Sunday, May 29, 2011


MEMORIAL DAY
(Recipe: Strawberry Smoothie)

We are celebrating Memorial Day Weekend – but what exactly does that mean. For many it is a weekend with an extra day off from work. It is a time of watching the Indy 500 race, enjoying a BBQ with family and friends, perhaps a day at the beach – or just plan relaxing.

As a little girl growing up in Illinois I remember Memorial Day (or Independence Day) as being a day to celebrate the many who gave their lives for our country. Our little town would host a big parade to honor both the living hero’s and the deceased. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the military – all marched proudly through our city streets. As a Girl Scout I enjoyed this march, smiling and waving my American flag as we walked by the crowds of people, who cheered enthusiastically. The parade would end at our county cemetery where a moving ceremony was held. Poppy flowers, a symbol of the day, were seen all over our city. Many proudly wore them in their hair or tucked into their lapel.

At the conclusion of our parade, and ceremony, families gathered at our local park where we united in a picnic with neighbors, friends and strangers (who fast became our friend). As folks gathered around the table, the men told tales of their days in battle, while children listened with fascination at what they were hearing. Truly, Memorial Day (and the sacrifice) was understood by all.

Before the evening would conclude, a favorite hymn was shared by all. Perhaps a hymn we don’t sing much anymore, but one that is still dear to me (and perhaps to you as well).

MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He hath loosed the fateful lighting of His terrible swift sword –
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps –
His day is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Glory! glory, hallelujah! Glory! glory, hallelujah!
Glory! glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

As you celebrate your Memorial Day Weekend, please remember those who have sacrificed their lives so that we can celebrate our freedom.

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

1 cup fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled (or frozen strawberries, partially thawed
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate
2 ice cubes, crushed
1 tsp. sugar

Combine strawberries, buttermilk, cranberry concentrate and crushed ice in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth and frothy. Sweeten with sugar (if desired). Serve immediately

Sunday, May 8, 2011



MOTHERS
(Recipe: Sour Cream Coffee Cake)]

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. Even though my mother is no longer living, she was a great example to me. I often find myself doing things the way she did them and have to smile at the impact she had in my life. I smile when I see my boys repeating what they learned from me with their own children. I am especially grateful my boys know and love Jesus – and it is a joy to see them instilling these same values into the lives of their children.

I came across this little story and thought it appropriate to share with you today, Mother’s Day.

My little boy came into the kitchen this evening while I was fixing dinner. He handed me a piece of paper on which he had been writing. So after wiping my hands on my apron, I read it. This is what it said:


For mowing the grass….$5.00
For making my own bed this week … $1.00
For going to the store….$.50
For playing with baby brother while you went shopping….$.25
For taking out the trash …..$1.00
For getting a good report card….$5.00
For raking the yard…$2.00
My allowance……$14.75

I looked at him standing there expectantly, and a thousand memories flushed through my mind. So I picked up the paper, and turning it over, this is what I wrote.

For the nine months I carried you, growing inside me….No Charge
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you, prayed for you….No Charge
For the time and the tears; and the cost through the years….No Charge
For the nights filled with dread, and the worries ahead….No Charge
For advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college…No Charge
For the toys, food and clothes and for wiping your nose….No Charge
Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of my love is….No Charge

Well, when he finished reading he had great big tears in his eyes. He looked up at me and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.” Then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote …. PAID IN FULL. (By Georgy)

Proverbs 17:6 says, “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.”

Enjoy every day God gives you with your children and your grandchildren. Those years fly by much too quickly. I know. My oldest son will be 48 this year! God bless.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

1-1/2 C. sugar
¾ cup soft margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Beat sugar, margarine and vanilla till light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Mix flour, baking powder and baking soda and add to sugar mixture alternately with sour cream, beat after each addition.
Mix pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spoon half of the pecan mixture into greased tube pan; top with half of cake batter. Repeat layers.
Bake 55 – 60 minutes, till toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen cake, invert on cooking rack; gently remove pan. Cool completely.

Sunday, May 1, 2011


Jesus, My Guide
(Recipe: Key Lime Dessert)

I heard a message this morning in church on “Choices”. It is our choice whether we will follow Jesus down the narrow road which leads to eternal life; or the wide road which leads to eternal death. Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14ff) took the wide road. His life ended in destruction. The sermon was a reminder to me that I must make sure I am letting Jesus be the one who guides me every day; making the choice to allow him to lead me on the narrow road.

Over the weekend I spoke at a women’s seminar. It was held in a tiny, country church in western Pennsylvania. We opened the event with a time of worship. I found their song selections refreshing for each song they sung was an old hymn – something we don’t sing all that often anymore. As I was thinking about these two events – the message and the old hymns – a song I used to sing when we were ministering on Staten Island came to mind. It is a wonderful reminder to me of the importance of following Jesus anywhere he would lead us. Letting Jesus be our guide through life. I would like to share this wonderful old hymn with you. May it be your prayer for your future as well.

ANYWHERE WITH JESUS

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go; Anywhere He leads me in this world below;
Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade; Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone; Other friends may fail me, He is still my own;
Though His hand may lead me over dreary ways, Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep, When the darkening shadows round about me creep;
Knowing I shall waken never more to roam, Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.

CHORUS:
Anywhere! Anywhere! Fear I cannot know;
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

Psalm 73:23-26, 28 – “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever….But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

Key Lime Dessert

Preheat oven to 350
1 package Oatmeal Cookie Mix
½ cup butter
2 can sweetened condensed milk
¾ cup lime juice
2 8-oz. containers of cool whip
2 6-oz. Key Lime Pie Yogurt
1 Tbsp. grated lime zest
½ cup strawberries
green food coloring, if desired

Put cookie mix into a bowl. Cut the butter into it until it is crumbly. Press this mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. COOL.

Beat milk and lime juice until thick. Remove 1 cup of the cool whip from one container and fold the rest into the milk mixture, yogurt and food coloring. Mix well. Spoon into COOLED crust. Cover and refrigerate. Garnish with a dollop of cool whip and fresh strawberries.