Tuesday, May 31, 2022

God's Big Screen...

We went for a drive this weekend and snapped a few pictures. There is nothing comparable to "God's Big Screen"...





Can you see one of God's creatures in this picture? There are actually three of them...




Romans 1:19-20 CJB
19 because what is known about God is plain to them, since God has made it plain to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the universe His invisible qualities — both His eternal power and His divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from what He has made. Therefore, they have no excuse; 

Thursday, May 26, 2022

What Is Memorial Day? Present Day And Past Celebrations...



What is Memorial Day? Before the 20th century it was a called "Decoration Day". It was a day dedicated to decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers after the Civil War. By the 20th century it became known as Memorial Day and was extended to all American who had lost their lives serving their country while in the military.

Many Americans still observe the tradition by visiting and decorating gravesites. It is also a time for family and friends to gather together for a long holiday weekend. Many cities and towns have parades and BBQ's. 

I am grateful to all of those men and women who gave their lives protecting and fighting for our freedoms and for our country. I am also grateful to their families who are often all but forgotten. Thank you...

Blessings,

Mrs. Smith


Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Fighting Words By Ellie Holcomb... A Proverbs 31 Ministries (OBS) Online Bible Study Is Starting Soon...

It is not too late to sign up and order your book. The study begins May 31st and ends September 7th. The book is inexpensive at $13 to $15 for a 100 Day study. Don't worry if your book isn't in by the time the study begins. Proverbs 31 Ministries always has several chapters available online until your book arrives. 

Read Ellie's devotion here: https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2022/05/23/fighting-lies-with-the-power-of-gods-living-word

Fighting Lies With the Power of God’s Living Word

Sign up here: https://proverbs31.org/study/online-bible-studies/fighting-words

You can order your book from anywhere, but if you order the book from Proverbs 31 it helps support the ministry. The book is also on sale at Proverbs 31!

Order your book here: https://www.p31bookstore.com/products/fighting-words


Whether it’s a dream that isn’t coming true, a stretch of the journey that feels especially dark, or just the basic “busy and tired” each of us braves in the crazy chaos of the ordinary, have you ever faced a season where “life to the full” feels just out of reach, light seems like it it’s just over the horizon, or lies seem to crowd out the truth?
 
If you’re anything like Ellie Holcomb, the answer is yes. For her in these seasons, God’s Word has been a shelter, a comfort, a song, a balm, and an anchor. Ultimately, it’s been a light that has helped kick back at the darkness of the lies we so often believe. In her debut devotional, 
Fighting Words, you are invited to come alongside Ellie, as you ponder the power of God’s promises together and speak them into the darkest corners of your soul. 
 
Filled with 
encouraging and honest reflections, beautifully designed Scripture memory pages, and wonderful questions to help you processFighting Words is a place where you can wrestle, respond to, and take hold of precious truths in God's Word to help you push back the lies that so often consume, distract, and destroy us. 
  
God's Word is alive. In this devotional, Ellie invites you to steep your soul in the living Word, take hold of it, wrestle with it, bury it in your heart, and watch as it brings about life and flourishing. As you journey along with Ellie, you’ll find that little by little, you're fighting the lies with the truth, kicking back the darkness, and living in the light.



 

Blessings,

Mrs. Smith

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Ramen Or Super Ramen? Struggle Meals...

Traditional Ramen


Ramen Noodles are our go to meal when I'm just not up to cooking and we have depleted all of our leftovers in the fridge. It is also a common "Struggle Meal". We really enjoy eating them too. I make my Ramen with a twist to add flavor and nutrition. There are many ingredients that can be used. Let your imagination run wild. It is also a great way to "Gather Up Your Fragments". 

These are the ingredients that I will be using this time. 

Boil water just like the instructions say to on the package. You can add more or less depending on how much extra ingredients you are adding to the Ramen.

Add seasoning packet and any additional spices. This would be a great time to add an egg, whole or scrambled. If you are adding an egg, pour it in slowly and do not stir. Let the egg firm up. If using a whole egg take it out when it has cooked to your liking and set it aside. Boiled eggs can also be used. 

Prepare your vegetables and meat. I did not have any cooked meat to add and I usually do not add any to my Ramen anyway, but Number One likes to add meat to his.

Add your prepared vegetables to the Ramen stock. 



Add the Ramen Noodles on top and cook according to the package instructions.



Add thinly sliced meat and eggs on top of the cooked Ramen at this time if you are using them and serve. As you can see, I really like vegetables and a limited amount of broth.

It's that simple. It is a great inexpensive healthy "Struggle Meal". 

Enjoy,

Mrs. Smith

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Snow Burgers...An All American Favorite Memorial Day Meal With A Twist (Snow)...

