Our Trip to New England

Well, friends, Happy Thursday! In just two short weeks, it will be Thanksgiving Day! It really doesn't seem possible that we are already into November!

A few weeks ago, our family had the great privilege to travel to the New England area. Can I say "WOW!" Hubbie and I had been to New York before, but never any further north. We had such a great time! The children did so well in the car...but anytime we take a road trip, they are all for it! :)

I'll leave you with some of our memories...

~Tuesday--Minute Man National Park, Concord, Massachusetts~

 ~approximate site of the capture of Paul Revere~

 ~taking the oath to receive their "Junior Ranger" badges~

 ~the famous "North Bridge"~

 ~Wednesday and Friday were spent in Boston~

 ~Thursday--driving through Vermont, New Hampshire and spent the night in Maine!~

 ~now we are in New Hampshire~

This is not all we did or saw, but it is all the time I have for blogging today. :)  I will share more at a later time.

Tomorrow is a special day~our baby turns 3!

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday, I am so thankful for some sweet friends who had us over for lunch today...along with some good fellowship and fun playtime for the kids. For lunch, the kids had "pigs-in-a-blanket", and the grown-ups had Caribbean Jerk Chicken with corn and black bean salsa. YUMMY! Since I asked for the recipe, I will be making this yumminess very soon here in my own kitchen...

Have a wonderful Thursday! :)

The Secret

I ran across this beautiful poem just this morning...and thought I would share it. Have a wonderful Thursday!

The Secret

by Ralph Cushman

I met God in the morning

When my day was at its best,

And His Presence came like sunrise

Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,

All day long He stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness

O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

Other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I, too, had loosed the moorings

With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,

Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek Him in the morning

If you want Him through the day.

Thanksgiving ~ 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma and three of her grandchildren...

I am giving thanks today for:

~not in any particular order~

the Lord Jesus

my salvation
sweet "Hubbie"

family

church

home

Bible
church family

freedom

greatest military in the world

clean water

good roads

eyesight

autumn

and so many more...

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Thankful for ~

delicious recipes...just take a look at this cheesecake~

Hubbie and I are working together to get the numbers on the scale to go down...and one easy way that we still enjoy something sweet is to adapt recipes! The following recipe is one that seemed really hard the first time I made it because it had quite a few ingredients...but it really is easy! I promise! Instead of using white sugar and brown sugar, I used Splenda and Splenda Blend brown sugar. I am writing the Splenda measurements in italics.

Our Favorite Cheesecake

Crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar blend)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, chopped

Filling:

• 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar (1 cup Splenda)
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar blend)
• 1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon all purpose flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons sugar free hot fudge ice cream topping (I used Smucker's)
• 1/4 cup sugar free caramel ice cream topping (I used Smucker's)
• 1/3 cup walnuts

Ganache:
Instead of doing the ganache (because it called for chocolate chips), I just put some sugar free hot fudge topping on each slice of cheesecake, as it is served. It works for us!

Directions:

1. Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double thickness of aluminum foil. Securely wrap foil around pan.
2. For the crust~In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and walnuts; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
3. For the filling~In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup flour, cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Remove 1 cup of the batter to a small bowl; stir in the hot fudge ice cream topping until blended. Spread over cooled crust.
4. Combine caramel topping, 1 teaspoon flour, and walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls over chocolate batter. Top with the remaining batter. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan.
5. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until the center is just set the the top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. (I also remove the foil at this point). Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool one hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
6. Serve each piece with sugar free hot fudge topping.
7. Enjoy!

~ A perfect ending to a Thanksgiving meal,
or any meal for that matter!~ :)

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Random Thoughts

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my last post! I love reading your thoughts...And today, I have some random thoughts~no specific order, no rhyme or reason...please bear with me.  :)

• I have the "perfect spouse" for me, and I have a great relationship with him...
• I am thankful for the ability to "blog" and have met many new friends!
• Do you receive any devotionals on your computer? I receive three of them. One is Girlfriends in God, another is from Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the last one is from a preacher out in California. Today he wrote the following devotional about divine appointments, and it really spoke to my heart:

Many times God works in our hearts and lives before He uses us in a great way. Have you ever had God take you through a trial, prepare your life for a future event, then use you to His glory? Before God brings others to us, He often deals with us first.

