on TV (CNN) saying Sarah Palin should drop out because,

"She didn't even understand Katy Couric's questions."

We have been watching (listening mostly ) most of the day and just can't believe how out of control our country is.

BUT

"Our faith is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ"

PERIOD.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

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Watching our spending closely: Saturday my husband needed to go to Wa*lmart to buy 25 lbs of sugar to feed his bee's. ( You have to feed the bees, after you take their honey so they can rebuild it up to make it through the winter months when there are no flowers. ) The 25 lbs sack of sugar was $14.58. I always try and check prices and I noticed the 10 lb packages were $4.86......well it doesn't take too much smarts to know that 3 times $4.86 is $14.58.....SO we bought 3 - 10 lb bags and ended up with 5 lbs sugar "free". I call this being not only Frugal but Prudent!!!

GOING TO A PARTY

Salad, Parmesan Rosemary Crackers, Colin Cowie's Vinaigrette

We had a Sunday School pot luck party last night for our teacher who is leaving. Above is what I took.

The SALAD: Thanks to Lynn for the idea of using my Trifle bowl to show-case the salad. I had never thought of using this bowl for anything other than desserts but the salad looked great in it. The layers are: Red Leaf Lettuce, Red Bell Peppers, Spinach, Slivered Carrots, Green Bell Peppers, Spinach & Tomato.

PARMESAN ROSEMARY CRACKERS: Recipe

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used 1/2 whole wheat)

2 t Kosher Salt

Pinch of white pepper

4 t Rosemary

4 ounces butter

5 ounces grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 - 3/4 cup sour cream

Pulse ingredients in food processor adding sour cream last to make a firm ball.Place on plastic or paper wrap and shape into a long log, (I used aluminium foil) chill for three hours, or keep in freezer for later use. Spray pan with non stick spray and slice cheese cracker log. Press slices slightly down to 1/4 inch thickness. Bake at 350 degrees till brown, approximately 15-20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

COLIN COWIE'S VINAIGRETTE

1/4 C white wine vinegar

1T Dijon mustard

1T chopped shallots

1/4 t salt

1/4 t freshly ground black pepper

1 cup olive oil (I used Virgin olive oil)

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, shallots, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil. Makes 1 1/3 C dressing. For a lighter dressing you can use vegetable oil.

SHOW & TELL #28 - Melting Bee's Wax

Friday yet again .... which means Show & Tell time at Kelli's . Enjoy mine for today. Then do one of your own and add it to Mr. Linky and then enjoy all the wonderful things people have to Show & Tell.

This is the 4rd post about Mickey's new hobby as a bee keeper. You can read the other three about the actual bee hive and the honey extraction and getting another hive and swarming bees in the post below. This post is about the bee's wax or honey comb.

Here are two tubs of honey comb. Step 1 is putting all the honey comb pieces in a large tub and slanting it so all the honey will drain off. It takes several days to get all the honey to drain off. Step 2 Mickey took these two tubs and placed them in front of the bee hive. The bee's actually work to clean the remainder of the honey out of this comb. Isn't that amazing? They are truly industrious creatures. Step 3 is taking the honey comb and melting it to form a wax. We had been dreading this job, because it was so new to us and sounded complex and there was a huge warning about the danger of the wax catching on fire!!! We knew we had to get this done before leaving on our trip so Monday was the day.

Here is Mickey stirring the comb in a pan in another pan with boiling water. The melting temperature is 180 degrees.

Here is a closer view showing the melting wax, the therometer, and the two water bath pans. We continued to add handfuls of the comb into the pan as it would melt. We ended up with four 1/2 pans full.

Each pan full was then poured into this quart milk carton. The instructions said attach 2 paper towels to the top as a filter. We did this and it was too thick and would not go through. Then we tried 2 napkins. Still no success and all we are making is a mess!!! Finally Mickey said "I wonder if pouring it through a hose would work?" One of the ways you strain the raw honey, after you have first strained it through a normal strain is to pour it through a woman's hose. We got a hose and it worked!!!! This took us about 2 hours and we were both exhausted. I think more from the stress of the operation than anything else. I'm sure it will not be so stressful next time as we know what not to do!!!

