Favorite Thing: Italian Bread Pan

Having acquired an Italian bread recipe we all enjoy, I've been cranking out loaves the past several weeks.  The recipe supposedly makes two loaves, but they were too small to suit me perfectly, so I tried making one large loaf with the dough.  It worked.  I was still dissatisfied, though, because the loaf, without pan edges to contain it, seemed to spread more than I liked and lacked height. 

So I scouted online for an Italian bread pan and quickly found one to my liking in form and price: well under $10 and free shipping, if I combined it with the cranberries I'd been needing to order for at least a week.

Since we'd been working in the kitchen on a two-day project, everyone was present when the maiden loaf came out of the oven and onto the counter.  I was basking in the man-praises of my lofty, tanned bread, when the compliment to end all compliments came forth from Son3: "It looks just like it came off the rotting rack."

Uh ... thanks?

We laughed, because we all got it.  For a few years now, I've bought most of our bread — mostly Italian — from Wal*Mart's bakery rotting rack.  And lovely loaves they are, having served us well.  But now I can make my own rotting bread.

Favorite Thing:  Italian bread pan

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  John 6:35

Favorite Thing - Smoothie Stemware

This lovely little rose-colored stemware is my one-of-a-kind, just-for-me receptacle for my morning smoothie.  How pampered do I feel?  I found this little gem at the new Goodwill Store, and it was mine for a whopping 27¢.

Out of blueberries, which are normally part of my smoothies, this one was strawberries, banana, kefir, coconut milk, and agave nectar.  No lip-smackin', though, when the lady is sipping from stemware.

Sometimes it's the little things.

Favorite Thing:  Smoothie Stemware

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:3-6

Favorite Thing - My Peg Loom

First, this new layout doesn't allow me larger photos.  That is NOT my favorite thing.



Okay, I'd meant to snap a photo of the nekked, finished loom, which was under construction when first I wrote of it, but I was so eager to weave, I forgot to do it.  That's okay, because it's a tad more interesting in use anyway.  I was amazed by how quickly the weaving moves right along ... if one has the foresight to make and piece all the fabric strips before she begins weaving.  This one didn't have that foresight.  Not long after these were taken, I stopped weaving and began assembling strips.  I may be ready to weave again by nightfall today.



Favorite Thing:  My Peg Loom

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  ~1 John 1:5-7

Favorite Thing - Gallon o' Mayo

As a child, I ate a lot of Miracle Whip.  Sometimes, though, Mother would squeeze a jar of Hellman's mayonnaise out of her tiny, household allowance, especially in the summer months, when she was grilling chicken, and potato salad wasn't potato salad, unless it was made with mayonnaise.

I bought a jar of Miracle Whip once — for old times sake — and my children started looking for suitcases.  No aspersions cast upon the lovers of Miracle Whip, for ya gotta eat what ya like, but we're a mayonnaise family.  And I've learned I prefer the creaminess of Kraft, so it's my mayo of choice.  It gets even better, though...

Kraft offers its creamy goodness in a sturdy, gallon jug, and that's the best of the best!


Now watch that unit pricing when you're selecting size at the grocery store, because we baby boomers were trained to buy "family size" or "bulk" or "economy size," which offerings began appearing on grocery store shelves when we were kids.  Imagine my surprise, when a few years ago I discovered many companies have made a switch, and economy size often isn't the most economical size to buy.  But the gallon of Kraft mayonnaise has the lowest unit pricing, AND (*drum roll*) when you're finished eating the creamy goodness, you have a gallon storage container for your forever use! 

They recently redesigned the label, and now it's ugly, but you're going to scrub that off anyway, so don't twitch too much.  [Taste of Home magazine recently changed their font, aesthetically ruining the magazine, but we can abide that; don't scrub your magazine, or you won't be able to read the tasty recipes.]  A clean gallon jug can receive a strip of Scotch tape with marker scrawl identification of the contents — bread flour, frosted flakes, pancake mix — and be changed with a flick of the fingers.

Favorite thing — Gallon o' Mayo


I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.  ~Psalm 130:5

Favorite Thing - Jigsaw Puzzles

I used to do only the artwork of Charles Wysocki.  When, over a period of several years, I'd exhausted his offerings, I switched to Hometown puzzles for a while.  Although his paintings are beautiful, they're not my favorite in jigsaw puzzles, but I enjoyed a collection of 10 Thomas Kincaid puzzles my brother bought for me.  Now I've discovered the artist Roger Nannini and am hooked on his puzzle offerings.  His artistry is similar to Wysocki's, but I can tell you it's a whale of a lot easier to identify and piece Nannini's trees, and I'm all about easy.  A girl just doesn't want her puzzle play to be ... work.  And he's keen on chickens, inserting some in each painting.  I'm keen on chickens too.

These most recent acquisitions came in tins.  Ah, tins.  Now, I'm not one to glue together a puzzle and decorate my house with it, but I'm heartin' those tins so much, that I may allow them to lolligag in the living room for a spell.





Favorite thing — Jigsaw Puzzles


There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  ~Hebrews 4:9

Thanksgiving Favorites?

