Quote on Prayer

There’s nothing you can do for God until you go to God in prayer.

Last night at church we had a church planter visiting. He is planting a church in Marysville, Ohio, which is near Columbus. He said the above during his message. I thought it was a very good thought!

Today...

Today is a rainier day than Wednesday was. I just love the sound the cars make when they are driving down the wet roads.

Tonight Kevin and I are going on a date. I do hope that it's not wet out tonight, because we're planning on going putt-putt golfing. We're also going to a Vietnamese Pho Noodle place. We were so happy to find this restaurant! It had been a long time since we had Pho noodle soup. It's so delicious, and one of the foods I consider a "comfort food". It's really a simple soup. It's just a large bowl with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, sliced green onions, onions, cilantro, and broth. They give you a tray of basil, lemon wedges, and mong bean sprouts. I never add anything to mine. I love it just the way it is. Kevin likes to liberally add prune sauce (there is a name for it, but I can't remember what it is right now), and he also adds basil and mong bean sprouts.

Mmmmmm, I can't wait for dinner! We always loved to go out for Pho noodle soup when we lived in California, and rather missed this soup. One night I had a hankering for it, so I looked in the phone book, and sure enough found this restaurant! The restaurant owner is a sweet lady named Rosie, and she came out and talked to us for a bit. She even gave us a discount. =)

Have you ever lost a shoe while driving down the road? I haven't! *Grin* This is something that I have puzzled ever since I was little. Surely you've seen shoes by the side of the road? Or maybe in the middle of the road? HOW do they get there? My shoes have always stayed firmly on my feet! Kevin and I had this discussion last Wednesday night, because we saw a shoe in the middle of the road. The only conclusion we came to was that perhaps they fall off the back of trucks. That many people drive around with shoes in the back of their trucks? Hahaha Oh well, I guess I'll quit worrying about it.

Have a blessed day!

Crunch, crunch, crunch

I'm eating my breakfast. :-) Kevin asked me to get Grape Nuts, so yesterday when I went grocery shopping, I picked up a box. I haven't bought them in over a year. I used to buy them quite frequently. I'm not sure exactly why I stopped. Can someone tell my why they are called Grape Nuts? They have neither ingredient in them!

When I poured them into my bowl, I was remembering when I was about 8, and my mom was expecting my sister. I think Grape Nuts must have been about the only thing she could eat. But my sister Holly and I didn't know that, and we sat down and ate quite a bit of her cereal. Later on that day, I must have had a guilty conscience, because I wrote her a note that said something like, "I still love you, even if I ate all your Grape Nuts."

Do you know something? Cupboard doors are a pain in the neck! I hung all the painted doors yesterday, and now I have to open and close all those doors while I'm working in the kitchen! I got used to no doors on my cupboards. It may not look nice, but it sure is handy!

Speaking of my cupboard doors, I only have four left to paint! Yay!!! I had to buy more paint yesterday, so I didn't get two coats of primer on them like I wanted. But that's ok, I'll still be able to finish painting by Saturday, as I had planned. I can't wait to share pictures of my finished kitchen!

It's raining, it's pouring!!!

Ahhh! I love a nice, rainy day! This summer has been very hot and dry. Kevin heard on the news that we had the hottest summer since 1950-something. For a California girl, I sure have been miserable with all the humidity. The 90-degree temperatures didn’t bother me—but the humidity sure sapped my energy.

I’m so excited! I have the majority of my painting finished! All that I have left to paint now are four cabinet doors. Those are taking five coats of paint—two coats of primer and three coats of paint. I am so glad to see the end of this project in sight! Those cupboard doors gave me such a headache!

I’m going to get my house all “spiffed up” today. Rainy days are good for books and cleaning. I hope I have time for both today.

Ouch!

Today I went to the lab to get some blood drawn for some tests the doctor ordered. I've never had blood work done before. The doctor had ordered five tests to be done, and I just assumed that they were going to take one vial and "divvy up" the blood for the different tests. Well, they took five vials of blood. I am feeling a little spaced out right now. I had to fast beforehand, and I've eaten now, so I'm feeling a little better!

I still have my painting to do today, but I think I'm going to go knit for a while before I get started on my project!

This is the project that never ends...for it goes on and on my friends...

My kitchen has taken me forever and ever to paint. I’ve run into multiple frustrations while trying to get this task finished. I started before we moved in, and here it is two months later and I still haven’t finished this “simple little project.” Yes, that’s what I thought it would be!

Last night I mapped out a plan so I would be able to get done with this project by next Monday. If it weren’t for the multiple coats needed, I would be able to finish it sooner. Next Monday I will be posting pictures of my finished kitchen! Hurrah!

Here I go, off to paint! Have a blessed day!

Peace which passeth all understanding...

