Last night I made a delicious soup for supper. It was quick and easy. I got the recipe from an Amish cookbook that my mom gave me years ago. I thought I would share the recipe with you this morning.
Potato Soup with Sausage
Ingredients:
6 cups of potatoes, diced (I used 8 cups)
1/2 medium onion, chopped (I used 1 whole onion)
1 tsp of celery leaves (I used all the celery heart leaves)
Parsley
1/2 lb. sausage (I used 1 lb. of Jimmy Dean sausage)
2 cups of milk or cream (I used milk)
1 Tbsp of cornstarch
Salt and Pepper to taste (I used a lot of pepper)
Garnish with cheese (I used cheddar)
Cook potatoes and onions in a pot of water. Fry sausage. When potatoes are almost done add celery leaves, parsley and sausage. Mix cornstarch and milk and add to the potatoes. Bring to a full boil and boil for two minutes. (I did not do the boiling part. I was afraid I would scorch the milk. I just let the soup simmer while the table was being set and ice placed in glasses.)
That was it and it was really yummy! This was a perfect dish for such a cold wintery day. My son gave it a 10. My husband an 8. (He is not too keen on potato soups of any sort and to get an 8 was a good thing.) Let me know if you try it.
According to the weather forecast last evening--today is supposed to be the coldest day since 2010. Yikes! Maybe I should have made this soup tonight instead of last night. Oh well, I will have a nice hot supper tonight, too. I haven't decided what it will be but it will be hot!!!
My knee is still terribly tender and I am walking with a limp to prevent further injury, so today will be a slow one. A little chore done...rest...another chore done...rest....a schooling lesson done...rest. Sigh... I am hoping that this little problem well resolve itself soon. Ice packs alternating with a hot wheater heater will continue. I am thinking of doing an epsom salt poultice today, too. I will let you know how that goes.
I do have a load of laundry to do, as well as, some vacumming. Hmm...maybe my son can use some practice with the Oreck?
Sharon
Well, I have messed up my right knee. I have no idea what I did to it, but it hurts. I am rotating heat and ice along with sitting with my leg propped up. I am viewing this as a forced rest. I am choosing to relax and not do much so my knee can heal. I don't really know what from, but heal none the less.
Schooling can be done while I am forced to rest. My son is really good at doing his studies when I am not at my best. I suppose that is a strength of being a true *mercy. This is his spiritual gift. I used to think of it as a weakness for my son, but I have come to realized what a strength and a blessing his gifting really is. Times like these he is all sympathy towards mom and that is a good thing. :)
Another activity I can do sitting down is reading. I just wish I had something really great to read. I have a couple of books coming tomorrow from Amazon.com. They are two books written my Mrs. Sharon White. She writes a blog that I have enjoyed greatly and I just decided to buy her books. I identify with her in a few areas and I know these gentle reading books will be a comfort and an inspiration for me. I need both of these at this time.
I am planning on having a simple supper tonight. Potato and Ham soup with a spinach salad on the side. I will not have to stand much to fix the soup. All the preparations can be done with my leg elevated. Check this off my list.
Tonight is my husband's men's prayer group at church. I think if my knee will allow-I might go to a ladies group. My son will spend his evening with friends, so Tuesday is shaping up to be a fine day. God is good.
I think I am going to read some of my bible and rest until it is time to prepare supper. Have a great day.
Sharon
My heart is beating fast and hard. I know what this is...Anxiety. Lack of faith. Fear. I loathe this with every fiber of my being!
Yes, I have panic attacks and transition problems. I have had these two companions of mine for as long as I can remember and I am 52 years old now. I get what I call a sinking feeling in my stomach, maybe someone likens them to butterflies, but I have held a butterfly and felt it's fluttering....what I am experiencing is nothing like that. Everything just sinks. It can be fast as lightening or slow as molasses...all flowing downward. Yuck...I can't stand it!
Then my thoughts go crazy. The what ifs show up and stomp around my brain making as much noise as they possibly can. I can't think about anything true, noble or otherwise.
This is when the tears usually start and my heart beats fast and furious as if it is trying it's best to get away from the thoughts with all it's might. I start to shake and tremble and my knees get weak. There are usually two things that happen at this juncture. I either fall apart or go to sleep. Sleep is the best for me...I don't feel when I am sleeping.
