"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."
~ C.T. Studd

Pages

Monday, February 27, 2012

Yummy Goodness

 The other day, some blessed soul stumbled across a recipe for whole wheat hamburger buns.  It's hard to find recipes that meet all of our criteria (usually requiring many changes to make it suitable for us), but this one  just needed a teensy tiny tweak.  Perfect!  The only other concern was . . . would they really taste good?

There really was no need to worry.  They had great taste and weren't even dense like a lot of whole wheat recipes.  It definitely met with our approval!  So much so that we decided to share. : )

5 c (+) whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c warm water
2 pkgs regular or active dry yeast (4 1/2 t)
2 T honey (we used pure maple syrup)
1/4 c water
1/2 c milk
2 T butter
2 t sea salt

In a large mixing bowl, stir together 3 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups warm water.  Set aside to let rest for 30 minutes.  In the meantime, mix together 1/4 cup water, yeast, and honey.  Allow this to sit for at least 10 minutes to activate the yeast.

Melt butter, milk, and salt in a small saucepan on the stove.  Do not allow the mixture to get above 120 degrees.

Pour yeast mixture and milk mixture into flour mixture.  Add remaining two cups of flour (more if needed).

Knead for about 10 minutes until dough begins to look "shiny".  Put dough back into the bowl, cover and let rise for at least an hour . . . or until it has doubled.

Pull dough onto a clean countertop and knead for a couple of minutes to get any air bubbles out.  Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut circles from the dough with a large drinking glass or wide mouth jar.  Place circles on/in a well buttered baking dish about an inch apart.

Allow to rise for about 30 minutes.  Bake for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Makes about 18 buns.


 The best part is that Allison can even enjoy them! : )

 These didn't stay around for long.  

Yummy goodness to the last bite! : )

Friday, February 24, 2012

P52: Cabin Fever

How can you properly portray "Cabin Fever" when it is 73 degrees and sunny???  That has been my issue. ; /  Should have started on this project over the weekend when it was in the 30's with snow and rain mixed. : P  But I am SO thankful for ready volunteers that can at least act despairingly. : )

Ray is the one most prone to get stir crazy when it's inclement weather.  And when that happens?  Watch out!  A disaster is pending . . . : )


P52 is hosted by my3boybarians.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Just a Moment . . .

". . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state (or bucket) I am, therewith to be content."
Philippians 4:11b

Monday, February 20, 2012

A Trip to the Mountains

 Last week, a few of us took a day trip (actually an afternoon trip) to Everything Scottish in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Sara had a few purchases she needed to make, so while she and Dad were shopping, Ray and I decided to have a little fun on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


It's very peaceful scenery.  So quiet and serene that I tend to forget all my worries and cares . . . nothing to do but enjoy myself . . . and take pictures. : )


We ended up at Camp Creek Overlook, but there wasn't the typical "overlook" in sight . . . only something that looked like this . . .

 Yes, that is the head of the trail . . . the "overlook", if you will. : )
We had fun hiking the trail to the creek.  And it didn't disappoint us, either.

 I would not recommend this trail for a casual walk seeing as how we did have to climb down the bank in order to get a nice view up the creek, but there were no cliffs to fall over, so there were no worries for Mom. : )

 He was checking how slippery the rocks were before I ventured out.  Didn't want to take a dip with my camera hanging around my neck!  Isn't he sweet?  Couldn't help but snap this one . . . love it! : )

 God's creation is so beautiful!

It was a bit colder up there than it is here in the foothills.  They still had some tiny remnants of the recent snowfall, and this waterfall had totally frozen!  If you heard of some crazies in a big red truck stopped in the middle of the road on the Blue Ridge Parkway last week, that was us! : )


We drove around a little while longer, and then we headed back to join up with Dad and Sara.  Everything Scottish describes the store pretty well.  And if they don't have it, they can order it.  Ray found the hat rack pretty quickly.

 Looks like he belongs on Looney Tunes or something . . . ; )

He decided to stick with his other hat . . . especially after looking at the price tag!  Not bad for what it was, but more than he had in his pocket. : )  Besides, the style just wasn't for him.
It wasn't til about 8:00 that we were all able to load up in the truck and head back down the mountain.  Fun times must end, reality creeps back into existence, and the overwhelming sense of thankfulness for a warm meal and a pillow never seemed so vivid. : )

Friday, February 17, 2012

P52: True Love

I have had this week's shot planned for a while.  I was going to do some nice portraits of my parents because they have modeled the true meaning of love . . . that strong commitment to each other through thick and thin, good times and bad, in sickness and in health.  For 41 years! : )  But this week has been rather crazy, so there was no time.  I was thinking over this predicament this morning, and I decided to post a picture I took Monday.  I'm sorry to all those that recognize the fact that I already used it in a previous post, but this picture represents the theme so well and there is no time for another.

The truest form of love . . .

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:7-8


P52 is hosted by my3boybarians.com

Monday, February 13, 2012

To Love Is To Give

 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!  (As if the world had to be told????)   A day in which the whole world, it seems, celebrates love (and the retailers make a killing off of those poor men trying to impress their significant other ; ).  Of course, there is no greater love than that which God poured out on us when He gave His Son to die for our sins. He is the ultimate Example.  He gave His all, even when He knew that the recipient could not give in return.

