Good morning Y'all. I hope and pray where ever Y'all are on the planet that you are happy, healthy, loved, and full of JOY!!! This is the season "Joy to the World" as the Christmas hymn says. And I pray that everyone who sees this message has an abundance of JOY in their heart this morning. I must admit, that when I have joy in my heart, knowing a friend and neighbor is suffering, it kinda puts a damper on mine. I realize it shouldn't. Because joy comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. That joy is on the inside and is not affected but any outward circumstances. So, just now as I am writing to y'all, I realize that it is my happiness that is affected by pain and sorrow, not my joy. I'll not go back and correct myself, but leave this in for y'all to read also. It will help someone distinguish between happiness and joy. Happiness is outward circumstances, that make us happy and is more temporary. Joy is, like I said earlier, based on our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is on the inside, and hopefully will flow to the outside. But outside circumstances doesn't cause us to lose our joy. So there is a huge difference between happiness and joy.
This past week was a hard week for my husband and I. 4 years ago, on Dec.11th, I lost the best friend and sister in Christ I ever had. The evil beast, known as cancer, stole her from us way too soon. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her in some way. Now, on Dec. 14th, I lost another sweet friend and sister in Christ to the same evil beast!!! She had been sick since sometime around July and while on vacation, the DR called and told her it was cancer. She had some tests run just before heading out on vacation. Upon getting home from vacation and one dr appt after another, they finally got her started on the chemo regimen best suited for her. That started sometime in September. Every 3 weeks she had this cocktail that made her so sick. Sometime the last of Nov they done another scan to see how she was taking the treatment and one part of her cancer was growing and they changed her cocktail to fight only that one cancer. One treatment in and she was really weak and she fell in the house and her husband called the ambulance they sent her on to the hospital where her drs were. We seen her that night before they got her on the ambulance and she wanted to hold my hand and I didn't want to let her go. This was on a Thursday night. On Friday I already had things I needed to do, so I kept on my schedule. Saturday morning, we went to see my friend and she was so thrilled to see us and I didn't want to leave, but we had to. She told us they were doing to do some more tests. For some reason they didn't do the tests they had told her they were going to do. On Wed, I got a text message from her husband that they were sending her to hospice. She got there that day. She updated her facebook page that she was in hospice and it didn't look good. On Thurs we already had plans to go see my Momma and we stuck with that plan, but Fri morning we got up and went to see her in the hospice of this hospital. I was taken aback at how quickly she had gone down!!! I know she knew me, but she couldn't talk. She tried to hold my hand, but bless her, she couldn't. But we still touched and she knew I love her. I told her that I loved her and she mouthed the words to me. I cried and cried and so did my husband. I prayed for the Lord to take her quickly. I told her Momma, that if time allowed, we would be back. She stepped in to Glory at 1:20 pm on Saturday afternoon with her husband holding her hand. He is dealing with a sadness that I pray that my husband or I never have to deal with. But common sense says one of us will, unless Jesus comes or we are taken at the same time in an accident. God was merciful in the fact that she didn't linger for days and weeks like some have. While I am filled with an overwhelming sadness and grief, I am thrilled her suffering is over and she is in Glory right now exploring her new home for eternity. My prayer right now, is that she will meet up with my other friend and that they have a wonderful time in heaven together.
We never know when that one little ache that we have is something or not. We can never tell when we need to go to the dr or not. We don't want to go overboard with every ache and pain, but on the other hand, we don't want to ignore something that doesn't go away, or is intermittent pain. Sometimes we don't have the insurance or the money to make an appt for everything. This has taught me and is teaching me not to let stuff go. I realize when it's my time to take my flight, no amount of dr care can keep me here. But God gave us pretty intelligent bodies and if we listen to them, we can take care of them better than we do.
So, with Christmas upon us, there are people hurting because the Momma's of their families are no longer with them. I am blessed to still have my Momma. Both of my friends still had their Momma's too. It's just not a natural progression for a Momma to bury a child. The natural plan of life is the other way around. So, please take care of yourselves. I don't know what my 2 friends could have done that would have caused a different outcome. I just pray that the Lord will help me to make better choices in the days to come for my husband and myself to keep our bodies healthy.
If you know someone who is dealing with a painful loss this time of year, pray for them, visit them, take them a meal, pay a bill for them. Do something to let them know they are not alone and that you are a support to them.
Anyway, this is what I wanted to share with y'all. If you are suffering from a loss, or are dealing with a major illness, just know that I am praying for you. I always pray for the readers of blog. No, I don't know who you are, but God does, and He knows the needs that you have. So, I pray for you God to bless you with peace, healing, joy, and for your needs to be met.
Through it all, and this Christmas season, and every day of the year, just know that God loves you and wants to have a right relationship with you and that comes only thru the shed blood of Christ. Unless and until you accept Christ, you can't be in that right relationship with Father God. So, as I write this, I hope you ask yourself if you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and if not, there is no time like the present, and there is no better present to give yourself than to accept the free gift of salvation thru the shed blood of Christ. All you have to do is accept it!!! Please do!!!!
That's all I have for now. Hope to have some fun stuff later on. Until then, I pray that you have a wonderful time leading up to Christmas Day and keep the love of the Lord in every day. God loves you and I do too. be blessed and hugs, patty
Monday, December 16, 2019
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Quinoa, Cuisinart EPC, Instant Pot
Good afternoon beautiful people, where ever Y'all are, I pray you are having a most spectacular day!! I hope you find some time to Praise the Lord for opening your eyes, keeping your heart beating and for keeping your lungs rising in breath!!! Any day we wake up is GOOD day and should be celebrated as such. There are so many things in this life that are designed with one purpose in mind and that is to take our eyes off the Cross and focus on the gas prices, rising food prices, all the hatefulness in politics, all the ungodly junk on tv and so much more. But we must remain strong in the Lord and put our spiritual blinders on and keep focused on the Cross.
This time of the year we focus on the manger and that is a good thing. But as we all know, merchandisers do all they can to take our focus from the Savior in the manger to all the "stuff" that they want us to buy and they turn the birth of Christ into a 3 ring circus. News media do all they can to put our focus on as much worldly sin as possible. Again, I say let us stay focused on Jesus this Christmas and all year through. Jesus takes us into eternity, where as, all the junk that we buy, buy, buy this time of year eventually leads us to the land fill and big credit card debt. Plus, the junk that we listen to from the news media is junk that needs to BE in the landfill!!! So, as we know, life is just a series of choices. Some of those choices have little consequences in the end, because they are small in the grand scheme of things. Some of us have not become tuned in to the guiding of Holy Spirit in our lives. Because, when we listen to Him, He will steer us to what is the most meaningful choice. And much of the time, the meaningful choices are Kingdom related.
So, at the end of the day, we have to examine ourselves and see if we have been Kingdom minded or worldly minded. And no, don't hear me say spending money in bad, because it's not. Spending money you don't have and know you won't have is bad. That is the type of spending that causes debt. The kind of debt that snowballs. If you have never prayed over your finances, now is as good a time as any. Go ahead, stop reading right now, and ask God to help you, if you need help. Only you know whether you do or not, I don't. But I do know that we have needed help and God was the one to help us!!! Most of the time when I go grocery shopping, I have cash in hand and I ask God to help me spend our money wisely, provide good sales and help me make good choices for my husband me to be able to eat healthier. Let me just say, God hears a prayer like that. So, start asking God to bless the cash you have, provide good sales for whatever it is you are looking for, plus not spending more than you have in hand and don't forget to thank Him when He provides, because He will, if you are serious. Anyway, just make good choices with every area of your life and you will prove yourself to be Kingdom minded.
Anyway, I have 9 years of experience cooking with my Cuisinart and it was truly a pleasure to use!!! Now, I have the Instant Pot. It hasn't proven itself yet, but it hasn't disproven itself either. But since I have used one about 3 or 4 times weekly for the last 9 years, I have a hard time believing this one will last that long. I hope it proves me wrong. I have enjoyed using it. It has a yogurt feature that I will enjoy using, I think. The things I mainly had used my Cuisinart for was dried beans, meats, soups and the like. Here back I made a fantastic pasta meal in the Cuisinart. A box of noodles, a box of stock, a jar of pasta sauce and about a lb or so of already cooked and drained ground beef on high for 5 or 6 minutes and let it natural release for about 5 minutes. Take the lid off and stir in some melty cheese. That was delicious.
I'm not one for following a recipe like it's written in stone and can't be changed. I make whatever I'm cooking to be my own by adding my preferred ingredients, not what the recipe says. I was going to make a salad for our supper last night and I wanted some Quinoa to put in my salad. Hubby didn't care for it in his and that's ok, more for me!! But I put the rinsed Quinoa, 1 cup of it in the IP and added 1 1/2 cups of liquid. A half cup was emptying out a box of stock from the fridge the other cup was water. I added a couple of cranks of pink Himalayan salt and sprayed the sides of liner with avocado oil. I set it for 1 minute. It takes a few minutes to come to pressure. Then let it natural release for about 10 minutes. Took the lid off and stirred it around and it was perfectly done. I put about 1/4 cup on my salad and it was delicious. Quinoa will be a staple in my fridge from now on. It is a healthy grain and it's good for you. Plus it also tastes good, just remember to rinse it under running water to get the bitter natural coating off it. Use a fine mesh strainer because it is a very tiny grain.