I have come to accept these co-companions of mine. I can't seem to get rid of them...so acceptance is the only option. I know more scripture now that I used to know, plus I am more mature in age and in my walk with Jesus than before...this allows me to rationally speak truth into my soul.
I know that God is always with me. I know that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I know that nothing can separate His Love for me. I know that I am His child and heir to His Promises, through Jesus His Son. I know that I am sealed by the Holy Spirit. When I was younger...I really didn't believe all this Truth. At 52, not only do I believe it...I live by and these Truths.
I read a book, many years ago, called "Hinds Feet in High Places". Much Afraid had two companions, too. I believe their names were "Sorrow and Suffering". She didn't want these two hombres hanging around either, but they were there because the Great Shepherd wanted them there. They taught Much Afraid many truths about the Shepherd, so therefore they were an intrical part of the plan He had for her. I am assuming that panic attacks and transition fear are my *sorrow and suffering* companions for His plan for me. This makes what I am experiencing today somewhat easier.
Today, I am not going to fall apart or go to sleep. Nope!
I must keep my eyes on Jesus. I must renew my mind daily with His Word. I must trust in God and God alone.
Sola Fide, by faith alone.
Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.
Isaiah 41:13 says, "For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who
helps you."
God's Word also says, in Romans 8:31, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
I will comfort my soul with these two verses today....my heart has slowed down somewhat. Thank you, Abba. Help me keep my mind stayed on thee, O LORD.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Sharon
I am sitting here at my dining room table listening to a musical piece by Antonio Bertali, sipping on a cup of hot Earl Grey tea in my favorite mug and thinking about everything I have to do. I have sooooo... much to do that I become paralyzed and unable to do anything. It is much easier to sip on tea listening to relaxing music than tackle the mounds of work that I see needing done around me.
Now, this does not mean that I will not do the work...oh no. The work will get done--just not today. It is Saturday. A day that I need to get some errands done and spend time with my husband.
I used to love lists. I made lists for everything. Budgets, schooling lessons, book lists, daily chores, groceries, errand itineraries, etc. I think I will return to my lists. I just don't want them to rule my life like they once did. If I didn't complete the entire list for that day...I would feel like a failure. I do not need to return to that scenerio at all. So, I need to come up with a flexible list that I cannot make into an idol. Just something to keep me on track and observing my progress through all my piles of books, papers, and unneeded items.
I really don't have to dejunk, clean, repaint, redecorate the entire house in one day. I just know that I function better in organization than in junky chaos. It seems that even my thoughts flow more freely within an organized and clean environment. I am sooo... not a free spirit. I sometimes wish I was, but God did not make me that way, so now that I seem to be getting back on tract with my walk and life...I need organization. Sigh...
I have some fairly big plans for my gardens and backyard this early spring, summer and fall. It would be nice to get things done in the house before I head outside. If everything is done inside then I can concentrate on the outside. I am excited about that!!!
Surfing the web this morning, I was able to find a few good suburban homesteading sites. This has perked my interest even more! :) Since we don't seem to travel anywhere...these ideas are being formulated into plans and I am hoping they will be glorious tribute to God, blessings to my family, friends and neighbors, teaching tools for my son and a way for my husband and I to work together. I will keep you posted...
So, today's family blessings have already started...beds made, house straightened, budget made, supper planned and shopping itenerary now made. I might throw in a new movie for tonight and some fresh baked treats. This is going to be a lovely day...God is good.
I am still praying for my daughter and if anyone reads this please pray for her, too. She needs a *strong godly older woman* to mentor her. That is my prayer for her at this time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sharon
It has been raining or drizzling for about three days now at the Beale Bungalow. Snow is forecasted for tonight and we may get about 1 inch of snow by morning. It will be nice to see some of the white stuff on the ground. Everything is so gray now and I believe snow would improve the view from my windows.
This morning I went to a coffee house with my best girl friends for about 1 and 1/2 hours this morning. It was nice to see them so early and still be able to go do some shopping and then finish homeschooling lessons with my son. It turned out to be a nice day, even with the gray sky.
