Antjie

Antjie

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Lazy Egg Pie

 

It’s lazy for a reason - minimal prep and minimal cleanup.

This is how:


1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pie pan with cooking spray.

2. Cut up sausage and line the bottom of the pie pan with it.

3. In a large bowl, beat 6 eggs.

4. Add a half cup of shredded cheddar cheese and mix with beaten egg.

5. Pour egg & cheese mixture over sausage.

6. Pop in oven for 30 minutes, or until you insert a toothpick in the center & it comes out clean.


Enjoy!!!

FREE Printable Christian Message Card


A joyful heart makes a cheerful face

Encourage others! Free Christian Pass it Around Cards that you can download and print from your own computer. They print out on a regular 8 x 11.5 inch sheet of paper or card. Each individual card will measure 2 x 3 inches. The verse reads A joyful heart makes a cheerful face. Proverbs 15:13
Download or print the PDF page here 
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Monday 15 October 2012

Step-by-step Easy Triple Berry Cobbler...


Just the smell of this delicious dessert will have you drooling! Summer has arrived and I can’t think of a better dessert to make with fresh berries. Using pre-made pie crust makes this a very quick and easy recipe, but still tastes every bit as homemade. Serve this warm with vanilla bean ice cream. Mmmm….
 
Sugar, flour, butter, vanilla 
 
Whisk together into a paste 
 
Rinse and drain fresh blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries in a colander
 
Stir together gently with a large spoon. 
 
On a clean and floured surface roll out 1 pre-made pie crust. 

Slice in strips with a pizza cutter 
 
Lay dough strips over berry mixture in a lattice fashion
 
Bake and serve warm with vanilla ice cream!


Triple Berry Cobbler Recipe  (Serves appx 10)

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 container (appx 1 pint) each of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
  • 1 refrigerated pie crust (I used pillsbury in a roll-its by the crescents at the grocery store)
  • sugar for dusting
  • Vanilla ice cream

How to:
Preheat oven to 425 Mix together sugar, flour, butter and vanilla in a round casserole dish (you will also bake in this dish). Rinse and drain berries, then add to flour mixture. Gently stir together with spoon. Cut pie crust into 1 inch strips and lay in a lattice fashion across the berry mixture. Dust top with sugar. Bake at 425 for approx 35 mins or until crust is lightly browned and berries are bubbling. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Recipe by Janelle (Comfy in the Kitchen)

Hundred-fold Blessings



Three young men were once given three kernels of corn apiece by a wise old sage, who admonished them to go out into the world, and use the corn to bring themselves good fortune.

The first young man put his three kernels of corn into a bowl of hot broth and ate them.

The second thought, I can do better than that, and he planted his three kernels of corn. Within a few months, he had three stalks of corn. He took the ears of corn from the stalks, boiled them, and had enough corn for three meals.

The third man said to himself, I can do better than that! He also planted his three kernels of corn, but when his three stalks of corn produced, he stripped one of the stalks and replanted all of the seeds in it, gave the second stalk of corn to a sweet maiden, and ate the third.

His one full stalk’s worth of replanted corn kernels gave him 200 stalks of corn! And the kernels of these he continued to replant, setting aside only a bare minimum to eat. He eventually planted a hundred acres of corn.With his fortune, he not only won the hand of the sweet maiden but purchased the land owned by the sweet maiden’s father. And he never hungered again.

---0---

The more you give, the more you get. However that should NOT be the reason for your giving.

It is possible to give freely to GOD and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. – (Proverbs 11:24)

The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. – (Proverbs 11:25)

Thursday 4 October 2012

Treacle Tart, served with peanut praline and coffee liqueur cream

by: Wayne Dovey


Treacle Tart, served with peanut praline and coffee liqueur cream

Crust:
  • 500g soft butter 
  • 1 ½ cups sugar 
  • 4 eggs 
  • 4 cups cake flour 
Cream the butter and sugar, mix in the eggs and flour and press into muffin pans.

Filling:
  • 630g golden syrup 
  • 12 slices of white bread, crumbed 
  • 2 zested lemons 
  • 1 ½ tbsp. lemon juice 
Warm up the sugar, mix with the bread crumbs (the mixture should be thick, not runny)

Add the lemon juice and zest. Spoon into the crust and bake at 180° C, until the crust is golden and the treacle is still sticky.

Add a dollop of coffee liqueur cream and peanut praline, serve and enjoy!

