Word-Filled Wednesday ~#14~ 12/1/10

PASSAGE: Matt. 2:13-18 – “When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him,’

“So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my Son.’

“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

“’A voice is heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
And refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.’”

LESSON: Isn’t it 'funny' that in this world so many believers have a tendency to doubt the miraculous?

It took the appearance of an angel to convince Joseph, no matter how much he loved young Mary, to believe that she was carrying the Lord’s Babe. But when he was later told in a divine dream that Herod was trying to kill his “Son,” Joseph had no doubt that Jesus, God’s Son, had come to earth and was in his care. He needed to be convinced of Immanuel’s coming.

Herod NEVER had any trouble believing. He knew about the star that had appeared nearly two years before; the news of the shepherds may have reached even to the throne of the great Herod and all he needed was confirmation from the Magi that the new King, indeed, had been born. Even though his heart was hard, he needed no convincing of the King’s arrival.

What about you? Do you need convinced that He has already come…has come as Immanuel: God with us? Or are you still waiting around with hardened heart, looking but not seeing? Look around you this Christmas season…the Light of the World is represented by the twinkling of lights displayed at nearly every house, by every CHIRSTmas tree’s high shining star and in the carols floating through the air. Whether it is intentional or not, whether the world realizes it or not…with each light that shines, each star that’s hung, each carol that’s sung…we ARE acknowledging the coming of The King!

Jesus has been revealed to the world…welcome Him in this CHRISTmas season!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#100~ 11/30/10

For Today...

Outside my window...dark, grey, rainy skies. It looks colder than it actually is & makes me shiver. Brrrrr!

I am thinking...of all the things I have to do today.

I am thankful for...another day & that no matter what happens, God is still on His throne!

From the kitchen...vanialla biscotti coffee is brewing...mmm...ahhh!

I am wearing...burgundy leggings & an over-sized burgundy sweat shirt. Comfort & warmth is the goal.

I am remembering...that I need to practice CHRISTmas music for this weekend's festivities.

I am going...to take DD#2 to work, practice the hammered dulcimer music, go to work.

I am reading...Bible: going to start a new study tonight, haven't decided which one.

I am hoping...that my sweet DH finds a really good, well-paying job soon (since his lay off he is terribly under employed & tragically under paid); I can tell that he feels like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-centered home; hoping all who enter & leave feel up-lifted by the Holy Spirit's presence.

I am hearing...inside: radio & DD#2 getting ready for work; outside my windows: wind & rain.

I am noticing that...it's so dark that I need to turn on a light. AND...this is my 100th Simple Woman's Daybook!!!

Around the house...tidying up, making lunch & Maggie (the dog) needs a good brushing...

One of my favorite things...that DD#1 is spreading her domestic wings since she got her own apt. She made a yummy casserole that she 'invented' for Thanksgiving & it was really good!

Plans for this week...family time, work; on Saturday I'll be playing CHRISTmas music on the dulcimer in an historic house. Tipp City, Ohio has an annual Holiday Home walk-through every year where several historic homes & shops in the historic downtown let you walk through & see their decorations, & someone is playing some sort of background music in every stop while people walk through.

Pondering these words..."A calling is a shaping of a burden...a hand-in-glove fit." ~Ravi Zacharias.

Scripture thought...Isaish 6:8 ~ "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...


Enjoy 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Guest Post on Living Well Moms!!!

I have been honored by the Living Well Moms blog as a guest blogger for today! Woohoo!

Thank you, dear ladies.

You can read my post on homemade toothpaste Here!

Be sure to leave a comment so that they know you linked over from Marmee's Pantry.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

History Lesson ~ Thomas Jefferson

No matter what your politics, it would be hard not to say that Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped.

� At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor.

� At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French.

� At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages.

� At 16, entered the College of William and Mary.

� At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.

� At 23, started his own law practice.

� At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

� At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America" and retired from his law practice.

� At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

� At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence.

� At 33, took three years to revise Virginia ’s legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.

� At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry.

� At 40, served in Congress for two years.

� At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben
Franklin and John Adams.

� At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington.

� At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society.

� At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions

� At 57, was elected the third president of the United States .

� At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation’s size.

� At 61, was elected to a second term as President.

� At 65, retired to Monticello.

� At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.

� At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as its first president.

