Weekend Daybook

My Weekend Daybook is intended to offer brief glimpses of my simple life, thinking that my dear grandchildren may one day be interested in knowing little tidbits about Nana.

Outside my window...
Living in the South, we don't see it often, but this week we had about a half hour of big, fluffy snowflakes. I was inspired to put a picture on my computer desktop that I had taken a few years back in our backyard in WV when we awoke to a Nania morning.


Noticing the sound of...

Beautiful Christmas music as I write in the glow of the Christmas tree in the quietness of the evening. Occasionally we hear carols in the stores or the restaurants, but as we ate dinner out today, we commented that there was no Christmas music at all. It hasn't been that many years ago that carols were played in the marketplace (even if just to put shoppers in the spirit of giving), and we were wished a "Merry Christmas" as receipts for our purchases were handed to us. Now it's more "Have a good one." 

   

Pondering...

"If the saints were to lose the knowledge of their past misery, how would they "sing the mercies of the Lord for all eternity" as the psalm says? Nothing will give more joy to the City [of God] than this song to the glory of the grace of Christ by whose blood we have been set free."  - Augustine, De civitate Dei, quoted in Augustine on the Christian Life by Gerald Bray. 

It unsettles me a bit to think that we would remember the miseries of days here on the earth, but, yes, that remembrance would be cause for great praise to Christ who has redeemed us from eternal misery.

In the Kitchen...

Hamantaschen cookies.

Today was the last day in our Esther study and we talked a little about Purim. Hamantaschen is a traditional cookie that the Jews make for celebrating, so I found an easy recipe and made some for our Sunday School class. It's a buttery cookie with a fruit or poppy seed filling. I used apricot preserves. 

The cookie is named for Haman, who is the villain of the Book of Esther, and the ending of the word means "purse".  Hamantaschen is symbolic of the money Haman was going to give the king in gaining agreement to annihilate the Jews in the Persian Empire. But it was turned to the contrary, and the Jews destroyed their enemies instead.  Purim is still celebrated today to remember the relief they gained. The recipe I used for Hamantaschen can be found here.

 In the Sewing Room...

Still lying on the cutting table--fabric my little 6-year-old Anna chose from my stash for a dress that she asked me to make for her when she last visited.

Anna has a sense of style--she wants the bodice of the dress to be a different fabric than the skirt, and she wants sleeves this time, with each sleeve being a different fabric. And, oh, yes, a blue bow for it as well. She chose five fabrics for her dress and a bit of ribbon. 

Looking forward to...

Seeing how Anna's dress will come together. I may get to it after Christmas.

Around the house... 

A nativity beneath the tree -- our main focus at Christmas

Thinking...

About our Pastor's comments this morning about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was not a perfect person because no one is besides Jesus Himself, but she apparently had her heart tuned and turned to God in faith before the angel appeared to her. And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." As a friend and were talking after church, she commented that Mary was already prepared to say, "Yes, Lord." She didn't say, "I'll think about it and get back to you." She already knew in her heart what she should do. 

My take away--be ever ready to do God's bidding. Being saturated with His Word prepares the heart.

Brought a smile...

Watching a couple of tall teenage boys goofing off with a couple of little preschooler friends after church. So it is with true church family. I do hope you have a church family, too, dear one.

The fruit of my hands...

This week my hands were behind the wheel several days helping my mother with her appointments and shopping. She is struggling with not being able to drive and having to depend on family at tlmes when she wants or needs to go somewhere. I tell her that if it was the other way around, she'd be doing the same for us. 

Thankful for...

Where we now live. To have family nearby is a blessing. Even though some days can be difficult, giving of oneself can be a blessing received. Our church family is another blessing. So thankful that God sent us there straightway.

(Recently Finished) Reading...

God and Politics in Esther by Yoram Hazony was a helpful read in preparing the Esther study. He takes a slightly different angle than is typical and examines the political intrigue in the Persian Empire. Hazony sheds light on what Esther and Mordecai were up against and how and why their strategies proved effective. 

The Book of Esther doesn't mention God, yet  the point is that when God seems hidden, He is still most active. The emphasis in God and Politics in Esther is a reminder that God expects us to take initiative in thwarting evil, standing firm in our faith, and identifying with our people.

Weekend Daybook

Outside My Window...

Very, very cold in the South for this time of year, but I can imagine that it's warmer with the beautiful sunshine today.

Thankful...

That our daughter and her family were able to come for a visit the week after Christmas. It was to have been an extended family get-together, but our other daughter was sick. Thankful, though, that she is better now. 

