Whispers from Heaven

Step-by-step how to Crochet this Vintage Daisy Motif Blanket...

Source

This is a basic crochet pattern of daisy motif, which is easy for beginners to try to make scarfs or blankets by connecting these loomed flowers together.

When Your Marriage is in Crisis–Fight!

By Sheila

There’s a great scene in the movie Laws of Attraction when Julianne Moore and Pierce Brosnan, who have been in crisis, meet up in a grocery store. And Julianne Moore says, “Sometimes they say you have to fight for your marriage. Do you want to fight?”

So let me ask you today, “are you willing to fight“?

Because sometimes we’re too quick to give in to defeat and feelings of anger and bitterness and disappointment and even just plain hurt and heartache.

Let me tell you of one email I received today, which is quite typical. Here’s the situation:
She’s always been sensitive about her body. She’s a little overweight and not very well endowed. But she used to have fun buying cute lingerie and making herself pretty for him. Then, when she was pregnant, she found out that he was watching porn and that he had cheated on her. He’s now done a complete 180. He’s strong with God. He’s a great dad. He’s truly repentant. He’s got accountability, and he’s not using porn.

It’s not really about forgiving him, she says. That’s not her problem. The problem is that now she doesn’t feel sexy. What’s the point? She used to do all these “fun” things to attract him and they didn’t work. He strayed anyway. All that work in preparing herself and all the while he was looking at women with totally different bodies. He simply isn’t attracted to her. And every time he touches her she feels that. So they just don’t make love anymore, and she doesn’t know how to get past it. How can she ever feel attractive to him again?

Do you feel her pain? I certainly do. That would be so awful; to feel like your husband went for a totally different body type. To feel as if no matter what you did, you could never be good enough. The rejection would be huge.

But here’s the thing: it’s precisely because that hurts so much that it is such an effective weapon. And so you now have a choice:

1. Do I give in to what are perfectly legitimate feelings? Do I let the anger drive a permanent wedge between us?
2. Do I fight against these feelings and try to rebuild intimacy?

Most people choose #1 because they don’t see a choice. That’s how I feel, after all. I can’t change my feelings. And he’s the one who cheated! It’s not me who is wrecking the marriage; it’s what he did.

I realize that. But so what if you’re right? What does being right get you? It lets you feel perfectly righteous all the way to divorce court. It doesn’t rebuild a relationship. Or maybe you never split up, but you lead two completely separate lives under the same roof, and that is not good for your children.

I truly think the only option is #2. You’ll never find peace or intimacy if you pursue #1. You may say, “he needs to make it up to me,” but how can he? He can’t take it away.

And so the ball is in your court–even if that feels unfair.

So fight! Here are some thoughts on how:

1. Recognize that your husband is not the enemy
This is a tough one. Your husband was the one who did wrong. Your husband cheated on you. But right now, he is not the enemy. He loves you and wants to rebuild the relationship. The enemy is Satan, or, if you don’t like that, the enemy is all of these negative thoughts that are in your head trying to pull the two of you apart.

Think about it this way: what would you do if someone threatened your child? You would fight with every ounce of strength that you had to protect your child.

Divorce hurts kids. And what is threatening your child right now? It’s not what he did. It’s those thoughts that are tearing you apart.

If you would fight a stranger tooth and nail who was trying to hurt the kids, then put that same energy into fighting those thoughts.

Yes, it’s hard. They’re legitimate feelings. But that’s why you have to FIGHT. Fight is not a calm word. It takes energy. It takes emotion. It’s difficult. But you have to do it.

2. Rebuild Trust
Right now you’re fixating on all the ways that he chose other women over you–again, very understandably. But if you’re going to move ahead, you have to build something new–build some place in your relationship where he’s obviously choosing you. So work on your friendship. Do things together. Go for walks after dinner just to talk. Share dreams. Plan about where you’d like your family to be in five years. Make financial plans together. Make vacation plans. Plan for what you want to do with your children.

If you can play together, and do things together, and look at the future together, you’ll start to think of yourself as a unit again.

