Deuteronomy 8:3

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Ovid Quote

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.

Banana Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter. Mix in the mashed banana. Spread into the pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely, then top with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 - 3 oz packages cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk or cream
5 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Soften cheese. Blend in milk. Gradually stir in sugar. Add vanilla. Blend well.

Beware of the Doghouse

Comfort for the Contrite

CONTRITE-Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, brokenhearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner. ~Noah Webster 1828

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

Andrew Wyeth 1917-2009

American painter Andrew Wyeth, son of artist N. C. Wyeth died January 16th at the age of 91. Christina's World is one of his most famous paintings. He's known for painting people and the surrounding areas of his home in Pennsylvania.

The woman crawling through the tawny grass was the artist's neighbor in Maine, who, crippled by polio, "was limited physically but by no means spiritually." Wyeth further explained, "The challenge to me was to do justice to her extraordinary conquest of a life which most people would consider hopeless." He recorded the arid landscape, rural house, and shacks with great detail, painting minute blades of grass, individual strands of hair, and nuances of light and shadow. In this style of painting, known as magic realism, everyday scenes are imbued with poetic mystery. ~ The Museum of Modern Art

Andrew Wyeth in his father's studio in Chadd's Ford, PA in 1997.

"little hammer"

On a summer day in 1392, a young boy hammered on the door of a small house in Deventer, in the north European lowlands. Would he be accepted into the religious community that lived here? He felt a passion for God. He did not want to go back home to the sweaty work of an apprentice blacksmith at his father's forge. What would he do if these Christian brothers said no?

As he waited for someone to answer, he couldn't have known that more than his personal future hung in the balance. The old prior who opened the wooden door looked down at the boy-dark, healthy-looking, shy, wearing clogs and rough-spun clothes and listened incredulously to his stammered explanation. He can only be twelve or thirteen. Why would a young boy want to pursue the toughness of a religious life?

Nonetheless, something in the boy's sincere and steady gaze, something in the intensity of his desire- "I want to seek God" -was very convincing. The door swung wider to let him enter...and soon the hearts of these Augustinian brothers also opened to receive among them this unlikely boy, whose name would echo through history and around the globe...known to us today as Thomas a Kempis, author of The Imitiation of Christ.

~from Come, Lord Jesus

Let this be thy whole endeavor, this thy prayer, this thy desire,--that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only. ~Thomas a Kempis 1380-1471

orig. Thomas Haemerkken "little hammer"

The Happy Dance

An online resource for anything German you might need. In the past we've only ordered online but recently stopped by their new retail store and visited with the ladies, sampled some German gulasch and learned from one of them how to make Bavarian noodles, her favorite meal growing up. We've experienced good service, quick delivery (nicely wrapped) and after meeting them we understand why.

GermanDeli.com

"This old lady always does the happy dance when I get a box of goodies from German Deli."~Lynne, Az

Helping Our Neighbor

~Little Things 1852

Look around you, first in your own family, then among your friends and neighbors, and see whether there be not some one whose little burden you can lighten, whose little cares you may lessen, whose little pleasures you can promote, whose little wants and wishes you can gratify. Giving up cheerfully our own occupations to attend to others, is one of the little kindnesses and self-denials. Doing little things that nobody likes to do, but which must be done by some one, is another. It may seem to many, that if they avoid little unkindnesses, they must necessarily be doing all that is right to their family and friends; but it is not enough to abstain from sharp words, sneering tones, petty contradiction, or daily little selfish cares; we must be active and earnest in kindness, not merely passive and inoffensive.

Let everyone of us please our neighbor for his good. Rom.15:2

Let us consider one another. Hebrews 10:24

I Can't Drive 55

My husband and second son have been working on a small project together for about a year now. They're completely restoring the car above. The engine has been completely overhauled, with help from my dad, but not in. Right now they're working on the interior, specifically reupholstering. Trying to make me nervous, they enjoy playing this clip:

Die reine Lehre

But do know it doesn't bother me. I've been riding with a certain driver for 23 years and I'm used to it! There is a reason the theme of our groom's cake was "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar.

Your husband might enjoy the link a bit more than you.

Confused about Contractions?

Today my 3 year old was asked a question and he answered," I am, I mean, I am't."

~I believe more of the blue book will be needed.

Confused about Commas?

This is an easy book to use with lessons and quizzes by Jane Strauss. She also has a website where you can find English rules, grammar and punctuation videos and online quizzes. This book was recommended to a friend by Andrew Pudewa, author of Institute for Excellence in Writing.

The Blue Book of Grammar

A Delightful Road

~Charles Spurgeon

Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving Him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent...obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart...Service coupled with cheerfulness is heartservice, and therefore true...The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,

"Make me to walk in Thy commands, 'tis a delightful road"

Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.

Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2

Christa-Taylor

Christa-Taylor is a website I visit frequently. Christa is a young girl in her 20s that was homeschooled and started her own company- modest clothing designed by Christa herself! I've been very pleased with the things I've ordered for my daughter. She also has a two blogs that are favorites of ours. Looking forward to her upcoming modesty carnival.

Christa-Taylor
Christa's blog
Empowered Traditionalist

Age-Old Wisdom

~for a brand new year~

13 of the 70 resolutions by Jonathan Edwards printed in Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon by Charles Ray

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.

Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.

Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Beyond the Gates of Splendor

A very moving and well done documentary telling the story of the 5 Ecuador missionaries, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint and Roger Younderian. They were speared to death by the Auca Indians, the very ones the missionaries had befriended.

"We acted badly, badly, until they brought us God's carvings (the Bible). Then, seeing His carvings and following His good trail, now we live happily and in peace." ~Mincaye

Steve Saint with Mincaye, one of the tribesman who killed his father. Steve lived in the tribe for several years and is especially close to Mincaye.

Beyond the Gates of Splendor movie

Fudgy Chocolate Chip Muffins

We started making these muffins after we had one at a coffee shop, came home, searched for a recipe and found this one at allrecipes.com. In order for them to taste like the ones we had, we leave the cinnamon out.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Line muffin cups with paper bake cups.

In large mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until well blended. Add applesauce, blend well.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and cinnamon, if desired. Add to butter mixture, blending well. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 22 to 26 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool slightly in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle muffin tops with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Serve warm.

Continue in Prayer

~Charles H. Spurgeon

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2