Digital Scrapbooking: September 2017

It has been a beautiful month - one of my favorites! And now, my dear hubby and I are enjoying a weekend away, relaxing, and being refreshed in God's amazing creation. But I am just popping in here to put up my monthly post about digital scrapbooking - the preserving of memories and of God's presence in our lives, through photos!

Here are two of the pages that I scrapbooked in September ... and then another one that I finished up this month from happenings back in June when my Siebert family came for a visit! 

Note: Most of the page templates and digital products that I use are purchased from Digital Project Life. About five years I switched from paper scrapbooking, and took some online lessons from Digital Scrapper to learn how to digital scrapbook using Photoshop Elements. (You can also click here for some great tutorials on the Digital Project Life website - maybe a quicker way to learn than the site that I used five years ago.) Also, besides being able to share my completed pages online, I also print them out at home in 8x8 inch size to fit in the albums that I purchase from Michael's.

Quieting My Heart: His Agenda or Mine?

Whose agenda do I follow?

When I awake each morning,

do I think first of all

of all the things that I need to do?

Of all that is going on in my world?

Or do I remember

to pause,

and to also consider 

Who I am working for,

Who I am living for,

Whose I am?

If I really am created by God

for His purposes, for His glory - 

then clocking in with Him

is of highest importance,

as soon as I open my eyes

each morning, of each day.

“He must increase,

but I must decrease.”

(John 3:30)

Lord, may these words

be on my mind, my heart

each new day …

will Your agenda, Your plans,

be my highest goal each day …

and may I open up my

heart, and my mind, to

receive all that You have

for me today - 

all the love, all the strength, 

all the peace,

that You have for me today

as I follow You.

(Photo: from our Colorado Trip / Sept. 2013)

In the Kitchen: September 2017

After the more carefree days of summer, with the last-minute menu selections of easy grilled meals, together with fresh veggies from the garden for sides, I've switched to being a bit more intentional with my menu planning again. I've welcomed the change, and thought I'd share a little snapshot of some of the things that have been happening in my kitchen during September. Just for fun, and in case it may be an encouragement to you!

In the Kitchen: September 2017

From top left photo, and clockwise:

Loaded Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Garlic Pesto Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Southwest Black Bean Stuffed Butternut Squash

Fajitas in Pitas

Bacon Pea Salad

Grilled Spiced Salmon

Grilled Potatoes

Italian Spaghetti Bake

Basil Tortellini Soup

September 

meals have been a blend of summer and of fall:

grilled meals, and the first soup of the season, 

salads, and the first butternut squash recipe. 

And today, the first official day of Fall, 

the warmth and delicious aromas

of pumpkin, apple, and caramel,

of comforting soups and main dishes;

calling me into the kitchen, again.

Quieting My Heart: Our Words

Words,

just one word, or a few words,

or a whole lot of words - 

they make a huge impact.

They can make someone’s day,

or they can ruin the day.

Do we stop to realize

the power of words?

And do we stop -

think, and pray,

before we speak words?

Some say that I have 

a gentle, quiet spirit.

But I find that it is most often

my words

that cause me the most 

shame and regret.

How do we tame our tongue,

and how do we

s-l-o-w it down,

and how do we 

speak only those words

that edify and build up,

that instill love and hope

in others.

In this noisy, quick-speaking world,

may we learn to quiet our hearts,

asking God to control our every word.

“You must all be quick to listen,

slow to speak,

and slow to get angry.”

(James 1:19)

Lord, please fill us with Your Spirit,

with Your thoughts, Your words -

that we will only speak what is

“helpful for building others up

according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.”

(Ephesians 4:29)

(Photo - of our peach tree 2017)

Grilled Potatoes

It's September already,

and fall is on it's way,

here very soon ...

But with the temps still in the 80's,

and even up to 90 degrees this week,

it's still the season for grilling.

I had a few more new grilling recipes

that I wanted to try this summer -

including this one for grilled potatoes.

I served it recently together

with Grilled Spiced Salmon,

a favorite recipe for salmon.

Click on the "source" link below the

little photo to print ...

Grilled Potatoes

Source: tasteofhome.com

Course: Side Grill

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Total Time: 40 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon dried basil
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₈ teaspoon pepper
• 3 medium baking potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Add potatoes; toss to coat. Spoon onto a greased double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square).
2. Fold foil around potato mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30-35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning once. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Yield: 4 servings.

Powered by

Quieting My Heart: He Delights in Every Detail

“The Lord directs

the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail

of their lives.”

(Psalm 37:23)

How can this be -

that You would delight

in every detail

of my life,

in the lives

of all Your children?

But this should not 

take me by surprise.

For I delight in

my own precious children

and in my dearly loved

grandchildren.

I love to hear every word;

all about their joys,

and their interests,

all about their accomplishments.

And it gives me

greatest joy

when they share

their very deepest thoughts

with me, asking for

me to pray, for them.

Yes, Lord, I can begin to see

a tiny glimpse 

of how much You delight

in me, in Your children.

Of how very much

I am loved.

(Photo: from our garden 2014)

Basil Tortellini Soup

Fall weather is just around the corner,

and this week we have had a bit of a taste

of the cooler weather to come.

The fresh cooler weather

plus some crisp fresh basil from a friend

prompted me to make this new recipe -

my first hot soup meal of the season.

Fresh chopped tomatoes from our garden,

cheese tortellini, and fresh basil ...

these ingredients and a few more

made a very tasty soup!

Click on the "source" link below the

little photo to print ...

Basil Tortellini Soup

Source: tasteofhome.com

Course: Main Soup

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Total Time: 20 min

Yield: 6 servings

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chopped fresh tomato
• ¹⁄₃-¹⁄₂ cup shredded fresh basil
• 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₈-¹⁄₄ teaspoon pepper
• ¹⁄₃ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Directions: In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add tortellini; cook until tender, 7-9 minutes. Stir in beans, tomato and basil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Add vinegar, salt and pepper. Serve with cheese. Yield: 6 servings. 

Powered by

(Note: This recipe from Taste of Home lists that the yield is 6 servings; I would say that it is more like 3 servings, especially if used as the main dish.)

Quieting My Heart: Live by God's Power

When I read His Words,

do I read just words -

when I speak of His promises,

do I treat them with value,

treat them for what they

really are?

Have we become so accustomed to,

so casual, so careless with,

that we are missing out?

Missing out on what can be the

greatest adventure

we could ever dream of?

Lord, will you wake us up,

will you lift our eyes from

ourselves, from the distractions

that cloud our eyes and our hearts

from the important, from the Truth.

Will you impress on us,

will you create a hunger in us,

today, this new month -

a hunger for You,

to hear Your Words of Truth

each morning, each day -

to listen intently,

to follow closely,

and to live by Your power alone.

“For the Kingdom of God

is not just a lot of talk;

it is living by God’s power.”

(I Cor. 4:20)

Praying for myself,

and for you -

for a month of adventure

as we read His Words,

listen so closely,

and follow Him completely.

(Photo from our Pacific Coast Trip 2016)