Hello dear friends! A big thank you to everyone who entered my cookbook giveaway. I just read through each of your comments, and each one is such a blessing to me! I really wish I could give each and every one of you a copy of my cookbook!!
Today is the day I am giving away a paperback copy, and a Kindle copy of my cookbook.
I am very excited to announce the two winners!
COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY!
It has been a delightful adventure getting my cookbook published. I'm grateful to all of you who have expressed interest in my simple homegrown recipes! My passion for cooking, which began in childhood while assisting my mother in the kitchen, inspired the creation of this cookbook. Our parents kept a large garden, and we ate from the garden that supplied a plenteous supply of vegetables for our large family, friends, and neighbors. My dream was to compile a cookbook that showcases the various ways I incorporate homegrown vegetables and fruits into our family meals.
I'm excited to finally share a surprise with you! In October, our daughter and son-in-law will welcome a new baby! It was during their birthday party in March that they shared the news but we were asked to keep it quiet until Danielle entered her second trimester. That was hard to do!
Being an enthusiastic gardener, I rely on the vegetables I grow in my garden - both canned and frozen - to eat from my pantry. There's nothing quite like the feeling of gathering the vegetables I need for a meal from my pantry and freezer during the winter.
Looking back over 2000+ years, our hearts recall the events that brought Jesus to Calvary and his crucifixion. At our Ladies' Bible Study on Thursday, we observed and rejoiced in the Passover dinner, just like Jesus and his disciples. I am a co-teacher for this Bible study, and it was my turn to teach on Maundy Thursday. I delved into the scriptures describing the Last Supper and studied resources to learn more about traditional Passover meals. With this information, I shared it with our women's group. It's incredible to witness how Jesus fulfilled the annual Passover Meal celebrations that symbolized Him!
Due to my role in leading the service, I couldn't take many photos. However, I did capture a picture of us washing each other's hands, inspired by Jesus washing his disciples' feet.
Spring sunshine has arrived - oh glory! After a long wet winter - what joy it is to have days in a row of sunshine! Springtime birds are arriving, and we can hear the sound of robins singing, while rain drips from the rooftops - signifying Spring's arrival. Even though it is muddy and rainy this time of year, we know that March and April showers bring May flowers, and for that, we rejoice!
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| Our area has little marshes that fill up with water in the springtime, and there is always a variety of ducks enjoying the water! This is a male mallard drake enjoying the muddy spring waters! |
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| Just a few days ago - this was our backyard scene. A snowstorm came through with about 5" of snow overnight - and it was 12 degrees the next morning! |
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| The fir trees were blanketed with snow, creating the illusion of snow-covered fingers! |
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| The sun was high in the sky with brilliant blue skies - a perfect day to romp around in our forest with Riley - I knew the snow wouldn't last - and we were out enjoying it while we could! |
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| That evening, a glorious sunset filled the skies, and the snow reflected the pink-raptured tones. |
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| A dear member of our community many years ago erected a cross on this rock outcropping next to a major highway in our area. Vandals have destroyed it several times. |
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| They used to have a light shining on it at night, but the vandals destroyed and took everything. So for several months, there was no cross and it saddened us all. Finally, the decision was made to erect one again, and this time, security cameras were placed facing the cross, and it is tied down very securely. It is a sad thing to have this kind of vandalism in our neighborhood! With the bright sunshine, I drove out to see the cross. It now stands in the shining sunlight overlooking the river. It was a glorious sight to see! |
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| The rock outcropping, where the cross is placed, provides a scenic view of the Pend Oreille River, a glorious scene to behold any day of the year! |
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| I wanted to soak up all the sunshine I could. Winter was drawing to a close, and it was a magnificent day to enjoy the remnants of Winter. So, I drove by our little mountain lake, and it was still covered in solid ice! |
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| The absence of ice fishermen can be attributed to the recent string of warm days. The entire lake was still completely frozen solid, but I did not test it out! |
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| I enjoyed the view from the dock. It was just beautiful - and the eagles were off in the distance - I could hear them calling to each other, but they never got close enough for me to photograph them. |
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| Leaving the lake, driving through the forest - it was as if Winter was speaking to my heart, "See how beautiful I am! You're going to miss me!" I agreed --- but I argued back... "Winter, you've had your day, you know I love you but ... now it is time for Spring!" |
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| Just between you and me - I really love Winter - and scenes like this make my heart so happy. But I am ready to see some green now too...! |
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| Today we held our monthly Community Prayer Meeting. Among the many things we prayed for, one of the most important was for people's hearts to find encouragement in the Lord. Many people feel discouraged about the future and are wondering what the days ahead may hold. While none of us knows what the future holds, we can rest assured in the promise that God does. So we lift all these needs to the Lord who knows that no matter how desperate the world scene is - how political systems are in turmoil, how so many evil things cause the deaths of innocent people that we love - no matter how traumatized things may get - we are held in the palm of the Lord's hands, and He will take good care of us! Be encouraged, take heart - God is with us :) Psalm 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. |
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