White set for newborn


Sizes: 50-56 and 62-68
The data for the larger listed in brackets if only one number is given, it applies to both sizes.

You will need: 200 (300) g of white yarn "Sable Sport» (51% merino wool, 49% polyacrylic, 190 m/50 g) or 200 (300) g of white yarn «Phildar Luxe» (70% polyacrylic, 30% wool , 205 m/50 g); straight needles, number 2 and 2.5, short circular needle number 2, a set of 5-spoke hosiery № 2,5; hook № 2, 2 buttons, 2 pieces satin ribbon length of 50 cm for the shoes.

The front surface of: persons. ranks - people. loop sts. series - WS. loop.

Wrong expanse: persons. series - WS. loop sts. ranks - people. loop.

Gum spokes number 2: knit alternately 1 individuals., 1 sts.

Openwork band 1, the spokes № 2,5: knit the scheme on it are individuals. and WS. ranks. Repeat loop repeat. 1 x run from the 1st to the 20th p., Then repeat with the 21 th to the 28 th p.

Openwork band 2, spokes № 2,5: knit the scheme on it are individuals. and WS. ranks. Locate the middle leg cut from the 1st to 6th p. Both sides repeat from 7 th to the 10 th paragraph rapport. Repeat from 1 st to 8 th p. Density knitting 28 sts and 43 p. = 10 x 10 cm

Jacket with the smell on the back
Before: dial the spokes 58 (70) sts and knit between edging openwork pattern, distributing it over the middle. In 20 (26) cm from the edge of the dial pad to close the neckline middle 8 (12) sts and finish both sides separately. Rounding cut close to the inner edge of each 2-m p. 1 x 3, 1 x 2 and 4 x 1 st remaining 16 (20) sts to close the shoulder in 24 (30) cm from the edge of the dial pad. The right side of the back: dial the spokes 39 (45) sts and knit between edging openwork pattern 1, starting a pattern for both front. At 22 (28) cm from the edge of the dial pad to close the neckline on the left side every 2nd p. 1 x 16 and 1 x7 (9) § The remaining 16 (20) sts to close the shoulder in 24 (30) cm from the edge of the dial pad.

The left side of the back: Knit symmetrically.

Sleeve: dial the spokes to 36 (40) sts and bind 1.5 cm rubber band in the back row to add 6 sts evenly = 42 (46) sts then knit openwork stripes one, spreading from the middle of the pattern. Simultaneously to add bevels on both sides, from the gum, 3 (4) x 1 st in each 8-m p. and 3 (6) x 1 st in each of the 6-m p., including adds loop pattern. In 13 (19) cm from the gum to close all the loops. Assembly: do shoulder seams sewn sleeve, aligning the center sleeve with shoulder seam. Run side seams and bottom seams sleeves. The vertical edges of the backrest tie hook 1 p. Art. b / n. On neckline on circular needle type 89 (97) sts and knit 1 p. facial loops and 1.5 cm rubber band, and then close all the loops on the image. Attached to the back portion button.

Knickers:
The front of the right leg cut: dial the spokes 40 (45) sts and bind 1.5 cm rubber band. Continue to work between two strips of lacy edging, spreading from the middle of the pattern. Added to both sides of the side bevel 4 x 1 st in every 4th p. and 1 x 1 st in next 6-m p. (5 x 1 st vkazhdom 10-mr.). Cherez6, 5 (13) cm from the gum close to the inner edge of the bevel step seam 1 x 3 and 1 x 1 point to temporarily suspend all sts. The front part of the left trouser leg: Knit symmetrically. Then translate these parts pending hinge on needles and knit the entire 11.5 (14) cm straight. Then knit all 3 cm elastic loops for the belt, and then close all the loops. The back of the pants, first knit similarly. Run on all hinges 11.5 (14) cm and then temporarily put both sides in every 2 p. 4 x 8 (9) of section then run on all 3 cm elastic loops and close the loops. Assembly: do seams.

Shoes:
Dial the needle 44 sts and knit the first 20 p. openwork stripes 1, execute! lacy number (* 2 persons., 2 sts knit together the front, 1 yo, repeat from *). Then, lifting the average knit 12 sts delicate strips 2, temporarily putting aside the other loops. Repeat the last 4 in a pattern and link 16 p. in height. Then type on both sides of this part of the climbing 12 points to join them on the pending 16 sts = 68 sts and knit 8 circular p. openwork stripes 2. 12 points mark the front and rear toe for 12 points for the heel.

