Is it Spring Yet?

Maybe not quite, but it won't be long now until Spring arrives!

Here is some signs of Spring a comin'

My kitties, Hunter (a.k.a: Cleo) and Jeff, enjoying daffodils.

Three Herbs to Love!

I have three culinary herbs I simply do not want to live without.

BASIL

I love Basil! I use it with tomatoes, pizzas, pasta...... All the yummmy foods, Italian style.
Here is a little trick I do with steamed whole baby carrots. Just steam them until they are just getting tender, than put them in a pan of melted butter, pour a little pure maple syrup into them and top with fresh chopped basil. mmmmm mmmm good!

CILANTRO

No Mexican kitchen would be without this herb. It actually helps to lower blood sugar, so I've been told. I always put it in salsa and my Spanish rice. I love its unique flavor. It is also used in Asian foods.

THYME

This is the herb I USE the most! I put it in everything almost! I never cook chicken with out it! Thyme goes on my roasted chicken, grilled chicken, fried chicken and into my chicken soup! I love thyme in my potatoes, fried, baked or otherwise! Thyme with eggs is very French and very good!
I have heard of a very good, though I have not yet tried, Lemon Thyme sherbet. I am sure I will LOVE that!

So those of you thinking of planting an herb garden remember these tremendous three!
(I understand they are very easy to grow)

I Should Have Been an Architect-

LIVING WALLS

A Vertical garden by landscape architect Ameila B. Lima

I love outdoor spaces with lush plant life, arranged in a thoughtful manner. I have many gardens planned in my mind. Too bad I must work work work in an office. Oh well, my time will come. (Ps 145:16) In the meantime, I will enjoy other peoples artful arrangements. I hope you enjoy them too!

I very much like the idea of a wall of plants in a narrow space. It kinda reminds me of what the hanging gardens of ancient Babylon must have been like. To see more of Amelia's work you can go to her website.

http://www.ameliab.com/

Genesis Chapter 21

Long awaited son is born! verses 1-7

At Jehovah's appointed time, the child promised to Abraham and Sarah is born! How happy they are! Abraham calls him Isaac. It is interesting that Issac means "laughter". Remember how Abraham had laughed for joy, concerning Isaac, while Sarah had laughed incredulously.

Being part of Abraham's household, we know that Isaac was circumcised at eight weeks and taught since infancy about God.

Isaac grows and is protected verses 8-13
Some years later, the day Isaac is weaned arrives, and Abraham prepares a big feast in celebration. During the feast Sarah notices Ishmael, "poking fun" at his younger half brother, Isaac. This proved to be more serious than teasing a younger brother. The Hebrew word tsa-chaq' translated, "poking fun", can have an offensive connotation. Cooks Commentary says, "It probably means ...mocking laughter." Now, Ishmael laughs concerning Isaac, but in derision, probably in a persecuting and tyrannical spirit. In fact, the apostle Paul writes the mistreatment of Isaac by Ishmael is affliction, yes persecution. (Compare: Galatians 4:29)

This poking of fun was no innocent child's play on the part of Ishmael (he was 14 years older than Isaac.) Notice verse 10, "So she (Sarah) began to say to Abraham: "Drive out this slave girl and her son, for the son of this slave girl is not going to be an heir with my son, with Isaac." From this verse we can see Ishmael taunted Isaac over heirship.

Abraham is not happy about sending his son Ishmael away, however, Jehovah told Abraham to listen to his wife, in this instance, as it was to be Isaac, not Ishmael that will be called Abraham's seed. Jehovah reassures Abraham that Ishmael would not be forgotten, as one of Abraham's offspring, he would become a nation.

Ishmael and Hagar sent away. verses 14-21
If Ishmael and Hagar had accepted Jehovah's choice regarding the promised seed, coming through Isaac and submitted to Jehovah's arrangement, not stirring up contention, they could have lived a peaceful life under Abraham's roof. However, Ishmael's demonstration of scorn toward Isaac led to the dismissal of him and his mother from Abraham's household. Abraham gave them provision for their journey. He "took bread and a skin water bottle and gave it to Hagar, setting it upon her shoulder, and the child, and then dismissed her." Hagar appears to have lost her way in the wilderness, and when the water ran out and Ishmael became exhausted, "she threw the child under one of the bushes." (v. 14, 15) Ishmael, was about 19 years of age. Hagar's act of 'throwing ' the child down implies she was evidently supporting her tired son. She must have withdrew her support suddenly.