So, what have I done to love my family and make their day sweeter. Well, beds made, house straightened, more laundry done and schooling lessons complete. I also have a cast iron dutch oven filled with homemade beef vegetable stew simmering on the back burner of my stove. I am getting ready to open one of my mason jars filled with summer peaches to make a peach crisp for dessert tonight. I think my guys will definitely feel loved from my efforts through the Holy Spirit today. Though the house is darken because of the lack of sunshine...I am hoping and praying that the aromas of my kitchen and the candles burning will brighten their day. Sigh...
The talk of snow, which is a rarity here in Virginia, has me thinking of the verse that says, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become
like wool." Isa. 1:18.
Salvation is something that I believe I have taken for granted. I mean--I am saved--I have fire insurance--let me live as I want. There is a question that a dear friend will sometime ask, "How is it working for ya?" Well, this nominal Christianity isn't really working for me. Oh, I know that I will never be a little Billy Grahamette, but I can make a difference where God has placed me.
Now, where has God placed me? The Beale Bungalow. This is my greatest sphere of influence, and I fail daily, but God is good and His mercy is new every morning. I feel as though I have a new calling and it is my old calling...I just have a new heart attitude about my old calling. It sure seems better and working out my salvation has a sweeter taste about it.
Salvation, Jesus making my sins white as snow, should permeate every area of my life. What I do, what I watch, what I speak, how I speak, what I wear, where I go, what I listen too...etc. When it snows everything gets covered. It may melt due to some heat, but snow falls on everything. Jesus' atoning work in living the perfect life, dying on the cross and then rising from the dead falls on everyone! Some people may melt the atoning work of Jesus right off themselves because the heat of this world means more to them...then others will gladly receive the atoning work of Jesus and be renewed...Fresh, white, non-trodded receiving this freshness every moment of the day. Thank you, Jesus for your obedience to the Father.
Sharon
[They are] new every morning: great
[is] thy
faithfulness.
This verse is from Lamentations 3:23. The book of affliction written by the prophet Jeremiah. He and the Jewish nation had much to lament about, but in the midst of everything that God was allowing in Israel...Jeremiah was reminding them and us that God's mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great!!! I find this so comforting this morning as I sit her and ponder my day.
I have allowed satan to thwart my thoughts and obedience to my Heavenly Father, and not only does this sadden me, but it also maddens me. So, for today (this is all that I am promised) I am resolving to love the LORD my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength. Yes!!
It is a very gray, rainy and cold day outside my little bungalow, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to serve God by making it sunny, pleasant and warm inside my little bungalow. This is my calling for today..January 16, 2013.
There are chores to be done, with a cheerful heart. Homeschooling also, with a cheerful heart. All of these things are gifts from the LORD...work for my hands, work for my brain, work for my family = work for God. I have forgotten this equation over the past few years. I am sorry for this.
Yes..there is much for me to do today.
Pick up and put away
Make my bed
Do some laundry-from start to finish
Clean the kitchen
Clean the bathroom
Vacuum the floors
Dust the furniture
Schooling lessons with Seth
A time of rest for me with a nice cup of tea
Then prepare supper.
Tonight my son goes to Royal Rangers.
Oh, I am still deeply concerned for my wayward daughter...I will pray, praise, and pray some more for her during my day, but satan isn't going to pierce me with his lying darts and arrows today. I have my Heavenly Father's mercy and His steadfast love today and forever!
AMEN!!!
Once again--my heart is broken. My wayward, beautiful daughter called this morning and tore me apart. I know that I wrestle not against flesh and blood, but it all still hurts.
My daughter was raised very conservatively and in a Christian home, yet she has made several God-less choices and is suffering, greatly. This is very hard to watch from afar. We live in Virginia, she lives in New Jersey.
Today, everything was my fault. "I raised her too conservatively because it doesn't work in the real world." She married against our will and out of the faith, so she is reaping what she has sown. She is in the blame game now. It is so hard.
Love her...don't talk to her...leave her alone....pray for her. These are some of the things I am being told. I really don't know what to do. She is 28 and there really isn't anything I can do.
It just really hurts.