I am trying once again to try to get healthy and I think the addition of Quinoa will help. It is very versatile. If you have a favorite recipe, tried and true, using Quinoa, please share. I would appreciate it. It's really hard to get and stay healthy when you keep having setbacks, I just keep praying that God will continue to push me forward and help me in my endeavor and He never fails me. Praise His name.
hugs and love, patty
This time of the year we focus on the manger and that is a good thing. But as we all know, merchandisers do all they can to take our focus from the Savior in the manger to all the "stuff" that they want us to buy and they turn the birth of Christ into a 3 ring circus. News media do all they can to put our focus on as much worldly sin as possible. Again, I say let us stay focused on Jesus this Christmas and all year through. Jesus takes us into eternity, where as, all the junk that we buy, buy, buy this time of year eventually leads us to the land fill and big credit card debt. Plus, the junk that we listen to from the news media is junk that needs to BE in the landfill!!! So, as we know, life is just a series of choices. Some of those choices have little consequences in the end, because they are small in the grand scheme of things. Some of us have not become tuned in to the guiding of Holy Spirit in our lives. Because, when we listen to Him, He will steer us to what is the most meaningful choice. And much of the time, the meaningful choices are Kingdom related.
So, at the end of the day, we have to examine ourselves and see if we have been Kingdom minded or worldly minded. And no, don't hear me say spending money in bad, because it's not. Spending money you don't have and know you won't have is bad. That is the type of spending that causes debt. The kind of debt that snowballs. If you have never prayed over your finances, now is as good a time as any. Go ahead, stop reading right now, and ask God to help you, if you need help. Only you know whether you do or not, I don't. But I do know that we have needed help and God was the one to help us!!! Most of the time when I go grocery shopping, I have cash in hand and I ask God to help me spend our money wisely, provide good sales and help me make good choices for my husband me to be able to eat healthier. Let me just say, God hears a prayer like that. So, start asking God to bless the cash you have, provide good sales for whatever it is you are looking for, plus not spending more than you have in hand and don't forget to thank Him when He provides, because He will, if you are serious. Anyway, just make good choices with every area of your life and you will prove yourself to be Kingdom minded.
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Ok, so recently, my old electric pressure cooker went to the landfill, kinda like I was talking about earlier. hahaha But, it was a very good purchase when I made it, 9 years ago. It was a Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker (google it, you won't be disappointed) and I have to tell you, I was grieved to the core when it quit working. It had been on it's way out for almost a year, but it had still been limping along, until about a week ago. I was in the middle of supper and it just STOPPED dead in it's tracks!! I worked with for about an hour and it wouldn't do anything!!! My husband heard me in the kitchen upset about about it and came and said lets go get another one. They are not carried in the local stores around here. I ordered the first one I had, but I knew I couldn't get one delivered in time to finish supper!! hahaha So, I took his advice and we went to Walmart, my least favorite place in town and picked up an Instant Pot, and no, they are NOT Insta Pots, they are Instant Pots. If anyone is too lazy to go ahead and the "NT" on to the insta, they shouldn't even be allowed in the kitchen. Just sayin'!!! That is a pet peeve of mine. It is what it is. hahahaha Anyway, I have 9 years of experience cooking with my Cuisinart and it was truly a pleasure to use!!! Now, I have the Instant Pot. It hasn't proven itself yet, but it hasn't disproven itself either. But since I have used one about 3 or 4 times weekly for the last 9 years, I have a hard time believing this one will last that long. I hope it proves me wrong. I have enjoyed using it. It has a yogurt feature that I will enjoy using, I think. The things I mainly had used my Cuisinart for was dried beans, meats, soups and the like. Here back I made a fantastic pasta meal in the Cuisinart. A box of noodles, a box of stock, a jar of pasta sauce and about a lb or so of already cooked and drained ground beef on high for 5 or 6 minutes and let it natural release for about 5 minutes. Take the lid off and stir in some melty cheese. That was delicious.
I'm not one for following a recipe like it's written in stone and can't be changed. I make whatever I'm cooking to be my own by adding my preferred ingredients, not what the recipe says. I was going to make a salad for our supper last night and I wanted some Quinoa to put in my salad. Hubby didn't care for it in his and that's ok, more for me!! But I put the rinsed Quinoa, 1 cup of it in the IP and added 1 1/2 cups of liquid. A half cup was emptying out a box of stock from the fridge the other cup was water. I added a couple of cranks of pink Himalayan salt and sprayed the sides of liner with avocado oil. I set it for 1 minute. It takes a few minutes to come to pressure. Then let it natural release for about 10 minutes. Took the lid off and stirred it around and it was perfectly done. I put about 1/4 cup on my salad and it was delicious. Quinoa will be a staple in my fridge from now on. It is a healthy grain and it's good for you. Plus it also tastes good, just remember to rinse it under running water to get the bitter natural coating off it. Use a fine mesh strainer because it is a very tiny grain.
I am trying once again to try to get healthy and I think the addition of Quinoa will help. It is very versatile. If you have a favorite recipe, tried and true, using Quinoa, please share. I would appreciate it. It's really hard to get and stay healthy when you keep having setbacks, I just keep praying that God will continue to push me forward and help me in my endeavor and He never fails me. Praise His name.
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I have a few changes coming for me in the new year, hopefully that will help me get more healthy. Just some things need to change in my life and I am ready to make those changes. It will be difficult and different for me for sure. I will share at some point in time what all I am doing to make the needed changes. Right now, it's just in the decision stage but my husband is totally in agreement that some things need to change for me and the first of those changes will take place shortly. Oh, it's nothing big or all that, just something I need to do for me, so it will free up time and mental energy to do some serious Kingdom work. That's why I'm excited. I will share at some point, but for now, just me putting it in writing helps me with the idea of moving forward.
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That's it for now. I hope you enjoyed your short visit here and will come back often. If you have any Quinoa recipes that are tried and true, do share. I hope you find more ways in your life to be kingdom minded. I hope you focus more on the manger and less on the mongers. I hope the next few days of 2019 are better than you could have expected or hoped them to be. I hope you know that God loves you enough to provide a way for you to be in right relationship with Him thru the manger. I hope if you haven't asked Christ to be your Lord and Savior, that you will today. Be blessed today and every day in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Always remember that God loves you and so do I.hugs and love, patty
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Poinsettias and fire cider
Good morning friends, from my neck of the cold woods. It went from summer to winter in about 15 minutes here. hahaha It's all good though. I have to trust that God is in charge and He will look after us. I always heard the saying "cold hands, warm hearts" and I do believe there is some truth to that. Most of the time, working hands will be cold hands, if you work outside. And most of the people that work outside, work for the good of others. So with that thought in mind, "cold hands, warm hearts" is very true.
I still have to get my little deck garden wrapped up for the winter. I need to get my pots off the deck and put up, and the soil in the pots in a container, so I can use it again next year, and with a little amending to the soil, it will be good to go next spring. I have been saving seed from some of the veggies and peppers and the like, so I can get a few plants started inside, so I have my own starts and not have to buy as much as I did last year. Plus I have some ideas and intentions on some other stuff too. Hopefully it will work out as I plan. If not, that's ok too. It's just fun to think and plan a little.
I wish I would have gotten some pictures of some of my pots this past summer. I will certainly have to make sure I do get some pics next season, for sure.
Speaking of seasons and growing, yesterday was open house at one of the local green house companies in my area. They have over 25 acres of green houses that are all connecting and it makes for a huge city of green houses. This time of year, they are all about poinsettias!!! Some of the most beautiful ones I ever seen. A friend of mine and I went yesterday morning and toured the place and it was a wonderful outing and we actually got a free, small poinsettia!! It is really cute. They had oceans of color and it was breathtaking to see. Even seeing some of the machinery that they use. It was a wonderful day.
This is most of the pictures I took yesterday. It really is a beautiful place to walk through. If you get the opportunity to tour a place like this where you live, do it. You won't be disappointed. It is one of the season's must do activities in my neck of the woods. They get bigger every year as people learn about it. They come from all around the state and neighboring state. I can't wait to hear how many people toured the place.
Fire Cider
turmeric roots, chopped
ginger root, chopped
horseradish root, chopped
cinnamon sticks, several
black peppercorns, couple tablespoons
lemon, 1, zest the peel and slice lemon when zest is removed
orange, 1, zest the peel and slice orange when zest is removed
jalapenos or habenaros, hottest you can stand, several sliced, at least 6 or 8
garlic, good amount, course slice
large onion, diced
apple cider vinegar, raw, with mother
Chop and dice everything. You want as much of each item exposed to the vinegar as possible. That's why you to slice thin or dice pretty fine. As you get one item diced or sliced, put it in your large jug and just layer it all in there. When all items are diced, sliced and in the container, pour vinegar over the ingredients, make sure everything is down in the vinegar, put the lid on and sit somewhere out of heat and cold. Remove the lid daily or at least about every other day and stir it around a little. Let it sit for at least 4 to 6 weeks with checking it daily or every other day. You want as much of the nutrients to be leached from the vegetables, citrus and roots as possible. When the appropriate time has passed, strain it into a container and you have just made your own "Fire Cider". Take a tablespoon or so each day. If you feel something coming on, take a tablespoon several times a day. I'm not a dr or anything like this, so if you know you are allergic to something in this, do not use it. The spicy heat from horseradish root, ginger root, onions, peppercorns and jalapenos or whatever HOT pepper you choose is what really helps to ward off sickness. Some people sweeten it with raw local honey, but I'm not going to do that yet.
