A SERMON IN THOUGHTS . . . ESPECIALLY FOR ME

I have been reviewing events God has allowed in my life from childhood to present . . . both the good, the bad, and the surprising.  Certainly, there have been many, and like snowflakes, no two have been the same.  I have allowed these incidents (at times involving others and studded with emotions) to color my thoughts and shape my views in a unique way that is particular only to me.  Thus, the reactions I've chosen for myself have caused me to become the person I am today. 

I am not always proud of myself, in fact, quite often I am ashamed. 

No brag - just fact.

  

Following is a collection of sentiments I filed away for such a day as this.  I was rummaging through them today, and decided I would like to put them all together in a post here on my blog.  A post to myself, for myself, and by myself. 

Since this is my blog . . . I can do that.    :)

I enjoy my blog immensely and post about things that are of interest to me.  It's kind of therapeutic. 

I hope those of you who do share in the reading of my posts enjoy your visits and come back often.

I hope you leave with a smile, something to think about, and/or a hearty, "Amen!"



Ain't that the truth!  I trust the next 40 years will be a bit easier.  ;)

I have become the worst at letting precious moments slip through my fingers.  I hope I can overcome this malady.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." ~ Proverbs 25:11
And on the flip-side . . .
Speech has been compared to an arrow:  once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray.

I don't normally intend on wasting my time, but invariably it does happen in spite of my best efforts. 
Oh, that I could truly understand the value of a single minute.

This just makes me sad - because it is so undeniably TRUE.  :(

It's so easy to become carnally minded, and put my eyes on the storm around me. 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

trust - one in which confidence is placed

“Mistrust makes life difficult. Trust makes it risky.” ~ Mason Cooley

“It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.” ~ Dr. Samuel Johnson

“It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.” ~ English Proverb

It's a beautiful thing to be able to pick up where you left off (no matter how much time has passed) . . . with a friend.
It's even more wonderful, though less likely, to turn enemies into friends.

" . . . He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone . . . "
(John 8:7) KJV

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3) KJV

I can make a difference for the good. 
(Note to Self:  Don't believe the lies!)

 perspective - a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance

This is not always easy for me to do. 
However, it can be quite refreshing and insightful when done properly.

A snail walks into a bank to make a deposit. Then a turtle comes in and robs the bank. Afterward, the police are interviewing the snail and asks him to recount what had happened. The snail says, "I don't know, it all happened so fast."

Easier said than done . . . but not impossible.

". . . With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
(Mark 10:27) KJV
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8:32) KJV

Habits are so hard to break.  If only I could remember to ask this question when the need arises.

I really need to work on numbers 1, 4, 7, 8, and 10. 
(I don't have the market yet on the other five either.)

I can't imagine life without regrets.  Someday it will be, though.  :)

- Tucking my youngest into bed at night -
- Watching my two daughters as they grow -
- Listening to my son tell about his new job -
- Praying for my oldest two sons and their safety -
- Praising God for my husband in the good times and in the bad -
- Thanking God that He isn't finished with me yet -

These are just some of the BIG things.

This is not an easy attitude for me to adopt, but one I think will save me from shedding too many more tears.
"Boo-Hoo."

Really?  Do I really believe this? 
FMI-  (For My Information)
I am learning to.

I don't know the swami, but he sure has a great quote.  ;)

Couldn't have said it better myself.

God knows me.
Sometimes that makes me glad.
Most times it makes me sad.

Oh, how I'll wish I had given Him more!

If I finally give up, it's because there was nothing left to hold on to.

SPICY CARNITAS

Here's the delicious recipe that I will forever associate with my burned fingers.  So tasty! 

(The recipe, that is - not my fingers.  Haha!)

Spicy Carnitas

2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes

Goya Adobo with pepper

½ medium onion, diced 

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 jalapeño pepper, chopped (optional)

2 large chicken bouillon cubes

4 cups water, to cover

3 Tbs olive oil

1½ cups orange juice

1 pkt Sazon Goya Sin Achiote (without Annatto)

flour (or corn) tortillas, warmed

1 jar salsa verde

guacamole



The ingredients pictured above can be purchased at most HEB stores, or check the International Food aisle in your local supermarket(s).  This recipe calls for the Sazon pictured on the right with the white top.  This one does not add color to food, whereas the Sazon Goya on the left will color food a lovely yellow or orange (depending on how little or how much is used.)  They provide a unique flavor and add authenticity to Spanish foods.