Continue to work around the front stitch - knit all sts front. In each circle, the first of a number of provyazyvayut marked loops together with the previous and the latest tagged loops together with the next loop on the front = 4 subtraction in each circular row. When the needles remain on 2 sts of the number of marked, make a loop of the plantar knit stitch. Run back seam and threaded through the holes several openwork satin ribbon.




Today's Free Printable Christian Message Cards...



Encourage others! Free Christian Pass it Around Cards that you can download and print from your own computer. They print out on a regular 8 x 11.5 inch sheet of paper or card. Each individual card will measure 2 x 3 inches. 
The verse reads We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Download or print the PDF page here

The Ten Commandments - God's Revelation in the Old Testament

The Ten Commandments are found in the Bible's Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:

"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honour your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour's.'
The Ten Commandments - Christ's Summation in the New Testament
About 1,400 years later, the ten Commandments were summed up in the New Testament at Matthew 22, when Jesus was confronted by the religious "experts" of the day:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).

A reflective reading of Christ's teaching reveals that the first four commandments given to the children of Israel are contained in the statement: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." It continues that the last six commandments are enclosed in the statement: "Love your neighbour as yourself."
Ten Commandments: The Origin of God's Law
The Ten Commandments are first recorded in the book of Exodus. They were given by God at Mt. Sinai following the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt. The Ten Commandments were moral statutes given by God, through Moses, so that the Israelites could enjoy fruitful and holy lives. The Commandments were significant in that they formed the basis of Jewish life, law and faith. Inscribed on stone tablets, the ten Commandments were initially broken by Moses in anger over the flagrant sins of the Israelites. They were then re-inscribed and kept in the Ark of the Covenant at the command of God. Four of the Commandments deal primarily with man's relationship with God and the other six deal primarily with man's relationship with one another.
Ten Commandments: God's Standard of Holiness
The Ten Commandments were also known as the Law. For ancient Israel, breaking the Law was a serious offense. To deviate by any degree from the ten Commandments was to sin and fall short of God's standard of holiness. Knowing that it was impossible for any human being to perfectly follow the Law, a sacrificial system mediated by the Levitical priesthood was established. Through this system, God permitted ancient Israel to make reparations for the sins they committed. As an example, an appropriate sacrifice would involve the slaughtering of a young lamb that is found to be without any blemish. The sacrifices continued endlessly, as did the sins. This system of blood sacrifice was not meant to be barbaric, but rather, symbolic of the gravity of sin.
                                   
The annual Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur is a day of atonement that is set aside for the reparation of sins.
Although God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, they do not apply to Jews alone. The Ten Commandments reflect God's standard of holiness for everyone. Since God is the universal authority of moral conduct, all of humanity is subject to His standards. According to the Bible, no one is exempt from God's Law. Some say that the Ten Commandments do not apply to them, since they did not grow up with "religion." However, the scriptures reveal that the requirements of the Law are written on our hearts (Romans 2:25), and thus, our conscience ultimately confirms our guilt. Wait a minute. Since most of us, to some degree, have tried to live good lives, contributing positive things to our families and communities, how can God fault us if we have tried our best? Based on God's standard of holiness, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). In addition, God is not only concerned with our actions, but also the condition of our hearts. In the New Testament, Jesus referred to the Law when He emphasized that hatred amounts to murder and lust amounts to adultery. We have all had these thoughts. Indeed, we have all sinned according to God's standard.
Ten Commandments: Revealing Our Need for a Saviour
After reviewing the ten Commandments, some argue that God is unjust for imposing a standard upon humanity that He knows we can't fulfil. Doesn't it seem awfully cruel for a loving God to condemn man for the evil that is inherently part of the human condition? The response to this perplexing question lies in Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus came to earth in order to reconcile this dilemma. Like the perfect lambs that were constantly sacrificed for the sins of Israel, Jesus was perfect and without blemish, because he was sinless. Like the lambs, He was sacrificed for the reparation of sins. Unlike the lambs, however, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ redeemed the sins of all humanity for all time. Unlike the lambs, Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead and conquered the power of sin for all humanity for all time. The Bible tells us why Christ had to become a sacrifice: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Ten Commandments: Love Without Condemnation
For many, the Ten Commandments are symbols of condemnation that point to our faults and mistakes. Some feel so guilty that they believe God will never accept them. Others simply choose to reject God because His Law is impossible to obey. Ironically, the Ten Commandments were never given by God to condemn humanity, but rather, they were given to convict humanity. The Ten Commandments act as a mirror to "reflect" the condition of our souls. When we examine our life in light of the Ten Commandments, we realize our shortcomings and our need for redemption. Jesus Christ is our redeemer. Therefore, God gave the ten Commandments not to condemn humanity, but to show us His love for us. For, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

The Ten Commandments and Jesus - What did Jesus think of the Ten Commandments?