Philippians 4: 6,7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This morning’s message was on Jesus’ care for us—even if it isn’t apparent to us. Sometimes when we are in the midst of our trials, we pray and cry to God and it feels as though He isn’t answering. The preacher showed how God does answer, and as this verse shows us, sometimes the answer we get is “peace which passeth all understanding."

I’m so thankful for our wonderful Lord, and His love for me!

This 'n That

This morning I saw a cardinal at our bird feeder. I felt sorry for him though, since he didn't have any feathers on his head. I would like to see more cardinals at our feeder. When we first moved in to our house (in July), I put up a feeder, and soon we had every sparrow in town dining at our feeder. I had to replace the food on a daily basis, they were eating it so fast! So I stopped putting food in it for a while, and just recently started up again. It's nice to see an occasional bird at the feeder! I did enjoy the sparrows, but they kept the other birds away.

I've been busy this morning cleaning. So far, I've gotten my bedroom and the living room done. I don't have a lot of houswork to do, but it's nice to get everything straighted up!

Last night I went to Yankee Candle and turned in an application. I love their candles, so I thought I'd see if they need any help. (I wonder what kind of employee discount they have???) =)I am looking for a part time job, and so far nobody has responded to the resumes I've sent out.

While Kevin and I were out last night, we got a little charcoal grill. Kevin is going to go out in just a bit and get steaks. I keep mentioning the hamburgers I already have, but he has his mind set on steaks. =) I can't argue too much, cause a nice, juicy steak will sure be good!

I need to get back to my cleaning, and Kevin also wants me to make potato salad. Mmmm...can't wait for lunch!

Blogger for Word

I downloaded Blogger for Word last night. It downloaded so fast, and it’s so easy to use! I can post right from my Word documents. If you have a blog, check it out for yourself!

Peter Rabbit

I went outside this morning to get our trash out, and Kevin came out behind me. I was already by the garage, and he called out quietly, “Did you see the rabbit?” I hadn’t, and softly walked over to where I could see the rabbit. He was sitting there in the middle of our back yard, just watching us. It was fun to see a rabbit in the city. =)

Gas or Electric?

If you would have asked me several months ago what my preference was for a stove, I would have said, "Gas." I grew up cooking on a gas stove, and was very familiar with cooking on one. When Kevin and I got married, our first apartment and succeeding dwelling places all had electric stoves. The stove in our first apartment was something that most likely came off the ark with Noah. *Grin* Well, maybe not that old, but it was a relic for sure! It took each burner several minutes to heat up.

After 5 years of cooking on electric stove tops, I became used to the reliability of "Low" being the same exact temperature each and every time. Rice was easy to cook, as were other foods that needed to simmer.

The house we just bought has a gas stove. I was so looking forward to it! That is, until I started cooking on it! I am still getting re-acquainted with cooking on a gas stove. "Low" is so variable. If I get it too low, it blows out and I have to start all over again. Since moving, I have had trouble getting rice cooked without it sticking to the bottom of the pan. I can remember my dad giving me tips on how to cook rice without burning it, and each time I cook rice, those lessons come to my mind.

I am starting to like my gas stove top better these days! It's just what you become accustomed to.

Here's an interesting fact~
Did you know that paint fumes will make gas smell like kerosene?

I sure didn't! One Saturday, I called the gas company and they came out to check what was wrong with our gas that it was smelling like kerosene every time we used the stove or oven. The guy who came out promptly asked me if we were painting. Since I had been painting, that solved that problem! I'm glad it was something simple!

Best Beef Tomato Chow Yuk

The name says "Yuk" but the taste is "Yum."

I made this for dinner last night, and thought I would share the recipe.

12 ounces flank or sirloin steak, sliced thinly across the grain into strips 1 x 1 1/2 inches long
1 tsp. chopped ginger
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. oil
1 medium onion, cut in wedges and layers separated
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch squares
1 can (28 oz) solid pack tomatoes, quartered, with juice
1 beef bouillon cube
2 tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar (or honey)
1 tbs. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, optional

Mix the ginger and garlic with the beef and let it stand while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. (I used three bowls--one for the meat, one for the vegetables, and one for the liquids )

Heat the oil in a nonstick wok or large skillet. Add beef mixture and cook until brown. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook until crisp tender. Add the tomatoes, bouillon cube, soy sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer a few minutes to blend.

Add the cornstarch/water mixture. Simmer until thickened. Garnish with cilantro.
Yield: 4 servings
Note: Meat is easier to slice of partially frozen.
Serve over rice.

For the meat, I actually used a chuck roast, and it turned out good!

Sl 1, k1, yo, k2tog...

Huh?

I'm knitting lace! I guess I love to tear my hair out over projects with thin thread! Haha...

