Simple Pleasures~ A Touch of Red

When I was a little girl I LOVED the color red. I had a red carpet, red bedspread, and what ever else I could have to be red. Then I went quite a few years of being sick of red but in the last decade or so I have returned back to my love of red. I accent whenever I can now with red. Red teapot, knitted and felted hot pads, table clothes, mugs, tea towels, baskets. You name it I am looking for red. When we were planning the colours for "The House That God Built" ( I need to write a post on this blog to explain this title. ) I wanted a red wall but alas my hubby did not. So when ever I can I decorate with red I do. I am thankful that red has become popular again and it is making finding things easier right now. My simple pleasure is... a splash of colour, RED. ( British spelling for colour)

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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Winter Is Still Here But Getting Ready For Spring

What I see out my door today....

Do you see my kitty's tracks?

Last night we started our leeks on the plant table. It is amazing how teeny tiny these seeds are. You plant them 1cm ( 1/2 inch) deep. We seeded 6 seeds each square because the germination rate of the seed was lower and then later on we will thin out for the best leek in each square.

We are trying to get what ever frozen fruit in the freezer made into jam or used up in pies, cakes, muffins, custards, and juice. Here is Handsome making strawberry jam and Noah is perched at the laptop on the breakfast counter. This is where I blog from. *grin*

Yes, these are the days that we are caught up in between the two seasons. Finishing up what we need to get done before it gets too busy with spring chores. And at the same time we are getting ready for planting the garden.

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A Time of Prayer and Fasting

I want to share where God is humbling and growing me right now. Please know this post is not to glorify me but to glorify HIM. Please do not take this as "a look at me moment" but it is a I want to share what the Lord is doing post. Please know this post is given from a very humbled spirit and I hope it will inspire someone if the Lord wants it to.

I have heard about fasting over the years and I had only tried once and totally failed before the day was out. I had tried to not have coffee for a period of time and the flesh was very weak but the spirit was willing. ( this was before I had given up coffee for good) Now some years later I have been needing a time of deep renewal in my relationship with the Lord. Because I know He is working things out in me so I felt a deep pulling inside to try fasting again. I thought very seriously about what I would fast from and because of my blood sugar issues I was very leery of fasting from food. Then I had heard about the Daniel Fast but for me to give up meat was not much of a sacrifice but I may still try this in the future. But in the sermon I heard on fasting recently the pastor mentioned that even a fast from the internet could be a fast. That struck a chord in my spirit and knew that was what I needed at this time.

Christian Fasting - Focus Deeper on God
Christian fasting isn't some kind of a "work" that's commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn't mean that fasting isn't recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish our flesh, but to focus on God.

"Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended. The primary Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18)."

That Sunday I asked my hubby to check emails for me and I would not go on the computer on Sunday's and Monday's. I am not sure how long I will keep doing this but the Lord is blessing these times with Him like I truly had hoped. He is leading me in my prayer and quiet times where He is peeling off layers that have needed facing for a long while. I am very excited and humbled at the same time.

"Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9)."

If the Lord strikes a chord in your heart to try this I pray that you will be as blessed as I have been in prayer and fasting.

Participating in....

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Feeling A Bit Under the Weather

I thought I would come up for air and say that I am feeling a bit under the weather. Yes, it is cold season and our family this winter seems to be getting the latest, most new cold passing through. This latest one I just feel like crawling in bed with a good book and a tea but I need to keep going because my family does. I am very thankful being able to take the Rose Hip Syrup I made in the December. Nursing my cold with herbal teas, apple cider tonic, and earl grey green tea. Yesterday I made a big pot of chicken soup and a batch of whole wheat bread that should last a couple days. At this point I don't know if I will be posting a simple pleasure and Friday Farm Girl's posts or not. I guess time will tell. But I do hope to get some blog visiting in here and there. Hope you all are in good health.

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My MIL's Stripy Wooly Socks and Ramblings

With all the day dreaming I find myself slipping into here and there thinking about spring. I need to remember to savor the now. I know that in the next week or two it will be the beginning of starting seeds on the plant table. Which means in the next couple of months we will start prepping the garden to be planted and it will be full speed ahead from there till New Years again. So, I need to remember to savor this time of quiet days sitting and stitching and planning.

It also shows me I need to get a move on certain projects I wanted to get done this winter. I better get them started and finished in proper time. I really want to clean out what will be our future bathroom. Ohh for those who have known me for the last few years...well yes things have crept back into that room. I need to just get it all out and not allow anything other than what is needed for the future bathroom back in there. I think I will get started on this mammoth of a project a week from today. I will have to block out my Saturday for that alone. Maybe a pre-made frozen dinner is a good idea or a crock pot dinner. I think I will have to get hubby to get me a kitchen timer this week so I can set intervals of work and rest periods. Then what ever doesn't get done that day I will set a goal of 15-30 minutes each day till it is done.

Do you have any mammoth projects that are calling your name this winter?

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Friday Farm Girls ~ Super Simple Bread Recipe

This is the recipe that started my bread making career way back when I was 12 years old. *grin* If you haven't made bread before it is a wonderful starting point. This bread is made with store bought flour which acts different than home ground wheat. If you want to make bread from freshly ground flour then go HERE.

~Super Simple Bread Recipe~

Soften in a small bowl for a few minutes till frothy.

-1 rounded Tablespoon or one package of active dry yeast

-1/4 cup of warm water ( can test temperature by using a candy thermometer and you want it to be between 105 to 115*F)

- 1 Tablespoon sugar

~Combined in a large bowl:

-2 cups scalded milk ( heat till steamy but do not boil)

-2 Tablespoons sugar

-2 Tablespoons salt

-2 Tablespoons shortening or... margarine or.... butter.

~Cool to lukewarm and add:

-yeast mix

-2 cups of flour

Beat with mixer for 5 minutes. Add enough flour to make a firm ball. Which is about 4 cups flour. Knead until smooth.

-cover with a cloth and let it rise 30 minutes.

-Punch down

-divide dough into 2 pieces.

-Rolls each into a rectangle.

-roll up to a firm smooth loaf.

-place in a buttered bread pan and place into oven at 200 *F for 1 hour ( check at 30 min.) until doubled in size.

-Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

( To read other Farm Girls @Heart and/or join in on the fun go visit my friend Lori's blog by clicking on the graphic)

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Simple Pleasures~ Brightness of Snow

Being a Pacific Northwest raised gal I have never grown tired of the novelty of snow sense I have moved inland. I love how it brightens everything around. It helps with the winter blahs so much. Each time it blows in a new layer on the tired old snow it is all fresh and new again. I can sit by the window and get lost in watching the flakes come down. Sometimes big flakes some times small. Sometimes they come down fast and sometimes slow. I also love how our Lord decided to make it that there are no two flakes alike. All unique and all beautiful...just like the way he created us. I also like winter for the time to slow down and ponder, to think of things that we don't seem to have much time any other time of the year. I also like to take extra time this time of the year to stitch projects, which create more time to think. I work hard not to create too much business so I can soak up this time. Yes, I try not to rush this time and enjoy it for what it is.

.....Simple Pleasures is to remind me to stop, to look, to listen, to slow down and pay closer attention to the simple things in life. And when ever I do, I am never disappointed.

To join click on the Simple Pleasures graphic and see what it is all about.

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