The name Ishmael, means "God heard", and Jehovah indeed did hear his cry for help. Jehovah provided the necessary water, and allowed him to live to become an archer. As a nomadic inhabitant of the Paran Wilderness, he fulfilled the prophecy that said of him: "He will become a zebra of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and the hand of everyone will be against him; and before the face of all his brothers he will tabernacle." (compare: Genesis 16:12) Hagar found an Egyptian wife for her son.

Living peaceably as an alien resident. Verses 22-34
The Philistine king Abimelech reminds Abraham of his alien status, and that he resides in the land of Philistia by Abimelech's consent, he requests Abraham to swear an oath of faithful conduct.

Some of the Philistines seized a well in this area by violence, seemingly unknown to Abimelech. He and his chief of his army approach Abraham to propose a covenant of peace. Abraham is not happy about the act of violence in seizing the well, and severely criticized Abimelech. Abimelech avows his ignorance, and concludes a covenant with Abraham accepting seven female lambs from him in evidence of Abraham's title to the well. So we see, both Abraham & Abimelech have taken an oath for peace. Abraham and his household continue living in peace serving their God Jehovah.

Herbs Are Good...

Did you know some trees are used as medicinal herbs?


Linden Tree, Tilia cordata

The leaves and flowers of the Linden tree are used medicinally for numerous ailments. A tea made from the leaves and flowers is very helpful for depression, anxiety and general nervous tension. It soothes and heals the adrenal system and is extremely effective for hypertension and palpitations due to stress. Linden can shorten a viral infection and helps protect against stress induced ulcers and artheriosclerosis. The tea has a mucilaeginus quality which is soothing to the digestive tract

The Linden Tree can grow into a very large shade tree.
Honeybees LOVE the flowers.

Will it ever End?

The Laundry .....that is!!!!!
There are only two of us, that I am responsible for and yet......

we have laundry to do each and every day.

However, it must be said, "I share my washing machine with my children,

some who drop in at unexpected times."

(I am always happy to see them)

I would love my laundry to look like this... alas! it never does!

Genesis Chapter 20

I will continue to do my personal Bible reading, (despite my bad habit of getting off track sometimes). My goal is to post my Bible reading once a week. We will see how that works out. But for now......

We continue on in Chapter 20 of Genesis, following Abraham and Sarah as they reside as alien residents in the land of the Philistines. They have moved their camp near the city of Gerar. We are now introduced to Abimelech the king of Gerar. (Abimelech could be a personal name, or an official title of several Philistine kings, similar to the title Pharoah among the Egyptians or Caesar among the Romans.)

Abimelech, thinking that beautiful Sarah is Abraham's sister, takes her to his camp with the intention of making Sarah his wife. -Genesis 20:1,2.

How is Sarah protected? What is Jehovah's viewpoint in this matter? The answer lies in your copy of Genesis 20. After meditating on these verses what did you learn about our Creator?

God's primary interest is in the inner person -who we are at heart. (Ps 19:14; 26:2) Lovingly he does not dwell on minor failings. Jehovah examines the heart, he has even shown consideration toward unbelievers, like Abimelech. Did you notice how Jehovah deals with this situation? Before Abimelech takes Sarah as his wife, Jehovah said to him in a dream: "I too have known that in the honesty of your heart you have done this, and I was also holding you back from sinning against me. That is why I did not allow you to touch her. But now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will make supplication for you. So keep living." - Gen 20:1-7

Jehovah could have dealt harshly with Abimelech, after all Abimelech was a worshiper of false deities. But God saw that the man acted honestly on this occasion. Graciously acknowledging this, Jehovah told the king how to gain forgiveness and "keep living". Abimelech listened and acted on this kind provision from God. What a loving Heavenly Father, Jehovah is! As his children we need to imitate his kind and loving ways.

Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham along with livestock and slaves and a thousand pieces of silver, which serve as a guarantee of Sarah's chasity.

We do well to ask ourselves, what Jehovah sees in our hearts. Are we striving to know and imitate our Heavenly Father when dealing with others? May we continue to "take in knowledge of the only true God and of the one, he sent forth, Jesus Christ" -John 17:3

Super Bowl

With our kids and friends!

