Introducing LibrioVox

One my favorite new sites to visit, click here. It's LibrioVox, acoustical liberation of books in the public domain. Recently discovered "Stepping Heavenward," by Elizabeth Prentiss (1818-1878). I've actually have a copy of this book. I have read the first two chapters, but have allowed the distractions of life to prevent me from completing it. Now I've downloaded it to my iPod and am listening to it as I'm writing this posting.

Click here for the particulars of "Stepping Heavenward." Enjoy the possibilities! The book is a must-read.

How's Your Temple?

It's so easy to rationalize why we eat the items we do. Or why we don't have time to exercise. I too have been guilty of making excuses in what I put into my mouth as well saying, "oh I don't have time to exercise."

Earlier this week I learned that my cholesterol levels are still high. My doctor suggested that I see the nutritionist again. I will not go on cholesterol medicine. However, as our pastor has been preaching on godly living the thought came to me, "I tell my doctor that I'm a believer and that I will exercise to get my levels down." Yet a year later, they are still up. The Holy Spirit has convicted me of my deceitfulness in how I present myself. So with a renewed commitment in the Lord's strength, I am determined to follow through. I do want my words to be honest and truthful.

It's not that we don't know what do do. We neglect to do the fundamentals across the board, whether spiritually or physically.

We have several Leslie Sansone's DVDs of her "Walk-at-Home," program. So Rob and I are without excuse. Today I resumed exercising. Tonight I will put in one of the DVD so it will be ready for Rob in the morning. This is how we can help our spouses. Does exercising make your more spiritually? No. However, it will allow you to have the energy you need to listen and serve the Lord. When our minds and bodies, we have clearer thinking, thereby honoring our Lord with the temple He indwells.

Click on here to see Leslie Sansone's website.

(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)

A Worship Leader's Reflections

Recently I came across several videos on YouTube where Bob Kauflin was being interviewed on the subject of worship. Early this evening, I clicked on to his blog, "Worship Matters." Immediately, I felt a deep connection with him and so appreciate his biblical perspective to worship.

The entry that caught my attention in particular was entitled, "Reflections on Turning 55." Perhaps because in two years, that will be my age. Aging is something none of us can prevent unless God calls us home and then it becomes such a minute issue.'

Here's a small part of it to wet your appetite.

"Yesterday's entry to his blog,

"Worship Matters,"
07 Jan, 2010
Reflections on Turning 55
Posted by: Bob Kauflin

55.

A speed limit. Five years past half a century. LV. Double nickels.

And today, my age. I finally qualify for the 10% senior discount at Jiffy Lube.

I remember when 55 seemed really old. Right now it feels like the prime of

life. What does a 55 year old worship leader think about? Here's a sample . . .

Click here to read his entry in its entirety. I promised you will be most blessed.

C.S Lewis's surviving BBC radio address

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients/Materials:
* white chocolate
* crush peppermint
* waxed paper.

Directions:
Melt the white chocolate as directed on the package. Add crush peppermint. Spread the chocolate onto waxed paper and let cool. Break into pieces and serve. Or place into beautiful Christmas gift bags and/or tins to give as gifts.

Ten Commandments in a Fun Version

New Twist to Learn the Books of the Bible

Cranberries ~ An Excellent Fruit!

Compounds in Cranberries May Be

Antibacterial Agents

ScienceDaily (Nov. 14, 2007) — Cranberry sauce is not the star of the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, but when it comes to health benefits, the lowly condiment takes center stage. In fact, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have found that compounds in cranberries are able to alter E. coli bacteria, which are responsible for a host of human illnesses (from kidney infections to gastroenteritis to tooth decay), in ways that render them unable to initiate an infection.

To read this article in it's entirety, please click here.

What You Can Do With Fresh Cranberries?

Cranberries are so nutritional. Here are two recipes we found at the Ocean Spray website. Click here for more recipes.

Bon Appetite!

Cranberried Lemon Yogurt Bread

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups flour2 teaspoons baking powder3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup lowfat yogurt, plain
2 eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 6 ounce package Ocean Spray® Original Craisins® Dried Cranberries
1 lemon, zest of 1

GLAZE:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar in a medium mixing bowl, until light and fluffy. Add yogurt, eggs and lemon juice; mix well. Stir in dried cranberries and lemon zest. Add to dry ingredients. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Makes 1 loaf.

CRANBERRY APRICOT BREAD

INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons yeast
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs

FILLING:
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 1/4- 3 3/4 cups flour
1 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup apricot jam
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

Combine 2 cups flour, sugar and yeast in a medium mixing bowl. Combine milk and butter and heat to a temperature of 120ºF - 130ºF. Add to dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Add eggs; mix well. Add enough of remaining flour to make a soft dough that is not sticky when handled.

Lightly grease a medium mixing bowl. Place dough in bowl and roll around so that it is lightly covered with grease. Place bowl with dough in a warm place until it has doubled in size. Set aside. Meanwhile, combine egg and water in a small mixing bowl; set aside. Combine filling ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on low heat until jam has melted, stirring occasionally.

Bake at 350ºF. Grease a cookie sheet.

Punch down dough and place on a floured surface. Roll into a 13 x 11-inch rectangle. Cut into 3 11 x 4-inch strips.

