APPLE MONTH

So what do you think of when you see apples???  You’ll never believe what I think of – go ahead, guess.  Nope…  guess again.  Oh, you’ll never guess right.  Well, don’t laugh, but here it is:

I told you you’d never guess!  I think the dead-pan comedy of Bob Newhart is the best!

Speaking of the best…  how do ya like dem apples???

I don’t eat apples often, since I’ve cut carbohydrates from my diet, but when I do get a chance to eat one, it has to be a golden delicious!  Last Summer’s crop looked so nice and juicy.  🙂

I’d probably use a red delicious if I were to make caramel apples for Halloween.  It might be weird to bite into one and discover a green apple.

Apples, Apples, Apples!!!

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. – Proverbs 25:11

It’s not only true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it’s also true that the tongue of the wise is health.  May we let our speech be filled with grace.

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.  – George Bernard Shaw

Do you have ideas about apples???

It’s been a challenge to find apple recipes that are low carb, but here’s one of my favorites:

LOW CARB GRAIN FREE APPLE DUMP CAKE

Serves 12, 11 carbs per serving

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. coconut flour

1 c. Splenda

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

6 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. butter, melted & cooled

1 tsp. cinnamon liquid stevia

4 c. Gala or Fiji apples, peeled, cored, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large bowl, whisk the flour, Splenda, cinnamon and baking soda together.  Whisk in eggs, butter and Stevia until combined.  Stir in apple slices until covered.  Spread mix into a greased 9 x 13″ baking dish.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  Enjoy with Reddi-Whip.

Happy Apple Month!  🙂

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY

Ah – it’s my favorite WACKY HOLIDAY of the year…  it is INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY!!!  I know I write about coffee EVERY year, but hey – I must say, it is my favorite beverage on the planet!  So, bear with me as I encourage those with addictions to caffeine to indulge on this day.  This year I’m using real cream too!Thanks to Bill Woods for this picture.  See, I’m obviously not the only one who thinks coffee is magnificent!  And, I haven’t double-checked this information, but I’m pretty sure that Dunkin’ Donuts will be offering FREE COFFEE today as they have for the past several years.  There’s only one thing we like more than coffee…  you guessed it…  we like FREE COFFEE!

This year Lucinda and I were tallying up all the poetry we written about coffee.  Hold on to your hats folks…  today I’m going to share a whopping 22 poems!!!  So…  grab a hot cup of Joe and let’s GO…

Lucinda’s most recent poem, Coffee Traditions, was written for her daughter’s 18th birthday.  So darling…

Grounds In Your Cup was inspired by a malfunction I seemed to be having with my coffee maker one day.  Somehow, the grounds were filtering through and landing in the bottom of my coffee cup.  We were chatting on facebook, I sent her the photo of my messy coffee cup, and the rest, as they say, is history!  😀

My Journal is a poem that was written one morning when I was pouring my heart out to the Lord in…  well, my journal.  So many times when I’m writing a prayer to Him or asking Him to direct my paths and make them straight, a poem gets written.  This is one of those times. 

If I could choose my favorite coffee poem, it would hands down be Lucinda’s Coffee With Jesus.

On many occasions I’ve said, “Decaf???  What’s the point???”  In this poem, Lucinda gives me the answer.

There are days I like to add a little square of 70% cocoa chocolate to my morning coffee.  What does that equal?  It equals some Mocha Inspiration, silly!  😉

We need coffee especially When It’s Cold Outside, right?

Between now and election day, I think we also need Coffee, The American Way.

The sign that you’ve enjoyed both personal Bible study and coffee is when you end up with Coffee Rings For Jesus.And what would this day be without a WORD CLOUD for you to share on facebook and via email with your friends???Some of us need a jolt of caffeine Every Day Of The Week!

And what a message God gave us with The Deliverer…

Some of us drink coffee only.  Others drink tea only.  But regardless of your stance on the subject, we all need Coffee, Tea and He…  don’t we?If you had to give up coffee completely (oh no)…  what would you replace it with – you’d need A Coffee Replacement.

Even non-coffee drinkers sometimes need Monday Morning Coffee.

Those of us who are addicted beyond belief also need Friday Coffee.  Not shaming…  we know who we are.  😉

I used to grind my own beans in the morning.  Notice that was in the past tense – because I got lazy and started buying ground coffee.  One day I was trying to grind these tough little beans and one of the little brats decided to roll off the counter and onto the floor, then underneath the mat, as if to say, “HA – you can’t catch me, woman!”  Well, my imagination kicked in and I thought about those times when I feel as though someone is about to put me in a grinder.  I wish I could find a safe haven to hide.  Have you heard the term, “Hide in a hole and pull the hole in after me” – ???  Yeah, that kind of deal. 