Ever wonder what Jesus thought of the Ten Commandments? The answer can be found in John 8:36 where it says, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

The Ten Commandments represent the law given by God to his people by way of Moses. In addition to defining God's idea of perfection, they provide a moral code for governing our lives. Most of us believe we are able to keep these commandments, but the truth is-none of us can. God's standards are so high, they are impossible to perfectly meet.

                                                        What did Jesus think of the Ten Commandments? He agreed that they are impossible for you and me to keep. That's why He came.

As a man, Jesus understood our limitations. But because He was also fully God, He was able to become the perfect, sinless man on our behalf. God's law demands a sacrifice for breaking His law. Jesus became that sacrifice.

If the Ten Commandments are impossible for us to keep, why did God give them? If we look closely, we'll see that the commandments are based on a simple, positive foundation of love. All of us would rather hear about what we can do rather than what we are forbidden to do. But an honest examination of the Ten Commandments reveals that God's message contains more what "to do" than "not to do" items.

The Ten Commandments teach us how to first love God, and then love our neighbour. When God is first in our lives, the rest comes naturally. Let's take a walk together through the ten Commandments. . .where we'll discover they lead to Jesus.

The first commandment says, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). In other words, love God above everything. It's all too easy for us to push God aside in favour of the latest fad, fashion trend, or superstar. We can become easily obsessed with wrong ideas about success. If God is truly first in our lives, we'll find balance and grow to godly maturity. In time, we'll also discover we can be satisfied with what we have.
God wants us to use his name positively, not in vain. He wants us to concentrate on his word and his ways, on remembering the Sabbath day by honouring God with our choices. It is good to honour our father and mother; we should always treat family members with respect.

Do not kill, do not commit adultery, and do not steal. Those three commandments value life and relationship and respecting others.

Not bearing false witness against your neighbour, and not coveting what belongs to your neighbour applies to men and women, young and old -- everyone. Consider how much more peaceful our world would be if everyone kept these commandments.

Each commandment is a separate rule but together they offer directions on how to live without sin. As long as we are in this world, we will find it difficult not to sin. The good news is, Jesus came to rescue us from the penalty of sin. This does not mean we should wilfully sin; as we've discussed, the Ten Commandments are given for our personal and mutual benefit. But if we accept the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, we can escape the judgment for sin -- which is eternal life, separated from God.

So, do you wonder what Jesus says about the Ten Commandments?

His answer lies at the foot of a cross, but started a long time ago, when God used His Almighty finger to write some commandments to live by. And the one time He did, they were meant for all time.

Jesus did not do away with the moral law at the cross, but his sacrifice for mankind revealed the grace and forgiveness available to us.

If we live by these laws on our own, we would know heaven on earth. Because we are unable to, we live in a sinful world. That's why we need a Saviour, and His name is Jesus.

What does Jesus say about the Ten Commandments? He asks us to look at the Cross of Calvary where he died to set us free.
We have all sinned and deserve God's judgement. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgement for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Saviour, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgement and spend eternity with God in Heaven.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Stuffed Zucchinis Cups

Ingredients:
  • 2 large(XL) zucchini
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 4 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 small onions- thinly diced
  • 1 bell pepper- thinly diced
  • 1 egg
  • Salt and Pepper or other seasoning
Optional: Grated cheese for topping

Note: Zucchini I used were from farmers market, so they were really big. I haven't seen them that big at stores. So you may need to use few more if they are smaller.

How to:
  1. Mix in rice, ground chicken, onions, bell pepper, egg and season.
  2. Cut zucchini into 2 inch slices, scoop out inside. Be sure to keep sides and bottom thick enough to hold filling.
  3. Preheat oven to 375F. Stuff zucchini with mixture.
  4. Bake stuffed zucchini for 30-40 minutes, until fully cooked.
Note: I did keep the insides of zucchini, made zucchini paste with it. Great dip for appetizer. I will post recipe as soon as I can. 