Spread about 1/3-cup filling on each strip, leaving 1/4-inch all around. Brush egg mixture on edges. Fold strips over lengthwise, pressing to seal edges. Place seam side down on cookie sheet. Repeat with other 2 strips.

Braid the 3 strips. Press ends together to seal, tucking underneath braid. Brush with egg mixture. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 1 loaf.

Frugal Homemaking Tips

This morning as I was cleaning our kitchen, I wondered if there was a homemade type solution that I could make up that would clean our floors better. So I did a Google Search, "homemade floor cleaners," to discover this excellent site.

Creative Homemaking . . . Dedicated to your homemaking needs ~
Cleaning tips for kitchens, carpets, floors, laundry, general cleaning, and more! ~

You can access it by typing in: http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/floor-cleaners.shtml

Of course, there are many resources available that have similar recipes for homemade products. Just think of the immediate benefits, no harsh chemicals, more money in your household budget plus it's fun learning better ways to clean our homes.

Just a side note, you can buy the squirt bottles at Dollar Tree and other discount places for reasonable prices. Get your children involved and have

them make their own labels for their own cleaning products. Yes, I realize that perhaps some of the cleaning recipes you find online will not be original but you may experiment; soon they will become personal favorites.

Maria, in "Sound of Music," had a song, "My Favorite Things." Well here are some of my favorite things to use when I'm cleaning.

* White Vinegar (help with the smell; add lavender essential oil and lemon juice)

* Baking Soda

* Lemons or Lemon Juice

* Borax (use wisely; it can scratch items; if in doubt, use baking soda)

* Salt

* Peroxide

* Club soda (carpet mishaps)

* Tea tree oil

Here is an idea that I picked up from a web site; "the tree hugging family." Although their worldview and mine are different. We can learn from others.

A Glass Cleaner That Doesn't Smell Like Vinegar

Use straight up lemon juice or club soda. If you use club soda than newspaper is the best scrubber to use. If you use lemon juice than use an old less linty cloth.

I'm a work in progress insofar as learning to use the items I have in my kitchen to clean our home.

A sweet reminder from God's Word, "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men," - Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)

Happy Cleaning!

Kathy

Amazing History!

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

April 18-25, 2009

In six weeks, we will begin celebrating 76 years of preserving Virginia's Heritage. This spring, visitors will step through the gates of more than 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during "American's Largest Open House," April 18-25, 2009. Please click here to read the rest of the article.

If you've never attended, we highly recommend Garden Week in Virginia.

Here are some helpful hints to consider in your planning.

1. Go on line to read the information that is available.

 

2. Purchase your book ahead of time so you can see what each event has to offer, important information such as parking, box lunches and so forth.

3. Make sure you have excellent walking shoes. 

It is a fun way to learn about Virginia History as well as learning more about gardening.

Introducing the Blandy Experimental Farm!

The University of Virginia's Historic

Blandy Experimental Farm

The State Arboretum of Virginia

The Commonwealth's Public Garden

Contact Information:  Blandy@virginia.edu

Mailing Address:  400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce VA 22620

Phone:  540.837.1758 ext. 0

The Arboretum grounds are open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, free of charge. However, as you will discover in the brochure, there may be some charges for special classes and events.

You can click here to find out more information. The above picture is from the Arboretum.  Please note, you can download their brochure which gives you information on the workshops, classes and walks they are offering this Spring. Please bookmark this page because there is so much information that you will come back to it often.

Enjoy! Happy Gardening!

(graphic courtesy from:  www.virginia.edu/insideuva)

Come What May Coming to DVD!

The Advent Film Group produced 

the movie, "Come What May." 

It is a must-see movie. 

Now it's coming out on DVD on March 17th. 

Click here to view the trailer 

of this poignant video. 

Then click here to see more information 

about this most timely movie for 

today's culture.

Finally, click here for an excellent article

about responding to politicians 

as to "when life begins."

(graphic courtesy: www.comewhatmaythemovie.com)

To learn more about Advent Film Group, click here.

Making Music in our Hearts!

Yesterday, I was feeling congested and just awful. In the midst of sneezing and wheezing, God blessed me with a beautiful serenade from our sweet daughter. She was upstairs in her room singing songs to our Heavenly Father.

I must admit that I had a huge smile on my face and my heart was just overflowing. I thought of my late Mom who taught me many of the songs I heard Christine singing. I know that she would be so proud of her granddaughter. 

In Ephesians 5:19, Paul writes, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord."

To the right, is a picture of one of our favorite children's songbook we highly recommend.  --->

an American Kid by Go Fish

Tonight, as I was blogging, I came across this song by Go Fish.  I dedicate this song to the many beautiful kids and young people who stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and who are proud of their nation. Also to all our military men and women serving our great nation along with all their families who make great sacrifices for our freedoms.  My family is most grateful for your service.  Please click here to get a blessing.

While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns

Here's another poignant song. We dedicate it to all our men and women in our Armed Forces. Thank you and we appreciate each one of you!

Click here to view it on You Tube.

Christmas with a Capital "C"

Last December, I posted the link to "Christmas with a Capital C," by the Go Fish Guys. Here's version 2 of the same song.

Please click here to view it on You Tube.