Free As Birds

We are so thankful our state is opening up again, by careful incremental measures, that we follow. What a blessing to be out again with my girls, doing some innocent shopping. I hope your weekend is enjoyable and safe as well.

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~ 

"It is for freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

  Blessings, Kathi

How Quickly Things Can Change

Oh, what magnificent creatures! I paused to stare as they passed me on the gradual climb to Neuschwanstein Castle. The horse drawn wagons were full of excited tourists. We chose to make the trek on foot, for which I am so happy we did. Our rosy cheeks and vibrant bodies made it to the top refreshed. 

There are some places too wondrous to describe. To me the view and peaceful hike alone made a greater impact than the fantastic man-made castle, although it too, was jaw dropping. 

 Breath taking view.

The castle cafe was closed for repairs. Oh how I would love to come up here regularly and have tea with a friend, in the middle of a week on an ordinary Tuesday. Such a sweet little place. Alas, we were here, but for a few hours, after a four-hour drive, so not a place I could frequent. I must add, along with that four-hour drive, add a nine-hour flight. What a blessing that we were able to come one year ago. Let's keep praying that travel will open up again and that people will be healthy and able to do fun things again like visit Germany and Italy; things most of us took for granted a few months ago.

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~ 

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."

Proverbs 21:31

  Blessings, Kathi

Cold Fizzy and Refreshing

Kombucha fits the bill. The reason I had the habit of drinking diet drinks was for the fizz and also to limit sugar, but they are terrible for my body; well at least some stat somewhere says that they are. I hate feeling guilty. Here is where kombucha has filled the void where diet sodas used to be. It is cold, fizzy, not too sweet, and above all it is good for me. Yikes! It's nearly four dollars a bottle, so I almost hit the brakes on that one. But, I started making my own fermented and bottled kombucha for pennies. I use my own canned grape juice for flavor and a SCOBY, which is kind of like a giant mushroom floating in a two quart covered jar brewing in a quiet corner in my kitchen. The only regular costs are the black tea bags and sugar. I learned all of the instructions from youtube. There are wonderful benefits, so I am told, and now believe. So this is what I do when I have a day off work. I hope you find this helpful information. Cheers and happy Saturday to you!

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~ 

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you shall have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world."         John 16:33

  Blessings, Kathi

Fishy

Today is Show and Tell "Fish Friday!"

Does "Fish Friday" ring a bell with any of you?  To the kids at Awbrey Park Elementary school when I was there, every Friday was "Fish Friday." The lucky ones were eating fish sticks for "hot lunch."  I had my regular "cold lunch," a peanut butter sandwich on white bread, potato chips, cookies and milk.  Once in awhile, after pleading with my mother, I was allowed to buy hot lunch. I believe back then it cost .25 cents per person. Mom and Dad could not afford for the four of us kids to eat that every day, so we were content with our sack lunches, but I sure enjoyed seeing and smelling what they were eating. Some days the children had spaghetti, green beans and peaches or Salisbury steak with biscuits and gravy.

In memory of Fish Friday, and with a little help from Louise P. De Gouy, I made a creamy sauce. I dumbly forgot to add the egg yolks. In spite of this mistake the sauce was velvety smooth. One of my favorite spaghetti is made with clam sauce, so I proceeded to add chopped clams, onion, garlic and shredded Parmesan. I poured it into my beautiful thrift store find, a 1942 Korean made bowl.

The clam sauce was the best I ever made. Next time I will remember to add the egg yolks. I will also try a new and even more difficult sauce to make. Here's hoping I pass my own test.

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~ 

Jesus said to Peter, "...go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for your tax and mine."    Matthew 17:27

  Blessings, Kathi

Jam

We have a rhubarb bumper crop so I decided to make a bit of jam.

 Chopped, sweetened and simmered to perfection.

I carefully followed the Ball Canning Blue Book for best canning method. Vanilla ice cream and rhubarb jam; nothing like it. Take a step outside your comfort zone and try it. You will never go back.

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~ 

Jesus said, "... I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins." John 8:24

  Blessings, Kathi

Those Thorns and Vermin

I mustn't let slugs, thistles, mice and fails direct my day. Let's face it, some days are just gloomy. My garden is full of weeds. My office is known for mice and their ever-present droppings. You wouldn't believe it, but yet again, another mouse in my office! Sadly, it was trapped by its hind leg. I let it go, but the kittens amused themselves outdoors with him. I burnt the printer paper box which held the vermin and its mouse trap. Otherwise the poor thing would have dragged the trap to the far back corner of the furnace, it and its body to no man's land. Later I may find it or at least flies would find me. I digress. The box is needed in this house-hold to contain mouse traps and bait. Enough of that.  Slugs are eating away at my tender seedlings. I work long hours. I need to vent now and then. But, I must! I must stop and smell the roses!

What beauty the Lord has allowed us to see. He could have left only thorns when Adam sinned, but He allowed us to see and keep some of the beauty that Eden held. I have found in my own life that a sincere offer of thanks and praise, along with an honest confession, to God, through Jesus, who atoned for my sin, that I experience peace. I cannot explain this peace. I do not deserve it. I am humbly thankful for it. I can't do Covid-19 without Jesus. I cannot continue without Him. But, I can keep going because I have placed my trust in Him, and Him alone.

~ A fitting Scripture from the Bible will accompany each post. ~

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

"...and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

  Blessings, Kathi