   

Our local Walmart sells "pork for carnitas."  (How convenient! ;)
Maybe yours does, too.

This is what the meat looks like.  Rinse well under cold, running water.
There's a lot of fat that needs to be trimmed off before cooking.

This is the fat from two packages of meat.  Throw it out!

Trim the pork into 1-inch pieces.  It's messy.
Use a sharp knife and keep it dry being VERY careful not to let it slip.  No need for cut fingers.

Season meat with Adobo.
In a deep-sided frying pan or casserole, combine pork, onion, garlic, and jalapeño.
The veggies can be sauteed a little to bring out their flavors, but it's not necessary.

Add bouillon cubes and water to cover. Bring to boil. 
Cover and simmer on low until meat is tender, about 1 hour.
(This picture was taken at the 1 hour mark.)

Preheat oven to 400ºF.  Drain meat in colander, discarding vegetables and water. Heat oil in same pan on medium high. Add drained meat and brown in olive oil, turning occasionally. When meat is browned, add orange juice and Sazón and bring to boil. Place in oven, uncovered, until juice reduces and glazes meat, about 30 minutes. Stir every 5-10 minutes so it doesn't stick and juice evenly coats meat.

Next time I prepare this recipe I will leave out the orange juice because it makes the meat sweet.  It's very good, however, I like my meat savory.  If you omit the orange juice be sure to keep back some of the broth so it's not dry.

Shred meat and serve with tortillas, salsa verde, and guacamole. Muy delicioso!
(CAUTION:  DO NOT FORGET TO USE POT HOLDERS.)

BURNED. "YEE-OUCH!"

 

This past Monday I decided to make a new recipe.  I wanted to make Carnitas (small pieces of roasted and shredded pork), and I found a delicious recipe on-line.  The first thing the recipe called for was to cook the pork in an oven safe skillet on top of the stove for an hour.  After the hour was up it was time to pop the skillet into the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Everything was going wonderful until after I took the pan out of the oven (with oven mitts) and placed it on top of the stove.  That's when I decided to take a picture so I could post about this recipe on my blog. 

Being the creature of habit that I am - I reached out with my left hand (because the camera was in my right hand) and grabbed the handle.  Yes, you heard right.  I grabbed it.  I actually lifted that skillet and moved it to the front burner in hopes of getting the perfect picture . . . without shadows.  It couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 seconds later that I felt a searing pain in my fingers and thumb.  It dawned on me that I had just grabbed a stainless steel skillet handle that had been fired up to 400 degrees while basking in the oven for the past 30 minutes, thus my "Kodak Moment" no longer seemed important.

The pain was intense to say-the-least.  All I could think was how blistered and raw my fingers were going to be, and how many weeks I was going to be in pain with a useless hand.  (I tried not to think about the PREVENTABLE trip to the doctor and the bill that could have been avoided if I had only been THINKING.)  I immediately ran cold water over my fingers, but it wasn't cold enough, so I put a frozen ice pack in my hand, and headed for the computer.  In my on-line search I found out ice is NOT a good option for a burn.  It only damages the skin more.  But, I also found someone who recommended an unusual remedy for burns.  I try to keep this item on hand.  I even stop at our local health food store so I can get the best.  Thankfully, we had plenty in the pantry, and I wasted no time liberally applying this truly miraculous product to my fingers. 


 

The pain was still intense, but I didn't know what else to do. So I soaked a sterile pad in the stuff and laid it on my fingers, then wrapped it up with a gauze bandage and tape. Before the day was out, ALL of the pain was completely GONE.
[This picture was taken Tuesday - the day after I got burned.  It's hard to see, but look closely and the long, skinny red lines running the length of each finger are there.]



I had ONE blister on my ring finger.  The rest of my fingers were red, and the skin on each was tight and sensitive, but they looked amazing considering they had just been FRIED.

