Jaycee' Return

My heart has been sickened, thoughtful and hopeful all at once this week as the headline story involving Jaycee Dugard broke a few days back . Eighteen years ago Jaycee, age 11, was abducted and, unbeknownst to anyone, remained a captive to her psychopathic abductor. While still in her teens, she bore him two girls who are now 11 and 15.

This story is incredible. What happiness and shock her shattered parents must have experienced at finding her alive at their reunion. Who would have guessed that the release from the grip of this wicked man was possible.

It also makes me shudder that such heinousness exists practically in my own backyard. How could a person live with such “badness” in their heart? How could they be so deceived? As grieved as my heart is over this man’s depravity, the Bible reminds my that any sin, my sin, is just as rebellious and just as offensive to God as Jaycee’s kidnapper’s.

“…[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23

The earthly effects of his sin, kidnapping and assault and say, my smart mouth might be different, but according to God both are equally defiant.

Jaycee’s story also causes me to hope in the power and sovereignty of God. It is difficult to look at such an entanglement of sin as this, to wince at the tortured, hellish lives of Jaycee’s and her 2 daughters and to not wonder at what the outcome of their new lives will be. How can this woman and her family recover from this or their lives return to anything remotely normal? How can anything good come out of this tragedy?
The answer…I honestly do not know how it can be done but I know that it can. To say that is couldn’t be done would be to put limits on God. God is real and at work. His sovereignty and authority are perfect. He sees all. God knows what happened to Jaycee and her family; and not only does He possess all knowledge, He contains all wisdom and power. This means He knows what can be done for Jaycee. It’s called redemption.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that is cannot save; nor His ear heavy that is cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1
There is hope for Jaycee and her family in the cross of Christ. They can find forgiveness for their sins against God as well as the ones committed against them because of Jesus. It is my sincerest prayer that they find that Hope.

Food Fact and Fitness Fridays--Basic Drop Cookies

I absolutely MUST share this cookie recipe with you all. My Mom (Plain Ole Vanilla) took it from the King Arthur Flour blog and shared this on her own this past March but…it simply must be shared again!

This cookie is a staple in our house. I make it every Monday so that my dad can have his customary two cookies included in his bagged lunch and so that my Mom can treat herself to one at every afternoon coffee break. I love these cookies for their simplicity and versatility. (I should state that they aren't my favorite cookie because of their taste, but because of the ease of the whole process.)

My blog readers know that I like to play with my food before I cook it, experimenting and tampering until I get the ingredients to behave my way. Naturally, it should come as no surprise that each time I make this recipe I have endeavored to make it a new way, every time. Time number one I made them “plain” according to the recipe. Or at least I thought I did, although I accidentally left out the brown sugar and produced a flatter cookie (leave in the brown sugar people). I guess that counts as an adaptation despite the fact that is was unintentional. The following Monday I threw in coconut and slivered almonds. Yummy. The third cookie-day I felt an unexplainable desire to satisfy my inner poet by combining coffee grounds (decaf) with toffee bits to produce a “Coffee-Toffee” cookie (which unfortunately did not live up to the desired coffee flavor but was good all the same). When babysitting two weeks ago the Oldest Boy and I made this recipe, leaving out the vanilla and adding a splash of oatmeal. It wasn’t too good of a combo. Oatmeal cookies need to be more oaty and less floury. The lift in this cookie is too much and seems out of place with an oatmeal cookie. But I digress. Fourthly, I tried a maple pecan version buy substituting maple extract for the vanilla and throwing in a handful of chopped pecans. (By now you would think our family would be obese. I assure you we are not). This was delish and one of the best adaptations so far!!

My most recent experiment needs to be christened a name that speaks of the power…something like “Chocolate Explosion.” No, really. It contains pulverized chocolate chips (thanks to the Cuisine Art), whole chocolate chips , and toffee bits! Yeah baby!!! I’ll admit I went a little far and added too much of the chocolate chip dust (1 1/4 Cup), but on the whole, the effect was nice. (Dad said he would eat it again so that’s good)

Whatever you decide to do, to play it safe or mess around, try this cookie. Try it with my “add-ins” suggestions or dream up some of your own. I can’t give you any exact measurements for the “add-ins.” I cook by feel and I expect you to embrace your freedom and do the same!

Dream on~ Bake on~ Eat on



Basic Drop Cookies


1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar, light or dark, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

2 tablespoons milk, optional

2 cups chips, nuts, and/or dried fruit, optional

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease two baking sheets, or line with parchment.

2) Beat together the butter, sugars, salt, vanilla, baking soda, and baking powder till well combined.