3. Pray
Sex is more than just physical. Sex is also supposed to be a true spiritual connection. Making love is not the same as having sex. What your husband did was have sex with other women–and fantasize about other women. But what he has with you is far deeper. It’s about a total becoming one flesh. It’s a complete connection. And ultimately he chose you. Maybe you worry he did that because of the kids. That’s understandable. But even that shows that there is something special that you share that no one else does. Your connection is deeper than theirs.

So deepen it. Spend time praying together, even if it’s tough (that’s where the fighting comes in again!). If you can start to feel like you’re spiritually one, it’s easier to break through other barriers. And it’s easier to want to feel intimate in other ways again.

4. Be Honest
You’re insecure. It’s okay to tell him that. It’s okay to ask him to go slow and to try to woo you again. Ask him to show you that he enjoys your body, too. And if he’s having a hard time because he’s all tied up in guilt, take things slowly. Don’t necessarily make love, but spend time naked together. Be intimate. Just kiss. Start small and see if feelings return.

It’s okay to make love while you’re crying for all the things you’ve lost. It’s okay to make love while your heart is breaking. And his probably is, too. That’s just being honest, and sometimes when we’re honest the sexual feelings come even more powerfully. So be honest, but don’t avoid intimacy. Just try to build it based first and foremost on you being one flesh, not on it just being about sexual desire.

5. Take Pride in Yourself
One last thing: if you become so insecure about your body, and say, “there’s no point in even trying because I wasn’t good enough when I did try”, who do you end up punishing? Your husband? Certainly, because men are visually stimulated.

But I think you punish yourself more. If you let yourself become dumpy, for lack of a better word, how are you going to feel about yourself? How are your children going to see you?

You are a beautiful woman. God created you just as you are. Whether your husband rejected you or not, you are still lovely in God’s eyes. It’s not about how your husband sees you; it’s about how you see yourself and how God sees you. If you become dumpy, you’re letting the world know, “I don’t think I’m worth much.” But if you put effort in, and take pride in your appearance, you’re letting the world know, “I like who I am. I’m comfortable with me. If other people don’t share that feeling, that’s their problem, not mine.”

Which do you think is more beneficial to you, and your kids, in the long run? Putting in effort, or letting yourself fall apart?

You see, my friends, if you give in to those negative feelings, all you do is punish yourself (and your kids, and your husband). They’re legitimate, sure, but it’s not worth it. So FIGHT. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it takes effort. But God loves a good fight, and He is there to do battle for you. He is waiting for you to put on your armour and say, “I’m entering the battle field.” Do that, and He will show up, big time, and will fight for you.

It reminds me of this graphic I put up on Facebook this week:

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Happy Friday!

Bake this easy No-Knead Bread...

Ingredients:

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1 teaspoons salt
• Oil, as needed

How to:
Combine flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. 

Add 1 1/2 cups water and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest about 4 hours at warm room temperature.
Lightly oil a work surface and place dough on it; fold it over on itself once or twice. 

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes more.
At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 220 degreesC. 

Put heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under dough and put it into pot, seam side up. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes.
Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.

AN AGING EXPERIENCE

One sunny Summer morning,

I went out to eat,

I chose a local coffee shop,

And found an empty seat.

The seat was in a corner booth,

Between a window and a mirror,

I could view the entire place,

From the entry to the rear.

I ordered a decadent breakfast,

Of bacon, eggs and hash browns,

And a big mug of hot, black coffee,

With which to wash it down.

I sat back and felt relaxed,

And I looked about a bit,

A pleasant, cheerful coffee shop,

I was enjoying it.

I couldn't help but notice,

So many older folk were here,

I smiled and nodded to a few,

Who seemed friendly and were near.

Old folks can be depressing,

Of course, they don't mean to be,

However, they make me wonder,

How old age will look on me.

I'm not a snob; I don't look down

On white hair and wrinkled skin,

And I know those obese ladies

Once had figures slim and trim.

And those wiry, skinny guys,

At one time were macho men,

(Do you believe we were deceived,

When long ago we married them?)

There was a lady sitting near me,

I thought I know her from some place,

An old friend? No, I doubted that,

She's too old! See her wrinkled face!

She looked older than my mother,

Goodness! Look at that poor, old soul,

She couldn't be a friend of mine,

For I knew she was much too old.

Her hair was mostly white,

With scattered streaks of gray,

Cut short for easy maintenance,

A good style for her age.