[This picture was taken today (2 days after the burn).  I tried to get a close-up of the blister, but as you can see it's already healing nicely.]

I kept the bandage on Monday and Tuesday, and took it off today, and if I didn't point out where my fingers were wrapped around the handle and burned - I don't think anyone would ever know.  I am so amazed and thankful.  I am using my hand to type today.  Of course, the one thing that concerns me now is to be sure that my blister does not get infected so I have to be careful what I do.  I expect a full recovery before the week is out.  We shall see.



God made a fabulous product for so many different things that ail a body.  I don't ever want to be without this sweet smelling miracle in a bottle.  I highly encourage everyone to keep some on hand - just in case.  I promise you won't regret it . . . and get the good stuff while you're at it.

In closing, I would just like to say that if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes (and felt it with my own hand) I really don't think I would believe my own story or pictures.  I've been burned before to a much lesser degree, and those burns NEVER healed like this burn.  Some may say I didn't really get burned that bad, or that 2 or 3 seconds wasn't long enough to do much damage.  Okay.  Sure.  I can sympathize with the skeptics, and I appreciate their right to unbelief.  But, as for me and my hand, we believe.  :)

BEEF STROGANOFF MADE SIMPLE

I love Beef Stroganoff . . . especially the sour cream part.  Here's a super easy recipe for anyone who wants to try it.




You'll need approximately 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. of stew meat.  Cut stew meat into smaller bite-sized pieces.

You'll need a LARGE can of Cream of Mushroom soup, a 16 oz. tub of sour cream, and a bag of your favorite egg noodles.



Put about 1  Tablespoon oil into a saute pan.  I season with 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and oregano.  Also, a couple good cranks of freshly ground black pepper.  Add the stew meat and stir to mix.  Cook just until no longer pink.  It may be necessary to cook meat in batches depending on how big your pan is.



Once the meat is cooked place it in a larger skillet and add the soup and sour cream.  (You can also wait to add the sour cream at the very end to avoid it being overcooked.)  Stir these three ingredients together until incorporated.

This is what it should look like after it's been mixed together.

Allow sauce to come to a slow-rolling boil.  Do not allow to burn or stick.  Stir frequently, and simmer 10 -15 minutes with a lid.

We like to serve the Stroganoff over the noodles (cooked according to package directions) . . . with peas.  Enjoy!

CENTER FOR THE MISSING

None of us ever want to imagine harm befalling our children, but in this ole sinful world that we live in . . . it does happen.  Just turn on the local news station and there will be at least one case of a child gone missing - whether a runaway or an abduction. 

The kits are an easy way to keep a record of your child's information which would become vital in the case of an emergency.  Your child's name, date-of-birth, social security number, physical description, current photograph, medical and dental record information, and fingerprints can all be recorded in this kit. 

ALL ITEMS ARE COMPLETED AND STORED AT HOME.  You control the information, and if it is ever needed, you will be able to provide this information to authorities to help reunite a missing child with your family.

I think it is better to be prepared for the worst.  Once a child is missing there is no way to get a copy of his/her fingerprints then - unless he/she is found.  Also, if the information is previously recorded it will relieve you of having to overcome emotions that may leave you confused and shocked, to say the least.  Simple things may be hard to remember. 

Maybe you would like to contact the Center for the Missing and order your National Child Identification Program kit to help in protecting your child or children.  I would like to encourage you to do so.  Don't wait.  It's confidential and you control the information.  Just go to the link below to order your kit TODAY!

http://www.childidprogram.com/order-now

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  ~ Benjamin Franklin

FACTS ABOUT FINGERPRINTS

Fingerprints are composed of a unique combination of ridges that make patterns of loops, deltas and arches, as well as ending ridges, broken ridges, island ridges, forks, dots, bridges, spurs, eyes, bifurcations and other distinguishing marks. Fingerprinting is the only notably unchanged and infallible means of identifying individuals. In 80 years of fingerprint classification, no two identical sets have been found.

