Give Thanks ~ Nov. 27

I am thankful to God for yesterday's time with family and friends! It's not easy watching my family dwindle in number like it has in recent years--a sure sign I'm growing older. Consequently, I greatly treasure seeing my mother spend the holidays with our family enjoying the food and company--and plenty of smiles and laughs over the silliness of her grand-daughters! Life is so short...

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 26

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 25

I'm truly thankful to God that He has made His will known and accessible to us in His Word! A facet of His will is this, "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 24

I'm thankful to God that He, "works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11) and "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 23

I'm thankful to God for the many material blessings that I too often take for granted.

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 22

I'm thankful for the testimony and encouragement of other Christians--God often uses them to spur me on!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 21

I'm thankful to God for a certain piano (and cello) teacher. Through her faithful teaching and loving care, our girls have experienced many joys and challenges that they otherwise might not have known!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 20

I'm thankful to God for restoring health after a recent touch of cold/flu in our family!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 19

I'm thankful to God for the beautiful bouquet of roses and cosmos on my kitchen windowsill--'rescued' by my daughter last night before the freeze got them!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 18

I'm thankful to God for a sweet new Russian language tutor who will be helping our youngest strengthen her understanding and use of her native language!

The "Martha Side" of Me ~ Tortellini Soup

A friend of mine--whose name happens to be Martha--recently served this at our weekly Study Group. It was delicious, filling, and easy!








Tortellini Soup

1 lg. jar/can spaghetti sauce
2 qts. chicken broth/stock
1 pkg. frozen tortellini (any variety) ~ as you can see, I could only find ravioli :-)
1 pkg. frozen meatballs (any variety)
1 pkg. frozen spinach or broccoli
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)

Heat spag. sauce and broth--bring to boil. Add frozen tort., meatballs, and veggie and cook/simmer 30 minutes.

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 17

I'm thankful to God for music, all kinds of music--except maybe a few. :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 16

I'm thankful to God for my health and the ability to get up each day and do the things I need to do, as well as the things I like/want to do!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 15

I am thankful to God for the freedom and opportunity to gather publicly with other Believers and worship Him together!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 14

I am thankful to God for the friendship ('real-life' and online) and fellowship of other men and women who also desire to please, serve, and glorify Him!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 13

I am thankful to God for so many 'conveniences' that seem to be necessities in my mind/life--dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer, microwave, coffee maker, ice maker, air conditioning/heating, 'mommy' van, pc, internet, etc.!!!!!!! :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 12

I am thankful to God for other home school mothers who are willing and able to lend their expertise in areas where I am very lacking, such as biology lab! :-)

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 11

I am thankful to God that, "He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 113:9)

Valentines Day 2005 ~ taken right before we all sat down to our annual family Valentine dinner!

Give Thanks ~ Nov. 10

I am thankful for BOOKS, glorious books! Whether they are for education or entertainment--they have been a blessing in my life!

The "Martha Side" of Me ~ Snickerdoodles

I love, love, LOVE snickerdoodle cookies. But up until last year mine never turned out quite right--that's when I discovered a recipe from a former co-worker that I'd saved from the early 90's!!! Sidenote: Does the fact that the recipe sat untried for well over a decade give you any idea how 'not' passionate I am about cooking, hmmmmm????

Anyway, just in time for all your holiday baking, I give you "my" favorite (only!) snickerdoodle cookie recipe (pictured in the foreground, other recipe coming soon)!

Snickerdoodles

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 F.
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, margarine/butter, shortening, and eggs in large bowl.
Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls.

Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon; roll balls in mixture.
Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake until set, 8 to 10 minutes.
Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.