Mosquitoes Is Eating Me!

image courtesy photobucket.com

 

Yummy one buzzes, “Your blood is delicious,” he says. 

One little guy is all it takes, to bite me and I am itching here and there. 

A nice rain a few days ago must have left enough breeding ground to bring in just one to bite me.  An open door for just a minute is invitation enough for one to enter the house.

In the morning my ear lobe was swollen and I needed to take out my earring.  My first thought was my earring is too tight, but that was not it.  Close inspection discovered bite marks in both directions.  My neck and ears were a feeding ground!

Searching the internet on how to kill mosquitoes, the instructions said, use a fly swatter or slap it with your hand.  A kindergartener must have written that bit of prose. 

My prayer for that mosquito is that he starve to death, because I need my blood.

Finally I discovered an old fashioned hint that said they would be attracted to a white saucer with some dish soap in the water.

So I placed a bowl of the solution on my night stand near my bed, one on the kitchen sink, and another by my feet near my computer.  So far no takers on the dish soap.

The saucers and bowls were left overnight and a close inspection revealed my mosquito doesn’t like dish soap in water.

Robert grabbed the shop vac with its nozzle, and went around the ceiling and curtains, then I swept the floor and he went under my computer area with the vac. 

 

Hopefully my mosquito has a new home, inside Robert's shop vac.

I tried several remedies for the itch, but nothing seems to be long lasting.  Finally I found a simple trick to use a bar soap and rub on the bite.  Instead I used a dab of liquid hand soap and it worked great.

 

* * * * * *

Changing the subject:  Today is Friday, and I usually offer you a recipe.  Here is a suggestion that we had for lunch today and it was so good.  Easy way to serve left overs!



Image courtesy
photobucket.com

Stir Fry with Top Ramen

Empty your refrigerator of left over beef or chicken stir fry and any vegetables left over and place in a frying pan. 

In a separate kettle, boil water per instructions on the packet of Top Ramen, drain and add to the vegetables. 

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Yoshida’s cooking sauce to taste and mix well.  Stir over heat until blended and food is hot and serve.

This post is shared at Ann Kroeker’s
 Food on Friday.  Do visit her lovely site.

 

New Car

 

Our car was getting old and our family had enlarged so we decided we needed a station wagon.  The year was in the mid 60s and we had a houseful of children at that time.

The first thing was to shop the sales ads in the classified section of the newspaper. 

After making several phone calls I discovered some interesting facts.  Several of the automobiles for sale had been owned by companies, and they were purchasing a new car because they could get a fleet discount.

I noted the prices they were asking for their four year old car, and made my own phone call to a car dealership and asked for the manager. 

Explaining that we were a new roofing company with two trucks, I asked, “If we purchased a new car from you, would you give us a fleet discount?”  The manager offered to talk and said that he could help us.

We talked some more as I explained the car we wanted and he told me how it would come equipped with certain accessories, and gave me a quote.  Amazingly enough the quote was very close to the cost of the used cars previously inquired about.

When I told Robert the good news, he was quite pleased with my shopping ability, and that evening we made a visit to the dealership in question. 

We selected a new white station wagon that the dealer had in his show room that was outfitted with all the trimmings.  Financing was needed and once our loan was approved which took a couple days, the vehicle was ready to be picked up.   Our kids were as thrilled as we were.  That new car smelled so nice and it kept that new perfume smell for a long time.

So it was that all the years we were in business, we would purchase a new car every four years.  Being able to depreciate the car was also helpful on the books.

We would have been satisfied with an old used car for the right price, but new was better when the price was so close.

I am reminded that God has made things new for us; a new name written down in Glory for starters.  We are changed into a new person when we receive Jesus as our Lord. 

Jesus has promised us a new heaven and a new earth.  Exactly when and how is a mystery until God the Father gives the signal for the celebration to begin.

The question is; will you be ready when the trumpet sounds?  If not, it is simple to get NEW now.

 

This post is shared at Peter Pollock’s One Word Carnival  The word is NEW.

Also shared at Hazel’s: “Tell Me a True Story” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Flanders Fields Everywhere !

Flanders Field

 

Gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s sermon as we observed Veterans Day and he reminded us that war is a terrible thing; yet it seems to be inevitable.