Mine is almost 3 weeks in the making, so I still have a few days to go. As soon I get this batch strained, I may try to use the same ingredients again and just add more HOT pepper and cinnamon sticks this time. And make another batch. When that is done making Fire Cider, I'm going to get out my dehydrator and dehydrate everything left from making Fire Cider mixture and then grind it in to powder and see if it will maybe have the same kind of medicinal affect in powdered form. It may be a waste of time, but at that point, that's all it will be, is a waste of time. So, we'll see what I can come up with. But for now, my Fire Cider is in the making and I am so anxious for it to get done.
I am also going to try my hand at making some elderberry syrup. The medicinal compounds in elderberries is wonderful and it works great as medicine to ward off some of the winter ailments also. I think with that, all you have to do is steep the elderberries in water, and reduce the water down and then add local raw honey as a sweetener. I have some elderberries, just haven't gotten around to try that yet.
This is just a couple of natural remedies that can be made at home to help you stay healthy and ward off some of the winter bugs that we come in contact with. And since they are using all natural items, there shouldn't be any problem with them other than if someone has allergies to any of the ingredients. If you know you have an allergy to something, you can just leave it out.
Anyway, this is what I'm doing to try to get healthy and stay healthy. If you have a problem getting over something like I do, you might want to try something like this too. Do not hear me say that this is to take the place of medical treatment by a dr, because it's NOT. These are just to boost your immune system and it is definitely not to replace seeing a dr when necessary. Just trying to make that clear. I am not a professional in any way. hahaha Maybe a professional gabber, but nothing else. So don't use this as treatment when you should see a dr!!!!!! Got that!! hahahaha
Have a blessed day and hope to see your right back here real soon. Until then, I have over 6 years worth of reading and pictures and stories to captivate you. hahaha I hope you seen something here today that you like, andif you did, share it with someone you know and love. Until we meet again, stay warm and be blessed. God loves you and so do I!!!! hugs, patty
I still have to get my little deck garden wrapped up for the winter. I need to get my pots off the deck and put up, and the soil in the pots in a container, so I can use it again next year, and with a little amending to the soil, it will be good to go next spring. I have been saving seed from some of the veggies and peppers and the like, so I can get a few plants started inside, so I have my own starts and not have to buy as much as I did last year. Plus I have some ideas and intentions on some other stuff too. Hopefully it will work out as I plan. If not, that's ok too. It's just fun to think and plan a little.
I wish I would have gotten some pictures of some of my pots this past summer. I will certainly have to make sure I do get some pics next season, for sure.
Speaking of seasons and growing, yesterday was open house at one of the local green house companies in my area. They have over 25 acres of green houses that are all connecting and it makes for a huge city of green houses. This time of year, they are all about poinsettias!!! Some of the most beautiful ones I ever seen. A friend of mine and I went yesterday morning and toured the place and it was a wonderful outing and we actually got a free, small poinsettia!! It is really cute. They had oceans of color and it was breathtaking to see. Even seeing some of the machinery that they use. It was a wonderful day.
This is most of the pictures I took yesterday. It really is a beautiful place to walk through. If you get the opportunity to tour a place like this where you live, do it. You won't be disappointed. It is one of the season's must do activities in my neck of the woods. They get bigger every year as people learn about it. They come from all around the state and neighboring state. I can't wait to hear how many people toured the place.
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I don't know if any y'all have ever heard of "Fire Cider". I have been watching videos and seen people making it. It is really good for you to help stave off some of the winter ailments that we are prone to come in contact with during the season. I have been sick with allergies, and a chest cold, and on the verge of pneumonia as of late and I just needed something as an extra boost and when I seen these videos, I knew that's what I needed. So, I got all the items to go in it and I have a gallon jug of "Fire Cider" steeping right now. You can put most anything in you want, but I stuck with the more traditional recipe. This isn't an exact science. You chop what you have or what you got, don't worry about the measurements. It's all about the ingredients. I'll share the ingredients I used.Fire Cider
turmeric roots, chopped
ginger root, chopped
horseradish root, chopped
cinnamon sticks, several
black peppercorns, couple tablespoons
lemon, 1, zest the peel and slice lemon when zest is removed
orange, 1, zest the peel and slice orange when zest is removed
jalapenos or habenaros, hottest you can stand, several sliced, at least 6 or 8
garlic, good amount, course slice
large onion, diced
apple cider vinegar, raw, with mother
Chop and dice everything. You want as much of each item exposed to the vinegar as possible. That's why you to slice thin or dice pretty fine. As you get one item diced or sliced, put it in your large jug and just layer it all in there. When all items are diced, sliced and in the container, pour vinegar over the ingredients, make sure everything is down in the vinegar, put the lid on and sit somewhere out of heat and cold. Remove the lid daily or at least about every other day and stir it around a little. Let it sit for at least 4 to 6 weeks with checking it daily or every other day. You want as much of the nutrients to be leached from the vegetables, citrus and roots as possible. When the appropriate time has passed, strain it into a container and you have just made your own "Fire Cider". Take a tablespoon or so each day. If you feel something coming on, take a tablespoon several times a day. I'm not a dr or anything like this, so if you know you are allergic to something in this, do not use it. The spicy heat from horseradish root, ginger root, onions, peppercorns and jalapenos or whatever HOT pepper you choose is what really helps to ward off sickness. Some people sweeten it with raw local honey, but I'm not going to do that yet.
Mine is almost 3 weeks in the making, so I still have a few days to go. As soon I get this batch strained, I may try to use the same ingredients again and just add more HOT pepper and cinnamon sticks this time. And make another batch. When that is done making Fire Cider, I'm going to get out my dehydrator and dehydrate everything left from making Fire Cider mixture and then grind it in to powder and see if it will maybe have the same kind of medicinal affect in powdered form. It may be a waste of time, but at that point, that's all it will be, is a waste of time. So, we'll see what I can come up with. But for now, my Fire Cider is in the making and I am so anxious for it to get done.
I am also going to try my hand at making some elderberry syrup. The medicinal compounds in elderberries is wonderful and it works great as medicine to ward off some of the winter ailments also. I think with that, all you have to do is steep the elderberries in water, and reduce the water down and then add local raw honey as a sweetener. I have some elderberries, just haven't gotten around to try that yet.
This is just a couple of natural remedies that can be made at home to help you stay healthy and ward off some of the winter bugs that we come in contact with. And since they are using all natural items, there shouldn't be any problem with them other than if someone has allergies to any of the ingredients. If you know you have an allergy to something, you can just leave it out.
Anyway, this is what I'm doing to try to get healthy and stay healthy. If you have a problem getting over something like I do, you might want to try something like this too. Do not hear me say that this is to take the place of medical treatment by a dr, because it's NOT. These are just to boost your immune system and it is definitely not to replace seeing a dr when necessary. Just trying to make that clear. I am not a professional in any way. hahaha Maybe a professional gabber, but nothing else. So don't use this as treatment when you should see a dr!!!!!! Got that!! hahahaha
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Well, that's about all I have today. Let me just say that God is waiting to have a relationship with you thru the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He loves His creation, but the only way to have a relationship with Him, is thru Jesus. He wants to have personal connection to each one of us. But it's up to us. Just know that He is waiting for you/us to come to Him. Don't put that relationship off too long, the opportunity may not come again. Confess your sin, admit your guilt and accept Christ as your Savior. That's the best thing that will ever happen to you in this life. That single step will settle your eternal future. Praise His Holy Name!!!!!Have a blessed day and hope to see your right back here real soon. Until then, I have over 6 years worth of reading and pictures and stories to captivate you. hahaha I hope you seen something here today that you like, andif you did, share it with someone you know and love. Until we meet again, stay warm and be blessed. God loves you and so do I!!!! hugs, patty
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Judging others and fussing on others for mentioning it
Oh November!!!!! Thou art upon us!!!! What surprises dost thou hold forth for us? Well, that's my shabby attempt at Shakespearean Old English. hahahahaha But, as November is here and swiftly passing by, those are some questions I've had. I don't think I used those particular words in my head when I was asking myself that question, but never the less, I have thought about it. It actually did do a flurry or two here in my neck of the southern woods on Halloween night. We've had 3 freezes since then, possibly more by the time this gets posted. Leaves are really falling and fall has finally fallen. We went from the 90's to the 60's and now down in the freezing digits. So, it's almost like we only have 2 seasons, hot and cold. hahaha Not the terms everyone uses for seasons, but I do, because I'm not like everyone else. hahahaha
My husband and I have both been sick. I have been sick since back in August and he has been sick since the first of October. It is a tough thing to kick. I have had a lowered immune system for a few years, so when I come in contact with something, it knocks me out worse than it does my husband and most everyone else I know. So my goal here lately has been to try to find something that will help boost my immune system. I have searched blogs and you tubers and found something that may just do the trick. It certainly has the potential to do it and I pray that it does. It is called "Fire Cider" or "Master Starter". It is loaded with all natural items that are natural immune boosters. You can order it or you can make it. I did both. I ordered some from Amazon while I wait on mine to ferment and do it's thing to get ready for me to start drinking. Just a tablespoon or two a day is all you take. So a batch of mine should last for a while once it's ready. I can tell you that my husband will NOT partake of this lovely concoction, because he doesn't like heat like I do. What I ordered from Amazon was called "Fire Cider", in a brown bottle. Everything was organic. And it is good and hot!!!!! But I also found a recipe that has more ingredients than what I ordered from Amazon. I will share what I found in case anyone is interested in it.