Photo: Stuffed Zucchinis Cups

I have been zucchini obsessed; have made five different meals with zucchini in past 2 weeks. I have served this to guest on few different occasions and they liked it. Something we don’t see often and great for kinder foods too when you are serving a lot of people.  Idea for this recipe came from pinterest, I have also mixed in some of the Slavic basics. 

2 large(XL) zucchini
1 lb ground chicken
4 cups cooked brown rice
1 small onions- thinly diced 
1 bell pepper- thinly diced
1 egg
Salt and Pepper or other seasoning 
Optional: Grated cheese for topping 

Note: Zucchini I used were from farmers market, so they were really big. I haven't seen them that big at stores. So you may need to use few more if they are smaller. 

1. Mix in rice, ground chicken, onions, bell pepper, egg and season. 
2. Cut zucchini into 2 inch slices, scoop out inside. Be sure to keep sides and bottom thick enough to hold filling. 
3. Preheat oven to 375F. Stuff zucchini with mixture. 
4. Bake stuffed zucchini for 30-40 minutes, until fully cooked. 
Note: I did keep the insides of zucchini, made zucchini paste with it. Great dip for appetizer. I will post recipe as soon as I can.

Your Free Printable Christian Message Cards...


Encourage others! Free Christian Pass it Around Cards that you can download and print from your own computer. They print out on a regular 8 x 11.5 inch sheet of paper or card. Each individual card will measure 2 x 3 inches. 
The verse reads Rest in the Lord… Wait patiently for Him Psalm 37:7
Download or print the PDF page here <><

Easy Pullover for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

   

The inspiration behind both sweaters was always Joelle's intrigue with an over-the-top construction. Starting at the bottom back, knitting up and over the shoulders and sleeves, then down the front, this sweater is a one-piece engineering wonder!


This timeless design is filled with design details that make it cozy for tots and easy for parents: a roomy neck opening for quick on and off, cuffs designed for rolling, and a loose, casual style for busy little bodies! A new classic? We think so!

P.S. Curious about the cute hat too? It's our Little Fair Isle Hat and you can find out all about it right here!

The Materials
4 (5, 5, 6) skeins of Koigu's Koigu Premium Merino, 100% merino. This color is pictured here is 1010.5.
A US #4, 24 (24, 32, 32) inch circular needle

The Pattern:
Gauge:  7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Sizes:  to fit most 12 to 24 month (2 year, 4 year, 6 year) olds
Finished Size: Chest Circumference: 20 1/2 (23, 26, 30) inches
Length: 13 (15, 17, 19) inches
Length from Cast on to Underarm: (8 1/2, 10, 11 1/2, 13) inches
Arm Hole: 4 1/2 (5, 5 1/2, 6) inches
Arm Length 8 1/2 (10 1/2, 12 1/2, 14 1/2) inches
Pattern Notes
Seed Stitch: (multiple of 2 stitches + 1) K1, *p1, k1, repeat from *.
Stockinette Stitch: Knit the Right Side (RS) and purl the Wrong Side (WS).

This pullover is worked flat. It is worked in one piece from the bottom edge of the Back, over the shoulders and sleeves, down to the bottom edge of the Front.

Begin: Back
Cast on 71 (81, 91, 105) stitches, leaving a 30 inch tail for finishing.
Work in Seed Stitch for 1 1/4 inch.
Next Row: Work in Seed Stitch for 5 stitches, work in Stockinette Stitch to last 5 stitches, work in Seed Stitch to end.
Repeat the last row until the piece measures 2 1/2 inches from the cast on edge.
Change to Stockinette Stitch. Work even until piece measures 8 1/2 (10, 11 1/2, 13) inches from the cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
Sleeves
With right side facing, use a Cable Cast On to cast on 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches.
Row 1 (RS): Work across cast on stitches in Seed Stitch for 25 (29, 33, 37) stitches, place a marker (pm), knit to end. (131, 155, 179, 207 stitches)
With wrong side facing, use a Cable Cast On to cast on 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Work across cast on stitches in Seed Stitch for 25 (29, 33, 37) stitches, pm, purl to end next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end (191, 229, 267, 309).
Row 3: Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end.
Repeat Row 3 until piece measures 4 1/2 (5, 5 1/2, 6) inches from beginning of sleeve, ending with a WS row. 