I've been thinking a lot about oysters lately. A lot.

And as a result of that, I began wondering what everyone's favorite Thanksgiving dinner side dishes are.

If you will, use the comments form to name one or more of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes or desserts. I'll begin the cough it up comments with one of my own favorites always on our feast table.




And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ~Colossians 3:15

Favorite Thing - Lanterns

Everyone should have at least one.

I decided I need two. Mayhap I'm greedy, but I was thinking of last year's ice storm and how I've scavenged -- for dipping pinecones and firebugs -- every tired, old candle we once had.

Charles suggested we look for another at the farm supply store. The farm supply store has some really cool stuff, but I wanted to look at Wal*Mart, where I'd bought the first one, and prices are more in keeping with my shopping comfort zone. "I bought the other one at Wal*Mart. Let's try there first. I know right where to look."

I was wiggly-happy to discover they're still stocking MY lantern, and the price hadn't gone up a dime. Maybe mine is the only demand, and theirs is an abundant supply.

I haven't fired-up the newer one yet, but just bringing it into the house made me know I had to use a lantern now to light my way as I deliver our bammy's nightly snack. "Here, let me get you my flashlight," offered Son4, who uses his light nightly to gather eggs and secure the coop.

"No, no, that's okay. Thank you, but I wanna use my lantern."

I just felt so Caroline, as I dangled my lantern and made the trek to Bammy's door, and that's what the lanterns are really about. Of course, this lasted about three days, because I am CarolineNot. "Hey, will you run this over to Bammy for me?" and Son4 grabbed his flashlight and was out the door.

But come a snowstorm, I'll be using my lantern again, because it just can't get any better than a lantern in a blinding snowstorm, with a son standing at the back door, beating on a pot with a spoon, so I can find my way back home.

Until then, I remain


But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ~II Corinthians 4:3, 4

Favorite Thing - When God Paints the Sky

SUNSET
10/18/08
7:02 p.m.

(clickables)



SUNRISE
10/19/08
7:28 a.m.





Favorite thing -- When God paints the sky.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
~Psalms 8:3, 4

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
~Psalms 71:19

Favorite Thing -- Apple Peeler

I swiped it.

Exhale, exhale. I mean the photo. The peeler is currently attached to the dining table in the living room, and if I turn on the light in order to take a picture, it may wake the sluggabeds, because it's pret-ty early in the morning.

I can thank Kandi for my acquisition of this little gem, because she told me she has one and (finally) convinced me they work. She even offered to loan me hers, but I was thinking about lots of apples and dulling blades and years of use, Lord willing.

We peeled a gazillion apples, which became sauce, butter, diced, pie, and cake (with caramel sauce and so lip-smackin' good, one might skip dinner and go straight to dessert, insisting this is "a fruit" on the food pyramid, and one hasn't yet met their daily fruit requirement). The peeler may even serve us well with round two of the pears, which are a different sort than those on the first tree: firm and thusfar refusing to ripen. They taste like strawberries, but that's off-topic and sort of a weird thing to be saying.

Now, I can peel an apple by hand and keep the peel intact, if I've a mind to, but I'm rarely bored enough to seek that sort of entertainment, and note that I was not of a mind to peel a single apple in the first place -- entertainingly or otherwise. I cannot, however, do it like this:

Favorite thing -- apple peeler.



God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ~Psalms 46: 1, 2, 10, 11

Favorite Thing - GoatNot Neighbors

Many GoatNots live on our road, and I just love them. I think they know that, because a couple have even invited themselves over to our place for tea grass. The ones on the west side of the road are especially friendly. On the east side, notsomuch. You know, that parrots my own experiences with living on both the east and west sides of our country.

When the GoatNots on the west side are near the fence, I'll stop the van, lower the window, and talk to them. They rush to the fence to visit. I'm pretty sure they think I'm beautiful, because they can't take their eyes off of me. I admit that enhances my affection for them. Sometimes I don't talk to them, because I love to sit quietly listening to them breathe and chew.

These GoatNots live on the east side. I can't provide photos of the Westerners, because they've recently moved to a greener pasture or a bun, but the Easterners are cute enough to share...even if they're not the warmest GoatNots in the neighborhood.

Favorite Thing - GoatNot Neighbors

Moo

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ~Galatians 1:3-5

Favorite Thing - Hay

The bales of hay dotting the pastures beside the road to and from home make me feel good and are one of my favorite things. They just seem so right.

poke to enlarge
Hay, hay, hay:


These edge the cemetery where we laid to rest
my little brother's body this spring:


Our home is past the trees in the background in the next photo.
The hay bales create an outdoor art gallery driving tour:


Favorite thing - Hay

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalms 90:17

Favorite Things - White Peaches

Call us under exposed, but our family's first meeting with a white peach was in 1997, when we stopped at a roadside stand between Yakima and our home in Battle Ground, WA. Where had these gems been all our lives? White peaches have since been a tasty reminder of the happy experiences we enjoyed while we lived in the Pacific Northwest.

