Monday, February 16, 2009

Homemade Granola...

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 cup cashews(optional)
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 cup wheat germ
  • 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts,sesame seeds,wheat germ, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.Add chocolate chips when cooled down enough that they don't melt.


You can make granola with so many different ingredients. Sometimes I add cinnamon, dried apricots and other types of dried fruit.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Life's Seasons...

I am currently backing up files from my desktop computer, and preparing it for a major overhaul. I keep coming across photos from years ago, and what memories it is stirring up.
How life changes.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1












The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.

Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God's grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God's grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us.

Devotion taken from, Experiencing God, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Friday, January 9, 2009

Today...

The following picture is my mom's art!



It's beautifully snowy outside. God's amazing...and life keeps flying by!!

Have a wonderful day with Jesus!









Thursday, January 1, 2009

Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Greatest Story


And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord
sh
one round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
"


Monday, December 15, 2008

The mind of Christ...

"The things you allow your mind to dwell on do not just affect
YOU."

This statement was made yesterday in church. It really caused me to stop and think... and I hope you take a minute too.