God bless our Land!

It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.


"My ardent desire is, and my aim has been, to comply strictly with all our engagements, foreign and domestic; but to keep the United States free from political connections with every other country, to see them independent of all and under the influence of none."

Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

George Washington

In Memory.....Brother Chris

With shock and a heavy heart, I ask for prayers for this family.

I have mentioned them only briefly here and to some of you, as their country of residence was not "free".

With their hearts full of love and their hands ready for service, they went to Mauritania. They went into this country as aid workers. They sincerely wanted to help the people of Mauritania.

Chris left Mauritania last week- and went to see our Lord.

He leaves behind, a lovely wife, Jackie, and his four beautiful children.

Again, will you pray for this family? To read more:

Here is an article on VOM, the Persecuted Church

Here is an article from their hometown's paper.

Here is one from BosNewsLife

And here is a tribute from the funeral directors.

PLEASE NOTE: the last link and the link at VOM have an address listed where you can write or, if you feel led, to send gifts to Jackie and the children.

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Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

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Update: CBN has a new post up to honor Brother Chris.

Here is an update was posted on the condition of their city.

Please continue to pray for them.

First few things from the garden....

The garden has been a little bit of a slowpoke this year, but once it gave me some goodies- I quickly forgave it! :-)

Its wonderful to have fresh food from the garden!

Like to know more about Gratituesday?

Keeping recipes handy....

Anyone else have the memory capacity of a rock? Me too!

Well, what is a gal to do when she makes some things weekly or more?

I mean I could keep printing the recipes...but you know what happens with "papers" right?

I have found a solution to my short memory!

I taped the recipes inside the cabinet doors where I keep my baking supplies!

Yep, one door has a Breakfast Bread Recipe, Tammy's Pita Bread Recipe, and my Chapatis recipe!

Now my little girl has started helping with soaking the grains for breakfast, so she wants me to write up her some notes too! That way she can "follow the recipe" like Momma does! ;-)

Another little tip about recipes;

Lay them out the day before or write up a list when you plan your weekly menu and include the page numbers or attach them to your menu! You'll be more apt to cook what you planned if you can find the recipe that you planned to use! ;-)

For more Kitchen Tip Tuesdays, visit Tammy's Recipes!

MENU PLAN MONDAY...

It's hot...let's eat light...its almost time for my once-a-month-shopping trip so lets see what we can dig out of the back of the freezer and pantry- just in time for MENU PLAN MONDAY!

SATURDAY:
-granola and milk
-lentils and rice (by request of the kids!), leftover muffins and strawberry bread
-salmon patties, mashed buttermilk potatoes, mac-n-cheese (by request by DH)
Snacks: Chai Rice Milk, cake, salsa and blue chips
SUNDAY:
-coconut-almond granola and milk
-lentils and rice leftovers(my youngest, normally-picky eater says he could eat this everyday), Chard-Burger Pie
-monkey meat from the freezer with flatbread, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, salsa
with black bean (from the freezer) salsa, sliced cucumber from the one and only one so far from the garden
Snacks: (NT) Almond Cookies, homemade bread and honey
MONDAY:
-soaked Breakfast Cake
-lettuce salad, fish sticks, green beans
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, brussel sprouts
Snacks: (NT) Almond Cookies, Cherry-coconut milk smoothies
TUESDAY:
-bug oats
-tuna salad in pita bread, blueberry slushes
- Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, blackberry crisp
Snacks: popcorn, popsicles HM, HM-NT rice milk
WEDNESDAY:
-coconut rice
-Sammy's, potato salad
-beans, cornbread, hopefully fried squash or okra from the garden
Snacks:carob fudge, popcorn
THURSDAY:
-soaked millet
-sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast burritos, coconut milk and fruit smoothies
-chili and crackers (from leftover beans)
Snacks: Blueberries-n-Cheesecake, homemade graham crackers
FRIDAY:
-bug oats
-chili-n-cheese
Snacks:cheese popcorn, fruit slushes

Chocolate Silk Pie....

(this one is from my little book that came with the Kitchen-aid)

1 9 inch pie shell

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 T cocoa powder

1/2 cup melted butter

3 eggs

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 t vanilla

Mix ingredients in that order, pour into pie shell and bake approx. 55 minutes.

Easy and yummy!

And if you will notice, it separates into 3 layers which makes it really pretty!

:-)

Raisin Bread...

Although I didn't do the greatest job of rolling this bread up :-)- it was soooo good! It has as good a flavor as the store-bought! (least that's what they tell me!;) This is a great snack, breakfast, or anytime bread!!!

2 teaspoons of yeast
mixed with 1/4 cup warm water
and 1 t cane sugar

Lightly beat 1 egg and the yolk of another. Set aside the white!

Warm 2/3 cup milk with 3 T butter. (just till warm and butter melts, don't boil)

Add eggs, milk, butter to yeast mixture; blend well.

Beat in 1/4 cup cane sugar, 1 t sea salt, and 1 t vanilla.
Add 1 cup raisins and approx. 4 cups whole wheat flour.