Aren’t we thankful that we can have A Full Cup Of God???  During the storm, He is there helping us through it – not around it, but through it.  His patience and warmth gives us peace every day.Are you in the habit of Sharing Coffee?  Admittedly, most days, my coffee is MY COFFEE…  know what I mean, Vern?

In fact, some of us want to give A Tribute To Coffee.  Pass the caffeine and the cookies, please!In this country’s history, we’ve run out of oil, gasoline, honey ham (if you didn’t see Christmas with the Kranks, that reference went right over your head).  One commodity that we’ve not run out of is the Love of God.  We May Run Out Of Coffee, But…How many blessings could you stuff into your coffee cup?  No, really…  how many?  Some people need an itty bitty little cup, like one of my mother’s Frankoma coffee cups.  Honestly, is it worth brewing coffee if all you get is that much???  Lucinda and I agree, our coffee cups are UGE…  the “H” is silent – (that’s how it’s said now, right?)  A Big Cup Of A Big God.

Wow…  here’s a question for ya.  What If Jesus Drank Coffee – ???  Ponder that one!

Have a GREAT International Coffee Day!  Cheers!  🙂

 

COLOSSIANS 3:17 ON 3/17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  – Colossians 3:17

How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?  I’m not a big party animal (I know…  surprise, surprise), but I do like to find some good corned beef and cabbage!  We used to drive to Kansas City to a bar called O’Doud’s  for authentic Irish food, but this year I read on my facebook newsfeed that Cracker Barrel will be serving corned beef and cabbage through today.  So…  we will probably go to our local restaurant here to celebrate the day!

Everyone is Irish Today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll wear green and beautiful Celtic jewelry that gets plenty of wear the whole month of March.

https://youtu.be/eUDuF0TY8Vk

Wearing green means I won’t get pinched – that’s got to be a good thing, right?

When the beautiful and talented actress Maureen O’Hara passed away, I wrote a poem about a movie she starred in, “The Quiet Man” along with John Wayne.  If you’ve seen it, you’ll notice at the end of the movie, she whispers in John Wayne’s ear – and whatever she whispered has remained a secret – but you can see by the look on the Duke’s face…  it must have been pretty shocking!

I want to know what Kate whispered to her Sean.  🙂

Nobody is alive to break the silence.  Director John Ford is the one who told Maureen what to whisper to John – and now…  well – there’s no way we’ll ever find out what it was she said.  I, for one, am so curious to know. 

Every year TCM runs The Quiet Man throughout the month of March.  If you have never seen it, I hope you’ll watch it this year – and pay particular attention to the end of the movie – and the part where Kate whispers in Sean’s ear – and look at that priceless expression on his face!   🙂

 

CAFFEINE AWARENESS MONTH

Do you depend on your morning jolt of caffeine to make you easier to live with?  I do.  Some of my friends say that they are not “old enough” to drink coffee – these are friends who are about 20 years my senior.    Other friends are quick to tell me they don’t like coffee – but they get their shot from a soda – Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Coke – whatever.  A few of my friends and some in my group on facebook say they need a spot of hot tea.  I doubt that the first cup in the morning is decaf – just guessing.

Most of us need a kick of caffeine in one form or the other.I think this month should be called CAFFEINE APPRECIATION MONTH – but what do I know?  We’re aware of it – I’m especially aware when I don’t get my caffeine boost!  Ugh…  I may as well plan for a migraine if for some reason I don’t get a cup of coffee by noon.  The struggle is real.

Well meaning strangers have tried to talk me into weaning myself off of caffeine.  Have you ever seen my fangs?  Oh…  you didn’t know I have them?  Keep talking like that – and you will see them.  Change the subject – change it now.

I don’t drink.  I don’t smoke.  I don’t eat tons of sugar or fat.  Caffeine is the only vice I have…  do not try to yank that out from under me.  Seriously.

It’s a delicate balancing act…  too little caffeine and I’m headed for migraine city.  Too much caffeine and it can have a rebound effect and I could still end up with a migraine.  There are so many triggers though – caffeine is just one on a long list of foods and beverages.  Alcohol, by the way, is on the list, along with chocolate (which is also filled with caffeine), strong cheeses like longhorn cheddar can trigger them.  Processed meats are a no-no.  I pick pepperoni off my pizza.  Nitrates are filled with sodium and that’s another trigger.  I can manage my caffeine intake by drinking just one cup of coffee in the morning and one diet pop in the evening.