World War I was called the War to end all wars.  Our soldiers fought in Europe to bring peace.  The Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium occupies a 6.2-acre site. At this peaceful site rest 368 of our military dead, most of whom gave their lives in liberating the soil of Belgium in World War I. 

General Eisenhower received a letter from 8 year old Keith, who offered a plan:  “Let all the world leaders enter a boxing ring and just fight it out in there.”  It might work??

Since then, many Wars have continued with many thousands of lives lost, both military and civilian. 

We live in an imperfect world and we don’t always agree with one another.  As Christians we do not like war. We are called to be peacemakers, in the family, in church, and in the workplace.  Jesus prayed and said, blessed are the peacemakers.  In another place he offered that in this world we shall have persecution.

When Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off the ear of one of the servants.  Jesus said, put up your sword, for those who live by the sword will die by the sword. 

How do we deal with a “Just War?”  There are religious wars, wars to defend; often force is needed to secure peace.  Usually war is a last resort, as peace talks and negations are tried first.  Cool heads and long fuses use diplomacy to bring peace.

What would our world be like if the three largest nations had not warred against Hitler?

There was World War II in retaliation for December 7^th bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The horrors of war are not easily forgotten.  There are wounds physical and mental that take years to heal, if at all.  Many veterans suffer sensitively from Post War syndrome.

We hate war, but we are morally obligated to honor our military and the veterans who gave of themselves to fight for peace.

We seek peace, but there is only true peace when we find it within our hearts because of Christ.

May we be Christian solders, marching as to war, carrying the cross of Jesus?  Our fight is not with flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness.

2 Timothy 2:1-3 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

 

Linked up with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday

http://nebraskagraceful.blogspot.com/

Twice Baked Potatoes

Photo by fungus amungus

 

Yesterday, my husband and I made the 150 mile round trip to visit our HMO, where they had scheduled him for an ultra sound.  The Doctors are keeping a close watch on him, because he is taking several meds and it seems all drugs have those not so happy side effects. 

On the way home, we stopped at Win-Co Foods, where there are usually some good bargains.  Many of the items you will need for Thanksgiving were already on display and were nicely priced.

Robert is an excellent shopper and he discovered a 20# bag of large Russet potatoes.  As we paid for our items, the cashier was chatting with me and mentioned how her mother would make “Twice baked potatoes” using this size.  I told her my mother did the same thing, and that is probably what we will do with these. 

 

They are a lovely addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Today for our dinner, that is exactly what we enjoyed, along with some stir fried beef with carrots, onions and bell peppers. 

 

Included here is a recipe that you can adjust if you like more cheese and more of anything else. 

 

These potatoes will also stand alone for a nourishing lunch or late night meal.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Olive oil

6 large Russet baking potatoes
8 pieces bacon fried and crumbled
1/4 lb. (1 cup) grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
1/2 cup cream
1 Tbsp minced fresh Italian parsley
1 cube butter
2 green onions, chopped  Optional
1/2 tsp salt or seasoning salt
freshly ground black pepper
paprika, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Scrub and wash potatoes very well using a vegetable brush. Dry with a paper towel and rub with olive oil.

Bake potatoes in oven for about an hour, or until fork tender. Allow potatoes to cool slightly until they can be handled but are still hot.

Using a sharp knife cut the potatoes in half. (You will need a clean dish towel or mitts to handle the potatoes.) Using a spoon, scoop out as much of the potato pulp as you can, leaving the skins intact.

Meanwhile, mash the potato pulp using a potato masher, adding butter, salt and pepper, onion, cream, yogurt or sour cream, bacon, cheddar (save a little cheese for the top) and other seasonings. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Spoon the mixture into the potato shells until heaping full and return them to 425°F oven for 5 minutes. Sprinkle tops with cheese and paprika.  Return to oven (on top rack) until tops are golden and bubbly, about 5 minutes more.

Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Makes 12 servings.

If you plan to freeze the potatoes, do NOT add the onion, as it will ruin the potatoes.

 

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s  Food on Fridays   

Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

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Dreaming of Being a Missionary



A Heart for Missions
courtesy photobucket.com

 

In this world there are several things that I have desired to be. 

