Tuesday, May 27, 2008

a concert

David and I celebrated our anniversary a little early last Friday evening and went to the Winter Jam concert. The Christian group Newsong hosts the concert and tours with several other musicians. We had gone just one other time- seven years ago when we had first come to Columbia. So, we got there a little late, we went to eat beforehand. We heard all of Newsong and the looong intermission between them and the next act.
Skillet was performing next. First, of all I'm not sure what a "skillet" has to do with God. Second, I thought we were going to have to run for our lives from all the fire and pyrotechnics. I am not ultra conservative, but I felt that what they were performing was not honoring to God. I felt like I was back in my pre-christian Nirvana/hard rock days. I also felt that the suicide/war images that were flashing on the big screen, the thrashing, and the "Satan hand signs" were not honoring to God. I hadn't gone to that concert to "bang my head". I went to worship the Lord. Maybe they expected me to worship while I listened to the rock and roll that would "melt my face off" as the band leader proudly declared. They were also self proclaimed "Jesus Freaks". Yes I saw a lot of "freak" but absolutely no Jesus. As the Psalm says "Sing praises to the Lord". I'm not in the business of judging who is saved and who isn't, but these lyrics were no praises to the Lord. As a believer, you shouldn't want to listen to singing that dwells on the despair and inhumanity of the world. Jesus defeated that already.
To say the least, David and I were utterly disgusted. We sat sort of stunned for the 20 minutes they played and then we left. Newsong should be ashamed to have asked them on this tour. At one point I had considered letting David take the older two kids and I'd stay home with the little kids. Praise God he didn't allow that to work out. I would not take my kids anywhere near that. I felt sorry for the parents who had brought their children thinking they were in for a family friendly environment.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tasty Thursday

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda. Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup water and spices together. Then combines with the dry ingredients, but only stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour into a well buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes. Allow to cool. Makes 1 loaf.

**I always double this recipe and make two loaves- you can always freeze one loaf.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Monday Musings

Today, Tristan informed us that Timothy had bumped into him with his "leg elbow". In other circles, this is know as the "knee".

This May has been exceptionally pleasant. We have had the windows open, it's breezy and only getting up to the lower 80's and 60 at night. I always try to make it to June without turning on the air conditioner, but we barely make it to the end of April when it's already 90 and miserable. But, not this year. We might actually make it past June 1st. Oh, just the thought of a low electric bill. I'm getting goose bumps! Maybe that's just from the cool breeze wafting through the window.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Tasty Thursday

Homemade Granola Bars

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
2 T. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup wheat germ

1 1/4 cups krispy rice cereal, corn flakes, or any crushed grain cereal or graham crackers
*Optional mix ins: chocolate chips, coconut, dried fruits, nuts, etc

In a large bowl, cream butters and sugars til fluffy. Add honey, vanilla, and egg. Mix well. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda into a separate bowl, mix together and then blend into the wet ingredients. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press into bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and cut into bars.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Tasty Thursday

Waffles

2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
2 T. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat eggs then, stir in milk, butter and vanilla. Pour this into the flour mixture and mix until thoroughly blended.
Ladle onto your waffle iron and cook as directed.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Monday Musings

Whenever Tristan, whose three, has to go potty, he'll just hold it. And hold it. And hold it. Until eventually he has one hand in front, one hand in back and is hopping around like a kangaroo. By this time, we've asked him ten times if he needs to go and he'll just say no. So, finally a little while after the kangaroo hopping starts, he'll eventually just give up and go to the potty. I'm not sure why hopping helps, but it sure is funny!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Tasty Thursday

Garlic Beef Enchiladas

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 T. flour
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. sage

Sauce:
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup margerine
1/2 c. flour
1 can (14 1/2 oz) beef broth
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. salt
10 flour tortillas
2 cups (8 oz) shredded Colby/Jack cheese

In a saucepan over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add flour and seasonings and mix well. Stir in tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover an simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in another sauce pan, saute garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until bubbly. Stir in tomatoe sauce and sesonings; heat through. Pour about 1-1/2 cups of sauce into bottom of ungreased 13 x 9 inch casserole dish. Spread about 1/4 cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla; top with 1-2 tablespoons of cheese. Roll up tightly; place seam side down in sauce. Top with the remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Srinkle wiht remaining cheese and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes longer til the cheese is melted.
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