Shape Back Neck
Row 1 (RS): Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, k51 (64, 76, 91), pm, work in Seed Stitch over next 39 (43, 49, 53) stitches, pm, knit to next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end.
Row 2: Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to the next marker, work in Seed Stitch to following marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to the last marker, work in Seed Stitch to end.
Repeat Row 2 for a total of 3/4 inch.
Next Row (RS): Work in pattern to second marker, work 5 stitches in pattern, bind off 29 (33, 39, 43) stitches in pattern, work in pattern to end. (81, 98, 114, 133 stitches remaining for each side) 

Left Front
Now working only the Left Front and Sleeve stitches (leaving the remaining stitches on needle), work even for 1 ½ inches, ending with a WS row.
Shape Front Left Neck
Row 1 (RS): Work in pattern to first marker, slip marker (sm), knit into front and back of next stitch (kfb), work in pattern to end. (82, 99, 115, 134 stitches)
Row 2: Work in pattern to 1 stitch before second marker, kfb, work in pattern to end. (83, 100, 116, 135 stitches)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six (7, 8, 9) more times, working increased stitches in Stockinette Stitch as they become available. (95, 114, 132, 153 stitches).
Work even until piece measures 9 (10, 11, 12) inches from beginning of Sleeve, ending with a RS row.

Finish Left Sleeves
Next Row (WS):
Bind off 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches in pattern (removing marker), work in pattern to end. (35, 40, 44, 51 stitches)
Cut yarn and place stitches on stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Right Front
With WS facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on needle. Work even for 1 1/2 inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Front Right Neck
Row 1 (RS):
Work in pattern to 1 stitch before second marker, kfb, work in pattern to end. (82, 99, 115, 134 stitches)
Row 2: Work in pattern to first marker, sm, kfb, work to end. (83, 100, 116, 135 stitches)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six (7, 8, 9) more times, working increased stitches in Stockinette Stitch as they become available. (95, 114, 132, 153 stitches)
Work even until piece measures 9 (10, 11, 12) inches from beginning of Sleeve, ending with a WS row. 

Finish Right Sleeve
Row 1 (RS):
Bind off 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches in pattern (removing marker), work in pattern to end, Cable Cast On 1 (1, 3, 3) stitches, work these stitches in Seed Stitch, then work the 35 (40, 44, 51) stitches of Left Side in established pattern. (71, 81, 91, 105 stitches)

Front
Row 1 (WS):
Work in Stockinette Stitch to first marker, work in Seed Stitch to next marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to end.
Repeat Row 1 for 1 inch, ending with a WS row.
Next Row (RS): Work entire row in Stockinette Stitch (removing markers).
Work even for 5 (6 1/2, 8, 9 1/2) inches, ending with a WS row.
Next Row (RS): Work in Seed Stitch for 5 stitches, work in Stockinette Stitch to last 5 stitches, work in Seed Stitch to end.
Repeat the last row for 1 1/4 inches.
Next Row: Work entire row in Seed Stitch.
Repeat last row for 1 1/4 inches, ending with a WS row.
Bind off in Seed Stitch pattern, leaving a 30 inch long tail for finishing.

Finishing
Block if desired. Using mattress stitch and long tails from Cast On and Bind Off, sew side seams, starting above the Seed Stitch edging. Also sew the Sleeve seams. Weave in your ends and you're all finished!

Good Parenting Is Possible....

Our Heavenly Father is the only perfect parent. If we want to be good parents, we must learn to parent out of His life, love and wisdom.



Last Saturday morning, I was on my way to the kitchen to grab a morning cup of coffee and check the news, when I encountered a very unpleasant situation. My two sons were both crying while they talked over each other in a very loud tone of voice. I quickly gathered that there had been an offense, and they had approached my wife for justice.

When my wife saw me passing through, she quickly directed the boys to bring their troubles to me. Many times I have coached our children how to work things out between themselves; however, I could see that this incident was on another level.

So I crouched down to their eye level and began to investigate the details of the conflict. Just like little trial lawyers, my children frequently attempt to slant the "facts" in their favor, and have even been known to create new "facts" to avoid negative consequences associated with their choices.

As I listened to both sides, I began to think, Who is telling the truth? Which rule of the house has been violated? What should the consequences be for that action? Why can't my kids just be kind to one another? Why did my wife pass this discord off to me? I would really like to have had a little peace and quiet with my cup of coffee this morning.