We were so blessed with copious amounts of snow when we woke up this morning. We really needed the moisture to help with the drought and the fires. It was more snow than we had all Winter. 



Solar panels and fire ring

This is the protected side of the house. 


Number One is cleaning off the solar panels.

Number One trudging through the snow.

This is also the protected side of the roof from the wind. As you can see, it didn't matter. This is the most snow that we have seen on our roof. Usually, the wind doesn't allow it to accumulate like this.



Number One made a path for us to get to the grill.

The snow is starting to melt.



Number One cleared the snow off the grill cover.




We pressed out 24 hamburgers yesterday.

We grilled 8 of them.



These are the best hamburger buns. The are affordable at Sam's, but extremely expensive at regular grocery stores. I reused the bun bag to store the grilled burgers in. These grilled burgers also freeze very well. 

I individually froze the raw pressed out burgers. I will put them in freezer bags as soon as they are frozen. 

Number One figured out that each burger costs $1.45 to make at home. Each ground beef patty weighed 1/3 lb. and cost $1.00 each. The bun cost .45 cents. This is a very affordable burger and they taste better than the $6 to $7 fast food burgers. They are healthier for you too. Serve with a side of homemade baked beans and potato salad and you have an inexpensive all American favorite meal that is affordable for your Memorial Day gathering even if it snows...

Enjoy,
Mrs. Smith 


Friday, May 20, 2022

Shabbat Shalom ...

We are in for some snow this weekend. Up to 14 inches or more. We desperately need of some moisture. The snow just started flying. Hope everyone has a blessed and safe weekend...

Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

  • Today

    Today: A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 1pm and 3pm, then snow showers likely after 3pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 34 by 5pm. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance
    Showers then
    Rain/Snow
    Likely and
    Breezy

    High: 47 °F

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times.  Low around 22. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

    Heavy Snow

    Low: 22 °F

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible.  High near 34. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Snow Showers

    High: 34 °F

  • Saturday
    Night

    Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Some thunder is also possible.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow
    Showers

    Low: 20 °F

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A chance of snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of rain showers after 3pm. Some thunder is also possible.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 40%.

    Slight Chance
    Snow Showers
    then Chance
    Rain/Snow

    High: 44 °F

Today
A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 1pm and 3pm, then snow showers likely after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 34 by 5pm. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight
Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Saturday
Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. High near 34. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Sunday
A chance of snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of rain showers after 3pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. 

Thursday, May 19, 2022

The Complete Jewish Study Bible... Review... Torah Class Bible Studies...

 




We received The Complete Jewish Study Bible that we purchased in the mail yesterday. I am so excited. I have been studying the Old Testament through Torah Class at torahclass.com . It is a Messiah (Christ) centered Bible study. They use The Complete Jewish Bible translation for their studies. I had access to the CJB online through biblegateway.com for free, but for years now I have wanted a Complete Jewish Study Bible in print. I really like the feel of holding a book in my hand, if possible. Call me old fashioned, it's okay. I also like writing with a pen on paper. I like pencils and journaling too. I know, I know, way out dated. 

I was able to find the Bible on sale at christianbook.com for 50% off and only $5.99 for shipping, so Number One gave me the go ahead for the purchase. He is excited about it too.

I had to set aside my studies of the Old Testament for a season. When I was ready to resume the study I couldn't locate my Torah Class journal  nor did I remember where I had left off, so I decided to survey the class instead to get reacquainted with the Old Testament until I found my journal. It was so enlightening that I just couldn't put it down. I completed the whole twelve hour course in just a few days. 


I started reading the introduction along with the instructions on how to use the Bible and the study part of the Bible last night. When they say "Complete" they mean complete. It is a powerful tool and so helpful in understanding the Word in the context in which it was written.








There are many more features in this study Bible that I am still discovering. I am looking forward to the blessed Sabbath, so I can spend more time discovering and resting in His Word...

Shalom,
Mrs. Smith













Monday, May 16, 2022

Baby Formula: An Old Time Recipe And Techniques

Apparently, babies did not starve way back when before the baby formula industry was created.  Homemade formula was made using two different techniques. The instructions were probably given to the new mother before leaving the hospital.

Definitely check with your pediatrician. I am not a doctor. This is just an FYI... 



In terminal heating you clean, but do not sterilize bottles in advance. You then fill them with the prepared formula and cap them loosely. Next, the filled bottles are placed in a pan with water reaching about halfway up the bottles, and the water is brought to a gentle boil for about 25 minutes. It's very similar to a food preservation method using a hot water bath process.


Tap water, bottles, and nipples are sterilized individually by boiling, then using aseptic technique, homemade formula is then poured into the bottles. A day's supply is prepared and refrigerated until use.



Blessings,

Mrs. Smith

Trick To Save Money At The Dentist...