Beth Moore "May His Face Shine Upon You"

Welcome 2012!!!

The approach of another New Year's Day always reminds me to count my blessings and share my feelings with all my friends. Thank you all for being my friends and dropping by my blog....

The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. Numbers 6:25

R.I.P Ben Breedlove

Make Your Sweet Pet A Bed!

A lot of us have used a similar pattern to make the double-sided fleece blankets for ourselves and friends...now you can make your 'best friend' a pet bed out of the soft, comforting fleece!

In case there is someone who doesn't remember how to make this blanket, here are some easy instructions for the bed!

All you need is a yard of fabric fleece, a bag of stuffing, and a pair of scissors, and you're on your way to making a custom pet bed! I used two different patterns for each of my beds, but you can definitely make one from just one yard in one print. I had enough left to make two more beds!

Speaking of which:

I used 1 yard each of two different prints of fleece per bed. One yard will actually make two of the size I have, but you may want to make yours bigger or smaller! Also some batting to fill it. I used less than one of a bag to fill two.

Decide what size bed you want and add at least 8" all the way around. This is because we are going to cut 4" strips to tie together.

It's easiest if you cut the two layers at the same time. That way they'll be sure to line up perfectly!

First I cut the selvage edge from the fleece - it has the test printing on it.

Then I cut the fleece to half its width.

Next I measured 4" in from each corner and laid a ruler across this line.

I cut a slit every inch until it reached the ruler. This was much easier than drawing a bunch of lines first.

You will end up cutting out the corner pieces.

Starting at one corner. tie the two sides together strip by strip. Use a double knot to make sure it doesn't come undone.

Tie together all of the strips, leaving an opening large enough to stuff with the batting.

Fill the bed with batting and tie off remaining strips.

You're finished! All that's left is to introduce your pet to it's new bed. Hope you both enjoy!

Pass it on...

Great Gift Idea!

Ina Garten's Chipotle & Rosemary Spiced Nuts
Serves 8 to 10


When I have a little extra time before a party, I'll whip up a batch of these really delicious nuts. They're sweet, salty, and spicy--with lots of brown sugar, maple syrup, chipotle powder, and fresh rosemary. Roasting is the process that brings out the most flavor in nuts, and serving them warm is a particularly nice touch...Ina Garten


INGREDIENTS:

Vegetable oil

3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews (14 ounces)
2 cups whole walnut halves (7 ounces)
2 cups whole pecan halves (7 ounces)
1/2 cup whole almonds (3 ounces)
1⁄3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder
4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves, divided
Kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush a sheet pan generously with vegetable oil. Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and chipotle powder on the sheet pan. Toss to coat the nuts evenly. Add 2 tablespoons of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.

Spread the nuts in one layer. Roast the nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula, until the nuts are glazed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.

Toss well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Chipotle chile powder is different from ordinary chili powder-- it's ground dried smoked jalapeños and has a distinctive hot, smoky, sweet flavor.

So good and so easy

That's My King!

We celebrate Christmas as the birth of a little baby in a manger...but, believe me when I say...He's my KING!!! Do you know Him?

The Amazing Skidboot

I absolutely love this man and his dog! Even if you aren't a dog-lover, you will, too!

Christopher Walken Christmas

Maybe you don't know, but my husband knows I just LOVE Christopher Walken! I was so tickled to see this on FB...hahaha. Have had so much fun with friends this weekend...now for Christmas Party with my honey! Will be glad to stay home for a few days!!!!!

All I Want For Christmas - HMS OCEAN

Christmas

Home from my little Mother's house...she had a basal cell carcinoma removed from her Right nostril, so I went to take her to Out-patient surgery and then stay with her few days...what a privilege to be there to help her in the house, buy a few little things she would do without...honestly, my Mother is an absolute angel. And thank you all for your prayers for her...still working on training my little Gunney...he is such a handful; stubborn is not sufficient a word to describe him...but those doggie kisses are so sweet! I love being home. Love my tacky Christmas decorations and just being at home here with the doggies while my Mister is at work...Life is good.

Merry Christmas!

Today is the first day of December, and for me the beginning of the Christmas Season...my cards are mailed, Christmas music, especially Soulful Christmas by Aaron Neville (THAT VOICE!!!) is playing...now to decorate! I am going through Revelation with my mother and Kay Arthur - so rich...Life Is Good...I have problems and concerns in my life, as I'm sure most of you do, but with the strength of my Lord, I can get through anything. Hope you are having a good week, friends.

Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss

I love this movie!!!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving...I have so much to be thankful for...how 'bout you?

The New Man In My Life!

Here he is...little Gunther! That's his sister beside him...my friend, Heidi, asked me about the Dachshund Rescue organization that my daughter got Rufus from. He belonged to her daughter who was seven months pregnant with her first baby. She worked long hours, and to top it off, her husband was overseas for a year! Both doxies were too much for her, even though she was terribly torn about giving the little rambunctious boy up...

When my husband saw this picture, he said, "I want him!" So we gave it a trial...he was a trial at first, heehee! He bit Maggie, our other sweet furbaby...piddled everywhere and was obsessed with his toy and wanted to chase and chase and chase...well, you get the picture. Thankfully, he was trained to the crate, so he had periods of play with me, time out in the crate, and otherwise, he was with me constantly with his leash tied around my waist. He learned "NO" meant "NO". He calmed down and has been doing much better...Now, if I could train my husband to keep that structure with him...but, oh well. He (both) is a keeper! More later...

Country Living Fair 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia

This is a picture from last year of me and Amy Barickman, fabric designer and owner of The Vintage Workshop and Indygo Junction. She had a workshop at the Country Living Fair (the first one in Atlanta)in 2010...I had shown her what I did with some of her designs on my vintage denim vest...

This year at CLF, I was sick and didn't get to go....I hate that!!! The following are pictures of the two Sisters on the fly campers that were featured this time...here's Dealia Jo, the little fishing cottage camper of Debbie Facer...isn't it just the best? It is hand painted by an artist here in Atlanta...
and, here is the Bookmobile camper belonging to Rebecca Amerson...she is a retired Media Specialist (we used to say Librarian) with a school system...her first job was on a bookmobile! Hers is also hand painted by a local artist...gorgeous!

You go, girl!!!

Too good not to share...

Seven Tips to Stay Sane at Work

JVHS 45th Class Reunion

I am telling my age, but I attended my 45th Class Reunion of the 1966 Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Georgia this weekend...what a great time! Here are a few of my best buddies from high school and some from Kindergarten on! Since I lived out of state so many years, I lost touch with some of them...so sweet to see them again!

This is a childhood friend that lived one door down in my neighborhood from Kindergarten.
Best Best Friends forever!
Dancin' the night away!
More of the same!

Alan Jackson - I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You

Overnight Crock Pot Apple Butter

Cook up a batch of the tastiest apple butter in no time by making it in a slow cooker with this recipe from Amy Traverso, author of "The Apple Lover's Cookbook."

1. Yield
   Makes 6 pint jars or 12 1/2-pint jars

Ingredients

1. 5 pounds (about 10 large) mixed apples, peeled, cored, and cut into medium-size pieces
2. 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
3. 1 whole star anise pod
4. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5. 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
6. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
7. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
8. 2 cups fresh apple cider
9. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Turn a slow cooker on high and add all ingredients. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Mixture should be bubbling vigorously. Reduce heat to low and cook for 1 hour more. Remove and discard star anise pod.
2. With the lid set slightly ajar, continue cooking until apple butter is dark brown and thick, 7 to 9 hours more. Stir well and pass through a food mill or strainer, if necessary to remove any lumps.
3. Place six clean 1-pint or twelve clean 1/2-pint jars right side up on a rack in a boiling-water canner. Fill canner and jars with hot water, about 1 inch above tops of jars. Bring jars to a boil over high heat; boil for 10 minutes. Using a jar lifter, remove and drain hot sterilized jars one at a time, reserving hot water for processing filled jars. Place jars on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
4. In another large pot filled with water, bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to a simmer, then add clean lids and lid rings. Simmer lids for 10 minutes; do not boil, as this may cause problems in sealing jars. Drain lids and set aside.
5. Divide apple butter evenly among sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at top of each jar. Using tongs, place lids on jars. Using your hands, place rings on jars and tighten (but do not overtighten). Reheat water in the canner until it reaches at least 180 degrees, within 10 minutes of filling the jars. Place filled jars into the canner, one at a time, using a jar lifter securely positioned below neck of jar. Keep jars upright at all times.
6. Add more boiling water, if needed, so that water covers jars by at least 1 inch. Increase heat to high and cover. Once water begins boiling, heat jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and gently transfer jars to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, taking care not to tilt jars and spacing each jar at least 1 inch apart. Avoid placing jars on a cold surface or near a cold draft.
7. Let jars sit undisturbed until fully cooled, 12 to 24 hours. Do not tighten ring bands on the lids or push down on the center of the flat metal lid until jars have cooled completely.
8. Once jars have cooled completely, test to make sure each jar is completely sealed: Press down on the middle of the lid with a finger. If lid springs up when finger is released, jar is unsealed. Store sealed jars in a cool place. If any of the jars are unsealed, store in refrigerator and use within several days.