Good parenting takes sacrifice. It takes a lot of time. It also takes wisdom, patience, gentleness, consistency, faithfulness, self-control, discernment, and kindness. Most importantly, it takes unconditional love. Good parenting takes the type of love that can see through the unpleasant behavior and hurtful manipulative words and continue to give your children what they really need.

If you look at this short list of requirements for good parenting and are as overwhelmed as I am, then I say WONDERFUL! Overwhelmed is exactly how we were designed to feel because we were never intended to be good parents in and of ourselves. Rather, God created us to be the container and expresser of the only perfect parent. God doesn't want us to be good parents for Him. He wants us to parent our children in and through His life.

In John 12:49, Jesus says, "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."

The Father directly communicated to Jesus in His mind, and Jesus "let" the Father's light shine through his body language, behavior and His words. Jesus commands His followers to operate in the same manner. He compares them to a branch and tells them to let the vine life flow through to produce the fruit. Jesus tells the disciples that He is the light of the world. Then Jesus compares them to lamps and tells them to let their light shine. Jesus says that rivers of living water will flow from those who believe in Him. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that the "rivers of living water" that Jesus mentioned referred to God himself. The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, describes believers as clay pots holding and displaying a great treasure.

Through His word, we see that God is all the attributes and resources we need for good parenting. God is unconditional love. God is patience, kindness, and self-control. God is discernment and wisdom.

So why doesn't the fruit of good parenting always demonstrate itself through us. The answer is because we don't "let" it. The mind and the will control the valve that permits either living water or polluted water to flow to the sprinkler head which is the body. The mind and the will control the switch that decides whether to remain in the dark or to allow God's electricity to make our light bulb of a body glow with the light of Jesus.

So practically, how does being the vine, the lamp, the well and the clay pot look in day-to-day parenting? In order to get a snapshot of what being a "container" parent can look like, let us travel back into my Saturday morning incident.

As I knelt down to discuss the conflict with my boys, the Spirit told me that this conflict was an opportunity to teach them the truth of God's word and ways. That wise thought came into direct conflict with my feelings of wanting to have a quiet cup of coffee and read the news. So my first opportunity to "let my light shine" was to disregard my emotions, submit to what the Father wanted to do for my boys, and really engage mentally in the process.

Second, I needed God's wisdom to understand the past and what had happened between them. Since I wasn't there, I needed the Father's all-seeing wisdom. The Spirit revealed the truth, and it was not good for one of my sons. In a fit of anger, he had hit and kicked his brother.

So I asked the offender to come with me to his room. Anticipating the negative consequences of his choice to hit his brother, he began to cry as we walked up the steps together. Through his tears, he reminded me that he had already asked his brother to forgive him. In my mind, I had the thought, "I hate it for you son, but you have to learn that actions have consequences". Every time I enforce negative consequences for offences committed by my children, I am showing them how important it is to learn that principle of life.

As we sat down on the bed, I continued thinking through different options for consequences while the offending son sat crying in my lap. A thought then entered my mind from the Spirit that I should use this particular incident to teach my son the meaning of grace. So my third opportunity to "let my light shine" presented itself.

For the next ten minutes, I walked my son through what he had done and informed him that he deserved the consequences of his violation of the rules of our family. I then introduced the concept of grace and mercy and talked about how we all have been offered those gifts by Jesus Christ.

He latched onto what the Spirit was saying through me particularly when he understood that he would not experience the consequences of his violation. I ended our time with a big hug and sent him on his way with an exhortation not to hit in anger again.

Right before bedtime that night my wife asked our kids about their favorite part of the day. The offending son said that his favorite part was when his daddy showed him mercy after he hit his brother. As he shared, I thought, "How awesome. The Spirit taught him something through me today!"

Please don't look into this example and see a formula for how to teach your kids about mercy and grace. Every child is unique. If you were to copy exactly what I did and said with your child, it may backfire. Your child may or may not learn anything good at all. Maybe they would learn that there are not consequences when they break the rules. The ONLY formula to observe in my Saturday morning interruption is that we need to parent out of our Father's life. He alone is the only perfect parent.

Our parenting job is simply to listen to Father and then choose to be obedient to what He tells us. Then the vine life of Christ will flow through us to produce the fruit of good parenting. Then the treasure of the Holy Spirit within will shine through our container and display His life and light to our children, family and world.                                                                             By Ben Brezina