SOMETHING TO PONDER: The Color of White / Is White a Color?

During my morning walks with my friend Virginia we each occasionally take our cameras with us.  We both like taking pictures of life all around us.  It's been so hot here in Florida lately that many of the more colorful flowers are parched.  I have some color in our front yard but only because I douse them with the hose every other day.     I am normally drawn to colorful things more than just the white, but due to the lack of more brilliant color, I noticed that white flowers, however, seem to be everywhere, and are doing quite well even without extra water.

They are generally surrounded by the dark green leaves for contrast.  Isn't it wonderful of God to have made them this way?  We would not appreciate the white if everything were that color  [BTW, there are several theories as to whether light is a color.  I'll let you read those HERE.]    The color white is refreshing and shows as much or more detail than any other color but you have to look closely to see it.  Something that is perfectly white, totally unstained and clean, draws our attention so much more than something that is say, perfectly green, blue or red. Think of a white wedding dress, a white dog, an albino peacock (I have seen one of these), or a brand new baby's diaper.

White is all around us -- white clouds, ocean wave caps, sunlight--but we are hardly aware of it.   In the beginning when God said Let there be light His  glory was shown through illumination to all that would be created afterwards.  Maybe the color white is a tiny amount of that glory and purity. It reminds us that the Creator  is the perfect example of holiness and that we are not alone in the dark places where we may find ourselves.  He is just waiting for us to notice.

Romans 1:20 

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, 

His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, 

being understood through what has been made, 
so that they are without excuse. 

Early Morning Praises in the Garden

This morning we were awakened by beautiful music from our neighborhood birds.  About 40 minutes after getting up, they were still singing, so  I  sat out in our front yard with a cup of hot tea, my Bible and of course, my camera.  The birds were especially chipper today, but earlier, even moreso.  

To listen to a short clip of what I heard, go to THIS LINK.

  This is my Father's world, 
the birds their carols raise, 
the morning light, the lily white,
   declare their maker's praise. 

What a nice way to start the day!

Psalm 96:12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it. 
 Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

Cleaning Out / Decluttering / Parting with an Old Friend

If you know me or have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I am always decluttering, throwing out (as often as I can slip things past my family), giving away and selling items around the house.   Recently, I parted with a piece of furniture that we purchased in 1989, a month or so before our first son was born.

Yes, this was the first rocking chair of my very own which was purchased for $40 specifically to rock our first child.  I spent many hours holding my precious little ones over the years in this chair.  I took these photos before giving it away to a young friend of mine (a former piano student) who is moving in to her first apartment.  I thought long and hard about parting with this chair. I have a second rocker which is actually more comfortable and I don't really need two.   I also held the kids in that one as well.  But this was the FIRST one.  It didn't really "clutter" up the living room but there is definitely more room in there now that it's gone.  

I'll always carry the memories of those middle of the night feedings rocking my two sons to sleep after nursing them and just holding them there when they were little.  Sigh...I better go get a tissue.  Sweet memories...which I hold in my heart.  :)  Take good care of the chair, Amanda.  :)

What Breakfast Cereals do You Serve Your Family?

I eat cereal many days of the week for breakfast. Not just because it's easy but I just love the taste of certain ones.  My husband's favorite is Shredded Wheat (he used to eat Raisin Bran until I told him how much sugar is in it); my favorites are Cheerios and/or Grapenuts.    Those are about the only cold cereals we keep in the house.   Great Grains, every now and then for variety but that has a fair amount of sugar in it also.  I've never purchased anything like Cap'n Crunch, Cocoa Puffs or Trix but you'll occasionally find PopTarts in the pantry.  I'm not THAT particular.  :)

In warmer weather I like to cook oatmeal with raisins and/or apples.  The more whole grains the better, if you're going to eat cereal at all.   My family also enjoys scrambled eggs with peppers, onions and turkey sausage/bacon occasionally.  Some days I just have a fresh smoothie made with my VitaMix.   On Sundays I often bake cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat.    Whatever works for your family, but try to buy/serve on the healthier side of the spectrum if possible.  Be sure to check out coupon policies such as the Walmart Coupon Policy before purchasing cereals.  You may think you have a great deal and it actually is not when you arrive at the checkout register.