Fire Cider
(I'm not giving measurements, just ingredients, and I used a pretty good bunch of everything. Just consider "the more the better" as my rule of thumb. lots of everything!!!!)
ginger root
turmeric root
horseradish root
1 lemon
1 orange
onion
garlic
jalapeno or habenaro peppers
cinnamon sticks
black peppercorns
raw apple cider vinegar with mother
Now, you want a generous amount of everything. Look for the largest freshest roots you can find. I soaked all my veggies and roots in a vinegar wash for about 15-20 minutes to clean them real well. I did not even peel the ginger or turmeric, but I did peel the horseradish root, because it looked like an elephant leg. hahaha. When you get everything diced or cut up, you want at least a big cup or more of each of the roots and onions, the more the better. One big bulb of garlic will be enough. Several cinnamon sticks and black peppercorns and extra generous amt of the hot peppers, probably a cup or more when diced. You want enough of this to fill a half gallon or gallon mason jar. You can even do quarts. Just remember if you go smaller, just make sure you have about equal amts of the roots and onions and peppers and then use everything else accordingly. If you go larger, use more of everything.
Once you get your jug, what ever size filled with all the goodies, pack it down and then pour the raw apple cider vinegar over all the ingredients till everything is covered with the vinegar. Put the lid on and set it on the counter away from heat and stir it daily. Do this every day for 4 to 6 weeks. If you use a metal lid, be sure and put some parchment paper between the lid and the vinegar in the jug. Vinegar will corrode the metal lid and cause an off putting taste. If you have real ball or mason jars, half gallon or gallon sized, you can buy plastic lids for those now. Yay!!!
The raw apple cider vinegar will leach all the nutrients from all the roots and veggies and citrus fruits and makes a powerful, antioxidant laden concoction that is immune boosting. Make sure you get ENOUGH hot peppers in it. Apparently, that's where the name comes from. Ginger and horseradish is spicy, and so are the onions, but the real heat will come from the peppers and you want a lot of heat.
One thing I'm gonna try when this first batch I have going now is done, I'm gonna try to reuse the ingredients to try to make a second batch from the all the ingredients. I seen someone on you tube say they were gonna try it, so I thought I would too. If I can get 2 batches, then yay me. If not, I've not lost anything but the vinegar.
So, I hope you give this a try. If you do, let me know how yours turns out.
Something I also have, but I haven't tried it yet is "elderberries". We went to our local Amish store last Friday and I picked up a 1 lb bag of dried elderberries to make some syrup with. That is also very excellent for this time of year to help ward off colds and the like and to help keep you healthy and supports the immune system. When I get that made, I will share with y'all how that turned out too.
This time of the year is all about trying to stay healthy all the way thru to the Spring and then on beyond. Hopefully, some of this will help me get my immune system where it needs to be , I sure hope so anyway. I have got to at least try.
(start of my comment) If Christians are not to judge, how are we to make decisions that certain behavior is pleasing or not pleasing to God. At one place in scripture, we are called to judge those inside the church, Christians, and expel the wicked person from among us. We are to judge correctly, not hypocritical. Get the log from our own eye before getting the speck from someone else's eye. I can't judge another person on what they think, but I can judge a Christian on their actions. We all have personal convictions, and that is where the grace of God steps in and helps us if we want the help to help us judge correctly. And if we do see a brother sin, then our main objective should be restoring their relationship with God. If we get haughty in our own actions, then we too, may find ourselves in sin and in need of restoration. If God has already called it sin, then we as Christians should make the judgement call for ourselves and not purposefully be doing what God has already called sin. There has to be humility in our own lives. We see how the Pharisees behaved and that is not our goal. But to say that Christians are not ever supposed to judge, that is wrong. I can't judge the world, those not professing Christ, that's God's to judge. But we as Christians are to be wise and make judgement calls for ourselves, and for our family, and hopefully for our friends, in humility. Paul wrote extensively about this in various places in the Epistles. Galatians 6:1 is one of several places Paul mentioned. If we don't make the judgement call that someone is sinning, how can we help restore that person. Paul also said that an immoral Christian should be disciplined so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. So, for anyone who is claiming Christianity, we have the responsibility to live our lives in such a manner that we are heartbroken when a brother or sister sins and then we should be willing to help restore them back into full fellowship. This is not my judgement, but what the Word says in several different places. (end of my comment)
One thing for sure, if you have ever stood up against sin, then you have judged, and rightfully so, if you have stood up against sin. We make judgement calls every single day. Our actions speak louder than our written words. God's written words and Holy Spirit inside of us are the only means we have that is tangible to help us know what is right and wrong. If we are Christians, then we should be standing up and judging sin, regardless of who's sin it is, even our own. Just my opinion, and I do believe it lines up with the Word of God.
If you go out of your way to cut someone down or off, then you are a pharisee. Plain and simple. If you think you are the only person with something valid to say, then you are a pharisee, plain and simple. If you see that everyone else is wrong and you are the only that is right, then you are a pharisee, plain and simple. If you are so highly educated that you try to speak above those around you, then you are a pharisee. If you think you are better than anyone else in the room, then you are a pharisee.
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't want anyone to ever consider me as a pharisee. I have been around plenty of them in my life time and I make it my mission in life to NOT be like those who try to flaunt an education or their position or their money in the faces of others that they deem "less than". I have had some of them try to correct the way I talk or write. I hope I do bug people the way I talk and write. When I got out of school and out in the world, I seen how people treated others. I seen how the educated would try to correct the working class people in the way they talked. I started making it my mission in life to try to get under the skin of the "hoity toity", and I have done a pretty good job at it. I know how to use proper english. But a lot of the people where I come from don't use proper english and some don't know how to use it and I will NOT be the one who makes anyone feel bad over the way they speak. And, to be honest with you, there is no way I could even TRY to care less about speaking or writing proper english. So, if you read my writings on my blog, or if you read my Creative Writings, or if speak to me, just understand that I already know you want to correct me and that I am prepared to defend myself when you say something about it. And more than likely, you will try to correct me in public, because that's where it always happens, and that's when I will laugh in your face. If this sounds a little bit mean spirited, then turn it around. How did you want your correction of me, in public, to sound? Take it from someone who knows first hand, it sounded "mean spirited". Just bear in mind that there was a time when I may have given you a cussing, but since Christ is the determining factor in my life now, I will laugh at your comments and maybe say something to turn the tables on you and move on.
As you can see, there are a lot ways that people try to hurt others, intimidate others, and try to be just plain hateful. But as a Christian, you can overcome. Jesus always put the pharisees in their place and we have that option too. They was always trying to turn His words or catch Him in a lie and since they couldn't, they was plotting to kill Him from early on in His ministry. While I will not plot to kill you any more than you will plot to kill me, when we are mean spirited to one another, we can certainly assassinate ones character. By trying to cut someone down online, in person, public humiliation, making fun of someone, trying to correct someone in public for your own gratification, these are all ways of plotting to kill ones character. Shame on any of us who do that, especially those of us who align ourselves with Christ Jesus. Paul said that when he was a child, he spoke as a child, but when he grew to be a man he put away childish things. It's about time to put away childish things and do the best we can to push, pull or drag others into eternity with us. That means we are to have the heart of Christ in all we do. That is the only we can every push, pull or drag others into eternity. Do you love others enough to push, pull, or drag them into eternity with you? If so, let's start living and acting like it. We can start this very second.
I guess this is all I have to share today. But let me share this one last thing, since this is November, find something to be thankful and grateful for each day and talk to God about that. Express your gratefulness to Him for all the provisions He has made for you. Find a way to be thankful and grateful every day. It will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you seeing you thank God, even for the small things, like a lovely sunset, or a beautiful flower, or a song from your favorite song bird. Just be thankful and grateful. God loves you and so do I!!! Be blessed today, hugs, patty
My husband and I have both been sick. I have been sick since back in August and he has been sick since the first of October. It is a tough thing to kick. I have had a lowered immune system for a few years, so when I come in contact with something, it knocks me out worse than it does my husband and most everyone else I know. So my goal here lately has been to try to find something that will help boost my immune system. I have searched blogs and you tubers and found something that may just do the trick. It certainly has the potential to do it and I pray that it does. It is called "Fire Cider" or "Master Starter". It is loaded with all natural items that are natural immune boosters. You can order it or you can make it. I did both. I ordered some from Amazon while I wait on mine to ferment and do it's thing to get ready for me to start drinking. Just a tablespoon or two a day is all you take. So a batch of mine should last for a while once it's ready. I can tell you that my husband will NOT partake of this lovely concoction, because he doesn't like heat like I do. What I ordered from Amazon was called "Fire Cider", in a brown bottle. Everything was organic. And it is good and hot!!!!! But I also found a recipe that has more ingredients than what I ordered from Amazon. I will share what I found in case anyone is interested in it.