One desire was to be a missionary, so God gave me a missionary heart, to love missions and missionaries.  We cannot go, so we help our friends to go. 

The Bible tells us that those who send out the missionaries will receive the same reward as the missionaries who venture forth.   

Lady Evangelist Joyce Meyer
courtesy photobucket.com

The other was to become a Pastor of a church, but instead, God gave me a blog where I share stories.  After all that is what Jesus did, he shared stories that had a message to teach us how to live. 

At some of the places Robert and I have ministered, we have done the work of a Pastor, and not always with the name pastor.

I remember many years ago, after a stirring missionary service at our church, a young mother told our Pastor, “I believe God is calling me to be a missionary.”

The Pastor looked at the woman with her brood of six children, and remarked, "Lady, God has called you to a mission field of six sweet children, don't let God or them down, but nurture those children and teach them to love Jesus.  You can be a missionary to your children and to your family by your example and your words."

The woman was satisfied with his answer, and I shall always remember it.

We may be called at times to a mission trip or to longer stay, but usually God is giving you and me a missionary heart to work for him where he has planted us.

Our calling may not seem important to us at times, but it is a daily walk of listening and doing as The Holy Spirit instructs us to do. 

Don’t get me wrong - - it is always good to dream big!!

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Pre-Sale




courtesy free clip art

 

Many years ago as we were preparing for a yard rummage sale for our church, a group of us ladies were sorting and pricing items. 

This was our first attempt at a rummage sale, and our plans were to donate the money from our sale, to a mission’s project.

We were laughing and having fun and we decided that if any of us wanted an item, we would call it a pre-sale and we would all agree on a price (usually a low price.)

Many of the local stores near the church allowed us to place signs in their window announcing our sale.  On the corner we tacked a large poster board sign to a pole, with arrows pointing to our church.  We also placed a small advertisement in the newspaper which attracted a nice crowd.  

Even before we had the tables set up in the yard, here came the early bird buyers.  They hoped to be first to get the knick knacks and anything old and antique before anyone else.

Can you believe it; we even had some thieves stealing items?  For instance, a small box that had perfume in it was suddenly empty.   Along with some small children’s toys that disappeared and no one remembers selling them.
 

We learned to watch for customers who might be carrying a large shopping bag or big purse and we acted like a spy trailing the person and looking carefully at their every move.

Finally, we decided if a thief needs our rummage that bad, perhaps we should just in our hearts - - give it to them. 

 

For us, it was the same as forgiving them upfront for being a robber.  The act will be on their conscience and we would have peace of mind.  It also gave us freedom to enjoy our sale and place our customers in God's hands.

Fast forward a few years.  Recently I donated a beautiful large crocheted afghan to our current church bazaar.  The evening of the event, I noticed that it was not there. 

Thinking back and remembering the days when we had our church yard sales in the past; I realized that the ladies must have had their own Pre-sale, and someone had purchased it early.

I was glad because now I know that my lovely afghan has found a new home where it will warm and comfort its new owner.

This post has been linked with Joan Davis at: Sharing His Beauty

Also shared at: “Tell Me a True Story”
 http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

 

Bench Marks

Jesus is Lord
courtesy photobucket.com

 

Taking notes and gleaning from his sermon as Pastor Jerry was preaching.  He was reading from several scriptures from both old and new testaments. 

Pastor reminded us that as Christians our Benchmark is: The Lord is Our God.”  He does not change!  Moses brought us the law written on stone, and declared:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Jesus repeated this and added to it:  Mark 12:29-31  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  And you shall love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all your soul, and with all thy mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.   And the second is like it, namely this; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

We might ask, what is a Benchmark?   From Wikipedia:  It has been defined as: a reference point by which something can be measured.  A best-performing test, also called the gold standard.  A solid and immovable point often used by builders and map makers. 

Hebrews 12:28  Wherefore we receive a kingdom which cannot be moved - -

Christ has broken down the wall, and has given us the Law of Love and a new covenant.

In life bad things happen that shake our faith.  We live in troubled times, with recession; many lose money in their investments. We hear of earthquakes, fires, floods and tidal waves destroying lives and property.  Homes that were there yesterday are gone today, with thousands left homeless.