We moved onto our little farm in Kansas, in August, 2006, at which time the peaches on one tree were ripening. The other, quite large tree was at the edge of the woods and gasping for breath amidst a tangle of trees, so it had borne no fruit, a problem we remedied before the following spring. Last year, all fruits were lost to a hard freeze. Now peaches on both trees are ripening, and we plucked a few fruits from the large tree. What a wonderful, unexpected joy and gift -- they're white peaches! There's going to be a gaping hole in the woods before next spring, because we're giving that tree a wide berth to do it's thing.


Favorite thing - white peaches.

By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ~Hebrews 13:15

Favorite Things - WoodWick

If you have a scratch 'n' sniff monitor, come closer. You won't be disappointed.

WoodWick candles

Fireside fragrance

Mmmmmmm
This one is in the bathroom.

When Mr. and Mrs. Piecrust came to visit a couple of years ago, she and I ventured out on a little shopping trip and landed at the Sunflower Nook. We were preparing to leave the shop, when the scent of a Fireside WoodWick candle, alight on the check-out counter, attacked us. "Where are they!?" and we both scurried into the candle room before returning to the counter, clutching our prizes. If my memory serves me, there was a scuffle over who was buying what, but we both walked out with candles in our bags. I think I bought hers, and she bought mine, and yes, we're both that silly. [*finger to lips* shhh ... She's sillier.]

The wooden wick crackles as it burns. The dreamy fragrance blankets an entire room and sometimes beyond. There's no better candle on the face of the earth. [If you know better, don't burst my bubble.]

Favorite thing -- WoodWick Fireside candle

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. ~Psalms 72:18-19

Favorite Things - Purrle

Purrle is one of my favorite things.

Purrle thinks he's a nurse. When anyone in the house (even a guest) comes down with an ailment requiring repose, he plants himself on their chest. Now, this isn't great nursing practice if one has a respiratory ailment, since the galumph kitty weighs 16#, but his attentions are most often appreciated.

Purrle thinks he's a pastor. On the very rare occasion that I've cause for a (silent) crying session, he comes immediately to my side and shoves his body against me, not leaving until I've regained my composure. I don't think you'll find chapter and verse to support this, but I believe God probably talks to the animals, and they hear His voice.

Purrle thinks he's a watchman. He guards the bathtub. This is where and how he spends the bulk of each and every day, giving due diligence to his security duties:


And recently, every night, at 3:00 a.m., he slams to the floor turns over the kitchen wastebasket, inspecting the contents to be sure no one has accidentally thrown away something good. He's very thorough in his work.

Purrle is thoughtful and sensitive. He wants to know what it's like to walk in our shoes. Literally. Any time we don't put them away.



What a great kittyboy.

Favorite thing -- Purrle



Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. ~Isaiah 26:4

Favorite Things - Bible

Definitely my favorite thing. When I became God's child in 1977, I was given a Living Bible, which I did read nearly cover-to-cover. It would be many years before I learned the new translations are from corrupt manuscripts (and many translated by corrupt men), yet in the early '80s I acquired, and began to use solely, this Bible sent to me as a result of making a contribution to a well known ministry, the name of which I've shopped off the cover in this photo. The leader of that ministry, now passed into eternity, made heretical alliances and statements late in life, so I wouldn't want to bring attention to his ministry by splashing the name upon my blog.


Beneath the black duct tape is a layer of silver duct tape, which in combination with the original binding and one-another have kept my Bible intact for nearly 25 years now. Maybe Little Loo will graciously solicit duct tape coupons for me (if you're confused, see the comments on my cup), because I can testify that duct tape has done a swell job of preserving my favorite Bible. It looks like I need to soon apply another layer.

This is one of my favorite passages.

I underline and write in my Bible. Some people want to keep their Bibles in pristine condition, and that's okay too.

Sometimes I color in it and circle things.

I bracket some passages.

And I've written in the back cover.


I notice I've a note for "slain in the spirit," to see Daniel 8:17, 18, which says, "So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright." I'm sure that was part of my search, years ago, concerning what some people today call slaying in the spirit, which spirit is not from the Lord, as evidenced by (amongst other glaring and awful things) the fact that the people always fall over backwards; in any and all references in God's Word to people falling over as a result of a righteous, spiritual encounter, they fall face-first and are always commanded or helped to get up. Woe to the workers of iniquity, emissaries of Satan, who are imparting evil spirits, and there's yet another man and movement of that sort rising to fame and being embraced as I type. *grimace*

I've another, much newer Bible which was given to me as a gift. Occasionally, I use it too, and I appreciate many of its features. I also have Joycie's childhood Bible, which she gave to me when we were adolescents, and she was praying I would give my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. (She had to wait a while, because I was a tough nut to crack.) I definitely don't make any marks in that one and suspect that one day she may want to use it to provide God's Word to another lost soul.

I don't worship any Bible -- only the Author and Finisher of my faith, who loves us so much as to write His Word for us, telling us all we need to know to be fully equipped for life on earth, with sure hope of eternity in the presence of His glory.

Favorite thing -- my Bible.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ~II Timothy 3:16, 17

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. ~Isaiah 55:11