October

Well, leaves are starting to turn here in Georgia...I am packing up to go to Ft. Payne, Alabama, to camp at Sequoia Caverns campground with my Sister friends....fun to be had! Enjoy this song by the incomparable Eric Clapton and think about us eating homemade biscuits made by Anita and Karen over the campfire, topped by Sorgum syrup furnished by Roy at the campground...yum! Yes, I am bad bad bad...heehee. Wish you could all go with me...

Original Nilla Banana Pudding from Anita

Okay...here is the original Banana Pudding from Anita...she says my other recipe post was not the best!

Prep Time:30 min

Total Time:50 min

12 servings, 2/3 cup each

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar, divided

1/3 cup flour (use all purpose--not self-rising)

dash salt

3 eggs, separated

2 1/4 cups milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

45 NILLA Wafers, divided

2 or 3 bananas, sliced

Preparation:

MIX 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler(you don't have to use a double boiler if you have a good heavy pan and stir constantly). Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water 10 to 12 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. (I do it they way the original recipe said which is to add the milk and cook till begins to thicken--then TEMPER the eggs with a little of the mixture--then add tempered eggs to pudding and cook 1 minute more. Then Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

RESERVE 12 wafers for garnish. Spread small amount of custard onto bottom of 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Cover with layers of 1/3 each of the remaining wafers, bananas and remaining custard. Repeat layers 2 times.

BEAT egg whites on high speed of mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over custard, sealing well to edge of dish.

BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Top with reserved wafers just before serving.

She likes to let it sit 15 or 20 minutes so the vanilla wafers can soften...I totally agree!!!

Hold tight to your friends--have fun when you can--laugh every day--eat the dessert!

Diamond Rio In God We Still Trust

Fall Creek Falls and Trackrock for Camping!!!

My husband and I are heading out to Tennessee to Fall Creek Falls State Park! We will be camping at their campgrounds and we can't wait! I found this video on YouTube and of course, it's not my video or my voice, but wanted to show you a little bit of it...

Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular recreation areas in America. Its waterfalls, cascades, sparkling streams, gorges, timberland and an unmatched variety of recreation facilities and activities have made it one of the most popular parks in the Southeast. Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, plunging 256 feet into a shaded pool at the base of its gorge. The park's other falls, (Piney, Cane Creek and Cane Creek Cascades), though smaller, are just as impressive.

The oak and hickory forest that covers most of the park gives way to tulip poplar and hemlock forest in the gorges. The plants and animals of the moist, protected gorges are not unlike the species found in southern Canada. Mountain laurel and rhododendron are abundant throughout the park, as are other plants and animals. (from Tennessee State Park website)

Then, on to Trackrock Campground for a Sisters on the fly trip...it is near Blairsville, GA, and Brasstowne Bald, which is the highest point in Georgia. There will be a lot of us camping and have a fish fry planned, along with lots of other fun things! Will post photos when I get back. http://www.trackrock.com/

Carla's Tortilla Soup

Chef Carla Hall was a finalist on season five of Bravo's hot series, Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars, but actually had no intention of becoming a cook! She majored in accounting in college and then modeled in Europe, where she discovered her love for cooking...

Here is a great recipe that includes two favorite ingredients: Lime and Tortilla chips!

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 large white onion, finely diced

4 medium cloves garlic, crushed

1 jalapeno chile, diced

1 poblano chili, roasted and diced (be careful with the chilis...don't rub your eyes!)

1 16 oz. can diced fire-roasted tomatos (or use up those last ones from the garden)

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. cumin

salt and pepper to taste

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 bag tortilla chips, broken up (we like the lime-flavored ones)

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 ear fresh corn (shucked, roasted, and cut off the cob)

1 zucchini, diced and sauted

Garnishes:

1 lime, cut into wedges

1 avocado, diced

8 ozs. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded or finely diced

Tortilla chips

Mexican crema, or sour cream mixed with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste

ONE Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 5 minutes, then add garlic and chiles. Add diced tomatoes and spices; season with salt and pepper. Add broth, bring to boil then reduce heat. Simmer about 25 minutes.