� At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams

Thomas Jefferson knew because he himself studied the previous failed attempts at government. He understood actual history, the nature of God, his laws and the nature of man. That happens to be way more than what most understand today. Jefferson really knew his stuff. A voice from the past to lead us in the future:

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
~Thomas Jefferson


The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
~Thomas Jefferson


It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
~Thomas Jefferson


I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
~Thomas Jefferson


My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
~Thomas Jefferson


No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
~Thomas Jefferson


The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
~Thomas Jefferson


The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
~Thomas Jefferson


To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
~Thomas Jefferson


~Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive
the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

IN GOD WE TRUST!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The 1st Thanksgiving ~ from Those Who Were There

In the year 1620 ~

"About the 16th of March a certain Indian came boldly among them, and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand, but were astonished at it...His name was Samoset; he told them also of another Indian, whose name was Squanto, a native of this part, who had been in England and could speak English better than himself. After some time of entertainment, being dismissed with gifts, in a little while he returned with 5 more, and they brought back all the tools that had been stolen, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem [chief], called Massasoyt, who about 4 or 5 days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendants, and with Squanto. With him, after friendly entertainment and some gifts, they made a peace which has now continued for 24 years...

"After this he returned to his place, called Sowams, some 40 miles off, but Squanto stayed with them, and was their interpreter, and became a special instrument sent of God for their good, beyond their expectation. He showed them how to plant their corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places, and never left them till he died..."

In the year 1621~

"Thus their peace and acquaintance was pretty well established with the natives about them...

"After this they had many greetings from various Sachems and much firmer peace. Even the Indians of the Island of Capawack sent to declare friendship; and Corbitant himself [a chief who was slow to warm up to the English but trusted Massasoyt] used the mediation of Massasoyt to make his peace, but was shy to come near them for a long time after.

"After this, on the 18th September, they sent out their shallop with 10 men and Squanto as guide and interpreter to the Massachusetts, to explore the bay and trade with the natives, which they accomplished, and were kindly received...They returned safely, and brought home a good quantity of beaver, and reported on the place, wishing they could have settled there. But it seems that the Lord, Who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations, had appointed it for another use. And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings and incomings, for which let His holy name have the praise forever, to all posterity.

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to prepare their houses for the winter, being well recovered in health and strength, and plentifully provisioned; for while some had been thus employed in affairs away from home, others were occupied in fishing for cod, bass, and other fish, of which they caught a good quantity, every family having their portion. All the summer there was no want. And now, as winter approached, wild fowl began to arrive, of which there were plenty when they came here first, though afterwards they became more scarce. As well as wild fowl, they got abundance of wild turkeys, besides venison, etc. Each person had about a peck of meal a week, or now, since harvest, Indian corn in that proportion; and afterwards many wrote at length about their plenty to their friends in England, -- not feigned but true reports."

~~From: Of Plymouth Plantation ~ Bradford's History of the Plymouth Settlement 1608-1650


"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent 4 men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They 4 in 1 day killed as many fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some 90 men, whom for 3 days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed 5 deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

~~Edward Winslow; From Mourt's Relation ~ full title: A Relation or Journal of the Beginning and Proceedings of the English Plantation Settled at Plimoth in New England [note original spelling], by Edward Winslow, although William Bradford wrote most of the 1st section. Written between November 1620 and November 1621.

Have a blessed & happy Thanksgiving!

Kim<><

Turkey Trivia

Thank you, Farmer's Almanac!

KW<><

**********

Here is some fun trivia about turkeys, the all-American bird.

• There are several theories about how turkeys got their name. One story claims the Christopher Columbus heard some birds say "tuka, tuka", and his interpreter came up with the name tukki, which means "big bird" in hebrew.
• Because the wild turkey is quick to defend itself and fight against all predators, Ben Franklin wanted it as the symbol of the United States. Comparing it to the eagle, he called the turkey "a more respectable bird, a true original native of America."
• The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year.
• The wild turkey is one of the more difficult birds to hunt. It won't be flushed out of the brush with a dog. Instead, hunters must try to attract it with different calls. Even with two seasons a year, only one in six hunters will get a wild turkey.
• By the 1930s, almost all of the wild turkeys in the U.S. had been hunted. Today, thanks to conservation programs, there are plenty of wild turkeys—they even invade cities!
• 
• A male turkey is called a tom, a female is a hen, and a youngster is a poult.
• The domestic tom can weigh up to 50 pounds, the domestic hen up to 16 pounds. The wild tom can weigh up to 20 pounds, the wild hen up to 12 pounds.
• The domestic turkey can't fly. The wild turkey can, for short distances, but it prefers to walk or run.
• The average life span of a domestic turkey, from birth to freezer, is 26 weeks. During this period of time, it will eat about 75 pounds of turkey feed. The average life span of a wild turkey is three or four years. It generally feeds on seeds, nuts, insects, and berries.
• The wobbly little thing on the turkey’s chest is the turkey's beard and is made up of keratin bristles. Keratin is the same substance that forms hair and horns on other animals.
• Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble, and they mostly do it in the spring and fall. It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#99~ 11/23/10

For Today...

Outside my window...lovely bright sunshine after a night of howling wind, rain & 2:00a.m. tornado sirens!