We need a balance a solid place to stand and one that will not move.  God’s Word can bring us comfort even in our loss.

Churches have ups and downs at times with a loss of vision and trying to hold steady.  We can be thankful for Ministry within the church, even our current Bazaar that brought in a good return for all the hard work.  Funds not just to cover expenses, but used as well between missions and the homeless.  It was also a time of serving our community and fellowship for our church and for those from the outside who attended.

The church may have changes; some will agree and willingly accept.  Others may not like the new ways of doing things and wish we would go back to the way it used to be.

Education for instance, the schools still teach the 3 R’s but today it is in different forms from when we went to school.

When we are hit with a problem, know that with God - - we can start again!

We must not lose our benchmark of the Scriptures:  The Lord our God is one Lord!  He is our solid Rock and in Him we can safely trust.

 

This post is Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Also Linked up with Michelle’s  Hear it on Sunday

 

 

Guest - Roy Lessin

Complete IN HIM
courtesy photobucket.com

 

Devotional by Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow

 

Complete

Jesus is the Redeemer
You are rescued!
Jesus is the Bread of Life
You are fed!
Jesus is the Light of the World
You are guided!
Jesus is the Door of the sheep
You are accepted!
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
You are cared for!
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
You are filled with hope!
Jesus is the Mighty God - You are safe!
Jesus is the Way - You are secure!
Jesus is the Life - You are whole!
Jesus is the Truth - You are certain!
Jesus is the True Vine - You have everything you need!

You are complete in Him. Colossians 2:10 NKJV

Dazzle Cookies and an Afghan

Afghan
Photo by Hazel

 

Some call it a bazaar, others call it a Holliday country store, but we decided to call it a Dazzle for our church annual fund raising event. 

On display there will be some exceptionally dazzling items in the crafts and food; bits and pieces that will make lovely gifts.  There will be home made preserves, pickles, and baked goods of various kinds.  There will be many craft items and white elephants too!

My contribution to the baked items is several dozen shortbread cookies.  Some plain and others decorated with chocolate.  Also two dozen peanut butter cookies also dipped in chocolate.  I am also taking two large trays of my Spinach, cheese balls. Yummy! 

Each year one of our ladies makes the most delicious holiday fruit cake and I reserve at least two for me and Robert.  We ration the slices, and enjoy it for weeks.

This year I also contributed my still unused, but new afghan for the country store...

A few years back when I was working at the county, one day a lady from the local grange craft club came by our office selling raffle tickets for a hand crocheted very large afghan.

Our receptionist made an announcement over the loud speaker, and I decided to purchase a couple tickets.  I never gave it another thought, because I was just trying to encourage the ladies.

The next week, over the PA system, they announced the winner of the afghan raffle and it was ME.  I was so excited.

The lady wanted to meet me and ask if I had grandchildren and other questions about me so she could relay to her ladies something about the winner.  I was happy to tell her I had several grandchildren who loved to keep warm and told her how beautiful the afghan was.

Taking it home, I wrapped it in a plastic bag and placed on the top shelf of my closet, intending to find it a new home.  I did not want to tell the lady that I already had several throw blankets, and other Afghans, and wanted this one to find its own special place.

Time has gone by, and now is the occasion to donate my beautiful afghan for the Dazzle.

Some lucky person will become the new owner and will enjoy it for years to come.

Friday night is the appetizers and drinks and preview of the Dazzle.  Saturday will be the luncheon and the main showing of the Dazzle.

 

We believe everyone who attends will be Dazzled !!   Wish you were here!

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s  Food on Fridays   

Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

 

Take the Old Paths!

Old Paths are Best
courtesy photobucket.com

This is what the LORD says:
Stand by the roadways and look.
Ask about the ancient paths:
Which is the way to what is good?
Then take it and find rest for yourselves.
But they protested, “We won’t!”

(Jeremiah 6: 16)

 

Message Bible  Jeremiah 6:16

"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road,
The tried-and-true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.

But they said, 'Nothing doing.
We aren't going that way.'

 

Sharing at:  Unwrapping His Promises blog carnival  With Duane Scott