TWO Add tortillas to tomato base and simmer until the chips dissolve. Add black beans, corn and zucchini. Adjust seasoning with salt.

THREE Serve hot with garnishes

To make it a little more substantial, we add meat from a roasted chicken we picked up at our favorite store. Just shred and add at the end! And if you are in a hurry, as I was today, I used some canned corn and a can of Rotel tomatoes! You can't mess this up, I promise!

Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Banana Pudding just like Mother used to make!

I went to my friend Anita's house today to work on some things for our Sisters on the fly campout coming up in October...she left me for about 15 minutes to make a banana pudding! By far the best I have ever had...well, she rattled out the ingredients too quickly for me to remember and told me to look it up online! Right! Here it is, or as close to what she told me (and I can remember). Believe it or not, I was raised on banana pudding along with pound cakes and "butternut cake" and I have never made a banana pudding from scratch! Please don't tell anybody, teehee, as you HAVE to know how to make one in order to be a Southern Lady!

Here goes:

OLD FASHIONED BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup self-rising flour
• 2 cups milk, low fat or whole
• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• vanilla wafer cookies
• 3 bananas, ripe but firm
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preparation:

Combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and the self-rising flour in a bowl.

Slowly stir in milk. Put mixture in top of double boiler over simmering water and cook until mixture begins to thicken. Beat egg yolks then briskly stir a small amount of the hot mixture (about 1/2 cup) into them. Add egg yolk mixture back into the hot mixture in top of double boiler and stir in butter and vanilla. Cook until mixture thickens again.

Place a layer of vanilla wafers in an 11x7-inch baking dish (or other shape 2-quart shallow baking dish). Add half of the sliced bananas. Pour half of pudding mixture over banana layer. Repeat layers, ending with remaining pudding. In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until foamy; gradually beat in 1/4 cup granulated sugar and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pudding. Bake at 350° until browned completely. Remove from oven. Serve hot or cold.
Serves 6 to 8.

Good advice from an email!

This didn't load properly, but hopefully you can get the gist of it! My mother sent this to me and some of you may have already seen it, but I wanted to keep this list, so I posted it here for you, too!

Good advice: 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

More good advice:

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say "No!" to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You every day.
16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life..
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25.Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh!
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31.. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you're never been grateful for before.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'

(Romans 8:31)

For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son...

For those of you who may be interested, check out Kay Arthur's broadcast today...

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/precepts/

We Bee Junkin'

...check out my new blog...if you are interested in sustainable living, junkin' (even dumpster divin')...this blog might interest you. My friend and I have started a crafting guild and the blog will be full of tips, pix of your creations, recipes, and even some tutorials...more fun to come!

Here's the link: http://www.busybiddies.blogspot.com/

The Pioneer Woman

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman hosts one of my favorite blogs ever...I have been reading her posts since she started. Now, as if it couldn't get any better, she has her own cooking show on the Food Network! I don't know about you, but I am going to be watching. Check it out:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/details-on-the-food-network-show/

Camping at Cheaha Mountain State Park in Alabama

Here we are camping at Cheaha State Park in Alabama...beautiful beautiful spot! Has a pool built out over the bluff and looks out for miles! Cheaha Mountain is the highest spot in Alabama. More to come! Check it out: http://www.alapark.com/cheaharesort/

My son Lee

Photos attached from Sunday's trip on the Cape Fear river (NC)

He caught four blue catfish from a 12' kayak:
(2) 10 lbs, (1) 12 lb & a 19lb 6oz

The friends that he went with are guides on this river, and perfected (8 yrs in the making) how to do this - from what kind of boat they use, to the bait and rig (line, hook, cork, etc.) The Cape Fear is very shallow, so a canoe has been the only way to fish most spots we were at, until the fishing kayak has evolved.

"So since I haven't had a big day catching in quite a while, I'm proud to say that I caught the most fish and the biggest fish of the day against the "Masters.""

That's my boy!

Tomato Pie

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

10 min

Cook Time:

45 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 servings

Ingredients

• 4 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1 (9-inch) prebaked deep dish pie shell
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1 cup grated cheddar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.

Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell. Season with salt and pepper. Combine the grated cheeses and mayonnaise together. Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

To serve, cut into slices and serve warm.

I have really enjoyed all the delicious tomatoes from my three plants this summer...for those of you who are tired of BLTs (except who could ever get tired of BLTs?) try this recipe! It is not diet-friendly, though, if you are trying to lose weight...you could use low-fat or non-fat mayo, but you might as well go ahead and just enjoy it like it is! Tomato season comes once a year where I live!