Her cheeks were thin and sunken-in,

A frown upon her face,

Her lips were pursed and tightly set,

Her color, pale like paste.

I kept sneaking peeks at her,

Why did she so intrigue me?

She really looked familiar,

Though my memory oft deceives me.

I smiled at her; she smiled back,

We met almost eye to eye,

But then she quickly turned away,

As, sheepishly, did I.

Poor old soul; she looked so old,

I had my doubts about her age

When I become as old as she,

I wondered would I look that way?

I took another sideways glance,

I gasped - now everything was clear,

The old lady I'd been watching,

Was my reflection in the mirror.

Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

Copyright January 2004 ~ Revised 2008

Words To Live By...

Potato Puffs

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Net-vir-OumasJust-for-Grannys

Yolanda Viljoen shared Almost Perfect's photo.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of mashed potatoes 
• 2 eggs 
• 1/3 cup sour cream (optional extra for serving)
• 1 heaping cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan 
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives or parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste Directions:

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease with butter 8 - 9 of the wells of a nonstick muffin pan. In a medium mixing bowl whisk the eggs then mix in the sour cream. Stir in both cheeses and the chives. Add potatoes and mix well. Spoon them into the pan filling the cups to slightly below the top. Bake 25- 35 minutes until they pull away from the sides of the cup and are golden brown. Remove from oven and let them cool 5 minutes in pan. Serve with sour cream if desired.—

Whoever put this together not only loves animals but definitely works in an office!

Secretary

Intern

 

Smile - life is too short not to!!

If this brightened your day

Don't let it stop here

Pass it on with a smile

Keep spreading the Cheer.

....have a GREAT Day!!!

Smile - life is too short

God and Me Bedtime Prayer Rock

I’m your little prayer rock and this is what I’ll do.

Just put me on your pillow till the day is through.

Then turn back the covers and climb into your bed

And WHACK … your little prayer rock will hit you on your head.

Then you will remember as the day is through 

To kneel and say your prayers as you wanted to,

Then when you are finished just dump me on the floor,

I’ll stay there through the night-time to give you help once more.

When you get up the next morning CLUNK…I stub your toe

So you will remember your prayers before you go.

Put me back upon your pillow when your bed is made,

And your clever little prayer rock will continue in your aid.

Because your heavenly Father cares and loves you so,

He wants you to remember to talk to him… you know.

Lady of Beauty

A queen she was - a lady of charm,

Whose beauty caught many an eye,

Heads always turned her direction,

Whenever she sauntered by. 

Where did she come from; nobody knew,

Suddenly it seemed she was there,

Almost as if a wand were waved,

She appeared out of thin air. 

Perhaps her past was shady,

No one even knew her full name,

One day a strange, black car pulled up,

And out-stepped this lady of fame. 

She stepped to the ground with assurance,

Like a magnet, she drew attention,

She stopped and turned, reserved and aloof,

No apparent apprehension. 

True Grecian sculpture at its best,

Her nose, quite aquiline,

Well-molded chin, unblemished skin,

Her profile, most divine. 

Her figure perfect - without flaw,

Her stance erect - outstanding,

Her demeanor showed she was in charge,

Her attitude - commanding. 

She took the place by storm,

It's never been the same,

In all respects, true beauty,

A female with no shame. 

She greeted few - befriended less,

This blue-blood of aristocrats,

Upon her throne, she sat alone,

Her Royal Majesty, the Cat.

Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

Copyright 2002

My Incorrigible Little Black Panther

The meaning of Easter - What does it really mean to Christians?

Easter Sunday...

This is the day the doves returned,

The greatest day on earth,

The day the stone was overturned,

The sign of man's rebirth.

This is the day He left the tomb,

The day the the angels hailed,

This is the day the Lilies bloomed,

The day to lift the veil.

This is the day that Mary's tears,

Upon her cheek were dried,

The day the angels quelled her fears,

By singing He's alive!

This is the day that Christ was seen,

Walking on the road,

In the flesh - no, not a dream,

In a white and holy robe.

This is the day He spoke aloud,

Hear, see, touch - He's real,

The day He rose up in the clouds,

God's truth to man revealed.