Turn out dough onto floured surface. Knead. (You may knead in 1/2 to 1 cup unbleached flour if necessary, but do will remain very soft and slightly sticky.)

Shape into ball and place in sprayed bowl. Cover and allow to rise until doubled, approx 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Punch down and roll out into rectangle. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with approx 1/4 cup cane sugar, drizzle with approx. 2 T honey, and sprinkle with approx 3 T cinnamon.

Roll up on the short end, tucking ends under. Place in buttered bread pan.
Beat the egg white with 1 T water and brush over the top. Sprinkle lightly with approx. 1/4 to 1/2 t cinnamon. Allow to rise until doubled. (This won't rise as high as a plain loaf but should come a little over 9x5 loaf pan.) This rise will take approx 45 minutes to an hour.

Bake for 45 minutes until loaf sounds hollow when tapped and sides and bottom are browned.
Cool on wire rack.

Again..so yummy! The children requested this for breakfast!!
A great Frugal Friday recipe! Beats the price of store-bought and its just as good!!!

A precious soul-winner.....

This week I continue to marvel at one precious lady that my DH is acquainted with through his work. During the past several months, the Lord has brought many people across her path. Many of them hurting, many of them struggling, many of them needy- and not even knowing it. (For most of us have been "needy" before we ever understood what our NEED truly was!)

But this dear lady understands! She has been giving these people exactly what they needed, even when it seemed that they didn't even want It!

As of my DH's last count, she has led fifty-five people to the Lord! I don't know whether to shout or cry......or rather weep!?!?!?!! Have I even told 55 people about the Lord Jesus in the last year? Its convicting, its uplifting, its joyous, all wrapped up in one!

But she has made such an impact on our home in many ways and I am so grateful! What a light she is for our Lord! What a gift she is to so many! I can hardly wait to hear how the Lord uses her next!

For more about Gratituesday, please visit Laura's!

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Do you know Jesus? Do you know if your are saved? Do you know where you will spend eternity? Please click HERE.Or would you like a simple pattern on how to witness to someone? Here is the pattern that this dear lady is following, using only Scripture!

Working in some nourishing food...as condiments!

I have really enjoyed experimenting with many of the recipes from Nourishing Traditions. I feel like a mad scientist! The hard part is corralling my family!!!

Just the other day my DH walked in and asked what I was making and once I told him, he said; "I hope you're not funkifying something!" I looked at him and asked what he was talking about (as if I didn't know). He said; "I never know what you are going to do to stuff...like soak it in peanut butter.." I was too busy rolling in the floor to hear the end of the sentence!

But there is one fermented food that has gained some favor! Wanna guess which one? Yes, its simply kraut! I've been able to make it with sausage and that went over very well! They almost thought they were eating the REAL STUFF from a can! ;)

My oldest saw me putting it on sandwiches and hamburgers so he will now ask for it!

I've also tried putting just a tiny spoon of it on their plates with beans since some of them have eaten chow-chow that was slightly sour and loved it. My next plan is to serve it with turkey hot dogs. I just want to try an old "kraut and wienies" out on them, since I know that some of them like it!

Another thing that they have liked is the Ginger Ale recipe!

Now, if only I could win them over on the Gingered Carrots......sigh...

But, remembering to use them as "condiments" and noting that just a spoon or two will do...makes it much more do-able to work it in!

For more Kitchen Tips, please visit TAMMY'S RECIPES!

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How are some of you smuggling in your fermented or cultured foods???? :-)

I'm open to all forms of smuggling!

MENU PLAN MONDAY...

...Got some dough soaking in cream cheese and butter, got some more soaking in buttermilk, so MENU PLAN MONDAY, her I come!

SATURDAY:
-eggs, hash browns, applesauce
-bun dogs, carrot sticks, raw cheese sticks, apple slices
-hamburgers with lettuce, tomatoes, onions
snacks: coconut muffins, homemade chewy granola bars (made with honey not as formally with corn syrup;)

SUNDAY:
-kids choice
-burritos and tacos
-leftovers, peaches, cheese-sticks
snacks: ice cream for some, lattes for others

MONDAY:
-soaked cherry muffins, boiled eggs
-chicken fried rice, steamed squash from the garden, lettuce salad
-baked steaks, mashed potatoes, green peas
Snacks: rugelach
(Note: soak beans)

TUESDAY:
-soaked millet
-salmon loaf, lettuce salad, steamed squash from the garden
-beans, potatoes, corn, cornbread
Snacks:salsa and blue chips, cheese and homemade crackers

WEDNESDAY:
-bug oats and berries
-tuna salad in homemade pita bread, potato salad
-chili
Snacks: popcorn, cherry-blueberry slushies

THURSDAY:
-soaked oatmeal
-chili
-Chicken fajitas, black bean salsa
Snacks: Triple Berry Crisp, popcorn
(note: soak almonds for granola)

FRIDAY:
-kids choice
-simple spaghetti, homemade bread
-monkey meat on flat-bread
Snacks: homemade coconut granola, chili-cheese popcorn, homemade graham crackers