I am thinking...of ways to simplify our lives.

I am thankful for...our country & all who sacrificed ~ in word, deed, finance & their own lives ~ from 1620 forward, to establish it, build it & keep it great. Thank You, Lord, for blessing us so abundantly. Even the poor in America have far more than most of the non-Judeo-Christian world. Help us to keep it. Amen!

From the kitchen...fresh bread baking & I'm about to make a new batch of laundry detergent & refill all of the foamy liquid soap dispensers; I make the bathroom soaps w/lavender & tea tree & the kitchen soap w/rosemary & tea tree.

I am wearing...jeans, purple shirt & purple socks.

I am remembering...happy holidays from my childhood.

I am going...to take DD#2 to work, run some errands, do some blogging, write my weekly devotion for our church's newsletter, pick up around the house...& THEN...go to work! '-)

I am reading...Bible: Psalms & I Peter; my favorite blogs, Country Sampler magazine.

I am hoping...that hard-to-get-along-with extended family members 'behave themselves' during the holidays. Saw a sign in one of my Country Sampler magazines, a while back, that I'm tempted to buy ~ it says "Be Nice Or Leave." Exactly!

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-filled home. Selecting recipes for soaps & spice mixes for CHRISTmas baskets/gifts.

I am hearing...the radio, typing fingers, the jangling of my bracelet.

I am noticing that...the Lord has brought me to a cross-road & I need His wisdom to choose the right path...actually...I need a push, a shove, bells, whistles, bright lights, arrows, etc. to make the right decision! :-P

Around the house...prepping for Thanksgiving, looking forward to putting up the CHRISTmas decorations after Thanksgiving. We are going to take Glenn Beck's advice & simplify. We will be slowly weeding through our 'stuff' in the next few days & then getting more serious about it after the holidays.

One of my favorite things...that my sweet hubby wakes me up to kiss me good-bye as he leaves for work at 5:00a.m. I love those lips!!!

Plans for this week...much the same as "around the house" ~ this will be our 1st Thanksgiving w/DD#1's boyfriend...could be the 1st of many! '-) I need to practice CHRISTmas music on my hammered dulcimer a little more diligently b/c I'm playing at a neighboring town's CHRISTmas home & business open house night on Dec. 4th. I believe I'll be playing in an historic hotel.

Pondering these words..."I am a tangible expression of Jesus Christ in the world" ~ from Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought...Isaiah 6:8 ~ "Then I [Isaiah] heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" We are all called to serve. Our calling begins w/an attitude...an attitude of humility & availability. (Also from Sunday's sermon.)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I LOVE this idea for a pantry door!!!

Enjoy other Daybooks at Peggy's The Simple Woman's Blog!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Homemade Mayonnaise

This is a tasty & simple recipe for making your own mayo. It's good to have on-hand for everyday, but it's especially nice for holiday dips & dressings...like my dill dip recipe!!!

One of the best parts about this recipe ~ besides the low cost & the taste! ~ is that you probably already have everything it takes to make it in your cupboards already.

1 egg
1/2 ts. salt (I use either Sea Salt or Real Salt)
1 TB apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 c. oil (I use Safflower oil)

1. Add all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.
   
2. Start whipping until mixture begins to thicken, begin with 1/4 c. of oil & then drizzle it in until you have added all of the 1-1/2 c.
3. Continue whipping until it reaches desired consistency (NOTE: you can use either a hand mixer or a whisk).
4. Makes 1 pt.

Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

C. S. Lewis on Who Jesus Is...

"I'm trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man & said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic ~ on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg ~ or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, & is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him & kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet & call Him Lord & God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

~~C. S. Lewis; Mere Christianity.
[emphasis mine ~KW<><]

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Cheesy Ham Casserole

Every family has recipes that are family favorites...here's one of ours. We especially enjoy this in the cold weather months, but believe me...it's SO GOOD all year long! :-P

• 1/2 c. Miracle Whip
• 2 c. fresh broccoli tops
• 1 1/2 c. (or more!) shredded cheddar cheese ~ sharp or mild
• 1 1/2 c. Ham, chopped into approx. 1/2" squares
  
• 1 1/2 c. corkscrew noodles, cooked & drained (I like to use the tri-colored pasta, it's makes such a pretty presentation)
  
• 1/4 c. milk (or vanilla flavored rice milk for those w/dairy allergies)
• 3/4 c. seasoned croutons

1. Mix all ingredients EXCEPT hold back 1/2 c. EACH of cheese & croutons.
2. Spoon mixture into a 1 1/2-qt. casserole (I usually use a little more of each item than the recipe calls for & use a 3-qt. casserole). Sprinkle top w/croutons & remaining cheese.
3. Bake @ 350* for 30 minutes.
4. ENJOY!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><