PAGES: MAIN TOPICS I WRITE ON

Saturday, September 30, 2017

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.

Monday, September 25, 2017

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)

Friday, September 22, 2017

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









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.


Friday, September 15, 2017

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)

Wednesday, September 13, 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
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:
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 12 teaspoon dried basil
  • 14 teaspoon salt
  • 18 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.
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Friday, September 8, 2017

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)

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

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:
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
  • 13-12 cup shredded fresh basil
  • 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 14 teaspoon salt
  • 18-14 teaspoon pepper
  • 13 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. 
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(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.)

Friday, September 1, 2017

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)