When God does bring along someone, recognize it as His divine appointment rather than a temporary inconvenience. We've all got work to do, a schedule to keep, a family to lead, and a life to live. Yet, remember that life isn't about our work. It's about God's work. It's about reaching out to others who are hurting, helping those who are struggling, listening to those who are mourning, and witnessing to those who are lost. Our lives are about helping others see Christ.

• WOW! It was a great reminder to me...to not get so focused on "my life", but to see others' needs.
• I am meeting my brother one last time for lunch before he heads back to Europe to the mission field...my parents, brother, Hubbie, kids, and I are going to Famous Dave's...I am excited about the delicious food, but even more excited to spend time with everyone. On Wednesday, I was able to see William (my brother), and had a really nice visit. He is leaving around 5 PM Eastern time...please pray for safety. He should arrive at his local airport around 2:45 tomorrow afternoon.
• Our fall revival is now finished, but I am praying that the Holy Spirit keeps working on me. Such great, encouraging messages.
• Candy give-away was last night after the service. We do not celebrate Halloween, but we love to give our kids candy...so the adults all bring a big bag of candy, and line up (sit) around the perimeter of our gym. The kids (through the 5th grade) file past us with their bags, and get tons of candy! Suffice it to say that there were lots of kids "bouncing off the walls" last night. Oh, such excitement!!! And all for some candy! :)
• Did you know that October 31st is also Reformation Day? It was the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the church door.
• Although I am not a huge fan of Wally World, I do shop there occasionally. Yesterday, I found the cutest black wire basket for $5! I love black wire items! They also have some beautiful dishes and glasses for $3 each from the Better Homes & Gardens collection that would love fabulous in my kitchen...I may have to go back...

I told you I was totally random today...just wanted to get a couple of thoughts written down. Thanks for sticking with me! I hope you have a great Thursday!

Will You Tell Us a Story?

One night after church a few weeks ago, Hubbie had to run into Lowe's for something, and the kids and I were sitting in the car together. Sometimes, waiting can be hard...but when one of the children asked me, "Will you tell us a story?" I began to think back to some stories that I knew had been told~over and over and over...and couldn't really come up with a great story. Imagine my surprise and my delight when "R" said, "Will you tell us about when you got saved?" So, I said...

When I was in Kindergarten, a first grade friend told me that I needed to be saved. She promptly raised her hand and told the teacher. :) I can remember going into another room and the teacher talking to me. I can remember praying a prayer, but not because I understood why or because I did not want to go to hell when I died, or even because I understood that Jesus took my punishment for me. I just prayed the prayer because that is what the teacher said to do.

I even remember talking to my Mom when I got home from school that day, and her joy upon hearing my news. I acted like a Christian. I went to church. I said the right things. I even got baptized! But there was never a real change in my heart.

When I was a sophomore in college, an evangelist came to preach and I realized how desperately I needed to trust Christ as my personal Savior. I know for sure that on September 10, 1992, I got saved!

When I got finished, "R" and "D" both related their testimony to me.

"R" asked Jesus to be her Savior when she was 4. She remembers that she was sitting on our blue and white couch when it was in the family room and she even remembers what she was wearing ~ some kind of polar bear pajamas. :)

"D" asked Jesus into his heart when he was 4. He remembers that he talked to Hubbie and I after church one night, and that we were in his bedroom.

What precious words for me to hear...and they both want to be baptized soon...and "R" has shared with her dad and I a very special blessing~she believes God wants her to be a missionary! Hubbie and I are thrilled and excited to see how God is going to use her life for His glory! I'm so very thankful for the opportunity to teach my children about Jesus.

