There is light at the end of the Frozen Tundra Tunnel! Temps will be creeping up from well below zero yesterday to the 50's by this time next week! Hooray! I am sure Old Man Winter isn't done with us yet... but Spring is near! With temps that warm I am hopeful to open a few windows (even if only for a short time) and let some fresh air into the house!

I am in the beginning stages of planning my veggie garden for 2011! We are going to add a couple of raised beds this year as well as build a nice organized compost area. I found a great article in the November 2010 issue of Better Homes & Gardens about composting. I loved the photo of the compost bin made from shipping pallets! We have access to as many pallets as we would like, so I have plans for how and where the compost area will be! (Jim's thrilled) I will post pics later this spring when we have it all put together.

I will use the raised beds for onions, carrots, parsnips,shallots etc! Potatoes, Brussels sprouts, peppers, tomatoes, turnips, beets are already in the plans for the main garden area. I am going to tidy up and organize my herb garden this year. And I have also found articles about incorporating Swiss Chard etc in the flower gardens, so I plan to do that as well! Can you tell it's been a long, long, cold winter? *grin*

I plan on doing a lot of canning, preserving and freezing this year as well. Nothing better than preserving fresh veggies and fruits! My pantry will hopefully be overflowing with summer's bounty!



Next weekend I am attending a container gardening seminar at our local feed and seed store that is just around the corner from our home! I can't wait! Should be a lot of fun!



I am dreaming of spring and all the promises that come with the season. Easter will soon be here and

we will celebrate as a family Christ's glorious resurrection! I long to see buds on the trees ready to burst forth in color. I can visual the garden full of bounty that the Lord will provide. I can imagine lovely evenings enjoying food with good friends on the back patio. I can imagine early mornings with my coffee and the paper or quiet time out there as well.



I am sure you are all looking forward to spring as well! Do you have any special plans? Are you veggie gardening this year? I'd love to hear what your plans are!



Until then... I can look out my window and dream...

Deck from my window... today

Last Summer

Onions in June 2010

Saturday Swap!

As the "Monster Storm" blew through Indianapolis I was happy to be tucked in my cozy home cooking! I had snipped this recipe out of the Indianapolis Star about, ummmm... 2 years ago! I found it after I had to reorganize my recipe box (I dropped it last year and all the recipes dumped on the floor - only to be mixed up and very unorganized - why it took a year to put back in order is another story) I have to say I was very, very pleased with the recipe! I did modify a bit - I only used one can of beans rather than 2 (as the recipe only serves 6) I didn't have any fresh parsley or a jalapeno in the house and the weather made it impossible to run to the market. So I used dried Parsley (just don't use as much as the fresh) I had jarred sliced jalapenos - so I pulled out several slices, rinsed them and chopped. I didn't put the garlic or jalapenos in until the onions began to sweat. I also used - gasp - jarred, minced garlic rather than my garden garlic. I served with a dollop of sour cream and Sea Salt Tortilla Chips rather than crackers! The recipe is a WINNER! And I will make again and again! For a larger crowd I suggest doubling the recipe! So without further adieu... here is my contribution to "Quit Eating Out ~ Saturday Swap!"

White Chili with Chicken

1 medium onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans (151/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 to 11/4 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
Directions
1. In a large saucepan, cook the onion, jalapeno if desired and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, beans, parsley, lime juice and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into chili. Add chicken. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.

Serves 6

SSMT Verse #3

Could January really be over? Indeed January is in the books... and February, well February has come in like a lion here in Indy. One wave of this ice storm has moved through. The next wave, which will be more dangerous is on it's way. I know so many of you dislike snow... believe me you would rather have snow than this ice. I am praying our power stays on and our trees remain in tact. After the first round the landscape is encased in ice, so branches sagging dangerously... I am hopeful our trees don't suffer and damage.

So on to Memory verse #3! So far, so good! I repeat my verses many, many times during the day! I know get to add this verse from Philippians:

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19

How is everyone doing with their memory verses? I have to tell you... I feel the prayers of Siestaville! I have yet to make it through a year of memory work... this year I will! Thank you for your encouragement! I am excited about this and am hoping that after I make it through 2011 that I can coordinate a Memory Verse Team at our Church for 2012!

I am praying for you girls who are dedicating 2011 to memorizing scripture!
Much Love,

Sometimes one reads something that they just have to share. An old high school classmate of mine shared this on Facebook. I just had to share it as well. I did a quick search as I wanted to find the source of her post so I could make reference to it on my blog! From Girlfriends in God on crosswalk.com
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/11644267/

You're Just Like Your Father ~ Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (NIV).