Lucinda likes coffee too!  Isn’t that a cute poem?  I’ve never poetized about coffee…  hmm.  I really should write a poem about it someday.  🙂

 

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

It’s unusual for me to ask for a cup of coffee to go from a restaurant.  The other day I just could not get enough coffee!  I love Village Inn because they make fantastic coffee and you don’t just pay for a cup of coffee – they give you a whole pot for yourself!  I drank several cups and it was just so good – I emptied the pot!  Then I wanted more…

I anticipated a similarly smooth taste from the to go cup – but was surprised and disappointed when I took a sip – my to go coffee was bitter – as though it was the bottom of the pot or had set on the burner too long.  Ugh!  Has that ever happened to you?  

When I received this poem from Lucinda, my first thought was, “Oh, how I wish God had poured the coffee into my to go cup!”  I’m so sure the coffee He pours for us is a perfect brew every time – and is surely never bitter!

While other bloggers are asking the tired old question, “Have you given up on your New Year’s Resolution???”  I’m going to ask, “Have you continued to thank God for all of your many blessings this year?”  We tend to pick up the thankfulness around Thanksgiving and drop it somewhere between Christmas and the New Year.  It’s sad, because God doesn’t stop blessing us after the new year begins, does He?

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  – Psalm 34:8

I’m not fussing at you, this is just a reminder to continue thanking God for His good gifts.  The boundless supply of grace, mercy and love He brings into our lives – His own brand of peace that is not understood by those who do not know Him.  Let’s not take these daily gifts for granted – ever.

God loves you so much.  He shows us his matchless love every day in many ways.  How does He love us?  Let us count the ways!  Let Him pour your coffee or tea today – I know it will be the best tasting beverage you’ll drink all day!  🙂

 

JANUARY IS NATIONAL HOT TEA MONTH

There are stresses associated with winter, starting with the commute to work over ice and snow!  Some people don’t mind driving on ice, but I’m not in that club!  If I turn a corner and just keep turning – well, let’s just say I don’t find it amusing.  Then once you get where you’re going, there are unique stress factors depending on the day.  Stress is just a part of life, isn’t it?  How do you de-stress?Chelmsford Tea is a wonderful place to rekindle friendships.  Just a quaint little shop, they have hundreds of blends to choose from.  They brew up a little cup of heaven – and it just melts the stress away.

https://www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordTea/

My mother’s favorite tea was Earl Grey.  I don’t particularly care for it – my tastes gravitate toward more sweet flavors, as did my Granny LaVella’s.  Right now I’m enjoying a cup of Sweet Cinnamon Orange from my favorite tea store, The Spice Merchant, in downtown Wichita.  Sweet Cinnamon Orange tastes like Harney’s Hot Cinnamon Sunset.  I’m sure Granny would share it with me…  oh if only!

http://www.thespicemerchant.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

https://www.harney.com/harney-teas.html

When I was younger I hosted casual tea parties.  I put the kettle on and had various flavors to choose from.  Everyone picked their favorite and made their tea.  We’d sit around enjoying our tea as we talked about life in general – literature, work, family.  There was never a moment of silence, but so much laughter in my house…  making sweet memories with my friends!

Here’s my favorite poem from Lucinda Berry Hill, author of “Coffee with Jesus” & “A Second Cup with Jesus”. 

I knew my friend, Judy Janowski, author of Life is a Garden Party, would have some beautiful tea cups and teapots to share today.  Look at these – aren’t they pretty?

That last photo looks like she’s about ready to sit down and write her next book, doesn’t it???  Hint, hint, Judy!  

God has blessed me with author friends!  Deanna Stalnaker, author of Tea with Grandy Dee and Jesus, Me & Afternoon Tea, has been quite busy lately.  She’s in the process of writing a series of books called Women of God:  Lancaster County.  The first two books are complete.  More…  we want more.  ❤

Check out Deanna’s facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/deanna.stalnaker?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/teatimewithjesus/

https://www.facebook.com/KardeesAngels/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/grandydeesjournal/?fref=ts

These days, my husband and I enjoy tea and blueberry scones together.  It’s a quiet pleasure, but one that seems to make all the cares of the day just melt away…  there’s just something about tea!  We are in no danger of running out of teapots or teacups around here!  There’s always time for tea, scones, smiles and laughter.  I can’t speak for others, but in my mind, the table setting at a tea party is just as important as the tea you choose to serve.  I enjoy our own Hall Autumn Leaf Jewel Tea antique dishes.  They set a very pretty table and are particularly nice for an Autumn Spice themed tea party.

Tea combined with prayer help you establish a positive state of mind:

If you think you are beaten, you are.  If you think you dare not, you won’t.