Do you know for sure where you would spend eternity if you died today? Will you share in the comments section where you were when you asked Jesus to be your Savior?

The Creation Museum~Part 1

Today, I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to visit the Creation Museum. What an uplifting, inspiring, faith-affirming, God-honoring place! I honestly did not know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. It was so nice to go to a science museum and have the truth presented in such a beautiful way!

The entire museum is based on God's Word. Here are just a few pictures from our visit. The museum is in Petersburg, Kentucky, just southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio. We had a very nice visit, and hope to return there very soon!

~welcome to the Creation Museum~

~this guy was huge~

~inside the Museum~

~7 C's of Biblical History~

creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion,

Christ, cross, consummation~

~part of the "Creation Walk"~

~building of the Ark~

(we learned some very interesting information here)

~dioramma~

~dinosaur tracks found here in the US~

Tomorrow, I'm planning to post pictures from the nature trail and the petting zoo!

Have a great Thursday!

Remembering...

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11~

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

This morning, I'm remembering my nephew, Darrell. Five years ago today, Darrell, 14, went home to Heaven, far sooner than any of us ever dreamed he would. While our hearts still hurt, and while we still sometimes wonder what God is doing, we know that he is with Jesus~not because he was a good boy, not because his parents had surrendered to go to the mission field, not because he was kind, and not because he loved his family...

Darrell is in Heaven today because he

 knew Jesus as his personal Savior!

Do you know where you would go if you died today?

Just for you, William and Bev~

We love you and are praying for you!

~family reunion, 2004~

~playing with bubbles with "R"~

~one of my favorite pictures~

~he always had time to play with the younger ones~

~I love that boy!~

~watching Nanny blow out her birthday candles~

~cousins enjoying each other's company~

~good memories~

~with Aunt Jeanne while touring Mount Vernon~

~these two were "discussing" who could push the stroller...

you can see who won the discussion~   ;)

~I'm hot, Aunt Donna...now enough with the pictures!~

~I'm Thankful~

Thankful Thursday is one of my favorite days of the bloggy week! I think it is healthy for me to write down some of the things I'm thankful for. It helps me focus on my blessings...

Today, I just wanted to thank God for such a wonderful country. There's no place in the world like the good old USA! I am blessed to live here! Just recently, Hubbie and I watched the History Channel series called, America~The Story of Us. While there was no mention of how God played a part in our history, I enjoyed watching how the Pilgrims and the Jamestown, VA, colonists began to settle our great land.

As I watched, I was reminded of what a privilege it is to live here...millions (including my ancestors) have flocked to these shores in search of a better life. I want to do my part to make this country a better place...for my kids and for my grandkids...

I love America! A few months ago, I shared a link for some beautiful photography from around our nation, and I thought it would be nice to share it again...especially with America's 234th birthday right around the corner...

Go here for the video. Beautiful and patriotic! Enjoy!

It's Coming

Yes, it is!

I'm talking about the give-away celebrating my 100th post. I never dreamed that I would have so much to say. (Hee Hee!) Check back tomorrow for all the details!

Thursday is usually my day to post something I'm thankful for and today is no different. I want to share the following verses that were given to the prophet Jeremiah when the Jews were slaves in Babylon...just got me to thinking...and thanking...and seeking...

Jeremiah 29:11-13
(v.11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
(v.12) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
(v.13) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

I love the promises of Scripture! What do you love about the Bible?

Near

It's been almost a month since I shared a hymn, and this is a beautiful song that tells exactly where I want to be~every day~no matter my circumstances! I am so thankful today that God has given us music to enjoy...

Near the Cross

by Fanny J. Crosby

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain—

Free to all, a healing stream—

Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and Mercy found me;

There the bright and morning star

Sheds its beams around me.

Refrain

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day,

With its shadows o’er me.

Refrain

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait

Hoping, trusting ever,

Till I reach the golden strand,

Just beyond the river.