We had "Posole" and "Chili Reallnos"
and chips with cheesy dip

I was alone in rooting for the Colts!
Everyone else were happy the Saints won!

We had a 7lb chocolate layer cake!
mmmmmm mmmmm mmm

Anyway, it was a casual, but cozy super bowl this year.

Posole :

1 1/2 lbs pork shoulder
1/2 onion stuck with 2 cloves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
5 peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seed
oregano, one large pinch
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
4 cups canned white hominy, drained and rinsed
3 to 5 cups pork broth from cooking pork shoulder
1 cup canned chopped green chilies
Salt to taste
2 whole jalapenos, canned or fresh, chopped. (optional)
Cabbage, diced
cilantro, chopped
Lime or Lemon wedges.

Prepare the onion with the 2 cloves, peel the garlic, chop the onion, peel and chop the two garlic cloves, chop the green chilies and jalapenos. Drain and rinse the hominy.

Place the meat in a large saucepan and just cover with lightly salted water. Add the clove studded onion, 2 cloves peeled garlic, peppercorns, cumin seed, and oregano. Bring to a boil over medium heat, skim off any foam that rises, reduce heat, cover and simmr for 45 minutes. Remove meat and broth, reserving both.

Saute the chopped onion and garlic in oil until translucent. Add the remaining spices, stir for a minute. Cut the reserved pork into 1 inch cubes and add to the pan. Stir in the canned hominy, pork broth (if there is not enough pork broth, add chicken stock), green chilies and jalapenos (optional)

Cook at a simmer, covered, for 45 to 60 minutes until the meat and hominy are tender. If necessary, cook for up to an additional 60 minutes until the chilies and onions are well blended into the broth. Degrease the stew, taste for salt, and serve in soup bowls. Garnish with chopped cabbage, cilantro and squeeze in a wedge of lime. ENJOY!

Sugar Cookies

And grandkids! What a sweet combination!

We made moons, and teddy bears, stars and pumpkins.

Hearts and trees covered in snow, clovers and chili's

The boys just wanted to eat the cookies all up!

Right NOW!

But Grandmama says,"Wait we have to admire these cookies!"

"At least for ten minutes!"

I could not find a snowflake cookie cutter, so ....

we made pinetrees covered with snow and

Snowmen with chocolate hats!

Swiss Cutout Cookies:

4 cups flour, sifted

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoons salt

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons orange extract

1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt on to wax paper.

2. Beat butter with sugar until fluffy-light in a large bowl; beat in eggs, vanilla, and orange extract

3. Stir in flour mixture, a third at a time, blending well to make a soft dough. Wrap dough in wax paper or plastic wrap and chill for about 4 hours, or overnight.

4. Roll out dough, one quarter at a time, to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured pastry board Cut with prepared cookie cutters.

To paint cookies before baking you may use egg yolk paint:

Beat 2 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon water in a cup until smooth. Measure 2 teaspoons of mixture into each of four custard cups. Tint one red, one yellow, and one green with food coloring. Add blue, green, and red food coloring to fourth cup to make dark outline color. Keep covered with plastic wrap when not using to prevent mixture from drying out.

Apply outlines for various colors to each cookie with a small artist's brush (cheap ones from children's crafts) Paint the cookies as desired.

5. Bake in moderate oven (350) 10 minutes, or until cookies are firm, but still pale. Allow to cool on cookie sheet 10 minutes. ( I very seldom can wait that long) Loosen with a wide spatula and slide onto wire racks to cool completely.

6. To finish: Decorate cookies with Royal frosting and assorted decorative candies: allow frosting to dry completely.

Royal Frosting:

2 egg whites, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 3 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar.

Beat egg whites and lemon juice until foamy in a medium size bowl. Slowly beat in sugar, until frosting stands in firm peaks and is stiff enough to hold a sharp line when cut with a knife. Keep frosting covered with a damp paper towel to keep from drying. Divide and color as desired. I used little baggies with one corner cut small, as a decorating bag.

This time we only used the royal frosting and we skipped the egg yolk paint. Have FUN!

Jen's Fish Tacos!

Are a hit at my house!

The mango salsa was delicious! I did add a little jalapeno to ours.

A BIG Thumbs UP!

Thanks for posting a great recipe, Jennifer! Everyone should definitely taste these tacos!