If you like to win, but don’t think you can It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.  For out in the world you find,

Success begins with a fellow’s will It’s all in a state of mind.

For many a game is lost ‘ere even a play is run,

And many a coward fails ‘ere even his work is begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow.  Think small and you’ll fall behind.

Think that you can and you will.  It’s all a state of mind.

If you think you are out-classed, you are.  You’ve got to think high to rise.

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize.

Life battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man.

But sooner or later, the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can.

Sometimes I like to enjoy tea in a present from a friend.  This mug and tea bag holder remind me of her belief in my abilities, which makes it easier to believe in myself!  I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!  🙂It’s a whimsical mug and tea bag holder made by GANTZ.  I was hoping you could read it from the photo, but apparently it’s too far away – or at least it is for me, so I’ll just write it here:

CREATIVI-TEA:

YOUR WONDERFUL IMAGINATION MAKES THE ORDINARY SPECIAL.  YOUR STYLE AND ARTISTRY SHINE THROUGH IN ALL THAT YOU DO.

Every time I use this mug, I’m reminded of her encouragement as well as her daily prayers for me.  It means so much!  It also inspired this poem:

Enjoy tea time today and pray…  know that God loves you each and every day!  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY

Today is NOT the day to run out of coffee because it’s INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY!!!  Coffee traces its biological heritage to plants known as Coffea.  Coffee plants are cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the Americas, Southeast Asia, India and Africa.

shared with permission

The two most common types of coffee are arabica and robusta, which has a more bitter taste.

Bill has his free coffee???  Where’s yours???

Once ripe, coffee beans are picked, processed and dried.  Unroasted green coffee beans are one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world.  The beans are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor before being ground and brewed to create coffee.

I lost my mother eleven years ago yesterday.  Isn’t God good to us through our friends?  Lucinda reminded me of today’s special holiday and it lightened my countenance immediately!  If ever there was a coffee lover, it is me!  Some of the best memories I have of my mother were made over a cup of coffee.  We used to go to the Kings-X restaurant on the north end of Wichita nearly every Saturday to reconnect over a breakfast of biscuits & gravy and a lot of good hot coffee.  We solved all the world’s problems with that winning combination!

These days I enjoy coffee in the morning while reading devotionals.  Do you ever wake up in the morning and think about coffee – and feel the need to get out of bed just so you can get to it?  I do!

I wondered about the history of this amazing beverage, so I found a PBS documentary.  There are 3 parts, so grab a cup of coffee and put your feet up as you watch it – wink!  😉

https://youtu.be/TTDy-L0NKIg

https://youtu.be/g9sp8Vj2anI

https://youtu.be/gHHlIG5A8ak

My favorite cup of coffee comes from Chick-fil-A.  Why?  Because the folks there actually know the farmers who grow the plants around the world.

http://coffeewithastory.chick-fil-a.com/

Do you know of another fast-food restaurant that knows the names of their coffee farmers?  I don’t.  It’s one more personal touch that Chick-fil-A brings to the table – the breakfast table.  🙂

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

 

The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many…. September is dressing herself in showy dahlias and splendid marigolds and starry zinnias. October, the extravagant sister, has ordered an immense amount of the most gorgeous forest tapestry for her grand reception.  – Oliver Wendell Holmes

I’ve shared a bit of the fun we have in late summer/early fall here in Kansas!  Our menus change from salads to stews!  Every woman in Kansas is reviewing their recipe cards and stocking up on slow cooker liners.  I’ve found a few coupons for those liners (they are expensive, let’s admit it).  The most important small appliance in my kitchen is my crock pot.  I use it quite often because it’s so simple to dump and cook.  That’s my style – dump and cook!  🙂

I was inspired by our trip to Louisburg, KS for the apple festival on September 10th to search for recipes that use apples.  We brought home a couple of jars of their wonderful sugar-free apple butter, but in my search today, look what I found!

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

Approximately 3 lb. apples ( make sure 1/2 are Granny Smith )
Gala , Fugi, Or Granny Smith
3 cups sugar (I will definitely use Splenda)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
Dash of salt
3/4 cup water or fresh apple cider

Fill Crock-pot 3/4 full with peeled, cored and sliced apples. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until evenly mixed. Cover and cook on low setting overnight or until the butter is of a thick, spreadable consistency.

If apple butter has too much liquid, remove lid and cook on high until thickened. Stir often as butter thickens to prevent scorching.

Mash Apple Butter until chunky or smooth with hand-held masher or blender
Store in refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Freeze for longer storage.
Put in jars with water bath processing also.