Here is our finished product. About 3/4 of a quart of wax. Isn't it the prettiest light golden color? This is all we got from 38 frames of honey A LOT of work. I think I understand now why a lot of bee keepers do not anything with the comb.

You can make candles, hand creams, foot cream, soaps, and lip balm so I have to give it all a try and then decide whether it's something worth doing or not.

This honey comb was from the first extraction that was done on August 23rd. We will have more honey comb from the 46 frames that were done last Saturday, September 20th.

Thanks for letting me walk you through what I find to be a very interesting adventure and learning process.

MORE ABOUT HONEY BEES

As you know Mickey became a Bee Keeper last spring. You can read all about it on my June 6th post when the hive he ordered arrived.

Soon after his first hive arrived and he had set it up and gotten his bees he knew he wanted another hive so he began building it himself this time.

(click on all pictures to enlarge)
Here is the almost completed hive he built in his work shop. On the saw horses you will see the Base. This is the large white piece on the bottom. On top of that is the Super. Inside the Super you can see 8 Frames. It is on these Frames the bee's actually build their home, and raise their young, known as The Brood Chamber.

Leaning up against the saw horses is the sheet metal cover which will go on top on the completed Hive.

Setting on the floor is another Super, that will be added when needed as the Bee's increase their Colony size.

Last Friday Mickey extracted the honey, for the first time, from his very own hive.

We are thrilled with our wonderful tasting fresh, pure, honey.

"My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste." Proverbs 24:12 Amplified Bible

Well, I'm coming to learn that being a wife of a Bee Keeper can be a very exciting life!! Saturday, right after lunch, Mickey comes in all excited saying, "I think my bee's are trying to swarm." Now what this means is.....some (not all) are trying to run away from home!! In other words, he is about to lose part of his bees. He quickly calls Ronnie to come help and they get this group of bee's and put them in the new hive. Thank goodness he had a new hive built and ready.

Now this Bee Keeper's wife (me) was not about to get out into THAT and take pictures.....so we have none :o( Let me tell you, it was quite an interesting and exciting ordeal (as I observed out of the safety of my French door!!).

Then yesterday Mickey & Ronnie went to get a swarm of bee's from a man's house that had called and wanted them extracted. Both Ronnie and John (our other Church family Bee Keeper) get a lot of calls to remove unwanted bee's from peoples homes because they are well know in this community for doing this. Ronnie had called Mickey to see if he wanted to help with this and then add these bee's to his second hive

The above three shots show them working to get the bee's in the new hive.

Here are the two bee hives, the purchased one on the right and the one he built on the left, loaded with bee's and ready to be wintered over until next spring. Please note the glass jars attached to each hive. Mickey is filling these daily with a mixture of sugar and water so the bee's can build out the comb for the new Brood and their winter honey storage to feed on.

My Show & Tell tomorrow will be about melting the honey comb!!!!

Yet another exciting adventure.

A FRIEND

"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17a
&

"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24

These are just a couple of the wonderful references in God's Word about friends.

This man &

this couple, are such friends.

We have know Don & Barbara since the mid-70's. We met in 1975-76. They are those TRUE friends. The one's that you cannot only share all your hopes, dreams & joys with, but also your sorrows, your concerns, your tough times that we all face, but also hide from most and put on our happy faces for. They are the couple we did a lot of our RV traveling days with.

Yesterday, September 23rd, was Don's 71st birthday.....so what does he do..... invites us, and two other couples, over to celebrate with him cooking a wonderful, home cooked meal of Greek Salad, Lasagna, fresh corn right off the cob, green beans with bacon, asparagus, french bread and a delicious dark bread called, Dakota, ice tea, coffee and water.

All prepared by Don himself.

The lovely table.

The other guests, Dody with Mickey

Mary, Jack & Ron (You might remember Ron & Dody when I posted about us celebrating Ron's 70's birthday recently at his 50's party)

Then after the delicious dinner Don brings out the Raspberry Chocolate Cake

(click to enlarge and read)

Don got this group together not only to celebrate his Birthday

but

our 50th Anniversary!!!

