Inspired by. . . ginger

For most of the country the weather has been a bit frightful lately. Pictures I've seen of the aftermath have been stunningly beautiful.

There is a lesson there, I think.

Even so, most of us appreciate big, soft, comforting things.

In this case, those attributes apply to a cookie!

This cookie lived up to all three.

 

 

 

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

Source: allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup margarine, softened

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon water

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

 

My complaint with most ginger cookies is that they get hard, fast. These did not. Weeks later [if cookies stay around that long at your house] this cookie was still soft, yummy and comforting.

If you're looking for valentine gift ideas for men, a few of these big, soft cookies wrapped in a homemade box would warm the heart of any man! [cookies are my go-to gift for men!]

 

Source

 

Check out my Valentine's Pinterest board for more inspiration.

 

 

Got milk?

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

 

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Inspired by. . . true motivation

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:20-23

 

Does this Biblical truth worry you a little bit?  Are you ever afraid you may be going through life thinking you are one of His, only to be turned away in the end? After all, those calling to the Lord in the passage above seem to be pretty confident.

I am no great theologian. But neither would I trust my position with God to the interpretation of any man.

My position with God; whether I spend eternity with Him or apart from Him, depends upon one man.

Jesus Christ

What I do for God matters because it reveals my heart. My true motivation.

It is the difference between saying 'I love you' and DOING I love  you.

 

 

George MacDonald, one of my favorite authors, wrote, "What have you done today because He told you to do it?"

What is our motive? our heart?

Are we doing things because society says they are right? or because God says they are right?

In a video I posted recently on my Facebook page it says, "Life is not an emergency."

We need to slow down enough to be CAREful with people – CAREful with things. Our environment, our resources, all the blessings the Lord has given us.

And we need to be CAREful with our relationship with Him.

When we fail there is GRACE. But in our minds and hearts, at the forefront of everything we do, we should endeavor to do what He has told us to do.

 

 

You don't have to be a theologian to understand these Truths:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

...but I [Jesus] say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; Matthew 5:44

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Blessings,

 

 

 

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Cool Clicks Thursday

Inspired by. . . guidance

 

 

Feeling a little dry of Spirit?

Be encouraged.

“He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
That hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them,
He carried them on His pinions.
“The Lord alone guided him,"

Deut 32:10-12

 

What is guiding you today?

Blessings,

 

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Inspired by. . . perpetuating a memory

If you find yourself anywhere near the Texas Hill Country, a stop at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg is a must. They exist to perpetuate the memory of the Pacific War Theater of WWII in order that the sacrifices of those who contributed to our victory may never be forgotten.

And they do so with excellence!

 

Entrance

 

Memorial Courtyard

 

Fountain made out of a ship's prop

 

Plaza of the Presidents

 

Once inside the George W Bush Gallery, you will need an entire afternoon to see the over forty exhibits displayed there. One of the most engaging exhibits is the HA-19, one of five Japanese 2-man submarines that took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

 

Textured with Bonnie's Vellum texture

 

The video displayed behind the midget sub takes you back to the fateful day that we entered WWII.

 

 

Each exhibit tells a story.

 

 

A story of courage and of sacrifice, death and life.

The ingredients of freedom.

 

Blessings,

 

 

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Cool Clicks Thursday

Inspired by. . . great recipes

I'm participating in a new [to me] link party today!

 

 

Been to their party before?  I've heard these seven ladies serve up a host of great recipes each week! And in the spirit of the Iron Chef, you get to vote on your favorite!

Sound like fun?

This week's theme is tomatoes! and I'm sharing my favorite tomato recipe...

 

June's T.A.C.O. Sandwich

[tomato, avocado, cheddar, oregano!]

 

June's T.A.C.O. Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread, your choice, I use Oatnut

tomato slices, enough to cover the bread

1/2 avocado, sliced

4-6 slices of white cheddar cheese (preferably Vermont Cheddar)

fresh oregano, chopped (dried will work too)

mayo

Penzey's Sandwich Sprinkle (or a no-salt alternative)

Directions: Lightly toast your bread. While the bread is toasting you can prepare your other ingredients. Remove bread from toaster and lightly cover with mayo. Lightly sprinkle with Penzey's Sandwich Sprinkle. Add tomato slices, then avocado, then cheese. Sprinkle a good dose of oregano on top of the cheese.

 

 

You're now ready for the broiler. Watch carefully! Remove when the cheese starts to bubble and brown.

 

 

Note: a lower fat alternative is to mash the avocado and use it on the bread in place of the mayo.  Either way, this tomato recipe makes a delicious open-face sandwich!

Click on the link below to check out the rest of this week's recipes and

don't forget to vote for your favorites!

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

 

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Inspired by. . . perspective

 

This is, at times, a difficult word to hear.

But I have found that it is a good word. A word that causes me to search my motives.

Am I serving God to gain praise and admiration? or some future reward in heaven?

Should I seek praise for doing what I ought to do?

Do I deserve praise? Am I entitled to it?

Or is my doing simply a response to the unconditional love that I receive, by grace, from the Father?

 

Am I doing something for a friend to gain an advantage in the relationship, or because I desire some thing from them in return?

Are my expectations of my family based on what I do for them?

Or do I give of myself with no expectations...

...desiring nothing in return?

Not even a thank you.

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

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Inspired by. . . comfort food

Cold winter days just beg for a bowl of hot soup!

This crockpot recipe, with a prep time of 15 minutes, means you'll be out the door faster in the morning, and have a delicious, hot dinner waiting for you when you return home!

 

 

 

Crockpot Enchilada Soup

Source: Barns & Noodles

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup onions, diced
• 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 16 ounces enchilada sauce
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoon your favorite hot sauce (optional)
• 1½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro
• 2 cup frozen corn
• 2 cup canned black beans
• 2 chicken breasts

Directions:

1. Heat up the olive oil in a large pan, then sauté the onions until soft.
2. Add garlic and sauté for one additional minute.
3. Add enchilada sauce, chicken broth, hot sauce, cumin, and cilantro.
4. Mix over medium heat for 2 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture into the crockpot.
6. Add chicken (I throw mine in still frozen)
7. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
8. Remove the chicken breast and shred with 2 forks.
9. Return to crockpot and add corn and black beans.
10. Cook for 30 more minutes.
11. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of grated cheese.

 

Thanks, Aimee, for sharing this great recipe! This made more than enough for our family, and the leftovers were perfect for lunch!

 

 

What's your favorite cold-weather food?

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

 

 

 

 

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