Here is my favorite summer cereal with a handful of almonds and fresh blueberries and a cup of hot tea or coffee.  Mmm...

COMFORT FOOD RECIPE: Pot Roast with Onions, Potatoes & Carrots in the Crockpot or Slow Cooker

I have made pot roast many times over the years.  I have even posted a couple of recipes on this blog--one using a crockpot and one using a Romertopf clay baker.  Here is a slightly revised recipe that I made last weekend using the LAYERING THE FLAVORS technique, but in a different way.

INGREDIENTS

• Large roast [I purchased one on sale from Sam's Club]
• Vidalia onions, peeled and sliced
• 1 head of garlic [not cloves, HEADS]
• 10-12 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 5 -6 potatoes, sliced
• Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• Worcestershire sauce
• Thyme
• Sage
• Pepper
• Sea salt
• Other seasonings you may like

DIRECTIONS

• Spray the crockpot with olive oil
• Prepare the carrots and potatoes and put them in the bottom of your crockpot
• Sear both sides of the roast for about 5 minutes in a skillet
• Season the roast with the herbs and spices, rubbing them in or sprinkling on top
• Put the roast on top of the vegetables
• Sauté the onions and garlic until they smell great and are browned
• Put the cooked onions and garlic on top of the roast
• Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours [cooking on low gives a much better flavor generally than cooking on high in the crockpot]

This took about 30 minutes.  I love putting the lid on, walking away and forgetting about it and then at dinnertime, like magic, having a nice meal all ready to serve.  :)

• Slice the meat thin and put the meat and veggies in a casserole dish to serve.
• Pour out the drippings from the crockpot to use as a gravy.

I usually set up the crockpot on a small table in the dining room to keep my kitchen counters free.

Voila!

I served it with fresh baked bread and watermelon.  Mmmm...

You would have thought that my family had never been served a roast before.  They ooh-ed and aah-ed over this dish and said it was delicious, asking what I did differently.    I have to admit, it  really did taste good.   I surprise myself sometimes.  :)  The simple step of cooking (almost caramelizing) the onions and garlic and THEN adding them to the dish to continue cooking, made all the difference in the world in flavor.  Try it.  You and your family will love it!  I intend to make roast this way and look for other ways to "layer the flavors" in recipes  from now on.

LEFTOVERS:  A couple of nights later, I made beef stroganoff and in addition to hamburger, used the one piece of roast that was left over in this dish. Instead of adding just water  to cook the pasta and meat, I used the remainder of the gravy plus enough water to make one cup.  It also tasted really good since the flavorings had already been layered.  :)

Introducing a New Blog / Joyful Parenting in the Early Years / Marjorie Nelsen

Since so many young mothers are now in my circle of friends, from church, our neighborhood, Titus 2 Moms group, etc., I'd like to introduce you to a new blog, Colored With a  Positive Crayon, by a friend of mine, Marjorie Nelsen.  My husband and I have known Marge and her family for about three decades.  She is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother and former child educator.  I would definitely consider her a Titus 2 Mom.  :)  She has authored several books which can be found at THIS LINK.  

An excerpt from her profile:

I am a National Christa McAuliffe Fellow in Education, an early childhood teacher, parent educator, and author for 39 rewarding years. I am so passionate about joyful parenting in the early years that I founded and directed a nonprofit organization for parent education. I love being a mother of four and grandmother of 14, each child delightfully different. God does indeed color outside the box! And so do I. My absolute joy of teaching children and their parents for almost four decades spills over in this blog. 

I remember when I was a young mom with toddlers soaking in every word from Marge while attending a small class where she spoke about quality books for children.  For those with young children, avail yourself of her godly wisdom as your raise your own children.  You will be greatly encouraged and blessed.

To access her blog, go to THIS LINK.  Be sure to read her very first blog post which explains her title Colored With a Positive Crayon.  :)

Titus 2: 3-4

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, 

nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 

that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children... 