Unique fingerprints are formed seven months after conception. Although the size of each finger will continue to grow from pre-birth to childhood to adulthood, the relative position of ridges (with their loops, deltas and arches) will remain the same.

A perfect fingerprint will yield 175 to 180 points of information. Twelve points (less than 10 percent of a fingerprint) are required to convict in a federal court, and as few as five points may be used to convict in many jurisdictions. In other words, a far-from-perfect print will still yield positive identification information.

PREVENTION TIPS NATIONAL CHILD ID PROGRAM

Prevention always starts at home.

Use the following tips to help educate children on safety and awareness.

CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO:

Know his/her full name, as well as your name, address and telephone number, including area code. Children should know how to use the telephone.

Never say they're alone when answering the phone - instead, offer to take a message or say their parents will be back shortly.

Never answer the door if they are alone. Never invite anyone in the house w/out permission of a parent or baby-sitter.

Never take candy or gifts from strangers or anyone else without asking a parent first.

Never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas.

Move away from cars that pull up beside them if they do not know the driver.

Know that no one should touch any part of his or her body that bathing suit would cover.

Avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, laneways or alleys.

Run home or go to the nearest public place if they are being followed and yell for help.

Tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you.

Tell you where they are at all times or leave a message at home.Give up money, jewelry or clothing rather than fight.

Know they can talk to you and call you to pick them up at any time.

PARENTS SHOULD:

Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child is less likely to fear someone who knows his/her name.

Check all potential baby-sitters and older friends of your child.Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car, even for a minute.

Always accompany young children to the bathroom in public places.

Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities.

Point out safe houses with the Block Parent sign where children can go if they are in trouble.

Create an environment where a child feels safe to talk to you. Let him/her know that you are interested and sensitive to their fears.

Teach children that the police are their friends and that they can rely on them if they are in trouble.

Keep an up-to-date color photograph of your child, as well as a medical and dental history, and have your child fingerprinted.

Stay involved in your child's life by communicating daily to prevent your child from running away.

IN HONOR OF MY MOTHER

I found this little pig planter in a local resale shop awhile back, and bought it because it reminded me of my Mom.  She LOVES pigs!  She has actually been the proud owner of two pot-bellied pigs - Valentine and Clementine, respectively.  It's nice to see this little piggy smiling up at me during the day.  It's also sad, because I miss my mom so much, and wish we were together.  Maybe someday we won't live so far away from each other.

"Until then, Mom, this one's for YOU.  I love ya!"

LEST WE FORGET

Please read the little cartoon carefully.  It is powerful. Then read the comments at the end, and please - forward it. We cannot, we must not, ever forget what happened in Europe over 60 years ago, because it could happen again. Anyone, any group, could be the target. It has been said that those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, those who are attempting to rewrite history are probably planning to repeat it. The hatred is already there, in place, taught to the children from infancy, with promises of glory and honor to those who carry out the plans.

Forewarned is forearmed, and I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll do the same.

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This is being sent as a memorial, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russia peoples looking the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be "a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

The Islamic extremists are bent on the same thing that Hitler and Stalin were. The conquest of the world and the destruction of anyone who doesn't believe the way they do. The rest of the Muslims who say or do nothing about them are as guilty as the extremist.

FROM A STRICTLY MATHEMATICAL VIEWPOINT

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these Questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E


11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%


Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Mmmmm . . . PANCAKES

We had these pancakes this morning for breakfast, and they were so good! 
I cordially invite you to try them for yourselves by checking out the recipe at the top of this page below my Stick Family under "RECIPES," and I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  I will never buy pancake mix again.  :)

RED SHOE, BLUE SHOE - 1 SHOES, 2 SHOES



Checking himself out in the mirror.

Oh, to be young again, and to be able to get away with this fashion faux pas. Haha!

BLUE LIPS AND PINK TONGUES

Just after eating a bunch of frozen blueberries

Those tablets the dentist passed out sure were fun!

 

A CHUCKLE 4U - "State Bird"

A CHUCKLE 4U - "Just for Laughs"

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Little Man:  "Ummm, hi, Mom. Whatchoo up to?"

Me:  "Oh, boy! That lil smile sure does worry me!" (lol)