Found on Pinterest and Holly’s kitchen

I found a video tour from 2014:

https://youtu.be/khCFDem01YQ

I don’t think I’ve shared my photos from Louisburg with y’all.  If I have, just humor me and look at them again.  😉

top left:  I wish you could have heard that sign squeaking as it blew back and forth.  Squeak…  squeak…  sounds so much like autumn to me!

top right:  The business of this business is apple cider!  This is the barn where all the apple cider is made.  You can’t tell from this photo, but behind the barn there are apples floating around in water – they go up a conveyor belt and through all the different processes from there.  I wish you could have smelled the APPLE scent inside that barn – it’s better than any scentsy wax melt I’ve ever used!

bottom left:  Their own label of sparkling apple cider!  Ah – it is amazing!

bottom right:  Yep – it’s an apple cider donut!  Hey – I’m not gonna drive all those miles and not have one little apple cider donut.  That was lunch – and mmm…  it was yummilicious!  🙂

JULY IS HERBAL / PRESCRIPTION INTERACTION AWARENESS MONTH

Most of us have had to fill out paperwork before having surgery.  They always want you to list your medications, including herbal supplements.  Have you ever wondered why?

Just as our prescription medication does a certain job, so the herbal supplements do a certain job.  I want to urge you to look through your medications, including the herbal supplements, and find out if there may be some interaction between them.

http://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/

There are other sites that offer this service, but I trust WebMD.  If you are unable to find a drug or herbal supplement on here, please write down the name of it and contact your pharmacist about possible interactions.

While we should not discount the use of herbal supplements, I do think we should be aware of what they are capable of doing before just popping them because sister so-and-so has had great results with them.

Here are just a few drug interactions that I’m aware of.  In most cases, the herbal supplement basically does the same job as the prescription medication – so it’s like getting too much of a good thing – which is not always good.

• An anticoagulant prescribed by the doctor should not be combined with Chamomile, Ginger or Ginseng.  Large amounts of cranberry juice or a cranberry supplement should not be taken.  Green tea has a blood-thinning quality and could cause problems.  Coenzyme Q10 and Feverfew also thin blood.
• An anti-depressant prescribed by the doctor should not be combined with St. John’s Wort, Yohimbe, or Goldenseal.
• An anti-seizure medication prescribed by the doctor should not be combined with Ginko Biloba or Evening Primrose Oil.
• An oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy should not be combined with Saw Palmetto.
• If you ingest much caffeine, Echinacea should not be used.  It slows  digestion of the caffeine, causing headaches.
• Acetaminophen interacts with Black Cohosh.
• Pain medications interact with Valerian.
• Buprenorphine interacts with Kava.

Obviously, this is not a complete list.  Of course, if you have more concerns, talk to your pharmacist. 🙂

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?  – Stanislaw J. Lec

My friend Mary has been to Ireland.  As she explained all the sights she saw, I imagined myself being there.  There’s a reason it’s called The Emerald Isle, it looks like the grass is just as green as green can be.  The land looks so rich and lush, with a lot of rocks to go with it, which I suppose explains all the stone walls we see in photographs.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
– Irish Blessing

I’m not Irish, but who cares?  Today I will wear my Celtic knot necklace and matching earrings and pretend I am Irish!  We will probably eat at a local Irish pub and talk about the rainbow and the pot o’ gold at the end of it!  I’ll have a non-alcoholic green drink and sing off-key if the occasion calls for it.

Did you know that a rainbow is actually a full circle?  So technically, there is not an “end” of the rainbow – it goes on and on…  so much for that Irish tradition.  I’m not joking – to see a photo, go to

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/09/17/circular_rainbow_rare_optic_effect_seen_from_the_air.html

Don’t get me started on the gold.  I heard there are some of those gold companies that have been accused of short-changing their ounces, if you know what I mean.  Ugh – these are days to be wary of any transaction you undertake to be sure!

I like this poem by Lucinda Berry Hill.

I don’t have one negative thing to say about emerald-green!  As far as I know, emerald-green is still the color to be wearing today (unless you’re fond of being pinched).   I have no particular aversion to being pinched, depending on how hard and by whom…  LOL!

Oh, I hope you will subscribe to my You Tube channel!  See you there!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7sW2Aph5FkgrJUBbXLQcA

As we think of the luck of the Irish today, I am reminded of a story about a very unlucky bank robber:

When an attempted robbery at a home-improvement store went awry, the suspect fled across the street and jumped a fence…  right into a nudist resort.  As the Orlando Sentinel pointed out, because the would-be criminal was “one of the only folks wearing clothing,” he was easily spotted by police.

May God be with you as you celebrate today!  🙂