Thursday's Thoughts on... Verse and Word for 2018

I FINALLY settled on a verse for 2018. I have learned over the years to pay attention to the verse God gives me as I start a new year.  Just as my life verse (Ephesians 6:10-18) has proven to be a constant in my life, each year the verse God gives me is... I don't know how to describe this.

The year that  Isaiah 41:10 was my verse, I was diagnosed with Cancer the 2nd time. God gave me the verse in January. My cancer returned in June. In case you aren't familiar, Isaiah 41:10 says:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)

The year that Philippians 3:10-11 were my verses, I faced betrayal and more heartache than I thought I could bear. Again, in case you aren't familiar, Philippians 3:10-11 says:

I want to know Christ- yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining the resurrection from the dead. (NIV)

Last year, the verse God gave me was 1 Corinthians 10:31, which reads:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV)

Goodness, I wish I'd paid more attention to this verse as the year went on. Add to this that I claimed a word for 2017 as well  and that word was "Self Control." put the two together and, looking back over all that went on during 2017, it's as though God gave me a warning.

Like I said, as time has gone on, I have learned to pay attention to the verse God gives me as we start the journey of a new year.

This year, I have struggled with the verse I believe God has given me for a few reasons. First, given the history of how my verses have served me in the past, it is a little alarming. Second, it seems to be a double dose...because it is part of my life verse. I do not even want to imagine what this will mean for 2018, but I know that by the end of the year it will be clear. 

My verse for 2018 is Ephesians 6:11, which reads:

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

My word for 2018 is

Integrity

One definition for integrity reads

"The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness."  I am familiar with this idea of integrity. 

There is another definition which reads:

"The state of being whole and undivided."

Either thought goes hand in hand with resisting the devil's schemes, but the second speaks to my heart. I have felt very "divided" as of late.  

Anyway, there it is. Moving into 2018 preparing for battle.

Much love and big hugs

K

Wednesday Weekly Recipes - Homemade bread

I've decided to make bread.
Actually I decided to back at the first of the year. I have lots of good intentions. When I checked the posts for this week and saw this one, it reminded me that this is something that I want to do. Amazing how life happens and all my good intentions just fall to the wayside.

So, here's the recipe for sour dough starter:


Sour dough starter:
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
In large non-metallic bowl, mix together dry yeast, 2 cups warm water, and 2 cups all purpose flour and cover loosely.

Leave in a warm place to ferment, 4 to 8 days.
Depending on temperature and humidity of kitchen, times may vary.
Place on cookie sheet in case of overflow.
Check on occasionally.

When mixture is bubbly and has a pleasant sour smell, it is ready to use.
If mixture has a pink, orange, or any other strange color tinge to it, THROW IT OUT! and start over.
Keep it in the refrigerator, covered until ready to bake.

When you use starter to bake, always replace with equal amounts of a flour and water mixture with a pinch of sugar. So, if you remove 1 cup starter, replace with 1 cup water and 1 cup flour. Mix well and leave out on the counter until bubbly again, then refrigerate. If a clear to light brown liquid has accumulated on top, don't worry, this is an alcohol base liquid that occurs with fermentation. Just stir this back into the starter, the alcohol bakes off and that wonderful sourdough flavor remains!

Sourdough starters improve with age, they used to be passed down generation to generation!


Sour Dough Bread

Ingredients
1 cup sourdough starter
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup corn oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions
Mix sugar, corn oil, salt, water, and 1 cup of sourdough starter together in a large bowl.
Sift the flour and add to the mixture.
Grease or oil the dough.
 Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise overnight.
The next day, knead the dough for 10 minutes.
Divide in half, and place into two greased 4 x 8 inch bread pans.
Allow the dough to double in size.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and taps hollow.
Turn out to cool on wire racks.





Amish White Bread (not from starter)

Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast.
Mix in flour one cup at a time.
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth.
Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat.
 Cover with a damp cloth.
Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down.
Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half.
Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans.
Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Tuesday Tips and Tricks - Getting Organized - The bedrooms

Okay! This is it!

So far this month we have purged and organized our hanging clothes, dresser drawers, shoes, jewelry, and purses. We've cleaned under the bed.

Take a look around. The only things left to do should be:

1. Dust - the walls (a Swiffer duster with extender or a dust mop works well for this), corners, ceiling fan, light fixtures, blinds, curtains, and flat surfaces. Old socks who have lost their mate make great dusters, especially for blinds, ceiling fans and collectibles.
2. Clean and organize flat surfaces...top of dresser, book shelves, etc. Are these areas cluttered? What things need to be moved to a more permanent home?
3. Clean the baseboards
4. Sweep and mop or vacuum.

You're done!

Now our bedrooms are all neat, tidy, organized, and clean!

Yay!!!!

Upkeep should be easy from her on out. 

• Pick up, throw away or put away shoes, jewelry, and "stuff" daily.
• Dust and change the sheets weekly.
• Sweep, mop, or vacuum at least weekly, more often if you have pets or littles.

Much love and big big hugs!!!!
K

Monday motivation

I don't like being a beginner. For many years, I have only done things that I knew I would succeed in. I have put off going to the gym, running, and all sorts of other fitness related things because I cannot perform the way I feel I "should." This year, I am focused on being a beginner... in the gym, at the piano, in the kitchen. No expectations. Just doing what I can and learning along the way.