We were totally shocked and blown away.

Then Don & Barbara presented us with this precious Sugar & Creamer.

I put the ruler behind it so you can see how miniature they are.

Don found these at an Estate Sale. We are the 3rd couple to receive these.

Isn't that wonderful? The woman's grandparents, then her parents

& now us.

It always shocks me that people are willing to sell such treasurers and not keep them as heirlooms.

Their loss......our gain.

They will have a place of honor forever in our home,

as will this couple in our lives.

Thank you so much you two TRUE FRIENDS!!

Last, but not least, Don reading HIS birthday cards.

"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17a

A LINK - NOAH'S ARK - AWARD

First I'd like to invite all of you to visit this blog and participate in Maxine's project. I truly thing this is of The Lord and it truly got me to slow down and really THINK about what I do want and yearn for my country, and especially for my children & grandchildren in this country.

We all need to give serious thought to this election that will be in just 41 days and I think Maxine is helping us to do that. I would also appreciate hearing your comments about how you feel about this after you visit her blog. Thanks!!

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I received this and thought it was so facinating. It certainly is bigger than I think most of us have pictures in our minds from the little Noahs Arc toys we've seen.

Working Replica of Noah's Ark
Opens In SCHAGEN, Netherlands

The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday
for the first crowd of curious Pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.
Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch
Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.


The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras,
bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.

A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine -
Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been.
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools
and with occasional help from his son Roy... Construction began in May 2005.
On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening
- will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats,
and one camel.

Visitors on the first day were stunned.
'It's past comprehension, ' said Mary Louise Starosciak, who
happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation
when they saw The ark looming over the local landscape.
'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big.'
There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can
watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark.
�

Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in
the Netherlands , where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
''If You Need Help, Ask God. If You Don't, Thank God''...
'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' Psalm 23:6
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you
find out that God is all you need. Live today to the
fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Now that I am old and gray...give me the time to tell this new generation(and their children too) about all your mighty miracles. Psalm 71:18

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A special thanks to Sandra, Watercoulour Dreams, for this Kreativ Blogger Award.

Since it was very similar to the one I received and posted about on September 9th I am not doing this one but wanted to acknowledge Sandra and thank her publicly.

MORE PROJECTS - Guttering & Rain Barrels

In case you didn't know it....I think I have one fantastic, amazing husband!!

Several weeks ago he replaced the guttering on the back of our home.

I didn't get any pictures during the process but here you can see the pretty, new, white guttering. I was amazed how quickly he did this project.

About the time I finally (this one he was not to thrilled about at first!) got my clothesline I told Mickey I wanted him to put some buckets out to catch the rain water. He was not to keen on the idea either!! Thought it was kind of silly but since I asked he got two 5 Gallon paint buckets and put them under each down spout in the back.

Somewhere along this time he decided this was a pretty good idea and that we needed to get a couple of rain barrels. We looked and couldn't find any barrels. Yesterday he said, "I want to go price two galvanized garbage cans to use as the rain barrels." I thought this was a great idea and off we went first to W*al*ly Wo*rld. They did not have any. They had only the plastic. Then we went to Lo*we's and found them. Then he said, "I'm going to get a couple of faucets to put on them". "What?!!! Can you do that?" "Sure", came the resounding answer. I figured he'd set out the barrels and in a couple of months, after our trip, and after re-cooping from his surgery he would add the faucets.

I hear all this racket in the garage and go out to see what is going on. He was drilling holes in the metal. Here he is adding a faucet to one of the barrels.


Shortly after we have 2 rain barrels with faucets!!!!

Here is the one on the north side of the house.

Here is the other on the south side of the house.

Wonderful, fresh rain water ..... and then all he has to do is attach the hose to the faucet to water the plants and shrubs. I am amazed!!!!

That's the way we seem to work. I come up with a small idea and he grabs hold of it, improves it greatly, and accomplishes it lickity split.

I KNOW I HAVE ONE FANTASTIC, AMAZING HUSBAND!!!!