Death of a Giant of a Man / When Dear Ones Pass Away

Yesterday a giant of a man (though small in stature) in the Christian faith that we have known for many, many years went home to be with the Lord.  I have such fond memories of his family, immediate and extended, over about three decades.  I met him and his wife when I was in  my early 20s and we attended the same local church.  He was one who loved the old hymns and music and treasured his family dearly.  He was a spiritual guide to many a young man.  He struggled with Alzheimer's over the several years   and more recently, bone cancer.   His wife discipled and helped me through a period of a year or so when I was in a dark place and really struggling spiritually.  I have never forgotten the blessing she was to me, especially at that time when I was a young single woman. [She is the sister of Liz whom I have mentioned in a previous blog post.]  I am privileged to play the piano for her husband's memorial service on Monday which I expect to be very worshipful.  It will be a bittersweet day but we rejoice that this godly man is now with the Lord where there is no more pain and suffering and every tear is wiped away [Rev. 21: 3-4].   His eldest son has maintained a blog about his dad over this past year  and has honored his father in doing so.  You will be blessed by reading some of his posts.

I'm sure this man's picture won't be in the national news like the other giant of a man (literally) who died the same day.  [I don't know much about "Matt Dillon's" personal life but I hope he was a believer, especially since thousands of young boys idolized him in their youth.]

James Arness

My husband and I (and many others)  were greatly blessed to know our friend and our lives were richer for it.  Rest in peace, Stan, as you enter into the Kingdom of God.  Well done, good and faithful servant.

Psalm 116:15 

Precious in the sight of the LORD 

Is the death of His godly ones. 

Romans 12:15 

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 

and weep with those who weep. 

Psalm 90:12 

So teach us to number our days, 

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. 

Star Wars Weekend 2011 at Disney World / Hollywood Studios

Last weekend our family visited Hollywood Studios at Disney World to check out the new Star Tours ride. This was the 2nd weekend of Disney's Star Wars Weekends held May 20-June 12, 2011.  The ride is really fun and has 54 alternative stories.  Our sons rode it 2x and it was totally different the second time they rode it.  Here are a few of our photos from that day.

Star Wars characters in costume are throughout the park all day Friday through Sunday each weekend.  There is also a small Star Wars exhibit in the Backlot Tour which is not advertised.  Regular admission to the theme park is required to visit.  Go early and head straight for the Star Tours ride to begin your day.  The park opens at 9:00 a.m. [If you are staying at a Disney hotel on the property, you have 8:00 a.m. access to this park during one of the days of your stay generally.]   We got there about 9:15 a.m. and it looked pretty busy but were able to get into the ride within 20 minutes.

Hope you can get out to the park to see this!  It ends June 12.

Sunday Worship / Seeing Others as God See Them / COMPASSION

We had an RTS intern give our sermon this morning at church.  We were studying Mark 8 and he used this video to make one of his points.  Get your tissues ready and be prepared for your heart to change...

It is about seeing others as the Lord sees them, without the "masks" they regularly wear. Go to THIS LINK to view.

Homeschool Field Trips From Your Home : Art Museums Around the World

I have really got to sit down this summer and learn about all the new things Google is doing and has available.  I keep hearing about Google docs, Google earth, Google photos... they have it all covered.  You can check out the  many options available to you at THIS LINK.  I think the only one I have used is Google maps which shows our home almost TOO close for comfort. :)

Anyway, last weekend my husband and I had breakfast with a dear friend who told us about the Google Art Project.  Thanks, Dave.    This is a wonderful site to virtually visit art museums around the world.  It is especially nice because in many of them (some I have been to myself), photos are not allowed.  So sit back, grab a cup of coffee (also not generally  allowed in museums) and enjoy.  Go to THIS LINK to start your visit and have fun.

Some of the museums you can "tour" are:

• State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
• Feer Gallery of Art, Washington, C
• Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain
• State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia
• Museum Kampa, Prague

The list goes on...

This is an excellent resource for homeschoolers as well as the public or private school classroom.