January 25

I hope you can connect to an interesting article regarding Tim Tebow and the Superbowl at this link - The Loft.

January 26

I am a terrible blogger. Very inconsistent.
I have had a very good January. Brian has had no studying for classes and I've had no parties to clean house for. We've been finishing some work on our bathroom that we started in '06! We have a tub that is tall and also sits on a platform. We did have steps in front of the tub but we took them out 4 years ago. It actually made it easier to get into the tub. We also removed the carpet in the room and installed new flooring but we had left the carpet around the edge of the tub, though the tiles have been sitting in a box beside the tub, just waiting for us to return to the project. Brian has nearly finished the tile and I have painted the ceiling and walls after removing wall paper. I will post pictures after it's completed.
Do you remember all those Lab puppies born at my sister's home? Well, this a picture of the only one they kept, Tank. He is not the typical Lab. He does not move unless it is absolutely necessary. A very lazy dog. Today, Kim brought him to my folks' apartment and she wheeled my mom, holding Tank, down to my house.
And here is a picture of the second puzzle. I enjoyed this puzzle because after looking at it so much, I felt like I was a frequent visitor to this store. And it appears to be a happy place to visit. I probably won't have time to work on any more puzzles until next Christmas.
And the last picture is of our Lions Club participating in the Good Fellows Program December 23rd. We boxed food that was donated to help folks out at Christmas time.
These are a few of my activities the last few weeks.
We are blessed. God continues to generously distribute His grace in our lives. Observing the events of our day, we are not bystanders. We aren't in Washington DC, Haiti, or in the cities our children and many friends live. And we certainly wouldn't be recognized by the people who are making the decisions in our country. But we are bringing our praise and petitions to the King. THE King. The only one who is in control. The only one who is good. And He loves us. He hears our prayers. We aren't just observing. We are active in realms we can't even see.
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him." 2 Chron. 16:9 Isn't it amazing to think that the Lord, the all powerful creator of all that exists, is searching, running, looking for someone He can bless! I want to stay clean before Him, to be found pleasing by His eyes. I want to pray for our country, for my children, for my friends, and to feel God's pleasure in answering my prayers because they line up with His Word and His plans. He is so good. We are blessed today. I know this is just rambling. i am just thinking on "paper." Hope His eyes are on you and that He is jumping up and down, calling the Saints over to take a look at this child who is calling out to and depending on Jehova God.

January 7, 2010

I had to be in Lubbock today for a Dr appointment or I wouldn't have left my warm house. Brian went along and we had a nice day. We shopped very little before the brief time with the rheumatologist and then the long drive home. It is less than three hours but it's one of those long Texas drives. I was so glad Brian could go.
It feels like we are on vacation. He has no assignments pressing in on him and we don't have to be at the office every day. We are enjoying these days while we have them. After we ate chile, Brian sat down at the puzzle table. Bree started doing puzzles during the Christmas holidays a few years ago so we opened a new 1000 piece puzzle before she left. I've spent the most time on it but Brian has enjoyed it also. It was easy at first but more difficult after we finished the colorful pieces. When he sat down, I stirred together some cinnamon rolls using rapid rise yeast. We worked while they rose. They smelled sooo good in the oven. After icing them, letting them cool slightly, I ate 2 and a half!! Brian was enthralled in the puzzle and didn't even eat as much as his wife. I am sure he'll make up for it in the morning.
What a pleasurable evening. Relaxing. Cozy. We are very thankful. We read Psalms on the way to Lubbock. Don't you just love the intimacy of the Psalms? An intimate day and evening. That's what I'd say.







RECIPE FOR THE CINNAMON ROLLS:
Heat 2 C of water to 105- 110 degrees. dissolve 2 pkgs of yeast in the water. Add 1 Cup sugar and 2 t salt. Stir. Add 3 cups of flour as you are mixing it all together. Then add 1 egg and 1/4 cup of Crisco and mix. Add 3 more cups of flour as you stir. MY mixer won't do the job here and I stir. It takes up to 1 more cup of flour - just work with it and when you can knead it, it's good. If you used the Rapid Rise yeast, you can shape dinner rolls. To make cinnamon rolls, half it and roll each out flat and long - about 1/2 inch thick. I pour sugar and cinnamon and chunks of butter on it, roll length- wise, slice about 1 inch sections, and let this rise till doubled - nearly an hour I think. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.
If you used regular yeast, you can let it rise once, punch it down, and then shape as desired to bake. You can also let it rise once in the frig, take it out and shape it, and then bake. I know people who want it for later and do the frig - but I haven't had good luck that way. Add the kind of icing you prefer. Sometimes I use cream cheese icing but this time it was just the milk/butter/powdered sugar.

The puzzle, called The Kiss, can be ordered on-line here -- Bits and Pieces.