Noticing the sound of...

The hum of the vaporizer. The air is so dry with the furnace running so much these days.

Looking forward to...

Meeting up with our daughter and her husband halfway in Knoxville later in the month for lunch.

Learning...

Not to dwell unduly on cares and concerns.

Pondering..

"The  Good News is packaged and marketed (using, uncritically, all the techniques of modern advertising) as a religious product offering 'peace of mind', 'how to get to heaven', 'health and prosperity', 'inner healing', 'the answer to all your problems', etc. What is promoted as 'faith in God' often turns out, on closer inspection, to be a means of obtaining emotional security or material blessing in this life and an insurance policy the next. This kind of preaching leaves the status quo untouched." 

~ Vinoth Ramachandra, in Gods that Fail.

In the Kitchen...

My favorite cookies were requested while the grandchildren were visiting. Sharing the recipe with you.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup butter

2 eggs, beaten

1 ¼ cup mashed bananas (2-3)

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup wheat germ

1.5 cup quick oatmeal, uncooked

1/3 cup raisins (I sometimes use Craisins)

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cream sugar with softened butter and add eggs, bananas, vanilla. Sift flour with baking soda, cinnamon; then fold into mixture. Combine remaining ingredients. Add to mixture. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Drop by heaping teaspoons. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 30 cookies.

Around the house...

Almost finished with packing away Christmas.

Thinking...

I was reminded in my devotional reading this morning of why I don't vote for those who live in perversion, why they are not a positive influence in government. Reading through Romans 1 this morning and seeing in verses 18-32 that it is not only their sexual life that characterizes them. Through the writings of the Apostle Paul, God exposes the depths of their heart and their mind. There's quite a list of character qualities that they bring to the office to which they are elected. God says that He gives them over to their degrading passions. I don't know if that is a permanent state they find themselves in or not. Perhaps it's to bring them to the reality of where their rejection of God has lead them. I do know, though, that He is not willing that any perish.

Brought a smile...

My precious grandchildren whenever they visit, as most grandchildren are apt to do. :-)

Reading...
The NIV Application Commentary on Esther by Karen Jobes in preparation for a class I'll be teaching in the fall. The book of Esther doesn't tell us very much about the thoughts of Esther herself, so I'm finding Jobe's insights particularly helpful. Not only does she give the original cultural context of the book of Esther, she also builds the bridge to contemporary application. The book of Esther has been rather romanticized over the years, and Esther herself has sometimes been held up as a feminist role model. Jobes does none of that.

Image ~ Charles Dana Gibson

1867-1944, public domain

Weekend Daybook

Outside my window...

It was a glorious day on Thursday, so we took a 2-hour drive up into the mountains just to enjoy the sunny, autumn palette, although the photo doesn't seem to show the colors. :-/ By the time we arrived at our destination the sky was cloud covered. But we followed about a half hour after the rain, so our little picnic in the park in the cool mountain air was still enjoyable and refreshing. Came back out into the sunshine on our return trip home.

Noticing the sound of...

The rumble of the neighbor boys' truck as they leave our cul-de-sac. And their friends have rumble trucks, too. Their house seems to be the gathering place, which I think is a wonderful thing. Their parents know that it's a good idea to have an open door, hospitable home. That way they get to know their sons' friends. Wise parents. The mom says, though, that the grocery receipt can get pretty long.

Thankful For...

Those who have served in our military and for their families who have sacrificed their presence at home.

Around the house...

Learning...

To let God's love flow through me. I too often clog the pipe.

 

The fruit of my hands...

Hemmed some pants for my mother. Pants are awfully long these days. My daughters are glad of it, though. 

In the Kitchen...

Made Torellini Casserole yesterday to share with my parents. Sharing the easy recipe with you. Serves 6

Prepare 1 pkg. 20 oz. Italian sausage tortellini

Meanwhile, stir fry a 3 pepper (red, yellow, green)-onion mixture, about 2 cups or so

   (I just used a precut container from the grocery store)

Combine tortellini and veggie mix

Stir in 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

Spoon combination into casserole dish (I separated into 2 dishes so as to share)

Top with cheese or your choice

Cover and bake for 30-40 minutes, uncovering the last 5 minutes

Brought a smile...

As my sister Dorothy opened her birthday gifts, she would take them one by one to where she wanted to keep them. Open a card, take it to where she has them displayed. Open the gift, go put it on her bedroom chest. Open another gift, go put the wrapping in the the trash can. She may have some handicaps, but she's a whiz at keeping things orderly and in their place. 

Pondering...