Friend To Friend

The story is told of a group of women who met each week to study the Bible, hoping to learn more about the nature and character of God and how He works in our life. The women were puzzled and even a little troubled by the description of God they found in Malachi 3:3, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One of the women offered to do a little research on the subject and report back to the group at their next meeting. The woman found a local silversmith and made an appointment to observe him at work, explaining that she was particularly interested in the process of refining silver. She watched as the craftsman carefully selected a piece of silver for his demonstration. She thought the piece of silver was already beautiful but evidently the silversmith saw something that she could not see. As he held the silver over the furnace, the craftsman explained that in refining silver, the silver had to be placed in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so all of the impurities would be burned away.

The woman was silent for a moment as her thoughts drifted to the fiery trials she was facing in her own life. Honestly, she did not get it. Why would a loving God allow His children to suffer when He could so easily deliver them? In fact, why does God even allow bad things to happen to people who are seeking Him and really trying to live for Him?

The woman asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. "Oh, yes!" he replied. "I cannot take my eyes off the silver. If it is left in the furnace even a moment too long, it will be destroyed." The woman suddenly understood the beauty and comfort of Malachi 3:3, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."


Yes, there are times when it seems as if we will be swallowed whole by the fires of Hell itself. The pain seems too hard to bear. The fear is paralyzing. The doubt is overwhelming and questions flood our heart and mind.

Is God really who He says He is?

Will He really do what He says He will do?

Will He really keep His promises?

Our trials are not random persecutions. Heaven is not in a panic and where we are and what we are going through is no surprise to God. We may be knocked down and kicked around by life, but if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will not be destroyed.

Our lives are filled with excess baggage and waste - a cherished sin we refuse to relinquish or an addiction to which we are enslaved. What about the emotional garbage that weighs us down or our unforgiving spirit that holds us prisoner? Fiery trials come to burn away the guilt of sin and then purify our heart. From those ashes of freedom, the Father then creates a work of beauty.

I believe the words I just wrote. I know and accept the truth that trials and hard times make me stronger and strengthen my faith, but there are times when I want it all to stop. I find myself asking, "How much is enough, Lord? How many trials do I have to endure? When will the pain and trouble end?"

"How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" the woman asked. The silversmith smiled and answered, "Oh, that's easy. The refining process is complete when I can see my image reflected in the silver."

God is not committed to our comfort. He is committed to our character. Only God can exchange the ashes of our sin for the beauty of His forgiveness and grace. God alone can replace our despair with His peace that passes all understanding. Hope can only be found in Him. Our purpose in life is to know and become more like Jesus ... and act just like our Father.

Let's Pray

Father, I want to be more like You. Give me the strength to withstand the trials in my life. Help me love the people who are hard to love and forgive the people who have hurt and even abused me. Burn away the sin in my life and empower me to live for You. Create a clean heart in me, Lord, and teach me how to live for You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pray my dear friends that you are as touched by this as I was... I truly needed this one today. I know many of you are walking in the "fire" right now... God is with you! Refining you! Making you shine! Making you pure!

Much Love,

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!

The 15th snuck up very quickly! How many times do I utter in a week "where does the time go?" So here I am... ready to begin verse 2. And then... PANIC! I had picked my 2nd verse during a noon time devotion last week! I wrote the verse down on a sticky not and placed it on the calendar. My calendar at the office.... did I tell you that when it came time to post my verse at LPM and write the verse in my spiral that I was home??? The sticky note was at the office. I was a bit upset as the verse was perfect, and of course I didn't recall the specific verse because I hadn't memorized the verse. All I remembered was that it was from Isaiah. Isaiah! Trying to find that verse would almost be like searching for the needle in the proverbial haystack. So I prayed... I read other verses... and I thought about what I need to have the Lord say to me at this time, place and moment! So here it is... Verse 2!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
~ Joshua 1:9 NIV

January/February are always tough months for me. Not only is our business down, but Satan tries his schemes to raise that anxiety level about money, being self-employed etc. I worry... I worry too much. I am afraid... frankly there are days that I feel terrified! This verse will remind me that the Lord never leaves my side. Oh forgive me Lord when I rely on my own strength to get through these tough times!!!
I am praying for all my Siestas who are journeying through scripture memory this year. God willing I will be able to join the Siestas next January!

Be strong and courageous dear ones... HE is with you!
Love,