A How-to on Making Gluten

I was raised a vegetarian till I was 11 years old. Then my Mom had some health problems and the Dr thought that if she added meat to her diet - that it would help her. My very first time I had meat - I had Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. I remember her not telling us that it was meat till we were done eating and then being shocked that #1 we had eaten meat and #2 that I have actually liked it. Well I still am not a real big meat eater. I usually only like chicken breast, turkey breast and roast.

My husband was brought up totally differently than I was. Meat was at every meal. And he loved/loves it! But I am so lucky because he is ok with us not having meat at every meal. I do try to have meat at last half to more than half of the meals I make.


So today I want to share something that I enjoy making that helps our budget and gives us something good to eat - that is NOT meat. Meat is pretty expensive and the fake meats are getting very expensive as well. So I have gotten back to making Gluten. I love to make Gluten.

Gluten is the protein of wheat. So it takes the place of protein in your meals just fine. And there are a lot of ways you can use it. However; I usually like it one way - battered and sautéed in olive oil - or as Racheal Ray would say - EVOO.

Yes- there is a lot of work involved in making it but it is well worth the effort.

Let's begin.
First I measure 8 cups of flour into a bowl.
"8 cups hard-wheat flour(high gluten content) (may try using 1 cup gluten flour with 7 cups white flour OR half white flour and half wheat flour OR all wheat)" info from "Cooking By The Book" cookbook by: Marcella Lynch. Or you could just use all white flour - what ever combo will work.


I am using my Large Thatsabowl from Tupperware - a favorite of mine. Then I add 3- 4 cups of water - I usually do just fine with 3 cups. Then stir it together. Once it starts coming together then get your hands right in there and knead it for 5 minutes. "Kneading develops the gluten and is important." Then I put the ball in a smaller bowl and I cover with cold water. Directions say to let sit for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
While the gluten is sitting, I will work on getting my broth together. You can really use any type of seasonings to use as your broth. This is what flavors your gluten. This cookbook that I have has 2 different recipes and if anyone is interested in them - let me know and I can get them typed up. But I have not tried these recipes yet because I started making gluten before I got this book and I have have a recipe that I use.

Ok - here is my broth. Normally I use more onions but I was out so I had to use dried chopped onions.



So after your gluten has had a chance to rest covered with water for at least an hour. Then it is time to begin to work again. This time you will take your bowl to the sink, dump out the water and sit it down in the sink under the faucet. As you can probably tell - I switched back to my Big Thatsabowl.
Then add fresh water and start kneading the dough. You will do this and change out the water until the water becomes more clear. At first the water will be pretty milky looking. But your goal is to knead it till the water is about clear. You will lose part of the dough - but what you have left is actually the gluten. And it should have a more rubbery consistency now. You will want to put your dough on a cookie sheet (or something that will hold the water that will drain out of the dough) and let it set for a few minutes. And then you will want to turn your broth up to a boil.
Now for this next part - I use a tortilla press or you can use to plates- the idea is to flatten the dough a bit. You will divide your dough into smaller sections.
I think that the gluten pieces that I let sit and rest for about 5 -10 minutes while I was rinsing out the next batch did much better at holding their shape. And take the little pieces into the tortilla press and press it flat. Then you will take the gluten out and put them into the broth. Once you have put all the gluten into the broth - you will want to turn the temperature down to a simmer. And cook the gluten about 45 minutes to an hour.
Then you will want to use a spoon with slots to get your gluten out - put them into a bowl or onto a cookie sheet to cool.

Then you once the gluten is cool - you can bag them up in amount that will be useful to you. I will write on the bag the date and also how many gluten patties I put into the bag.



My family likes it best when I treat it just like fried chicken and batter it and fry it. Yum-Yum!!


Truthfully, there is ALOT of work that goes into making gluten but the results are well worth it. And when I make it, I kind of feel like Ma in "Little House on the Prairie" because I am working hard to provide food for my family. Today I made two batches. I wish I could have made more but my neck was hurting - like between the shoulder blades. Since I knew that it would take about 10 minutes to knead the starch out of the gluten on each of the 2 batches that I made, I decided to stick to just the two batches. And I knew that was probably enough for one day.

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe... #5

Fundamental Belief # 5

5. Holy Spirit:

God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

Gen. 1:1, 2

"And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." 

Luke 1:35

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;" 

Luke 4:18

"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

Acts 10:38

"for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 

2 Peter 1:21

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:18

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,"

Ephesians 4:11, 12

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 

Acts 1:8

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:16-18

    

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." 

John 14:26

"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:26, 27

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

John 16:7-13 

Doubly Blessed

"The work of redemption was completed on the sixth day, and as God rested after the work of creation, so Jesus rested in Joseph's tomb during the sacred hours of that holy Sabbath. His followers rested also; for He had ever taught them obedience to His Father's holy law. He had forbidden any ever to think that even a jot or tittle of the law of God could be changed. (Matt. 5:17,18) For four thousand years the Sabbath had been observed as a memorial of creation; but after the Saviour died upon the cross it was doubly blessed, being a memorial of redemption as well as of creation." pg 105

This book has been such a blessing to read. It helps me understand so much more about the important connection to the meaning of the sanctuary and its role in pointing us to Christ. This book is broke down into pretty short chapters with a comparison type review at the end of each chapter. 

If you would like to check out the rest of the chapter that I got this quote from - or even the whole book - Here is a link to the book. The quote above is in the chapter The Feast of Unleavened Bread .

So Sabbath is not only a memorial of Gods wonderful work of creations - but also the memorial of redemption - when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and said - "It is Finished" ..Praise God! :O)

What A Promise!

"Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know."

John 14:1-4

This is another repost - I think I want to start a series of  promises found in the Bible - so when you see "What a Promise!" you will know it is part of this series!  

Gray Dots or Golden Stars

Another repost - important things to think about:


After reading the story -"You are Special" about the wooden people. It got me thinking - which of these stickers am I handing out? We really do have the ability to brighten someones day or to bring a dark cloud over someones day as well. There are a lot of hurting people out there that need the love of Jesus to shine through you and me. And really only by allowing God's love to penetrate our hearts are we able to truly love other people.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends.." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a


After reading this passage in the Bible - it is obvious that Loving is a tall order to fill. But when we have Jesus in our hearts - he gives us this love for others. This is something I really need to work on. I am a sinful person and I have the tendency to want to react to other people's unlovely behaviors in a not so lovely way.


By spending more and more time with my Maker, I hope to become more and more like Him. May I allow Him to work through me and may I allow God to love other people through me. And may I avoid passing out the gray dots and instead stick with using the golden star instead.

And the next time that someone tries to stick a gray dot on you because you don't live up to their expectations- Stop and watch as that dot falls to the ground as you realize that your value comes from your Maker. :o)

You Are Special

This is a repost - I feel this story is very important for us all. Enjoy: 

You Are Special

The Wemmicks were small wooden people. Each of the wooden people was carved by a woodworker named Eli. His workshop sat on a hill overlooking their village. Every Wemmick was different. Some had big noses, others had large eyes. Some were tall and others were short. Some wore hats, others wore coats. But all were made by the same carver and all lived in the village. And all day, every day, the Wemmicks did the same thing: They gave each other stickers. Each Wemmick had a box of golden star stickers and a box of gray dot stickers. Up and down the streets all over the city, people could be seen sticking stars or dots on one another.

The pretty ones, those with smooth wood and fine paint, always got stars. But if the wood was rough or the paint chipped, the Wemmicks gave dots. The talented ones got stars, too. Some could lift big sticks high above their heads or jump over tall boxes. Still others knew big words or could sing very pretty songs. Everyone gave them stars.

Some Wemmicks had stars all over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that they did something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. They got dots.

Punchinello was one of these. He tried to jump high like the others, but he always fell. And when he fell, the others would gather around and give him dots.

Sometimes when he fell, it would scar his wood, so the people would give him more dots. He would try to explain why he fell and say something silly, and the Wemmicks would give him more dots. After a while he had so many dots that he didn't want to go outside. He was afraid he would do something dumb such as forget his hat or step in the water, and then people would give him another dot. In fact, he had so many gray dots that some people would come up and give him one without reason. "He deserves lots of dots," the wooden people would agree with one another. "He's not a good wooden person."

After a while Punchinello believed them. "I'm not a good Wemmick," he would say. The few times he went outside, he hung around other Wemmicks who had a lot of dots. He felt better around them.

One day he met a Wemmick who was unlike any he'd ever met. She had no dots or stars. She was just wooden. Her name was Lucia. It wasn't that people didn't try to give her stickers; it's just that the stickers didn't stick. Some admired Lucia for having no dots, so they would run up and give her a star. But it would fall off. Some would look down on her for having no stars, so they would give her a dot. But it wouldn't stay either. 'That's the way I want to be,'thought Punchinello. 'I don't want anyone's marks.' So he asked the stickerless Wemmick how she did it. "It's easy," Lucia replied. "every day I go see Eli."

"Eli?" "Yes, Eli. The woodcarver. I sit in the workshop with him." "Why?" "Why don't you find out for yourself? Go up the hill. He's there."

And with that the Wemmick with no marks turned and skipped away. "But he won't want to see me!" Punchinello cried out. Lucia didn't hear. So Punchinello went home. He sat near a window and watched the wooden people as they scurried around giving each other stars and dots. "It's not right," he muttered to himself. And he resolved to go see Eli. He walked up the narrow path to the top of the hill and stepped into the big shop. His wooden eyes widened at the size of everything. The stool was as tall as he was. He had to stretch on his tiptoes to see the top of the workbench. A hammer was as long as his arm. Punchinello swallowed hard. "I'm not staying here!" and he turned to leave. Then he heard his name.

"Punchinello?" The voice was deep and strong. Punchinello stopped. "Punchinello! How good to see you. Come and let me have a look at you." Punchinello turned slowly and looked at the large bearded craftsman. "You know my name?" the little Wemmick asked.

"Of course I do. I made you." Eli stooped down and picked him up and set him on the bench. "Hmm," the maker spoke thoughtfully as he inspected the gray circles. "Looks like you've been given some bad marks." "I didn't mean to, Eli. I really tried hard." "Oh, you don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think." "You don't?"

No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots?

They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."

Punchinello laughed. "Me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I can't jump. My paint is peeling. Why do I matter to you?"

Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me."

Punchinello had never had anyone look at him like this--much less his maker. He didn't know what to say.

"Every day I've been hoping you'd come," Eli explained.

"I came because I met someone who had no marks."

"I know. She told me about you."

"Why don't the stickers stay on her?"

"Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them."

"What?"

"The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." Eli lifted Punchinello off the bench and set him on the ground. "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door. "You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."

Punchinello didn't stop, but in his heart he thought, "I think he really means it."

And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.

May all your dots fall silently to the ground, for if given by man, they matter only to other men, if given by the Gods, no one questions, the scars that make up our lives. (when given the choice, pass out stars, drop the dots in the trash.)

- Max Lucado

Did You Know that God uses Loppers? Well He Does - Kind Of

This week - I will be doing some repost of some great posts that I think would be well worth the revisit for those have not yet read them - and reminders to some who have seen them before.
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About a week or so I picked up my loppers and put my leather gloves on and started working clearing up the space around the trees around here. And I am thrilled with the results. I have some more places in the yard that I need to work on, but my yard is headed in the right direction - that is for sure!

I have found it quite amusing that since I have been learning what it takes to make trees look nice- as I drive places I notice how some trees are really pretty and some not so much so. I now realize that in order to have pretty trees you have to clean up that growth that really does not belong. You have to cut down the briar's and pull them out of those trees. There is a lot of work. It is not just something that happens without some hard work put in. As I have been thinking of this - I began to understand the way a person grows in Christ. It does not happen all on its own without some hard, painful work involved. Only when we allow God to use his loppers to help cut away that which does not edify our lives. And cut those briar's out and pull them out. Sometimes this is painful for us. But the end result is so worth it.

I think from now on, I will not be able to look at these major areas in my yard that I have cleaned up without remembering that lesson that I have learned and that I too am a work in process.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalms 138:8

"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" Philippians 1:6 

The Cross of Christ..Poem

The Cross of Christ

IN the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o'er take me,
Mopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me;
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds new luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there, that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.
In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round it head sublime.
John Bowring.

Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#4

Fundamental Belief #4 

4. Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-3, 14

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell," Col. 1:15-19

"I and My Father are one."

John 10:30

"Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:9

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 6:23

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Cor. 5:17-19

"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son," John 5:22

"And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." 

Luke 1:35

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil. 2:5-11

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." 13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."

Heb. 2:9-18

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," 1 Cor. 15:3, 4

"Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man." Heb. 8:1, 2

 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3

This and That Friday

Today I thought I would just do a This and That post since I have several different things that I wanted to share.

First of all, I wanted to share something very cool with you all. Remember I shared how I had decided to hand wash most of my dishes? Well this month we got our electric bill and I compared it with every electric bill that have have had in the last 10 years( I keep bill notebooks and so it is easy as pie to go back and get this information- I would suggest you do the same thing.) Anyway our electric bill this month was anywhere from $20.00 - $145.00 cheaper than any mid September bill in the past 10 years! Can you believe it. The closest time that the bill got to as low as it was this month was back in 2009. Our highest year was 2007. One of the contributing factors for our lower bills is that we bought new windows for our home. There are other changes - like us not using our dishwasher but maybe once a week or so. Sometimes if my husband is helping in the kitchen he will load the dishwasher and then we just will wait till it is full to run it.
I am so thrilled with our bill being as reasonable as it was. Not cheap by any means- over the $200. mark for sure but not as bad as it has been in the past.

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It has been a warm day. I had to close up the house this afternoon and turn the AC on. I am SO looking forward to fall and cooler temps. In fact, I had my son pull down my "Fall" box from the attic. I can not wait to change out my table cloth to a great fall one. And to redecorate with my fall stuff. I think it is one of my most favorite times of the year to decorate for.

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This was a thing floating around Facebook. And I just had to post it along with this statement:   When he said change - I don't think this is what the people that voted for him thought he meant....

I don't like to get real political on here - but you can probably guess I was not one that voted for him and I will not be voting for him this time either. 

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Just wanted to share a little piece of the place that I work. This is a great country store/bakery/grill. Our customers are great. And any times friends run into each other and visit. 

Well I think that is all of the "This and That" that I have today." I hope you all have a great week end!

Starting a New Book

As I said yesterday - since I had finished reading through that series - it was time to find a new book to read. And I think I found just the one. "The Cross and Its Shadow" by Stephen N. Haskell.


I have only read the first couple of chapters but it is oh so good!

Here is just a little sampling of how good this book is:

"The heavenly sanctuary is the great power-house of Jehovah, whence all the help necessary to overcome every temptation of Satan is sent to each one who is connected with it by faith.

The heavily laden electric car, with its slender arm reaching up to the wire above, through which it receives strength from the power-house miles away, is a fitting illustration of the Christian. As long as the connection is unbroken, through the darkest night, the car runs smoothly up and down hill alike, not only shedding light on the immediate track ahead, but casting its bright rays of light into the darkness far and near. But the instant the connection is broken, how great is the change! The car remains in darkness, unable to go forward.

So it is that Christ, our great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, reaches His hand down over the battlements of heaven to clasp the hand of every one who will reach up by faith and take hold of the proffered help. The one whose faith lays hold of that help, can pass securely over the steepest hills of difficulty, his own soul filled with light while diffusing light and blessing to others. As long as he by faith keeps a firm hold of God, he has light and power from the sanctuary above; but if he allows doubt and unbelief to break the connection, he is in darkness, not only unable to go forward himself, but a stumbling-block in the way of others." pages 22-23

Finishing a 10 Month Journey

This week I finished a 10 month journey. Eleven months ago - I felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me to read through "The Conflict of the Ages" series. Well I ordered a set of the books, I had most of the books already but wanted to color code mark the books as I went along and really preferred to have an actual set of the books. I found the set online for a very reasonable price - I am thinking $35.00 for the set and that was with shipping.
During the month that I was looking for a reasonable priced set - I decided to start reading a couple of much smaller books - so I started with "Steps to Christ" - it was an awesome book and I WILL be reading it again. There is SO much to digest in this book. It was such a blessing to read. I highly recommend it. Then I read "Thoughts From The Mount of Blessing" again - a great book and will probably read it again. I am sure that both of these books are the type that you will find new treasures each time you read.

 My set finally arrived and in November of 2011 - I began to read through this series.

This set basically begins at the beginning of the Bible and works its way through the Bible - ending with a book that basically goes through the history of the great controversy between God and Satan from where it started - in heaven - and it takes us right up to the close of time on this earth. This book actually took me the longest to read - just under 4 months.
I have already found an awesome book to read next and will be sharing about that one soon, so stay tuned. :O)
*You can find a link to each of the books here  "The Conflict of the Ages" 

Importance of Checking Prices of Things at Different Stores

Ok - this information was added to my "Cookbook Worthy" post - but I wanted to do another post - just in case someone misses the other information. 

The bag of Key limes that my son had bought was a 1 pound bag. From that 1 pound bag - we were able to make 3 batches of Limeade. 

 Today I went to a different store and I found a 2 pound bag of them for $1.48 - And we should be able to get about 6 batches- at least- of Limeade.
Just one example of the importance to check prices at different stores. 

Beautiful and Unique

Oh the trouble we get into when we try to compare ourselves with other people. 

Sometimes we fall prey to the idea that we should all be alike.
But the people around us - should not be the standard that we strive to achieve.

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12

Jesus Christ came down to earth and lived a sinless life in order to give us an example of how to live our lives. When we realize that Jesus Christ is the standard - it helps us more appreciate our differences from other people and see our differences as beautiful and unique. 

Cookbook Worthy

One day, while my husband was off work due to his surgery, we went to one of my favorite thrift shops. While we were there he found this great cookbook. It is one that is a three ring binder type - with great pages for you to put your favorite recipes along with dividers for each different type thing - like entrees, desserts and such. Well it was marked $3.00 and I almost said no about getting it since we had found a lot of other awesome things on the same visit, but I am SO glad I changed my mind and went ahead and got it. 

 I have been working on adding all my favorite recipes to it. 

Well today I want to start a series called "Cookbook Worthy" I may not post a recipe every single week but I will post a recipe when I find recipes that are worthy of being added to my cookbook. I will also probably do some reposts of some of the recipes that I think are worthy of putting in this cookbook. 

Today our recipe will be Key Limeade 

You will need:

 6-8 key limes

1 Cup Sugar 

6 1/4 Cups Water 

We used 7 limes and it was delicious! 

Squeeze the juice out of your limes and put the juice into your pitcher. 

Next add 1 cup of sugar. 

Then pour in 6 1/4 cups of water. 

Stir well. 

I would suggest serving with ice. And you can always add some maraschino cherries along with some of the juice. 

This is such a refreshing drink. 

The bag of key limes that my son bought for us to try this was just over $2.00 a bag and it looks like we will get 3 batches from that bag. This recipe will be added to my new cookbook that I am putting together. And will be something that we have around quite often.
I love to find great recipes. Stay tuned - I'll share more recipes as I come across them. 

Until next time - I hope you are all doing well. I am off to try some of my Key Limeade with cherries.

 Yum yum!

Edited to add: The bag of Key limes that my son had bought was a 1 pound bag. From that 1 pound bag - we were able to make 3 batches of Limeade. 
 Today I went to a different store and I found a 2 pound bag of them for $1.48 - And we should be able to get about 6 batches- at least- of Limeade.
Just one example of the importance to check prices at different stores. 

First Time - Won't be the Last

Last week my husband was able to work 4 - 10's and was able to have Friday off. We had some errands to run in a small town nearby. Once we were done with our errands we were trying to figure out where to go for lunch. Well to my surprise - my husband took me to a little place that I had heard a lot about but had never been to before. It is such a neat lace to eat. Not very big but great home cooking and even free desert! I tried to take a few photos to share - this was the only one that turned out. There is a train that goes all the way around the top of the room, over bridges and in tunnels. It is so cool. I think it is also cool that in each booth there is a different clock. There are drawings of area landmarks - around the room and that is another great touch. 

As we were eating a lady working there was sitting at the table next to us doing some work. My husband told her that it was my first time there - and she shared with us that this restaurant had been around for 92 years - 40  years at the current location. What a great history for a place like this. I was very impressed. 

Oh and one of the best things about this place was that they had very reasonable prices. I love places like this that not only have a great atmosphere but that also have reasonable prices! We will be going back. 

What is funny is that when I posted on Facebook about us going here and it being my first time - a friend of mine who has lived in this area forever was shocked that I had never been before. But when I was a kid we never went out to eat. I remember one time going to a Crystals Pizza place - they had an awesome little movie room theater that showed cartoons. Anyway so there is no chance I would have went as a child and we just had not gone. It was fun to try something new. I like to do things that I like to do - but sometimes it is refreshing to the soul to do something different.

I think it also helps keep your brain active to do new things - even little things like driving a different route. Where we live - when we are going to go to a store - we usually have a choice of which town we want to go  to and several different route to each of these towns. It's just one more good way to keep your brain active. 

Seventh-day Adventists Believe....#3

Fundamental Belief #3

3. Father:
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father.

  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. 1:1

"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." Rev. 4:11

"Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." 1 Cor. 15:28

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."  1 John 4:8

 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17

"And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." Ex. 34:6, 7
"Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" John 14:9

Conforming to the Divine Model

"It is in this life that we are to separate sin from us, through faith in the atoning blood of Christ. Our precious Saviour invites us to join ourselves to Him, to unite our weakness to His strength, our ignorance to His wisdom, our unworthiness to His merits. God's providence is the school in which we are to learn the meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting before us, not the way we would choose, which seems easier and pleasanter to us, but the true aims of life. It rests with us to co-operate with the agencies which Heaven employs in the work of conforming our characters to the divine model. None can neglect or defer this work but at the most fearful peril to their souls." GC623

Another quote from the awesome book I am reading. Here is a link if you would like to check this book out. The Great Controversy

Here is a link to check out other awesome books. 

I hope you all have a great week end! :o) 

I Love Cats!

God's Not Finished With Me

I wanted to share something that is obviously clear but I wanted to share - just in case I have ever given the idea that I was perfect.
Over the past few years - things have been more challenging that usual - I have shared this on more than once occasion. But what I think I have not done a good enough job at doing is - sharing some of the positives that have come from those hard times.
Those hard times have driven me to the feet of Jesus. It has helped me realize my need for Him and the importance of submitting my life to Him. These things are so very valuable and I am so thankful for them. And through these past years - God has been working on me more and more. I am so far from where He would have me be but Praise God I am not where I was.
God wants me to reflect His character - and I am not there - it is a journey - a life long journey. And I am so thankful that God is there every step of the way to guide and direct me.
So if I have ever given the impression that I think that I have arrived - please know that I know better than that. :o)

Edited to add this cool photo that's been floating around facebook. 

Your life is a bed of roses all the time...REALLY?

Have you ever noticed that there are some people on Facebook and some bloggers who are always bragging about how wonderful their lives are. According to what they say you would think that life was a bed of roses. 

I understand that we need to praise God for the wonderful blessings that he bestows on us. And I also understand that it is best that we are not all gloom and doom all the time either. But being real is most important. 

Our story - our experience is much more valuable when we can be honest about the hard times we have had. Then those around us can more relate to us. 

Through our weakness = God's strength is shown. God's strength and glory are revealed more when we are honest and open about the difficult times in our lives. The Bible tells us that we will have trials and tribulation - but we are not to let it bother us because Jesus Christ has overcome the world. 

Through our weakness - His strength is shown. May we be willing to show our weakness so that the glory of God's strength is more fully shown. 

    "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Empty Milk Jugs, Funnel, and a Blow Dryer

How can a few empty milk jugs, a funnel and a blow dryer make for a better camping trip?

Well today I plan to share that little secret with you all. I know that this will be a post that may not benefit everyone - but I hope that it helps at least one person.

First I need to explain a little background. The campground that my husband and I love to go to has a bathroom with 3 showers;however, it is quiet difficult to shower there, at least for me it is
Some campgrounds that we have gone to have had a really neat set up for the shower stalls, which included little stall before you step into your shower stall. So you are able to walk into get undress and leave all your clothes and such in this little stall while you go into the shower.

Well the showers at this campground are not like that at all. No - they just have the stall. And the way I have had to so it is to use a Walmart bag to hold my clothes and such in and then flip it over the stall door so that my stuff will not get wet.

Now to get back to my new discovery: We have an older RV that has small water storage tanks. So by the time we get a shower each and wash dishes, wash faces and brush teeth - our gray water is full and then I have to go take a shower at the shower house. I do not like doing this so I have figured out what I can do to make my camping trips much more enjoyable!

First of all I put the stopper in the bottom of the shower - and take a shower with as little water as possible. I get wet - then turn off water and lather up hair, shave and all and then turn water back on and finish my shower. Doing it this way I only end up using about 2 gallons of water or less
.
So I have figured that I can do one of two things- scoop the water from the shower to the toilet and put it with the black water - which we never over do it - so it would not be a problem to do it this way. OR I can scoop the water out and put into empty milk jugs. And then dump when we drain the black/gray water before we leave the park - or just wait till we get home to dispose of it.

This will make it possible for me to be able to take my showers in the comfort of our own RV. The bathroom is small but so much nicer than going to the shower house.

And what about that blow dryer? Well when we go camping we like to keep the trailer very cool. And so it is often times quite chilly when it comes time to take shower. But if you will just use your blow dryer for a bit in the bathroom - since the bathrooms are so small it usually warms it right up, well at least enough that you don't freeze. LOL :o)

I hope that these idea helps someone else. And I also wish I had have thought of these ideas much sooner. At least I know them now.

9-11

Something floating around Facebook. That day was so surreal. 

May God comfort those that lost loved ones and who will be having an especially hard day today. 

Which Way Do You Lean?

"Which way does a tree fall? A tree falls down the way it leans. So be careful which way you lean."

This week end my husband and I watched "The Lorax" movie. This quote really caught my attention. It really gives us a lot to think about. Which way are we leaning? Do our lives lean towards Jesus Christ and living our lives in submission to His will OR are we living our lives according to the world's standards? When we live our lives in submission to God's will, He gives us strength and holds us up so that we don't fall. When we lean towards the world's standards we are bound to fall- fall to the temptations of the adversary. Which way do you lean?

Hi! :O)

Just taking a couple of minutes to drop in and say Hi! My husband and I went camping this week end. Now I am getting laundry done up and working on a great supper for the family - 1. I will be back tomorrow with another post. I hope everyone has had a great week end! :O)

Seventh-day Adventists Believe... #2

Here we are at fundamental belief #2.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath! :o) 

Fundamental Belief # 2 

 Trinity:There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.

    "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" Deuteronomy 6:4 

   "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19


"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" 2 Corinthians 13:14

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6
"elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied." 1 Peter 1:2
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17
"saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." Revelation 14:7

Best Advice

Another little thing floating around Facebook, I just had to share. Have a great day! And be sure and Seek God First! :O) 

Just Before Us Is...

Just before us is "the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10. All whose faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome. Satan "works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness" to gain control of the children of men, and his deceptions will continually increase. But he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations. Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and are striving to purify their souls through obedience, thus doing what they can to prepare for the conflict, will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense. "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee" (verse 10), is the Saviour's promise. He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan. GC560 

What an awesome quote this is! "He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan" Wow - what love our Savior has for us!! I am so grateful for that love. 

As always - if you would like to read the whole chapter - Here is a link. You will want to go to the chapter titled "Can Our Dead Speak To Us?" 

I am down to just 115 more pages of this 678 page book. And this will also mean I am only 115 pages from  finishing this book series "The Conflict of the Ages" series. This set of books has been such a blessing to me. I am so very glad that the Holy Spirit convicted me of my need to read these books. 

I do want to stress something that is very important. The Bible is the MOST important book any of us can ever read. It is the Love Letter from God and it gives us ALL that we need:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work

2 Timothy 3:16-17

We need to devote time to studying the Bible every day if at all possible. We have an adversary that is REALLY seeking to destroy us and we need to know what the Word of God says. 

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

1 Peter 5:8

This series of books that I have read have only helped me understand the Word of God more. There are SO many Bible verses throughout these books. And it has been such a blessing to develop a better understand of   Jesus and His Word. 

I hope that you are spending time in God's Word. There are so many treasures. Please don't ever become complacent in the knowledge you have about the Bible. There is always something to learn. :o) 

A Peek at the Remodel Job

Just a little peek into the remodel job on our main bathroom. 

I love the calming effect of how it has been done. I love the red, red wine trim. That puts a splash of color but not too much color. We still have some trim work to do before it's totally done. But we are so very proud of the way this bathroom turned out.

Another Great Slow Cooker Recipe...

Another great slow cooker recipe.

Pot Roast Chicken with Veggies

4-5 med potatoes, cut into chunks
4-5 carrots, sliced
1 lg onion chopped
(1/2 tsp. cream of tarter mixed with water)
1 10 3/4 oz can of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C. water
4 boneless Chicken Breast
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

1. Be sure and mix up 1/2 tsp of cream of tarter with some water and put your cut potatoes in this water. Swish around a bit and then drain water off the potatoes.(this will help keep the potatoes from during dark) Then add the potatoes to the large slow cooker.

2. Next you will add the carrots and onions to the slow cooker.

3. In small bowl mix soup and water, salt, and pepper. Spoon 1/2 mixture over veggies.

4. Place chicken over soup and veggies.

5. Add remaining soup over top.

6. Cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 7-8 hours - or until veggies are done.

The Pros and cons of Thrift Store Shopping

Good Morning my friends! I hope you all are having a great week end! I have had a pretty good one. In fact - yesterday my sister and I took a Mental Health Day. That's what we call a thrift store shopping day! It was very much needed for both of us. We only hit two stores but really that is all it took cause I found some awesome things! First we hit a store, much further away than what we usually go to but they had a sale going - 30% off of everything in the store. So this made the 2 dresses that I found great prices at $5.59 and $4.19 - both of them great brands! I was thrilled!! A nice pair of jeans for only $2.79 and a few nice tops were all bought at the first store.

Then we drove towards home - but detoured over to a great thrift store - only problem they have is no bathroom. But the cool things I found there made it worth the trip and worthy of more trips back to this store. It is not in the best neighborhood - that is one reason my sister and I like to go together.
I found a practically brand new pair of Cato jeans - $6.56 And everything else I bought there was much cheaper per piece - tops anywhere from $2.42 - 4.94. Like I said - it was a great day!

I felt a bit bad because my sister did not find as many awesome deals as I did - but a great pair of pants for work she found for only .99 cents -was like the best deal of the day!

Once I got home yesterday evening - I got laundry going - so I could wash up all the stuff I got. I then began to go through my closet and try stuff one. I like to do this periodically. This way if stuff does not fit very well I can pull them out and pass them on to others who may need them. I am also able to organize my clothes into what I wear to work or my regular clothes. I don't have to dress up for work - but there are times I have ruined clothes due to bleach(from doing dishes) or from grease. So I really try not to wear my nicer clothes to work. It seems like I am always surprised, when I do go through my closet and try on clothes that most things do fit - even though I feel like I am too fat for a lot of it. So I guess I just need to be reminded that Yes I do still fit into these clothes...lol.

I still would like to go through the section of my closet that has my dresses, skirts and the tops I like to wear with them. And try stuff on and organize it. Also to make a list of what I might need in that area. What is difficult is that I need a couple of tops that are a similar color like a couple of my skirts - the problem is finding a top that will match the color - especially when you don't have the skirt with you. That is one of the disadvantages to thrift store shopping. But the amount of money that is saved is SO worth it.
******
Oh and this being Labor Day week-end and like the last farewell of summer - you would think that temperatures would be more mild...WRONG. Yesterday it was like 103 as a high - well that is the high that I saw - it could have been worse. And it looks like for the next 4-5 days we will have triple digit temps. Not fun. At least we had a few days in there that were a bit lower than that. Those days are refreshing.

Well I do hope you all have a great day!! :O)

F.A.I.T.H.

Just a little thing going around Facebook! I love it! I hope you all have a great day! :O) 

Seventh-day Adventists Believe...

Today I would like to start a new series. Many of you know that I am a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, but for those of you who do not already know that or are not familiar with what Seventh-day Adventist believe - I would like to do a series of our fundamental beliefs. I will not go into a whole lot of detail -but each post - I will offer to send you a book that goes into a lot more details of what we believe. If you are interested - please just let me know by contacting me or leaving me a comment. I will be happy to mail a book to any of you who may be interested.

Fundamental Belief # 1 

 Holy Scriptures:The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history.

  " knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

2 Peter 1:20, 21

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Tim. 3:16, 17

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

 Ps. 119:105

    "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."

Prov. 30:5, 6

"To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Isa. 8:20

    "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

John 17:17

   "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

 1 Thess. 2:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12