Easter Trilogy final part was written by © Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

An Easter Prayer

If you're too busy to spend time with God, then you're simply too busy...

In the world we live in today, it is very easy to get so incredibly caught up in all of the demands that culture places on us that we don't have any time to spend with God.

However, the fact that so many things compete for every person's time isn't new to the world. Indeed, in Luke 10:38-42, we see the story of how two people responded to this same problem in two very different ways: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. ...

We see that after Jesus entered the home, He evidently started teaching, and Mary, Martha's sister, stopped what she was doing and listened to Jesus. It's important to realize that Mary didn't know Jesus was coming, and so it certainly wasn't her plan to stop what she was doing and sit at His feet, listening to Him. However, Mary considered hearing from God so important that she altered her schedule to spend time with God.

... But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Here, we see that Martha responded very differently than her sister: she became really busy and caught up in what she was doing -- probably preparing a meal, cleaning the house, or something similar.

When Martha complained to Jesus about how Mary was using her time, Jesus responded: "Martha, Martha, ... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

One sister was willing to drop everything in order to hear from God; the other was too busy with everyday life in order to spend time with God. Jesus makes it clear that the way Mary chose to use her time was better.

In your life, you need to be willing to use your time like Mary did. Don't let little things steal your time away from what's really important in life. You must realize that there is no lasting value to the "urgent" things many people often allow to interfere with what's truly important. It would not have mattered if Martha hadn't cleaned the house that day.

You need to be willing to let your schedule be altered if knowing God better requires it. Don't be like Martha and get so caught up in life's distractions that you miss Jesus.

If you're too busy to spend time with God, then you're simply too busy

New Day Dawning...

Recipe and Instructions for Easter Rolls that tell the true meaning of Easter

Flower's With Heart

RESURRECTION ROLLS

Recipe and Instructions for Easter Rolls that tell the true meaning of Easter

which is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an inspiring family project that can be done on Easter Morning.

Ingredients needed:

• Crescent rolls
• Melted butter
• Large Marshmallows
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

How to:
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Give each child one triangle of crescent rolls.
Explain that he crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.
Read Matthew 27: 57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow.          This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter.           This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.          This represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.)          This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
5. Place all in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.          The oven represents the tomb--while you are waiting for the rolls to bake,  read Matthew 27:62-66.
6. Remove rolls from oven and let them cool slightly.          Now the children can then open their rolls (cloths) and discover that Jesus is no longer there! HE IS RISEN!!!!  (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)        
7. Now read Matthew 28:1-10

Enjoy your warm rolls as you rejoice at the good news of Easter!

And then go and tell someone else the good news today! 

Good morning to you, sleepy head!

Bunny Chow – South African street food

by Nina Timm 

Bunny Chow with Lamb Curry

Ingredients:

• 2 white loaves of bread – halved(big appetites) or quartered(smaller appetites). 
• 1 kg mutton – neck or knuckles (or beef cubes)
• 1 Tbs curry powder
• 1 thumb size piece root ginger
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• 1 medium onion, chopped.
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 Tbs vegetable oil.
• 2 cups vegetable or mutton stock
• 2 Tbs tomato paste
• salt and pepper to taste

How to:
In a big cast iron pot, saute onion, garlic and all spices in oil.
Add meat and brown.
Add stock and put lid on.
Simmer until meat is tender. Add potatoes and cook until done.

Now make the following sauce...
Ingredients:

• 1 level Tbs flour
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 3 Tbs chutney
• 3 Tbs good Tomato ketchup
• 3 Tbs vinegar
• 3 Tbs apricot jam

How to:Stir sauce into stew and cook through. Add seasoning to taste. Now hollow out the quarter or half loaf, leaving some bread at the base. Spread the inside lavishly with butter and fill to the brim with hot spicy curry.

Jesus loves you...

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—

The saints’ and angels’ song.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

— The Love of God by Frederick Martin Lehmen

Good Morning Friends

An Autumn Evening....

An Autumn Evening

Dark hills against a hollow crocus sky

Scarfed with its crimson pennons, and below 

The dome of sunset long, hushed valleys lie

Cradling the twilight, where the lone winds blow 

And wake among the harps of leafless trees 

Fantastic runes and mournful melodies. 

