February - The Month of Love

Here we are halfway through the month of February! As we celebrate the month of love, there are so many things around us to be thankful for and to love! 

This sunset enraptured my soul! As the sun's rosy rays dappled the mountain tops and dipped into the water, the sight was just so beautiful to see! 

In my previous post, I shared my no processed sugar journey, and it continues! I am feeling so good.  Being in the menopausal season of my life, hot flashes had become such a burden.  I noticed a parallel between eating processed sugar, and then a hot flash.  Since I've stopped sugar - no more hot flashes! Such a miracle! Thank you Lord!  This Chicken Tortilla Soup has been a favorite meal we've enjoyed, as my husband is joining me on this no-sugar journey.  

I love these two sweet darlings! They've got many nicknames, and right now my favorites are Little Girl and Big Boy!  He weighs significantly more than she does, and he likes to throw his weight around.  Sometimes though, she fires back - like when she is in my lap first, and resents his attempts to push her around to get the favored spot! 

Was on my morning walk, and saw this unusual black streak in the sky.  I guess we are all kind of watching the skies a little more closely these days! However, I was assured by those who looked at the picture that it was just a contrail left by an airplane.  However, it did look quite unusual! 

Another crispy early morning photo - how I enjoy those early morning walks!
The skies are just glorious! 

These are my homemade sourdough crackers, before I baked them.  I forgot to take a picture after they were cooled.  They are made from leftover sourdough starter, and with the dough left to ferment overnight, they make a wonderful lightly sour-tasting cracker that goes great with a cream cheese and tuna mix or just for a nice cheese and cracker snack.  

Sourdough Crackers

1 cup sourdough starter
1 cup flour of choice
1 tsp sea salt
4 Tbsp butter, melted, cooled
2 Tbsp dried herbs (I used a rosemary mix)
oil (for brushing)
coarse sea salt (for sprinkling on top) 

Mix together the sourdough starter, flour, salt, butter, and herbs
to make a smooth (not sticky), cohesive dough.
Cover and let sit for 8 hours to 24 hours, your preference. I let mine sit overnight.
You will need two sheet pans.  Preheat oven to 350.
Divide dough into two parts. Place dough on parchment paper, and roll out as thin as possible using a little bit of flour as necessary. 
Lightly brush dough with oil, and sprinkle with salt to preference. 
Cut dough into 1-1/4" squares. 
Prick each square with a fork to keep from rising. 
Bake crackers for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. 
Let crackers cook on wire rack, break apart and store in airtight container. 
Serve with a cream cheese spread, or with your favorite soup,
or as a cheese and cracker appetizer. 
Makes about 100 crackers

Enjoyed some time creating this week, along with a hot cup of tea! 

My dear friend from my stamping club had given me this birthday planner card kit for Christmas.  I finally got around to finishing it and making the cards included with it for birthdays throughout the year. 

It has a place to write down the names of all the birthdays in each month, and for cards to be made ready to send out.  This should be very helpful! 

Another picture of my sweet darlings waiting in my chair for me to come and sit.  They think I should sit in this chair all day long, and sit there and watch me, waiting for the time when all my day's work is done, dinner cooked, and the kitchen closed before I sit down.  They really don't agree with this plan. {smiles} 

A beautiful sunset - I took the dogs for our evening walk, and oh how beautiful it was! I am so thankful for the rich views I get to enjoy on our property!

You may remember "Wiley the Coyote" that I mentioned in one of my previous posts. He has been visiting our property regularly.  The last three mornings I have seen his tracks and he has killed two turkeys.  We are thankful at least he is eating turkeys - as he should.
But I wish that he would just move on... 

I joined a Valentine's card exchange in a Facebook group for women who enjoy tea.  These are the lovely cards and teabags I received - so much fun to enjoy receiving all this happy mail! 

Another evening walk with the dogs - another beautiful sunset...
how grateful I am for the beauty in our skies! 

Over the last week, my heart has rejoiced to hear the news coming out of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.  My heart is so full of hope for our young people in this college and other campuses across the world who are seeking the Lord.  As the evil and darkness in our world seem to have no end to its evil depths, how exciting it is to see hearts crying out to the Lord, and lives being changed.  I am praying for the gospel message to come out of this revival, and to be spread into every dark corner of this world! This scripture speaks to my heart about what the Lord is doing, even now!

Here is a link to a live stream of the ongoing services being held in Asbury. You can't see much, but you can hear their hearts as they repent, worship, and praise the Lord. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/U4qiPq9yT9o?feature=share

This scripture came to mind when I heard about this revival, and I heard it shared several times throughout the live stream link (shared above).  

Joel 2:12-14 

Yet even now, declares the LORD,

return to Me with all your heart,

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

So rend your hearts and not your garments,

and return to the LORD your God. 

For He is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

And He relents from sending disaster. 

Who knows? He may turn and relent

and leave a blessing behind Him—

grain and drink offerings

for the LORD your God.

My prayer is that the sweet presence of the Lord would light upon your heart and family, drawing us all closer to Him, and that this revival that started on the college campus in Wilmore, Kentucky will spread all across our world!