Fire Cider
(I'm not giving measurements, just ingredients, and I used a pretty good bunch of everything. Just consider "the more the better" as my rule of thumb. lots of everything!!!!)
ginger root
turmeric root
horseradish root
1 lemon
1 orange
onion
garlic
jalapeno or habenaro peppers
cinnamon sticks
black peppercorns
raw apple cider vinegar with mother
Now, you want a generous amount of everything. Look for the largest freshest roots you can find. I soaked all my veggies and roots in a vinegar wash for about 15-20 minutes to clean them real well. I did not even peel the ginger or turmeric, but I did peel the horseradish root, because it looked like an elephant leg. hahaha. When you get everything diced or cut up, you want at least a big cup or more of each of the roots and onions, the more the better. One big bulb of garlic will be enough. Several cinnamon sticks and black peppercorns and extra generous amt of the hot peppers, probably a cup or more when diced. You want enough of this to fill a half gallon or gallon mason jar. You can even do quarts. Just remember if you go smaller, just make sure you have about equal amts of the roots and onions and peppers and then use everything else accordingly. If you go larger, use more of everything.
Once you get your jug, what ever size filled with all the goodies, pack it down and then pour the raw apple cider vinegar over all the ingredients till everything is covered with the vinegar. Put the lid on and set it on the counter away from heat and stir it daily. Do this every day for 4 to 6 weeks. If you use a metal lid, be sure and put some parchment paper between the lid and the vinegar in the jug. Vinegar will corrode the metal lid and cause an off putting taste. If you have real ball or mason jars, half gallon or gallon sized, you can buy plastic lids for those now. Yay!!!
The raw apple cider vinegar will leach all the nutrients from all the roots and veggies and citrus fruits and makes a powerful, antioxidant laden concoction that is immune boosting. Make sure you get ENOUGH hot peppers in it. Apparently, that's where the name comes from. Ginger and horseradish is spicy, and so are the onions, but the real heat will come from the peppers and you want a lot of heat.
One thing I'm gonna try when this first batch I have going now is done, I'm gonna try to reuse the ingredients to try to make a second batch from the all the ingredients. I seen someone on you tube say they were gonna try it, so I thought I would too. If I can get 2 batches, then yay me. If not, I've not lost anything but the vinegar.
So, I hope you give this a try. If you do, let me know how yours turns out.
Something I also have, but I haven't tried it yet is "elderberries". We went to our local Amish store last Friday and I picked up a 1 lb bag of dried elderberries to make some syrup with. That is also very excellent for this time of year to help ward off colds and the like and to help keep you healthy and supports the immune system. When I get that made, I will share with y'all how that turned out too.
This time of the year is all about trying to stay healthy all the way thru to the Spring and then on beyond. Hopefully, some of this will help me get my immune system where it needs to be , I sure hope so anyway. I have got to at least try.
************
When I see how people treat others, in person or online, it makes me think twice about whether I want to have anything to do with them, in person and online. The other day someone that I was friends with online had a post about something in particular. Others was responding that we should not judge others. Well, in my lifetime, when ever I have experienced people saying we should not judge others, it's all about them not wanting their own sins exposed to the light and judged. No one wants their sins aired online and I get that. But to say, that as Christians, we are not to judge the actions that are not becoming of brothers and sisters in Christ, is a bogus, false claim. Most people take what Jesus was talking about, out of context. As a matter of fact, when anything is taken out of context, that is wrong!! But in my life, when I see or hear this particular situation taken out of context, I do tell that it is not wrong to judge other brothers and sisters in Christ, when their actions are not becoming of Christians. Paul addressed it on several different occasions, but we don't want to remember that. It's some of those pages that we would rather have torn out of the bible. So, when the dust settled, from my response below, I did unsubscribe from every form of media that I was subscribed to with this person. It showed me that this person had nothing of importance that I needed to be a part of. But below is my response to the post that this person had written. Nothing was against anything this person had said, but I was attacked by this individual and I feel I explained myself well enough, but this person kept on harassing me. This person is supposed to be a Christian, but I think this person is full of themselves and can't stand it if someone else has something to say that this person didn't say. This person needs to realize that other people have brains also, and know how to use them. Other people also have a relationship with the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives discernment to other people. Some people can't stand it and this person couldn't. But, below is my response to what one of the readers of this person had said, and after the writer of the post jumped on me, I explained myself, then left after deleting my comment and then I politely blocked this person.(start of my comment) If Christians are not to judge, how are we to make decisions that certain behavior is pleasing or not pleasing to God. At one place in scripture, we are called to judge those inside the church, Christians, and expel the wicked person from among us. We are to judge correctly, not hypocritical. Get the log from our own eye before getting the speck from someone else's eye. I can't judge another person on what they think, but I can judge a Christian on their actions. We all have personal convictions, and that is where the grace of God steps in and helps us if we want the help to help us judge correctly. And if we do see a brother sin, then our main objective should be restoring their relationship with God. If we get haughty in our own actions, then we too, may find ourselves in sin and in need of restoration. If God has already called it sin, then we as Christians should make the judgement call for ourselves and not purposefully be doing what God has already called sin. There has to be humility in our own lives. We see how the Pharisees behaved and that is not our goal. But to say that Christians are not ever supposed to judge, that is wrong. I can't judge the world, those not professing Christ, that's God's to judge. But we as Christians are to be wise and make judgement calls for ourselves, and for our family, and hopefully for our friends, in humility. Paul wrote extensively about this in various places in the Epistles. Galatians 6:1 is one of several places Paul mentioned. If we don't make the judgement call that someone is sinning, how can we help restore that person. Paul also said that an immoral Christian should be disciplined so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. So, for anyone who is claiming Christianity, we have the responsibility to live our lives in such a manner that we are heartbroken when a brother or sister sins and then we should be willing to help restore them back into full fellowship. This is not my judgement, but what the Word says in several different places. (end of my comment)
One thing for sure, if you have ever stood up against sin, then you have judged, and rightfully so, if you have stood up against sin. We make judgement calls every single day. Our actions speak louder than our written words. God's written words and Holy Spirit inside of us are the only means we have that is tangible to help us know what is right and wrong. If we are Christians, then we should be standing up and judging sin, regardless of who's sin it is, even our own. Just my opinion, and I do believe it lines up with the Word of God.
If you go out of your way to cut someone down or off, then you are a pharisee. Plain and simple. If you think you are the only person with something valid to say, then you are a pharisee, plain and simple. If you see that everyone else is wrong and you are the only that is right, then you are a pharisee, plain and simple. If you are so highly educated that you try to speak above those around you, then you are a pharisee. If you think you are better than anyone else in the room, then you are a pharisee.
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't want anyone to ever consider me as a pharisee. I have been around plenty of them in my life time and I make it my mission in life to NOT be like those who try to flaunt an education or their position or their money in the faces of others that they deem "less than". I have had some of them try to correct the way I talk or write. I hope I do bug people the way I talk and write. When I got out of school and out in the world, I seen how people treated others. I seen how the educated would try to correct the working class people in the way they talked. I started making it my mission in life to try to get under the skin of the "hoity toity", and I have done a pretty good job at it. I know how to use proper english. But a lot of the people where I come from don't use proper english and some don't know how to use it and I will NOT be the one who makes anyone feel bad over the way they speak. And, to be honest with you, there is no way I could even TRY to care less about speaking or writing proper english. So, if you read my writings on my blog, or if you read my Creative Writings, or if speak to me, just understand that I already know you want to correct me and that I am prepared to defend myself when you say something about it. And more than likely, you will try to correct me in public, because that's where it always happens, and that's when I will laugh in your face. If this sounds a little bit mean spirited, then turn it around. How did you want your correction of me, in public, to sound? Take it from someone who knows first hand, it sounded "mean spirited". Just bear in mind that there was a time when I may have given you a cussing, but since Christ is the determining factor in my life now, I will laugh at your comments and maybe say something to turn the tables on you and move on.
As you can see, there are a lot ways that people try to hurt others, intimidate others, and try to be just plain hateful. But as a Christian, you can overcome. Jesus always put the pharisees in their place and we have that option too. They was always trying to turn His words or catch Him in a lie and since they couldn't, they was plotting to kill Him from early on in His ministry. While I will not plot to kill you any more than you will plot to kill me, when we are mean spirited to one another, we can certainly assassinate ones character. By trying to cut someone down online, in person, public humiliation, making fun of someone, trying to correct someone in public for your own gratification, these are all ways of plotting to kill ones character. Shame on any of us who do that, especially those of us who align ourselves with Christ Jesus. Paul said that when he was a child, he spoke as a child, but when he grew to be a man he put away childish things. It's about time to put away childish things and do the best we can to push, pull or drag others into eternity with us. That means we are to have the heart of Christ in all we do. That is the only we can every push, pull or drag others into eternity. Do you love others enough to push, pull, or drag them into eternity with you? If so, let's start living and acting like it. We can start this very second.