Allison had a doctor's appointment this morning . . . yep, her weekly stretching and casting {ouch!} . . . so  she packaged up some homemade goodies to give to all the friends we've made at the hospital/specialty center, the nurses, and her doctor.  It's amazing all the people you get to know on more than a "hi ~ nice to see ya . . ." basis! : )


She spent quite a few hours yesterday stirring up the cookie mix and filling the pans, keeping a steady flow between the table and the oven (with a few making detours into some tummies).


Should have gotten some pictures of the cookies themselves . . .  They got the cutest pans with greetings shaped molds -- on clearance at Michael's! : )


Then last night, at about 11:30, she and Christina packaged them all up.

So fun!

As was mentioned in a previous post, Allison has been making hats for children with cancer.  After lots of hard work and love went into a total of 34 hats for girls and boys, she decided it was time for the delivery.

Here are some cute boy hats . . . (thanks for the inspiration, Aunt Valerie!)







Lucy is a precious little girl who has been having her own battle with cancer.  Allison has been keeping up with her progress for some time.  If you have a minute, scoot on over to her site and leave a word of encouragement! : )

And the girls' hats . . .



Allison found a book with the cutest animal/bug/etc. hats!  They took a little more time and effort, but just imagine the child's face when they receive it! : )


And here's all the hats . . . all 34 of them.



 She arranged them in a basket, and left them at the front desk of the hospital for the events coordinator.  Allison wasn't able to do the actual delivery herself because of the hospital's packed schedule in lieu of Valentine's Day.  But that's okay . . . . . . maybe next time. : ) 


"To love is to give,
To die is to live ~
Unto us the Son was given,
Jesus Christ the gift of Heaven.
Our God gave His Son,
And loved everyone,
And we show the love of Jesus when we give."


Can't think of the author's name at the moment, but this is an absolutely amazing song!

Friday, February 10, 2012

P52: Drink Up

How's this for jump starting the day?

SO Delicious coconut ice cream (made with coconut milk and agave nectar) + frozen fresh fruit = pure deliciousness!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Thinking Pleasant Thoughts???

 Last Monday, Allison went for the 3rd set of casts to stretch her Achilles tendons.  Oh, joy! (Note: That was said with a hint of sarcasm.)  She bears it well, but this is not the highlight of her week. : )

Getting them off was a breeze.





 The unveiling  (sheeeeewy!  stinky feet!!!)


 Her cast cozies.  It's a fun way to keep the tootsies warm on the rare cooler days. : )

 This is what happens when the bag leaks while showering.
Nope . . . not doing that again. (Referring to letting the bag leak and leaving it wet overnight.  Showers are mandantory! ; )

 Such a sweet smile . . .

Cracked up when we saw this come across the computer screen.
OK, Allison . . . Get up and get moving!
That's an inside joke. ; )

While letting her feet dry out . . . you know, waving them around so that the putrid, just-took-a-cast-off smell could waft through the room . . . she was enjoying the exhilarating freedom, knowing that it was short-lived.

After about 5-10 minutes, she was moved to a larger room, and here came the doc.

Don't get me wrong . . . he is a nice man and VERY efficient in what he does . . . but he sure does inflict torture to the poor child. : )

 To get it stretched, he has to put all of his weight onto her foot.

 Measuring . . .

 Then came the casting.

 All the while putting as much pressure as he could to get as much stretch as possible.

 This is when the other motto on the computer screen would come in handy . . .

Hmmmmm . . . this would be just as possible as when the doctor semi-jokingly encouraged her to "think pleasant thoughts" the week before. : )

 Measuring the angle again . . . she gained 7-8 more degrees!!! : )

 The face of misery. :*(
Patient misery (no pun intended)

Then it was time for the right one.

 The nurse was keeping constant pressure so they wouldn't lose any of the stretch.

 Casting . . .
He told of the one he had just finished on a small child.  Apparently the child was a wiggler, and it took longer to get the cast on, thus causing the material to get really sticky.  He was holding the foot with his gloved hand, and when he brought his hand up, the palm of the glove stayed on the cast!

 When the nurse asked what colors she wanted, Allison replied "glow-in-the-dark and black" with such promptness that it made the doctor laugh.

They have been so good to make this already unpleasant experience a little more pleasant for her.  Each time, she has not only picked the main color, but also has been allowed to choose a contrasting color to "decorate" it, as well.
Christina had some bright idea as to the design, so guess who got to do it?

 Not the nurse . . . she was just making sure it was done right . . .

 She let Christina do it!
That was lots of fun, and so sweet of the nurse.  Since Allison is usually put at the end of their schedule, she has a little more time to do extras. : )

 The finished product . . . so far. : )


We did some of our shopping, and then headed home to finish decorating. : )

 I mean, what else would you do with the bare spots?  Hahaha!
We didn't get any pictures of the most hilarious scenes.  Like the ones where those drawing and coloring were laying in the floor in awkward positions under her propped up legs, trying to get to that bare spot they couldn't get to any other way.  Or when their arms got tired, so they rested her casted leg on their head.  Or when they tied themselves up in pretzels to see if they missed anything.  Yeah . . . quite a scene! : )

 Left foot . . . courtesy of Valerie

 Right foot . . . courtesy of Christina


And some close-ups . . .



 Don't push me! I'm Heeling.

 My Doctor is
STRETCHING
his patients!

Just gotta love the jewels!





 Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.