Monday Moments {In Memory}

I thought I would write about early risers.

Or people who sleep in.

I thought about my irrational fear of flying.

Or how I went through the whole month of March with not one drop of chocolate just to prove to those who personally know me that I don't just consume chocolate to live. I do eat from other food groups.

But all of this was inconsequential in light of the news that I received this past weekend.

One of the sweetest ladies that I know, went Home to be with the Lord. She had a long battle with cancer, and although her body was racked with pain, she was such an encouragement through the emails she sent me.

While I was in college, she would send me cards and letters that would contain some money as well as pictures of my family.

She made the best Mississippi Mud Pie, and knowing that I loved it would make it for many church gatherings. She gave me the recipe in my junior year of high school and I have since made it several times. And I will always think of her.

She was a delightful lady with a wonderful French accent. I enjoyed our conversations, and she was and always will be an example to me.

I can't really reconcile my mind with the picture I have--robust, full of health and vigor--to what people have described for me. I am glad. Not because I'm hard-hearted, but because the memory I have of her is how she was the last time I saw her--almost two years. I have a beautiful picture not tainted by cancer.

And now, she is in a Place where there is no more suffering; no more pain. She is in the presence of God Almighty, singing His praises.

I am so glad that there is an answer for what happens after we die. A lady I was acquainted told of her BIL's sickness and eventual death and how he was in "limbo". Swinging between Heaven and Hell in purgatory. Hoping against hope that he would be good enough to go to Heaven.

How sad. How very sad. I tried to talk to her and show her how the Bible says how we can know for sure where one spends eternity, but she was so steeped in her religion, that she felt sorry for me! Because I know where I'm spending eternity! How Satan hath blinded her eyes!

There are so many religions, but only one answer--Jesus Christ and salvation through Him alone.

It Is Well

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

{Chorus}

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is all a matter of perspective

… A look at the Diary of a pet.


Excerpts from a Dog's Diary.....



8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!



9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!



9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!



10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!



12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!



1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!



3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!



5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!



7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!



8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!



11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary…


Day 983 of my captivity....



My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.



Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.



Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Fools.



There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.



Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.



I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.



The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe, for now....


Hope you had a good chuckle! Now you'll know what your cat is really thinking, after all, didn't you always want to know?

Have a good Lord's Day!

Feasting Friday's {DIY Chicken Strips}

This week's dish is based off of Pioneer Woman's Homemade Chicken Strips. I'm always forgetting to have all the necessary ingredients though, so mine is a little bit different from hers. Plus, I have this little habit of deviating from written recipes. Sometimes the end result is quite interesting. Anyway, to get the original recipe, click on the link above.

PW's recipe uses buttermilk and since I don't have that on hand, I googled substitutes. In 2 cups of milk, I put in about two tablespoons of hot and spicy pickle juice and one tablespoon of lemon juice. While that sat, I worked with 3 good-sized frozen chicken breasts which I partially thawed out. I rinsed, dried, and cut them into strips. I then placed them in a bowl, and poured about one and half cups of the buttermilk so they could soak. In another bowl, I combined about one and half cups of flour, garlic powder, cayenne powder, salt and pepper. After mixing thoroughly, I added half a cup of buttermilk and lightly mixed with a fork. I think I might have put too much in because it became rather clumpy, so next time I'll probably just use one fourth of a cup.
When the mixture was ready, I breaded all my strips and placed them on a plate. I didn't have vegetable oil on hand, so I just used olive oil. I fried the strips up, and although they weren't a deep golden color {because of the oil?} they did taste really good with my homemade dipping sauce sauce.

Tomorrow, I'll chop up the strips and make Chicken Cesar Salad. Yum!

My Life Is Yours

My Life Is Yours to Control

With my whole heart I humbly seek you;

Now use my life, O Lord, I pray.

I yield my stubborn will completely;

May your commandments light my way.

{Chorus}

My life, Lord, is yours to control;

I give You my heart and my soul.

I'll seek Your will, never mine,

Rich treasure to find.

Give wisdom to choices I make,

Along ev'ry path that I take.

So when I complete life's race,

"Well done", You will say.

Your Word has promised me the vict'ry,

And all I need to do is claim

Your strength to soar with wings as eagles,

To walk, to run, and not to faint.

Words and Music by Rodney and Jimmelynn Rice

Science Class in Kindergarten

My students were super excited for science class today. We talked about how God created the world around us, as well as God's plan for every one in the whole world. After that, they got to glue their baby pictures in their books and we discussed what they have learned since babyhood. Finally, we moved on to the interactive, FUN, part of science: Experiments & games :) Today we covered 3 of the five senses.

The first one was sight. They had a picture in their book and they named all the things they could see. Then, I had a tray with eight items on it: chapstick, cell phone, keys, piggy bank, wallet, applesauce, Tylenol, and a pack of gum. They had 10 seconds to look at the items and then tell me what they saw. It was interesting to note that, although I did it twice with them, they could only recall 5 items each time.

We also played a little game in which one of the students left the classroom and the others switched around while one student faced the blackboard. The goal was to see if the student who faced the blackboard would be able to name the missing student upon turning around. I think it would have worked out really well if we had a bigger class--with four students {2 boys & 2 girls} it wasn't a difficult exercise for them.

Next we talked about our sense of smell. I blindfolded Superman and had him smell three items: onion, lemon, and perfume. He was able to get the perfume, and the onion but couldn't name the lemon until after he saw it. That was interesting to me as well. I'm going to have one student try during each science lesson with different items, so we'll see how the other kiddos do.

Then was my favorite: taste! It was hilarious watching their faces! I had some unsweetened chocolate {but I didn't tell them it wasn't sweet, haha} lemon juice, marshmallows, and chips. Something bitter, sour, sweet and salty.

Of course, they were really excited to see the chocolate {who wouldn't be?} but as soon as they stuck it in their mouth--one could definitely tell they ate something horrid.. So, in my kindness, I let them eat the marshmallows next :) I really do love my students.

After that, each child was wary when I offered them some lemon juice...their faces just puckered up! The whole time I heard "Eww!" "Yuck!" "May I have more marshmallows?"  We finished our class time by eating something salty--chips.

I wish I had pictures, but I was laughing too much--We had a great day today and their excitement for science class is really contagious!

Feasting Friday's {Spicy No Crust Quiche}

The original recipe for this dish I got from Richella at Imparting Grace. I had a pound of sausage that I didn't know just how to use. At lunch on Tuesday, I was asking the other ladies when one said to pair it with eggs; then I read about Crustless Quiche! I also decided to make taco meat for the week and rather than cook them separately, I cooked the sausage and ground beef together. I was a bit apprehensive that it would be a flop, but both dishes were surprisingly good.

This, by the way, is the first time I've made quiche as well as eating it!

Ingredients:

10 whole eggs

1 cup grated Pepper Jack cheese

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

1 cup milk 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder

crushed red pepper

1 lb.Jimmy Dean Hot sausage

1 lb. ground beef

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook sausage and beef together. I added about 2 tablespoons of the red pepper, and about 1 tablespoon of garlic powder because I like to drown the taste of the meat {I really don't like to eat meat, and I'm more of a chicken fan :}. Drain fat. I then took out about half of the mixture to use in the quiche and left the rest in the pot. To which I added 1 packet of taco seasoning and made as directed.

Beat eggs. Put the baking powder in a small bowl and add just a little bit of milk to make a paste. Once it is a paste consistency, slowly add the rest of the milk--stirring all the while {This will keep the baking powder from being lumpy.} Pour in with the eggs and add the cheese. Mix well. Stir in meat. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out fairly clean.