ANOTHER BREAD RECIPE

Friday, while Mickey is busy harvesting honey I am in the kitchen making yet another GREAT bread recipe.

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

"This honey wheat bread is proof that wonderful flavor, texture and aroma can be had if you just follow a straightforward game plan."

Ingredients:

3 cups warm water (110 degrees F; 45 degrees C)

2 (25 ounce) packages active dry yeast (I substituted 2 scant Tablespoons loose yeast that comes in the bottle)

1/3 Cup honey

5 Cups bread flour

3 Tablespoons butter, melted

1/3 Cup honey

1 Tablespoon salt

3 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons butter, melted.

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat four until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.

Allrecipes.com - Rated 5 out of 5 by 318 members - Prep Time: 20 minutes - Cook Time: 30 minutes - Ready in: 3 hours - Yields: 36 servings.

Here are the finished loaves.

As usual I made the 3 (with one smaller) so we could have the wee little loaf hot!!

No, we did NOT completely cool before we dove in and sampled it!!!

It is absolutely delicious!!!!!

Would someone please remind me that it is very difficult to try and be loosing weight at the same time I've gone on a bread baking frenzy!!!

BLESSING & MORE BLESSING.....

Blessings & more blessing

over take me.....

Blessing #1

Yesterday Mickey & Ron harvested more honey but this time it was Ron's AND MICKEY'S. Mickey's first crop......getting honey the first year is very good and quite a blessing. It doesn't always happen. He got a little over 2 gallons and let me tell you, it tastes yummy!!!


By the way, you may have noticed they moved this "operation" into the garage from the storage barn this time. That was to be able to close the door and get further away from Mickey's hive and bees. Mickey did not get stung this time. Yeah!!

Here is our mother load. 5 quarts, 1 pint and 9 assorted little bottles.

Thank you Lord, and thanks to Mickey's "girls" for being such good producers.

Now he has to bed them down for the winter.

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Blessing #2

My sweet, dear friend, Leigh Ann outdid herself again and blessed me with

this adorable, precious clothes pen bag made out of one of Elle's sweet dresses.

How absolutely adorable it this???????

Here is the back side with the little string belt tie tacked in the back. Made by Leigh Ann's own hands and something that sweet, little Elle had worn.......well I'm about bursting with pride.

Here it is hanging on the line with some towels..........BUT

I think it's far to precious to use like that so I think it should hang here on this little shelf in our guest room with other lovelies I've gotten from sweet blogging friends.

What do you all think?:

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Blessing #3

I recently made a new church friend, Kathy, when I was asked by her to accompany her to go pray for a friend of hers who was dying of lung cancer. I knew her casually from church but we found out we actually lived in the same neighborhood and she and I have been walking some together and talking on the phone. Tuesday evening she and her husband came over so our husbands could meet. Kathy has a little side business of flower decorating and arranging and she blessed us with

This lovely arrangement of fresh flowers in a wicker vase from her yard.

Here is another overhead shot. This is still blessing us on our dining room table. I am amazed that she cannot only grow all these lovelies but arrange them so beautifully.

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Blessing #4

We were given these lovely purple and green bell peppers and tomato by a neighbor.

I looked on the internet and got this yummy relish recipe that was just delicious.


Here is the recipe: Bell Peppers Lemonly Dressed and Cumin-esque

This versatile recipe will add pizzazz to virtually any dish. You'll have some dressing left over.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup, plus 1 T, extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 red or purple bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 green or yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/4 C freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
2 T minced parsley
1 t ground cumin
1 t honey
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 C finely chopped scallions or red-onion
1/2 t salt
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
1. Heat 1 T oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers; saute', stirring until slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Let cool.

2. Combine remaining oil, lemon juice, parsley, cumin, honey and garlic in a large jar. With the lid tightly screwed on, shake the jar vigorously until oil and lemon juice have combined and thickened.

3. Toss peppers and scallions with about half the vinaigrette in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour. Serves 4

Nutritional Information
Per serving: 200 calories, 16g fat, 1g protein, 9g carbs, 2g fiber, 150mg sodium.

Recipe adapted from Farmer John's Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables.