Caffeinated Randomness: Done anything CORNy today?

Yesterday, I was gifted with four and half dozen ears of beautiful shucked corn. And it needed to be dealt with pronto...so, after loading myself up with Starbucks Sumatra...and revving my caffeinated engine...and going over the directions a couple of times....
I covered the floor and counters with newspapers...per the suggestion of my knowing friend!
I sharpened my favorite knife.
(FYI--RADA ROCKZ my socks!!)
I labeled a bunch of ziplocks with the month and year....
And then, I started my assembly line of washed corn...into boiling water for 5 minutes...
...after 5 minutes the hot batch goes into ice water bath for 5 minutes while a new batch goes into the boiling water...
...in between I cut the corn off the cobs of the cooled and dried corn...
You can check the time on my oven if you blow up the pictures...so you know that I started at about 8:08 AM...and here is my spotless kitchen at 9:33 AM. Only an hour and a half! WOW!!
AND...4 1/2 dozen corn equals 9 quarts...in case you're interested. The directions are in the Blue Ball book too.

Then the kids (who'd played REALLY well the whole corning time) helped me pick two gallons of crab-apples from our neighbor's tree (I think he thought I was nutsy when I asked if I could pick them.)

Next week...CRAB-APPLE jelly and butter! Let the insanity continue.

AHHH...now...I'm going to sit down with my book and some iced coffee and chill out.

Ahhhh...it's naptime!!

WFW: Epiphany on Reconciliation...

A few weeks ago I mentioned the conundrum of forgiveness. I've recently had an epiphany of sorts. To quote a phrase, "Lightning has just struck my brain." HA! I'll just warn you now...this ended up sort of long-winded. I apologize!

First, there is no need to be superstitious about my Bible study always relating to my life. That's how it's supposed to work. For example, it's not that the study on patience brought trial, as in cause and effect...but through my study of God's Word, He indeed chose to show Himself and teach me clearly. Let's face it...we're slow learners...and need trial to gain maturity. (James 1)

Second ephipany, (yes, I know it boggles the mind that there could be more) but in relation to forgiveness (remembering NO MORE) there also has to be reconciliation. It's all about being a picture of Christ...and doing what He DID do...

All this has been done by God, who has reconciled us to Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Cor. 5:18

So, what is this ministry of reconciliation? Certainly reconciliation involves forgiveness and an apology, but it's much more. Reconciliation goes beyond words to actions. Reconciliation restores the relationship to where it was before the offense. It accepts and integrates the offender back into our life. Yeah, I wish that I'd had this epiphany YEARS ago...cuz let's just say it hasn't always gone that way for me.

If I truly forgive someone, I release that person in my heart, overcoming the desire for justice or revenge by means of showing mercy. I am no longer angry with the person who sinned against me. We are reconciled. If I am harboring anger or a grudge against someone, I haven't forgiven him.

Christians often fool themselves in this regard. They say they have forgiven someone, knowing that is what they are supposed to do, but they still harbor a grudge against the offender deep inside. They avoid seeing (or speaking to) their offender because it causes that suppressed anger to surface again. I know what I'm talking about, because I've done just that. Let us not fool ourselves. Remember that Jesus does not want us to even be angry with a fellow believer.

"But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." Matthew 5:22

The evidence of genuine forgiveness is freedom from a vindictive or vengeful response.

"Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable." Romans 12:17

To give myself some safe clarity, I DO think that you must be as certain as you can of your offender's repentance--especially in cases involving repeated offenses. It is hard to genuinely restore a broken relationship when the offender is unclear about their confession and repentance. Even God will not grant forgiveness to one who is insincere about their confession and repentance. The person who is unwilling to forsake their sin will not find forgiveness with God.

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy". Proverbs 28:13

I wanted to say that before saying THIS...I think many Christians also use that as an excuse not to reconcile. I know for myself, especially in my marriage for some odd reason, I tend to think a lot of evil about his intentions...and er, LOVE doesn't do that! "Love thinks NO EVIL." I hope I am not alone in saying that I want to judge the heart and motives of my offender as EVIL so that I don't have to fully forgive or reconcile with them.

And it's all just super hard work ya'll! I'm sure volumes have been written on this subject...and if you're still with me here at the end today...good for you! I think it's all summed up well with...

"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Eph. 4:32

Tube Tuesday: Trusting Warrior is a Child...

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child

Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the river flow?
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart,
You can read my mind,
And You got to know
That I would rather die
Than to lose my faith
In the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord?
Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord, when I don't know why.
I will trust You, Lord, till the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord, when I'm blind with pain!
You were God before, and You'll never change.
I will trust You.
I will trust You.
I will trust You, Lord.
I will trust You.

Bountiful Garden & Confetti Chicken

This is ONE days haul ya'll! I'm not sure the lemon basic counts...cuz it's always there...those are the "black" tomatoes. Their sort of dusky...they are also delicious. I'm in LOVE with a tomato!!!
The green pepper, four banana peppers, two tomatoes, chopped lemon basil and 1/2 a red onion made....Confetti Chicken! Yummo!! When it's too hot to grill...

Psalm 65:11, "You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance."

Tube Tuesday: Solid Potato Salad

Please don't ask me how potato salad is solid or why it's paired with the Ross sisters' neat gymnastic dance. Sorta fun for a summer day though...



Some people like their taters Lyonnais, some prefer French fries.
I prefer mine with mayonnaise, cole slaw on the side.

Solid potato salad, that’s solid salad, Jack,
Solid potato salad, boy, take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.

Solid potato salad, and let’s have no Yak Yak
Solid potato salad, boy, take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.

The farmer said to the spud, your skin looks slightly pallid,
So I’ll dig you later bud, with some solid …potato salad.

Solid potato salad, that’s solid salad, Jack,
Solid potato salad, boy, take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.
(Interlude)
Take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.
(Interlude)
Take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.
(Interlude)
Take a plate, fill it up, bring it right back.
(interlude)
Solid potato ….salad, it’ll be so fine that you better latch on,
Solid potato ….salad, whatever it takes get a plate before it’s all gone

The farmer said to the spud, your skin looks slightly pallid,
So I’ll dig you later bud, with some solid …potato salad.

Solid potato salad, that’s solid salad, Jack,
Solid potato salad, boy, take a plate… fill it up…
Take a plate, fill it up, and bring it right back.

Surprise...for Loverbrains!

In case he might need a wake-up from his jet-lag...I bought a SURPRISE!!

A BIG RED SURPRISE!!!!

I have wanted a chair and a half...but they are pricey...and I didn't see it on our "debt snowball melting" budget. I was out junking with my Mom...and found one for *drum roll*...















ONE TENTH of what they cost new!

AND bonus (for me) IT'S RED!!! I'm so happy. Oh, and did I mention that I got FREE delivery and they took my old ugly love seat sleeper sofa too!! The kids are not allowed on it...it's just for MomE and DadE..."unless...one of us invites you to sit too."

I Heart Spray Paint!

I have a strange nook in my kitchen. I was told that when my house was originally built...they included little mini fridges. That would have been too cool but alas it is no longer there...and in it's place is a strange nook where people continually hit their heads. I've looked...and ended up with what I thought I didn't want...a blond pressboard microwave stand. Ugh!

But, there is nothing that spray paint cannot do...
TAH...DAH!!!
I've changed the things above already...even since I took this picture...a little less cluttered now...but I love the effect...and the extra counterspace and cupboard space I've gained from moving the microwave over....and all my grains into the bottom! YEAH!!
I HEART SPRAY PAINT!!!

Roadkill Rescue: Wicker Chairs!

I'm always inspired by my friend Beckie's Roadkill Rescue posts over where she's Infarrantly Creative. Unfortunately, I have not had anything to contribute to the idea bank when she hosts it on her blog. Until NOW...

...coming home from the library the other day...I saw something amid the garbage cans in my neighborhood. My children were cranky and ready for lunch and nap...so when I pulled into the strange driveway my son said, "Mom, this is NOT our house!!" I told him I understood that but I saw something interesting. As I hopped out of the van he said, "In the GARBAGE!" Oh, poor child...you have much humiliation yet to experience from your dear mother! HA!
These two weathered wicker chairs each had a bag of garbage sitting in the seat. In this picture they have already been brushed free of paint chips here. The one arm is damaged...but I've been researching some wicker repair kits.
I trimmed off the loose wicker, used a wire brush to scrub them good...and then broke out the white paint.
VIOLA! I found two pillow/cushions at Goodwill for $3.99! Yeah! They are an adorable addition to my screen porch!
Next up...this press board blond stand (GAG)...
...details tomorrow!

WFW: OBEY...

Does anyone else find teaching small children to obey very convicting to themself? I sure do!

Read up on obedience in your Bible...really, do a word study sometime...

I get on my kids about their level of obedience (or lack thereof) and often find I realize the areas where I'm not being such an obedient child to my Heavenly Father!

Tube Tuesday: Coffee Art

This is entirely too fun to watch. I'm going to teach myself how to do some of these! Of course, I need to perfect my foam making skills. I tend to shoot steam and milk around the kitchen! HA!


For even more fun:

Monday Musings: Coffee Signs...

Okay, is this really possible. I mean, I drink coffee for the express purpose of increased energy...NOT to calm down. Isn't that what tea is for??

Hahahaha...I laughed out loud when I read this one. The other morning...I really struggled while the coffee finished brewing. Zzzzz! It made me recommit to setting the auto...and to going to bed on time. It's the mystery novels again...sigh...Yes, I'm admitting that my tiredness is not necessarily due to my two adorable children's energy. Nope, it's the late night reading.

My dearest parents switched to decaf. My first reaction was... "then what's the point of drinking coffee"...but I was challenged for not being a true coffee lover. Too much decaf does make my stomach hurt...not sure why...really! Of course, too much caffeine keeps me up all night too!

This has to be my all time favorite sign! Cracks me up! It sure is a convenient excuse for why I do stupid things so quickly!!

Caffeinated Randomness: Coffee Rings...

Don't you just hate coffee rings!? Hahahaha!

Photo Courtesy of www.yowassup.com

Well, I'm taking Andrea's cue and re-posting something from last summer. Enjoy, enjoy!!

5 Bobbi Sayings

Gorgeous (GO-JEE-USS)- I say this to my kids when they are pretending or dressing up...What's really funny is they've started to say it to each other...and it sounds just the way I say it....hehehehee! "Oh, Cawub...you's so go jee uss!"

Goodness Gracious-often has a "sakes alive"...usually when I'm being silly about fake surprise. You know, sarcasm! I would never be sarcastic though...*snort...hehe*

Bugger balls- this one I'm working on not saying...okay, while working on this post I realized that even in our NONE cussing home...there are some things that need to be cleaned up around the edges. Er, ugh! These things are not fun to hear on the lips of your children. *cringe*

X irritates the "Liver and Snot" out of me- I say this alot...I have no idea where it comes from...I think it's one of my convoluted sayings that combines two, really. An example of its use... Caller ID irritates the liver and snot out of me. Either plan to answer your phone, or don't!

TAGID (TAH-GEED)--"This Ain't Getting It Done"-- This is my Uncle CJ invention, I think. This I say when I've been sitting down too long. I get up, groan and say, "Well, TAGID...better get the kitchen cleaned up and the dishwasher started.

originally published August 21, 2009

Deep Thoughts in my coffee cup...

In case anyone should wonder why I've been using this term..."deep thoughts in my coffee cup" it's because some of my deepest introspection's are over a steaming cup of coffee. Maybe I'm staring through the steam...maybe I'm staring into the cup...but my thoughts are deep.

So, without further ado...my most recent deep thoughts have been on the purpose of prayer. I read some really interesting things by CS Lewis...that hopefully will cause you to have some deep thoughts on this important subject too.

In CS Lewis on Prayer edited from The World's Last Night...

"Prayer is either a sheer illusion or a personal contact between embryonic, incomplete persons (ourselves) and the utterly concrete Person. Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctu­ary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine. In it God shows Himself to us. That He answers prayers is a corollary—not necessarily the most important one—from that revelation. What He does is learned from what He is."

Petitionary prayer is, nonetheless, both allowed and commanded to us: “Give us our daily bread.” And no doubt it raises a theoretical problem. Can we believe that God ever really modifies His action in response to the suggestions of men? For infinite wisdom does not need telling what is best, and infinite goodness needs no urging to do it. But neither does God need any of those things that are done by finite agents, whether living or inanimate.

Of course, that raises the question...Why bother to pray?

He could, if He chose, repair our bodies miraculously without food; or give us food without the aid of farmers, bakers, and butchers; or knowledge without the aid of learned men; or convert the heathen without missionaries. Instead, He allows soils and weather and animals and the muscles, minds, and wills of men to co-operate in the execution of His will. “God,” said Pascal, “instituted prayer in order to lend to His creatures the dignity of causality.” But not only prayer; whenever we act at all He lends us that dignity. It is not really stranger, nor less strange, that my prayers should affect the course of events than that my other actions should do so. They have not advised or changed God's mind—that is, His over-all purpose. But that purpose will be realized in different ways according to the actions, including the prayers, of His creatures. So at least it seems to me. But what I have offered can be, at the very best, only a mental model or symbol. All that we say on such subjects must be merely analogical and parabolic. The reality is doubtless not comprehensible by our faculties. But we can at any rate try to expel bad analogies and bad parables."

He continues for several more paragraphs in which he suggests that the more mature the Christian the less God seems to answer certain prayers...and the more emphatic is the NO. I don't like that part at all. This last quote concludes well...

"Prayer is not a machine. It is not magic. It is not advice offered to God. Our act, when we pray, must not, any more than all our other acts, be separated from the continuous act of God Himself, in which alone all finite causes operate."

WFW: Prickly Cactus Bud...learning to forgive...

I've come across the conundrum of forgiveness lately. Why? Probably 'cuz I'm a lousy forgiver. Yeah, I tend towards waiting until I feel like it or until I feel like the person has shown true repentance and er, pain over the situation. But God's been working on me...interesting how He chips away at my stubborn heart...and I've been sorely (ouch) convicted by several verses lately...

Ephesians 4:32 "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." This verse shows up everywhere in my life right now. It's freakin' me out!! So, I'm sitting up and paying attention. Yeah...AS CHRIST FORGAVE...wowsers...don't know about the rest of ya...but that hits me between the eyes. The only way that doesn't hit you is if you aren't fully in touch with how stinkin' sinful you really are...

Matthew 5;46-48 "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." Seriously, I've weighed forgiving people on whether I want/need them as a friend. Um, yeah...there's no saying I'm gonna be bosom buddies with everyone (or anyone)...but FORGIVENESS AND LOVE are COMMANDS.

Yeah, so being a woman...and a very *ahem, VOCAL one at that...I've been putting these new "aha moments" into practice lately. AND...it's painful. Sometimes I could just kick myself and invest in duct tape. You know that t- shirt, "Silence is Golden, Duct Tape is Silver"...yeah, it's on my Christmas wish list.

I'll warn ya...not everyone accepts your apology. Oh, they'll SAY they do...but it ain't the genuine article, folks. And if God opens my eyes to see...I realize my heart is often hard like that too. And that stinks...extraordinarily. But you know what's lovely amid the stench of hard hearts? I am right before God. He wants me to step up and be tenderhearted and forgive and strive towards being perfect like Him. And though I'll always fall painfully short....it is good (so good) to be able to say amid painful learning experiences that GOD IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME!!

Tube Tuesday: Are You Ready??

Out of the heart...

Some great truths have been brought to my attention in a study called Quieting a Noisy Soul...

The body can be a stumbling block to the heart. While thoughts of the heart may change body chemistry--and therefore, feelings-no body chemistry generates thoughts. Thoughts always originate in the heart.

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries," Mark 7:21

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Cor. 10:5

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Emotions are like warning lights on the dashboard of our cars; they indicate there is a problem "under the hood"--with our thoughts. We are responsible for our thoughts!!

Anxiety is a subset of the broader emotion of fear. Fear is sinful (and not helpful) when in our unbelief we allow anxiety to stop us from fulfilling biblical responsibilities. Anxiety is the result of responding to the uncertainties of life with a wrong view of God.

Our noisy souls will rest from negative emotions--including fear--when our choices and our thoughts reflect that we are living in the reality of a God Who is more than enough for us. ~Jim Berg

Wow!

Soaping Plants and Baking Bread...

Well, between VBS and my bout with food poisoning (oh, and I might have lost my camera for a few days too...gasp)...some of you might be wondering what I was up to...well, I'll tell you...
I've been soaping plants. Yes, there is nothing that kills little spider mites and such as well as sudsy soapy water. No joke...we've tried all that awful stuff that keeps you from letting the kids outside for days...and the soapy water works just as well, or BETTER.
PLUS, it's just jolly good fun! The idea is to pour it and suds (LOTS AND LOTS OF SUDS) on the troubled areas...such as spider webs or eaten leaf parts, etc.
Oh, and I made bread....*sniff sniff* AHHHH! It was a half whole grain loaf...yummo!!

Food Poisoning is BAD!!

No, I didn't take a deliberate blogging break...or have nothing to blog about...I had food poisoning. Self inflicted, no less! *Sigh* I know, I know...how embarrassing. The good news is, that should mean that no one else gets it but me. AND, since I'm divulging this much info. it was leftover chicken salad...yeah, now I know don't EVER keep it longer than two days.

But...I like to think I return from illnesses a bit kinder and wiser! *snort...hahaha! Seriously, I like to think of how God provided. I was supposed to be teaching VBS this week...thankfully I called my helper (and good friend) who could jump in at the last second and cover for me.
Phew!

My sweet Loverbrains was HOME. Considering the amount of travelling he's been doing and currently has upcoming on his schedule that alone is a huge praise on my page. He was able to take sick time, took the kids to VBS, bought me ginger ale and bananas, did laundry, fed kids, cleaned up the house...*yeah, he's wonderful...I know!

BIGGEST PRAISE...is that although I'm weak and sore today...I'm quickly regaining strength and good humor...and it's good to be reminded...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9

Independance Quotage...

“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” ~ Alexis de Tocqueville

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." ~George Washington

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." ~Thomas Jefferson

"America's finest - our men and women in uniform, are a force for good throughout the world, and that is nothing to apologize for." ~Sarah Palin

“This is a formidable enemy. To dismiss it as a bunch of 'cowards' perpetuating 'senseless acts of violence' is complacent nonsense. People willing to kill thousands of innocents while they kill themselves are not cowards. They are deadly vicious warriors and need to be treated as such.” ~Charles Krauthammer

Caffeinated Randomness: Do you play croquet?

I always think of Alice in Wonderland when I play croquet. Of course, I need some flamingos and hedgehogs. Were they hedgehogs or hamsters or....? Whoa...very random thought...
Just so you know...the answer for little kids to that CR question...is Nope!!...How many times can I hit the ball? Take turns??? What????
They are very cute anyhew...