"I think the reason we sometimes have the false sense that God is so far away is because that is where we have put him. We have kept him at a distance, and then when we are in need and call on him in prayer, we wonder where he is. He is exactly where we left him." ~ Ravi Zacharias, in Has Christianity Failed You?

Thinking...

About a comment I'd read on someone's blog recently that said he has posted each day for over 5,000 days. I don't know how anyone has enough time in the day to keep up with that and other responsibilities or opportunities, but I think he is famous in his life's sphere, and speaking and writing is part of his livelihood. I don't think I could even think of that many things to write about.

Reading...
Finished Wise Parenting Principles from Proverbs last evening. Posted about it on Thursday. 

I hope your week has been filled with seeing God in the small things, dear one. That's where most of life is lived. 

 

Weekend Daybook

Outside My Window

We take a faster route to get to church, but our leisurely route back home takes us past acres and acres of cotton fields. It was cloudy when I took the picture this week, but as you can see, the fields flow far into the distance. They are about to be harvested, and they are much more beautiful than the photo depicts.

Thankful...

That our daughter and grandchildren spent last week with us while her hubby flew to the west coast for a conference. It was so good to have the extended time together. I felt like I got to know her once again.

Noticing the sound of...
The passenger train that occasionally makes a run past our house, giving passengers an autumn-paletted excursion. The railroad tracks end about a mile up the road, and we get to see the train on its return trip as well. We sometimes wave and greet them from the back porch. :-)

Looking forward to...

Giving my sister her birthday present this week. I think she'll enjoy it. :-)

Learning...
Not to generalize with comments that I make. They just might give offense. :-/

Pondering...
Compassion or rebuke? Of compassion we know of our Lord that “a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench” (Matthew 12:20). Of rebuke we know He said to Peter on the lake, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). We work these out in fear and trembling. Surfeit of compassion is enabling; surfeit of rebuke crushes the spirit. ~ Andree Seu Peterson in World Magazine (You can read the entire article here.)

Thinking...
How so many people believe humanity is in control of Earth's destiny. Human-centric philosophy skews one's perspective in many ways.

In the Kitchen...
Took a chicken noodle casserole to my parents yesterday and pepperoni pizza pasta to our new neighbors after they moved in recently. Thankful for good neighbors once again. :-)

The pizza pasta is my go-to for taking a meal to a family. Include a bag of salad and some deli bread, and you have a quick meal. Sharing the recipe. You can include whatever pizza topping you want and as much as your family likes. This recipe is pretty generic for sharing.

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
(Serves 4. I usually double for more)

8 oz. (2 cups) uncooked ziti or penne pasta
14 oz jar pizza sauce
2 oz (2/3 cup) mini pepperoni (or regular size cut in half) 
     or any pizza toppings your family likes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves 
1 garlic clove, minced
4 oz. (1 cup) mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 375. Spray 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to directions on package and drain. In large bowl, combine cooked pasta, pizza sauce, pepperoni and whatever other toppings you want to add, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and garlic. Put into baking dish and top with cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.

In the Sewing Room...

Worked with my daughter while she was here to redo a couple of pillows for her sofa. Her style is rustic, and she says they're just perfect. It was fun to work together.

They're from the same fabric as a quilt I had made for her last year with big quilt stitches that she throws across an over-stuffed chair.

Around the house...
Freshening up this week after the kiddos' visit last week, and remembering how the crumbs and the spills came to be. Finding little toys stashed here and there by the little one or misplaced after a game by the older ones . All part of good memories of having them here.

Brought a smile...
Seeing a little red-headed fella having lunch with his daddy, and thinking of my own little fella Daniel and his brother Elijah with his red hair. :-)

Reading...
Proverbs for Parenting: A Topical Guide for Child Raising from the Book of Proverbs by Barbara Decker

from the introduction--
One of the greatest things we can do for our children is to teach them God's Word. The words we speak help build our children's consciences, their understanding of God, and their view of life and the world about them.

The proverbs are categorized into many areas where children need correction, direction, growth in godly attributes, and instruction.

This is a wonderful resource for anyone who has oversight of children.


I hope you've had a good week, dear one, as you journey through this season of life. If our paths don't cross here on earth, I hope they will eventually. I'm headed Upward and Homeward, and I hope to see you there.

Weekend Daybook

Outside my window....

Hot, muggy days here. The grandchildren were with us for a week or so, but it was too hot to get them outside much.

Thinking…

About Elijah's birthday soon. Going to be 8 years old. Would love to be watching the grandchildren grow up and be a part of just routine life. So far away. 

Thankful....