It all started with a book. Laura Ingalls Wilder's book, The Long Winter. I hadn't read her books for years, and a month or so ago, I picked them up at the library, and really enjoyed reading them. It's amazing how much I missed from those books when I was a kid. The Long Winter tells of the winter that blizzards kept them house-bound for months. Laura spent some of her time knitting yards of lace for her petticoat. That piqued my interest, and I just had to knit lace!

The hard thing was coming up with a pattern. It seems that knitting lace isn't as common now as it was then. I finally found a book from the library, and "inter-loaned" it to my library. (I love my library system! They don't charge to inter-loan books, and I get an e-mail when my books are at the library.)

I settled down and poured over the patterns. I finally found one that was, and I quote, "Very easy." HA! I guess if you've been knitting lace all your life, this pattern would be "very easy." I had a hard enough time just finding the right sized needles! After going to two different Hobby Lobby's, and two different yarn stores, I finally found the needles I needed.

Ahhhh, a nice peaceful evening...I think I'll relax and knit up some lace. Wrong. Relaxing didn't come into the picture! After starting my lace and tearing it out at least 5 times, if not more, I finally figured out one of the stitches that was puzzling me, and got the hang of handling the needles and thread.

I finished a pattern repeat, and I stood up and said, "I have conquered the pattern." *Grin* Kevin applauded me! He had been listening to me sigh and mutter and talk to the pattern. So he was quite happy for me when I finally figured it all out.

Now that I have learned the pattern, it is coming along. It's nice that the pattern repeats are short, because I can sit down and knit for a little bit, and not worry about marking the pattern or losing my place. The funny thing is that the pattern is called "Serpentine Lace." I didn't think about it, but "serpentine" means "like a snake". I hate snakes! What am I doing spending so much time knitting snake lace? Hahaha I can see where the pattern got it's name, but it sure doesn't look like snakes to me. I would switch patterns, but I think I'll stick to this "VERY EASY" lace for now!

Mum's the Word!

After pulling out my petunias the other day, I wanted some color in my flower bed. I thought mums would be nice. So while I was out yesterday afternoon, I bought five mum plants. I forgot how big my flower bed was, and when I got home and planted them the bed sure does look skimpy! I planted them in one corner of the bed, near my front steps. I hope that they will take off and grow well for me! They are supposed to last until it freezes, which isn't that far off.

While I was digging the holes for them, I kept coming upon earthworms. Yucky. =) I know its a good thing, but still, I had forgotten to wear my gardening gloves, so I was trying to avoid touching them. They kept appearing in clumps of dirt that I was handling.

Thoughts on Weeds

Yesterday as I was weeding the flower beds on the side of the house, I got to thinking about weeds...and "weeds" in my spiritual life. I've heard the analogy before, so I know it isn't an original thought, but it really spoke to me at the time. Weeds don't really need any cultivating. Weeds just sprout up and grow, and to get rid of them completely, you have to get the whole root out--not just the top leaves.

I was weeding an area that just two weeks ago had been completely weed free. Guess what? There were more weeds for me to pull! It's kind of aggravating to have to continually weed and weed and weed all summer long. But you know, the Christian life takes constant "weeding"; vigilance on my part to weed out the seeds the devil plants in my life. My Christian life is one that takes constant work. Reading my Bible yesterday doesn't count for today, just like weeding my garden in the spring is not going to take care of weeding for the whole growing season!

Another thought that struck me was that weeds don't need water to survive and grow. One of the flower beds I have doesn't have any plants in it, and it hasn't gotten any water for a few weeks (except perhaps when it has rained). But there were plenty of weeds in that bed.

I want to cultivate beautiful flowers, not weeds! And so is true in my spiritual life!

Weeds, Weeds, Weeds...and a few flowers too!

This morning I went out to tackle my front flower beds. Kevin was a sweetie and dug out a bush that I didn't like. I've taken so much out of the flower beds that I didn't like! I kind of felt guilty about pulling perfectly good plants out of the ground, but when it came down to it, I just didn't like them! So why should I weed around them?

The previous owner had planted petunias in the front flower bed. As I was weeding today, the weeds were intertwined with the petunias, and the flower roots were so shallow that I ended up pulling out the petunias along with the weeds. My next door neighbor came out, and asked me why I was pulling my flowers out. :-) We had a nice talk, and I found out that the bushy-tree things in my back yard are lilacs. Those will look so pretty in the spring! I was happy to find out what they are.

After my neighbor went back inside, I got back to my weeding. I left one of the flower beds alone, except for a few tall weeds. I'll have to get the weeds later...the petunias are still so pretty, and I don't want an empty flower bed just yet. Besides, the weeds help fill in the empty spots! :D

Here is a picture of the petunias I didn't weed, as well as my geraniums:

My first post

"Tammy's Times" is the name that my husband Kevin suggested for my blog, so "Tammy's Times" it is!