The chilly purple air is threaded through

With silver from the rising moon afar, 

And from a gulf of clear, unfathomed blue

In the southwest glimmers a great gold star 

Above the darkening druid glens of fir 

Where beckoning boughs and elfin voices stir. 

And so I wander through the shadows still,

And look and listen with a rapt delight, 

Pausing again and yet again at will

To drink the elusive beauty of the night, 

Until my soul is filled, as some deep cup, 

That with divine enchantment is brimmed up.

By L.M. Montgomery

fudgy gluten-free chocolate chip brownies

fudgy gluten-free chocolate chip brownies

Gluten free brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons or 110g) unsalted butter
• 1 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Guittard or Ghriardelli)
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour, or garbanzo bean flour
• 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Place butter and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in a medium microwave safe bowl. (Reserve the other 1/2 cup [85g] chips for later.) Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave for thirty second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted.

3. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gently fold in flour just until smooth (do not over mix). Fold in remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips

4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Allow to cool completely in pan. (After about 45 minutes, I toss mine in the freezer for 30 minutes to help it along. This will also help solidify the chocolate chips, giving the brownies a nice crunch.)

Enjoy!

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind,,,,,,

Story of A Blind Girl

By Georgy

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, ‘Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying : Take good care of my eyes, dear. I’ll always love you.

————– —————– —————

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. 

Life is a Gift.

Today before you say an unkind word – Think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone who’s crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life – Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job – Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down – Put a smile on your face and think: you’re alive and still around.

Tags: boy, girl, Heaven, life, Love, Story

Read more at Love | Christian Songs Free Download | Jesus Christ Wallpapers - Part 14

Had a Love Failure? This love failure prayer is for you.

Prayer In Times Of Love Failure

Had a Love Failure? This love failure prayer is for you.

Most loving Lord! You know my broken heart! I am shattered and I just do not know how to come out of this disappointment. Tears flow down my cheeks and I sink in my sorrow O Lord! The scripture says that all things work together only for good. Right now I do not understand Your ways but strengthen me to accept Your will.

I turn to You for help for I know, without You I can never come out of this depression. Comfort me Lord and sustain me with Your sweet presence. I commit my future in Your hands. Help me forget my past and let me start a new life with You as my guide. Make me glad and grant me a glorious future. Lift me up Lord from this depressed state and wipe away my tears with Your loving hands.

I cast all my burdens and disappointments at Your feet Lord! Keep me in perfect peace till I receive the partner of Your choice from Your hands. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
Bible Verses to help you at times of Love Failure

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. - 1 John 2:19

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. - James 1:2

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - James 4:2-3

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

Life is Short...

May-Day...

By Ralph W. Emerson

April cold with dropping rain 

Willows and lilacs brings again, 

The whistle of returning birds, 

And trumpet-lowing of the herds. 

The scarlet maple-keys betray 

What potent blood hath modest May, 

What fiery force the earth renews, 

The wealth of forms, the flush of hues; 

What joy in rosy waves outpoured 

Flows from the heart of Love, the Lord.

Have a Beautiful Day !

Pumpkin Cookies

A little pumpkin delight . . .

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt 

How to:

1. Mix~ sugar, butter and egg.
2. Add pumpkin. Mix well.
3. Sift dry ingredients.
4. Add to mixture and beat well.
5. Drop (using a small rounded cookie scoop) onto baking sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9-10 minutes.

When cooled frost with this delectable icing...

Cream Cheese Frosting
recipe courtesy~ Gayle's Bakery
Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 1/2 (4 oz.) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

How to:
In the bowl of a tabletop mixer fitted with the flat beater, cream together the cream cheese and butter,  scrapping down the bowl and beater twice, until fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar, first mixing on low speed, then increasing the speed to high. Beat until light and fluffy, again scrap down the bowl and beater twice.
Blend in the vanilla. The icing should be smooth and spreadable, if it is too thick add a wee bit of milk.

Enjoy! 

"The torch of love is lit in the kitchen."

-Anonymous 

"Cookies are made of butter and love." 

~Norwegian Proverb

"For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:  happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."

-Psalm 128:2

Many Blessings to all of you!!

Hope you are having 

a wonderful day!