************
I have made bunches more beads here lately. When I don't feel well, that's one thing that I can do to pass the time and it's not taxing on my body and wearing me out. I love making my beads and can't wait to get jewelry made with it. I share some of it with a not for profit organization in my town to put in their silent auctions. I want to start selling some of it too. I can't wait to get more jewelry made. When I do, I'll share those pictures.I guess this is all I have to share today. But let me share this one last thing, since this is November, find something to be thankful and grateful for each day and talk to God about that. Express your gratefulness to Him for all the provisions He has made for you. Find a way to be thankful and grateful every day. It will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you seeing you thank God, even for the small things, like a lovely sunset, or a beautiful flower, or a song from your favorite song bird. Just be thankful and grateful. God loves you and so do I!!! Be blessed today, hugs, patty
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Quilt Show 2019, safely tucked away
Good morning Y'all!!! I hope and pray that wherever y'all are today that you are blessed in this lovely day. Today is a good day to feel the blessings of God and acknowledge them too. Thank You God, for all the blessings that today holds and help me see them as such and help me to be grateful and thankful to be a part of such a lovely day!! It is a little cooler in my neck of the woods and for that, I am grateful. It was such a sweltering hot summer, so the cooler temps is a welcome change.
It's so funny, usually when I am working on a blog post, there is a flurry of activity taking place outside that I can hear. This morning, there is nothing happening. The birds are not even chirping. I guess they are out gathering worms. There is usually 4 or 5 lawn mowers doing their thing and weed trimmers going and dogs barking. Nada, zilch, none of that taking place. Just me coughing my head off. hahahaha But then again, most of the lawns look like ours, burned up, so there's no need for a lawn mower, right! hahaha Anyway, it's just an unusual morning with no outside activity. It's so quiet, I think I could hear snow falling!!! Oh, there is it!!!! Those dreaded words!!! SNOW!!!!! Yes, we will be thinking about snow soon enough, so I wanted to put those words out there so it won't be such a shock one of these mornings. hahaha
My little pots out on the deck still have a little produce in them, can you believe that? I just about can't. It has been so hot and dry that I had to keep everything watered and sometimes I think I was about drown my little tomatoes and peppers and then other times I was about to starve them to death, but I did enjoy the bounty of them this summer. I hope to have more next year. It's nice to go out and pick a tomato that you grew with your own two hands. Even one tomato plant is a blessing.
So, I hope I can figure out more ways to have more produce next spring. I really wish I didn't have allergies, that would help me so much. But, since I deal with them, I have to limit my time outside. I am actually dealing with allergies right now, even as I type. I have been sick ever since the Quilt Show this past weekend and I can't say that I am feeling better, but I don't think it's getting worse. I had gotten sick after the County Fair also. The Quilt Show was in the fair building, so I'm thinking there is something in there that I'm allergic to. So, it looks like I will be changing some of the activities that I love. If it's gonna make sick, I have to ask myself, is it worth it, and right now, I can honestly say that it isn't worth being sick just to work in and participate in some of those activities. We'll see. That really saddens me, but I can't risk my health. So that is the dilemma and we'll see how it plays out.
I mentioned the Quilt Show and I took a few pictures and wanted to share them with y'all. I thought I had gotten a picture of everything, but I know I didn't. We did have over 130 items entered this year. Fewer large quilts and more smaller items and wall hangings and stuff like that. We had 9 or 10 vendors this year. That is the most vendors we've had. I didn't take any pictures of the vendors, just the quilts that the community at large supplied for the show.
Well, I started this a couple of weeks ago and got sick, so here it is past the middle of October and I'm not any closer to getting pictures up than I was the day I started this blog post. I'm gonna go ahead and just post this as is and hope I can get some pictures up later. Remember in the busy-ness of each day that God loves us and Jesus is the door that allows us to be in right relationship with God. I hope and pray that you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. He is the best friend you'll ever have. If you do know Him as your Lord and Savior, that makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. While we may never meet each other in this life, we will in the next life and that is pretty exciting to me. I hope it is to you too. Till next blog post, stay happy, healthy, and excited about the future. God loves you, and so do I!!! hugs and blessings, patty
It's so funny, usually when I am working on a blog post, there is a flurry of activity taking place outside that I can hear. This morning, there is nothing happening. The birds are not even chirping. I guess they are out gathering worms. There is usually 4 or 5 lawn mowers doing their thing and weed trimmers going and dogs barking. Nada, zilch, none of that taking place. Just me coughing my head off. hahahaha But then again, most of the lawns look like ours, burned up, so there's no need for a lawn mower, right! hahaha Anyway, it's just an unusual morning with no outside activity. It's so quiet, I think I could hear snow falling!!! Oh, there is it!!!! Those dreaded words!!! SNOW!!!!! Yes, we will be thinking about snow soon enough, so I wanted to put those words out there so it won't be such a shock one of these mornings. hahaha
My little pots out on the deck still have a little produce in them, can you believe that? I just about can't. It has been so hot and dry that I had to keep everything watered and sometimes I think I was about drown my little tomatoes and peppers and then other times I was about to starve them to death, but I did enjoy the bounty of them this summer. I hope to have more next year. It's nice to go out and pick a tomato that you grew with your own two hands. Even one tomato plant is a blessing.
So, I hope I can figure out more ways to have more produce next spring. I really wish I didn't have allergies, that would help me so much. But, since I deal with them, I have to limit my time outside. I am actually dealing with allergies right now, even as I type. I have been sick ever since the Quilt Show this past weekend and I can't say that I am feeling better, but I don't think it's getting worse. I had gotten sick after the County Fair also. The Quilt Show was in the fair building, so I'm thinking there is something in there that I'm allergic to. So, it looks like I will be changing some of the activities that I love. If it's gonna make sick, I have to ask myself, is it worth it, and right now, I can honestly say that it isn't worth being sick just to work in and participate in some of those activities. We'll see. That really saddens me, but I can't risk my health. So that is the dilemma and we'll see how it plays out.
I mentioned the Quilt Show and I took a few pictures and wanted to share them with y'all. I thought I had gotten a picture of everything, but I know I didn't. We did have over 130 items entered this year. Fewer large quilts and more smaller items and wall hangings and stuff like that. We had 9 or 10 vendors this year. That is the most vendors we've had. I didn't take any pictures of the vendors, just the quilts that the community at large supplied for the show.
Well, I started this a couple of weeks ago and got sick, so here it is past the middle of October and I'm not any closer to getting pictures up than I was the day I started this blog post. I'm gonna go ahead and just post this as is and hope I can get some pictures up later. Remember in the busy-ness of each day that God loves us and Jesus is the door that allows us to be in right relationship with God. I hope and pray that you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. He is the best friend you'll ever have. If you do know Him as your Lord and Savior, that makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. While we may never meet each other in this life, we will in the next life and that is pretty exciting to me. I hope it is to you too. Till next blog post, stay happy, healthy, and excited about the future. God loves you, and so do I!!! hugs and blessings, patty
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Fair Update 2019
Hello one and all!!! Here ye, here ye!!!! How is that for a fine greeting this fine day??? hahaha I hope that you all have had a fabulous time since the last time I shared an update. We've had a little rain in my neck of the woods which has helped to cool things off a little. And then of course it gets hot again. Shucks, it's the middle of September and it's still in the mid to upper 90"s!!!! WHAT??? Yes, you read that right. hahaha And of course, in August for Fair week, it always rains, right? Well, it seems like it does in my neck of the woods. I am happy that fair week has been tucked away in the history books. While I do love all the hustle and bustle of it and just have an absolute blast working at the fair, it does take its toll on the old body. There are many that work that are older than I, but I'm the only one that can deal with my own aches and pains. hahaha Can't anyone do that for me and I wouldn't ask anyone to do it even if they could. Jesus is the only One that can and has dealt with all my problems and He helps me on a daily basis. Praise Him for that!!!
I did try to get lots of pictures during the fair, or that was my plan anyway. But even the best plans can go awry and mine did. At times, I forgot to take pictures, at other times, I just didn't want to mess with taking pictures, at any rate, I didn't get a lot, but will gladly share what I did get. So here it is well into September, mid way to be exact, and I'm getting around to updating. I'm slow, but I usually get it done, sometime. hehehe I didn't take as many pictures at the fair as I had intended, but I did get a few.
This is a baby quilt that I got done this year. I actually started it 20+ years ago. These are the sample blocks that I had made when I did actually make 2 baby quilts way back then for my nieces who was expecting. I sewed samples of each block and then tweaked the colors or what ever I needed to do to get the right. I had put them in a plastic shoe box and forgot about them. Several years later, I pulled them out and sewed the white onto the the pieces and made the quilt top. I actually serged all all the block and strips together. When someone seen if before I had actually put it together and made the quilt they said "I didn't know you could use a serger to piece your quilt top." I said, "Well, I didn't know you couldn't use a serge to piece a quilt top." If it works, it works!!! And it worked. hahaha There is another blog post about this. It is either late last year, or early this year.