 

Refrain

 

 

If you ever want to find the lyrics to hymns, go here. Or simply use your search engine and type in the name of the song, or some words from the song.

 

What are you thankful for today?

Something New and Thankful Thursday

Have you tried Kentucky Fried Chicken lately? We love their extra crispy fried chicken...mmmm! Maybe not the most healthy choice, but it is a yummy choice.  :)

Well, today, was a day to try something new! Our KFC is in the same shopping center as Lowe's, so in our many recent trips to get some flowers, vegetables, soil, etc., we had seen an advertisement for a new sandwich at KFC. Are you ready?

Double Down Sandwich~two grilled or two fried chicken breasts and between them is bacon, jack cheese, and maybe some other kind of cheese. The advertisement on their website says it is so big there wasn't room for a bun! No bun is not a big deal for folks trying to watch their carbohydrate intake!

My review:
Delicious!
Definitely worth the special trip over there
Would purchase it again
Hubbie liked it, too


THANKFUL THURSDAY~Hubbie was able to go back to work today! I'm so thankful he wasn't furloughed for a longer period of time. We are thankful that he had plenty of "leave" saved up, just for emergencies like this!

Hope you're having a great day! Thank you for stopping by today. :)

FYI~I'm getting close to my 100th post...Stay tuned for a giveaway in celebration of that post!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

about springtime! Jennifer did a post here about spring, and I thought it was a great idea. :)

Here is my version of things I love about spring.

~my favorite holiday, Easter, is during spring
~the promise of new beginnings
~taking evening walk with my sweet Hubbie
~redbud trees in full bloom (Stephani has some beautiful photos of some redbud trees here)
~daffodils, crocus, and tulips popping up out of the ground
~talking to my brother, William, who lives in Lithuania~I do not talk to him only in spring :)
~birds returning from their winter hiatus
~pansies that are still blooming (we planted them in the fall, and yippee! they survived our winter)
~not having to wear my winter coat
~watching the children enjoy playing on the swings
~cleaning out the flower beds
~spring birthdays
~fresh mulch
~planting the TopsyTurvy~this is our first year trying this out, so we'll see how well it works.
~hearing lawnmowers
~the smell of freshly cut grass
~being able to work outside in warm weather
~cool, crisp nights and warm, sunny days
~browsing homeschool materials for the next school year
~talking over the backyard fence with my neighbors
~looking at gardening magazines

~Crocus~

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you have a great Thursday!

Thankful for~

Delicious recipes! You know, the ones that have been handed down from one generation to another...

I have made this recipe a couple of times in the last year. I made it for a ladies meeting in March, 2009, and Jennifer shared it on her blog. Then, just two weeks ago, I made it for my sister's birthday. If you like chocolate and peanut butter, and some more chocolate, and you're not on a diet,   ;)  then I highly recommend this one to you!

Peanut Butter Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, F.
Spray a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

~Cook these ingredients in a saucepan until it boils.

1 cup butter

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 cup water

1/2 cup buttermilk

~Combine the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

~In a small bowl, temper 2 eggs with a little bit of the chocolate mixture along with 1 teaspoon vanilla. Then mix the eggs with the flour mixture and the chocolate mixture. (I usually just do this step in the saucepan, with a whisk.)

~Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and let cool completely. Leave in the baking dish.

~After the cake has cooled, mix together:
1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

~Spread on top of the cake.

~In a medium size saucepan, combine the following, and cook until bubbly:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
6 tablespoons buttermilk

~Then add:
1 pound (about 4 cups) confectioner's sugar (for some reason, we used to call this 10x sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla
(I usually mix this together with a whisk)

~Spread on top of peanut butter.

~Enjoy a slice with your favorite drink. I love this with a tall glass of milk!

~Store in the refrigerator.

Now a few pictures of the cake (and my sister and I)!

No, Sis is not just 6! But those are some cute candles!

A slice of yumminess!

Me and Sis (I know that's not proper English!)

What are YOU thankful for today?