But thankful, too, that we do get to have them here a few times during the year. Some do not have that privilege, so I am grateful.

 

Learning…

and stumbling over diligence.

The fruit of my hands …

I made Anna a dress while she was visiting, but forgot to get a photo. She chose the fabric from my stash and I sewed while she played in the sewing room. 

I had finished these dresses just before she arrived. One is for my maybe someday Etsy shop or local boutique, and the other is a mission dress for some sweet little girl across the sea. The style is not quickly outgrown, so it will do her for awhile. 

I've been making a mission dress for each Etsy dress that I make to send when a mission team goes from our church. Many times I have enough fabric for the duo, sometimes I don't, but I have plenty of other fabric to choose from.

Noticing the sound of ….

My little Anna's name being called. We just came back from lunch out, and a family across the way has a little Anna, too. :-) 

Looking forward to….

Meeting up at a cabin in the mountains with our daughters and families for My Beloved's birthday celebration soon. Should be much cooler!

Reading.... 

I typically choose some books from the library before the grandchildren arrive and read through them to be sure they're satisfactory. Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach was one of the books I had read before this last visit.

The main characters in this mystery adventure are three brothers, who had recently moved from Chicago to Arizona, and a new-found friend, fifth-grade Delilah. The adventure is loosely based on real stories that have been told about the mountains, such as people who have gone up the mountain but have not returned. For example, the adventurers find some skulls lined up on a cliff. Who were they? What happened?

Missing on Superstition Mountain was a keeper. In fact, I ordered all three books of the series in hardback for our own library. 

Hoping…

That my dad's radiation therapy goes well for him. Too much sun over the years from working on the railroad. What we know now about sun damage wasn't known back then. My skin is like his, so I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, now that I know.

 

Pondering…

The death of baby Charlie Gard and the encroachment of government.

In the kitchen…

Orange barbeque chicken today from the crock pot. For 2 or 3 chicken breasts, mix the following and pour over chicken. Cook 6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. I use thin cutlets.

   1/2 cup orange marmalade

   1/2 cup BBQ sauce

   2 Tbsp Worchestire sauce

Blessings to you and yours,

  

Vickie

Weekend Daybook

Pondering...

A book I just finished last night. The author has young children and has keen insight into her responses and reactions to daily living. Her personal challenges are those any young mom faces, so those with young children will find much help in her writing. The things of daily life with little ones help her to see her own weaknesses, which she recognizes and asks for God's grace to truly live out the gospel, as well as eyes to see His grace all around her. Children have a way of bringing out the best and worst in us. Learning to depend on God early in marriage will help carry us through the greater challenges and heartaches we inevitably will encounter as the years pass. I'm sure we'll see more from this writer as life progresses.

 
Outside My Window...

When My Beloved opened the blinds one morning this week, a beautiful red fox was passing by the window. We live in a recently developed part of the neighborhood with wildlife coming and going. One neighbor had her little dog snatched by a hungry bobcat as it was playing in her backyard.

Thinking...
That it would be better if our neighbor didn't set up a feeder in her backyard for deer. It draws the deer to the neighborhood, away from foraging in the field beyond, and then they feed on the neighborhood plants.

Thankful For...

Our daughter and her husband who let us have the grandchildren for visits every now and then. They live several hundred miles away, so we meet halfway. We pick them up today for a week's visit. Yay!

Noticing the sound of...

The ticking of the grandfather clock. Very quiet now, but next week... :-)

I hope to

Make our little granddaughter a dress while she is here. It's fun to let her choose from my fabric stash.

Learning...

To take a motorized scooter apart for transporting and put it back together for use. My mother bought one, so we'll be off and shopping soon!

In the Kitchen...

Made Kielbasa Sausage Boil for K-group this week. Simple and delicious. 
   2 cans chicken broth
   1 package Kielbasa, cut into 1- to 1.5 inch pieces
   1 small package baby carrots (or enough for your meal)
   Some small red and/or gold potatoes, cut in half 
Pour broth into a large pot. Layer carrots and potatoes, then Kielbasa on top so flavor will flow down.
Cook until vegetables are tender. 
My Beloved likes to eat it with a spoon to get some broth. I like to eat it with a fork. 

Around the house...

Freshened up our grands' bedroom for their upcoming visit. 

Brought a smile...

While I was out shopping, overheard a little fella and his mother talking about stopping in to see Nana and wondering if her pool was ready for them to swim. Sweet conversation. Blessings for those living nearby one another.

The fruit of my hands

Busy with preparations. Can you tell we're looking forward to our grandchildren coming?