This is a little slat that I turned into a beachy scene. I really liked the finished item and other did too. I wish I had given perspective in the picture. It's about 7 inches long and about 3 inches wide. I am going to make 2 more just like that with different shells on them to finish the wall scene.
This was my string of red cayenne peppers. It was just a fluke that I even entered them. I knew there was several red peppers, but I didn't think I had enough for the string of 20 that we was to have in order to enter them. One of my friends said to put the ones that had a little green on them on the string anyway and they would be turned red by judging time and she was right. So I was pretty happy with this.
This is my cruise bracelet that I made earlier for my Mom, 2 friends and myself after we got back from our cruise last September. I was pleased with this and so was everyone else.
This was a banner that I made earlier in the year at one of county FCE (Family Community Education) clubs craft night. I didn't get finished with it at the event, so I took the supplies need to finish and I added my own stuff to it and I was pretty happy with it too.
This is an item that I had made last year at the same event, but it got misplaced and I didn't find it until about a month before the fair and I asked someone about it, since it was more than a year old. The person I asked, asked me if there was any way I could "finish" it. So I did. I finished it with the USA scrabble tiles and it turned out really cute.
This is a paper weight that I made from sculpey clay and a starfish stamp. I stamped the starfish into the clay and cut around the clay then water colored it with light colors and it is really pretty then I took a flat backed marble that I painted on the back of and got a crackle effect and glued that to the top of the starfish cutout. I then glued all that to the top of a piece of heavy craft board covered with sheer purple paper. The final product is quite nice and people seemed to like it a lot.
This is my denim rolled bead necklace. I was pleased with the outcome of it.
This is a flat backed marble with an image from a napkin adhered to the back and the a pin back adhered to that to make a nice pin. I really like this one a lot and was pleased with the outcome.
This one has a story behind it and I almost forgot about it, but I seen it hanging on the wall in my craft room and took it to the fair. Several years ago my friend and I was at a semi local christian studio broadcasting station. The gift shop on the premises was open and we went in browsing around. It was something that we just loved to do. She said you got to come here and see this purse. I looked at it and fell in love with it but I knew I could never afford it. It was about $80. And there was NO way I could do that. She said check on it. Go see what the price is, it may be on sale. Just to please her, I did and it was on a clearance of a lifetime!!!!! I got the purse for less than $5!!!!!! It was one that you wore across your body. About 9 inches wide and 9 inches long with about 4 inch fringe across the bottom. And it was PURPLE!!!!! Hey, everyone who knows me knows I love purple!!! hahahaha This big crystal encrusted cross was on the front of it and I LOVED it!!!! I packed if for several years until it started coming apart. I laid it aside. I didn't want to throw it away. I needed to salvage that cross as a reminder of my very sweet friend and sister in Christ. Sometime after I got the purse, she got sick and in December of 2015 she went home to be with our Jesus and this is the one thing that I had as a reminder of her and our love for our Savior. The lace on it is also a reminder of our worship of our Savior. So, while I dreaded having this piece that was so personal to me judged, I was very pleased with the outcome and happy that others seen value in this piece without knowing the back story.
This is all the pieces that I entered in the fair that placed. I had 2 or 3 items that didn't place and I forgot to take pictures of my clinkers although I said I would. I just didn't bother with them. Like I said earlier, this fair wore me out and I'm still not fully recovered from it and started getting a sinus infection towards the end of fair week and I'm still suffering with that. If it's not one thing, it's 14 more. hahaha I told my sweet husband that sometimes it feels like I'm being pecked to death by a baby chicken. Just slow, steady, continuous and painful. hahaha But, this too shall pass and it will be something else pecking me to death. hahahaha
I missed several appointments immediately after our fair that I had been signed up to do and I really hate that so much. I just have had to prioritize situations and my health is at the top of my list these days. It's getting easier and easier to say no to things that I would like to do, but I know that it will be a struggle for me if I do it.
On an up side, I did have a couple of lunch dates with friends that truly was a blessing for me and I'm thrilled that I felt up to it. No matter how bad I may feel, if I can have some "sister in Christ" time, that is always a blessing. Just to be able to uplift one another and share in each others joys is such a wonderful thing to do.
I hope that you all have people that you love and enjoy spending quality time with. People that you know have a "healing" effect on you and not make you cringe at the thought of spending time with them. I just don't have much time for that anymore. I have become more and more picky about whom I choose to spend time with. If it's a chore, I'm not gonna do it anymore. If I feel like I'm being looked down upon, not doing it. If I feel like I'm being judged, not doing it. If it's something I dread doing, not doing it. You see where I'm going with this. hahaha If it's not conducive to better health, I'm not doing it.
Well, that's about all I have you this update. I hope you seen or read something that you enjoyed. If you did, share it with someone you think would enjoy it too. I hope you check out some local fairs in your areas this fall and see what some of the latest crafts are. I hope you pieces of craft work that brings you wonderful special memories of wonderful special people in your lives. I hope you make good choices for yourself regarding your health. That is something that no one else can do for you. You have to be large and in charge of your own health and regulate who gets your time and who doesn't get your time. That's one of the ways to maintain your health. Toxic people are toxic to your health. I hope and pray that you know that you are loved more than you could possibly know, by Jesus Christ. The only way to have right relationship with the Father, is thru the shed blood of the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus already paid the cost for you, you just have to receive and accept the free gift of salvation. I am one of those Christians that know I am in desperate need of Jesus Christ, sharing with you, the fact that you too are in desperate of Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that if you haven't already received the free gift of salvation, that today would be the day. Love, hope, peace and prayers for each and every one of y'all. God loves y'all and so do I!!! patty
I did try to get lots of pictures during the fair, or that was my plan anyway. But even the best plans can go awry and mine did. At times, I forgot to take pictures, at other times, I just didn't want to mess with taking pictures, at any rate, I didn't get a lot, but will gladly share what I did get. So here it is well into September, mid way to be exact, and I'm getting around to updating. I'm slow, but I usually get it done, sometime. hehehe I didn't take as many pictures at the fair as I had intended, but I did get a few.
This is all the pieces that I entered in the fair that placed. I had 2 or 3 items that didn't place and I forgot to take pictures of my clinkers although I said I would. I just didn't bother with them. Like I said earlier, this fair wore me out and I'm still not fully recovered from it and started getting a sinus infection towards the end of fair week and I'm still suffering with that. If it's not one thing, it's 14 more. hahaha I told my sweet husband that sometimes it feels like I'm being pecked to death by a baby chicken. Just slow, steady, continuous and painful. hahaha But, this too shall pass and it will be something else pecking me to death. hahahaha
I missed several appointments immediately after our fair that I had been signed up to do and I really hate that so much. I just have had to prioritize situations and my health is at the top of my list these days. It's getting easier and easier to say no to things that I would like to do, but I know that it will be a struggle for me if I do it.
On an up side, I did have a couple of lunch dates with friends that truly was a blessing for me and I'm thrilled that I felt up to it. No matter how bad I may feel, if I can have some "sister in Christ" time, that is always a blessing. Just to be able to uplift one another and share in each others joys is such a wonderful thing to do.
I hope that you all have people that you love and enjoy spending quality time with. People that you know have a "healing" effect on you and not make you cringe at the thought of spending time with them. I just don't have much time for that anymore. I have become more and more picky about whom I choose to spend time with. If it's a chore, I'm not gonna do it anymore. If I feel like I'm being looked down upon, not doing it. If I feel like I'm being judged, not doing it. If it's something I dread doing, not doing it. You see where I'm going with this. hahaha If it's not conducive to better health, I'm not doing it.
Well, that's about all I have you this update. I hope you seen or read something that you enjoyed. If you did, share it with someone you think would enjoy it too. I hope you check out some local fairs in your areas this fall and see what some of the latest crafts are. I hope you pieces of craft work that brings you wonderful special memories of wonderful special people in your lives. I hope you make good choices for yourself regarding your health. That is something that no one else can do for you. You have to be large and in charge of your own health and regulate who gets your time and who doesn't get your time. That's one of the ways to maintain your health. Toxic people are toxic to your health. I hope and pray that you know that you are loved more than you could possibly know, by Jesus Christ. The only way to have right relationship with the Father, is thru the shed blood of the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus already paid the cost for you, you just have to receive and accept the free gift of salvation. I am one of those Christians that know I am in desperate need of Jesus Christ, sharing with you, the fact that you too are in desperate of Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that if you haven't already received the free gift of salvation, that today would be the day. Love, hope, peace and prayers for each and every one of y'all. God loves y'all and so do I!!! patty
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Just a quick update, Do you make a difference?
Good morning Y'all!!! Hope and pray that wherever y'all are that you are having a most lovely day so far. It seems like all I say, "It's hot in my neck of the woods", but it sure is. It's to be in the mid to high 90's this week and it's Fair time here in my neck of the woods. It's always hot and sometimes it rains. Sure enough, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are supposed to be wet!!! Go figure. Oh well, it won't bother me too much, I'll be inside with all the fair entries. Yay!!! Today, we receive all the lovely items, Monday the judges come, Tuesday is baked goods judging. It's always a blast!! I really look forward to Fair activities. 3 late afternoons and early evenings, I'll be a sitter in the arts and crafts area. I do have about 13 entries for this year, fewer than the past, but I'm just excited to have that many. I know some of my articles, was just thrown together and some of them, I worked really hard on, so we'll see. At any rate, it will be points for my small Family Community Education club through the County Extension office. I will have 2 entries this year that I have never had before and I'm kinda excited about that!!! I have a cayenne pepper plant in a pot on my deck and it has produced well!!! So I'll have a string of red pepper with 20 pods on it and I'll have an entry of 6 hot peppers. Like I said earlier, probably won't garner any ribbons, but it will be points for my club. So, I'm already thinking ahead of what I may have to enter next year. I wish my yellow baby bell peppers would have produced enough to have specimens to enter. But I only get one at a time, but they are delicious anyway.
So, if you get the opportunity this late summer and early fall to go to a local county fair, go and check out the farm, garden and arts and crafts areas. There will be lots to see and you may get lots of ideas and inspiration for your own gardens or ideas for your crafts adventure. I am anxious to see local honey and honeycomb, all the large winter squashes and watermelons and all the different clubs and their displays. I will try to remember to take pictures to be shared later. I will take pictures of my entries, the winners, if there are any and the clinkers alike. hahaha
This is the time of year too, that my mind races back to childhood and the wonderful event of squeezing sorghum stalks and making sorghum. Back in the early days of my blog, I shared at least 2 posts about those experiences as a child, They will be in the first calendar year of my blog, if you are interested in the stories about that. I wish there was places to go that you could still see the process in action. From the squeezing to the cooking to the bottling. It's a beautiful and satisfying thing to see happen before your own eyes.
I think about pumpkins and sweet potatoes too, it's just that time of year. I'm not as crazy about pumpkin pie as I am sweet potato pie. Sweet potato bread is delicious too!!! You make it just like you make pumpkin bread, just substitute sweet potato in place of pumpkin. It works and it's delicious.
What are some of things that you look forward to this upcoming Fall? I would love to know and have you share what you look forward to each year.
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Y'all know I share here about several different things here on my blog. This is my place to share what I feel the need to share, for my benefit and the benefit of others. The writing below is what I shared on fb and thought it would be good to share it here too. I know some of my readers are not in the United States, but you may gain some benefit too. Like I said, this is my opinion, based on actual life events and it's really not up for debate. It's what happened and it's what is. Nothing anyone can say, can change the outcome, so it's a non-debatable situation. So, if you are game, read on:
I worked in a factory for many years. My husband worked in the next town in the sister factory. It was in the garment industry. For many years we proudly sewed labels in each item of clothing we made that said "Made in America". I remember at the same time, our walmart proudly hung banners in the store in our town that said "We support American Made". Yay!!!! Eventually, we quit sewing the labels in the garments and eventually, walmart took their banners down. Eventually, the places that my husband and I worked at was CLOSED because the garment industry went south by way of NAFTA to Mexico.
Before the plants that we worked at closed, my husband had been promoted in the company and that meant a change of state. We got settled in out new state and he got settled in his new job. He was a mechanical design engineer, designing and building new machines. His job took him to different places and one of those places was Mexico. The plants that we both had worked in was still open but half of the production of both plants had been sent to Mexico. Neither of us liked it, but, he went where they sent him. In the backs of everyone's minds, we thought the inevitable would happen, but then we would say "surely not".
One morning, a few years later, he was on the phone with the plant manager in Mexico, making plans to go down and look at a machine. My husband went to lunch at 12 noon. Promptly at 1 pm, he was called into his bosses office and told he had 1 hour to get his office cleaned out and leave the premises. There was 18 thousand people in the mega company that lost jobs that day between 1 and 2 pm. My husbands job was not a "white collar" position and he didn't make white collar pay. All 18 thousand employees that lost their jobs that day was people like him and on up to white collar positions. And no one heard anything about it on tv!!! Oh yeah, and about a year before he lost his job, the plants that we both had previously worked in, 10 years prior, had been shuttered and boarded up. So, I couldn't tell you how many total employees that this company fired all because they shipped our jobs out of the states.
Starting over at 50 is not easy!!! Lots of us broke our backs and damaged our lungs only to be treated worse than the lint swept up and discarded on a daily basis. So, while I do support and buy American made, when possible, I will not pay more for an inferior product. If I can buy "American made" with a lower price, I will. But we all know that doesn't happen too often. And I am old enough to remember when "Made in America" really and truly meant something. It meant you WOULD pay more for a product, because it was a GREAT product. That's just not so today. So what I take away from this whole story is damaged lungs, damaged wrists, damaged ankles and damaged hips, only for the people that we worked with to be treated worse than dogs. So, if I seem a bit apprehensive about this, it's because I am.
While I love The United States of America, until all workers are treated fairly and companies quit taking jobs away from us, I remain skeptical. I was blessed to born in the greatest country on the face of the planet, but when the govt, for the last 30-40 years have wasted their time giving HUGE tax breaks to companies, only for them to turn around and stab the employees in the back, then it's time to clean house, not only in the govt but also in the corporations that are sending jobs out of the states. So, while one would think I should support Made in America, and I do to an extent, I support the piddling money that we live on now, more than I support the Made in America logo. We can't afford to buy Made in America. Some say you can't afford not to. When you know you only have so much money each month to live on, you learn to make decisions based on your checkbook which is the reality you live with.
So, if Made in America is ever going to mean anything again, it will be up to you all to do that. It will mean taking your jobs seriously. It will mean standing up for your job. It will mean standing up for the job of your coworker. It will mean putting in the hours to earn your paycheck. It will mean actually earning your paycheck. And all of this can be done, even without a union. A person that wants to work for their paycheck doesn't need to pay union dues, they need to work, not have a clause that says they can't be fired, or if you are a lousy worker, and you need to be fired but the union says you can't be fired. That's not fair to the hard workers beside you!!! It will mean giving input about things that you see with your eyes that are not right.
I know what I'm talking about, because from the statements up above, about taking your job seriously on down, I done all of those things. I took my job seriously enough to risk losing it for a coworker who was being treated unfairly. I stood up for my job on more than one occasion. I worked hard for the paycheck I brought home!! I told my superiors when I seen things with my own eyes that should be or not be happening. I didn't shut up till action was taken. I was a good employee. I helped others. More importantly, I made a GREAT "Made in America" product, only for it to be ripped from us and shipped to Mexico. I hope you all can make "Made in America" mean something again. Your future depends on it.
I don't have many more days ahead of me, but some of you are just starting in your jobs/careers, so I would suggest developing a work ethic that is better than any paycheck you will ever earn. Put the hours in. Work hard. Not for the company you work for, work hard for yourself. Don't act like anyone owes you anything and if someone does owe you, know that it was earned. I know this is long, but I also know that someone will glean something from this. Probably make people mad too, but this is the shoes my husband and I have walked in. And until you have been there and done that, there's not much that can be said.
Work hard, earn your paycheck, do GOOD work, make GOOD products and make "Made in America" mean something!!!!! Please!!! Oh, and before I sign off, my husband did find another job and he worked there for 17 years until poor management and the union ran them in the ground and that company went belly up and shuttered their doors the middle of 2018. So every word I've said comes from hard experience. If the union had never come in to that place, it would still be open. Because they were forced by the union to keep employees making between 60 and 80 K a year, several employees!!! That is why I said "earn your paychecks"!!!! Don't be some of the ones that have a job just because the union saves your bacon every time you point out!!! Earn you paychecks!!!! And just so you know, my husband never paid a penny of union dues, he worked hard, he earned his paycheck and he got ridiculed over working hard!!!!! 75% of the people he worked with can't say that. Just know, you play a part in the success or failure of the company you work for. Work hard, earn your paycheck, produce good quality goods!!!! pjg-08-15-19
So, where ever you are, what ever country you live in, you play a huge part in the success or failure of the company you work for. If you are still in the workforce, it's up to you to do your job well.
There is a scripture in the bible that say to work as though you are working for the Lord!!!
Colossians 3:23 niv "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
That's how my husband and I always worked, as though we were working for the Lord. It makes a difference when you work as though you are working for the Lord. And the Lord is faithful!!! He has seen us through trying times and He will again!!! He has met every need we've ever had and I know He will meet your needs. Give Him 100% of each work day and let Him help you!!!! If you've never tried, I challenge you to change your perspective and attitude about what you do and who you are doing it for. It can make a difference at the end day knowing that you done a good job, you worked hard, and you earned your pay for that day. There's not many in the work places that can actually say that. Be one of the few who can say it. Be one of the few who make a difference.
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Well, that's about all I have for this update. I hope you read something here that inspires you to look for a County Fair or maybe sign up to put entries in or maybe even grow a garden so you can enter next year. Look for fresh, farm made Sorghum when you are out and about and you can use that is some of your fall pies and breads as the sweetener, plus sorghum is loaded with "good for you" vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, another reason to get some. I hope where ever you live and whatever your job is, that you are a good employee and an asset to the work environment, if not, maybe this will inspire you to be a better employee. I just hope that you seen something here that you can benefit from. Just know that the Lord is waiting to help you and the He loves you enough to want to be in right relationship with Him thru the shed blood of Jesus Christ. That, my friend, is Love!!! hugs and love and may blessing fall upon you as you strive to serve the Lord today. patty
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