3) Add the egg, beating till smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl, and beat again till smooth.

4) Add the flour, mixing it in completely.

5) If you're making cookies using chips, nuts, etc, beat in the milk, then the add-ins.

6) If you're making plain cookies, without add-ins, omit the milk.

7) Drop the cookies by the traditional "tablespoonful" (actually about 2 measuring tablespoons) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2" apart. A tablespoon cookie scoop works well here.

8) Bake the cookies for 14 to 16 minutes, until they're a light golden brown, and a bit darker around the edges.

(I would highly suggest checking your cookies at 1o minutes. I've seen several blog comments saying the 14-16 minute window was too long. I must admit that I never get my timming perfect on my cookies. I have baked them to 14 and they have survived.)

9) Remove them from the oven, and cool right on the baking sheets.

Neighborhood Chicken Nuggets….(Almost)

A story fresh from the Housesitter Files...

I’ve had some excitement in my neck of the woods lately! Excitement, I have come to realize, is inevitable when you are house-sitting for a friend. Last time is was the mysterious person that knocked on the front door at 10:300 at night. (Ever heard knuckles on panels of glass? Sounds very thin, very rattle-y, and very unprotecting!). Thank goodness that hasn’t happened again. No, this bit of excitement involved the pet chickens I am watching along with the house, dog and plants. The two chickens ,Tootsie and Spot who are domesticated, friendly and are very cherished by their two young owners, like to “free range” around the small backyard. Any “free-ranging” must be done under supervision of course (Gumbo and Sweet Home don’t you laugh at that line. The importance of it will be seen momentarily). On Tuesday morning, I decided that I could…what do you call it “chicken sit” or “range watch” the chickens as I had my morning devotions. I was sitting in the living room, comfortably nestled on the leather couch, sipping orange spice tea with my Bible on my lap, when a cacophony of terrified chicken “ba-kahs” erupted from the backyard. Turning, I saw a commotion of feathers and wings, and what appeared to be one of the chickens flying into the backyard of the house behind! I ran outside, faintly wondering how I was going locate the correct house and introduce myself at the door:

“Hi, my name is Cathryn. Would you please do me a favor and see if you have a chicken in your backyard?”

Really.

Very unhappy and unsettled chicken noices were proceeding out of some bushes so I stuck my head between the thick branches and saw to my surprise, not one, but two chickens. Two? But I had witnessed one of them fly over the fence. I looked up and my eyes met the disappointed glare of Copper’s Hawk sitting atop the patio covering of the backyard neighbors. So that is what is was! The hawk had been trying to get the chickens!

It took a while to get the chickens back into their coop, but when it was accomplished the thought crossed my mind, wow, that would have been an awkward phone conversation…

“Hi Mrs. P. I hope your vacation is going well. Just thought I ‘d let you know that Tootsie was eaten by a Cooper’s hawk!”

Really.

Credits:
As much as I would like to claim the authorship of the cool title picture, I can't. I got is off of http://www.letsposephotography.com/storage/chichens.jpg

Monday's To Dos

I love making "to do" lists. Actually, I like crossing them off! Since school has adjourned for the summer I have not made my regular lists of either the musts, mights, or can waits for tomorrow. Last night, however I made such a list and have had such pleasure if crossing things off this morning that, well… I simply had to share! Most mornings are slow for me, but today I:

*Ate breakfast of course! (First things first!)
*Made bread
*Hardboiled eggs for Dad's lunches
* Started homemade yogurt
*Made maple pecan cookie dough for Dad's cookies (Yes, we take good care of that man! He deserves it too!)
*Emailed College professor
*Talked to the Registrars offices,
*Attempted to swap my college classes (rather unsuccessfully I might add)

All this before 9:00AM!

While it’s certainly not wrong to feel a sense of accomplishment when crossing off the “to dos, ”life isn’t all about getting everything done on your to do list. The ultimate “success” of one’s day should never be measured by such a manmade measuring stick. True accomplishment in life is found in listening to the Lord; in trusting, resting and obeying. I sin when I let the frustration of “not getting things marked off my list” grow into anger (which is normally targeted at the person who hindered our progress).

The main point…Lists are meant to be helpful if they help me to live purposely, with a quiet heart. That’s a success!

35 Reasons Not to Sin

I was looking at the areas of tempation and sin that I have dealt with during the course of this week, when I came across (Providentially directed rather) this wonderful post from the Rebelution blog. It lists 35 Reasons Not to Sin. Take the time to read it, and give it the serious attention it demands! I would highly suggest doing something similar to what I have done; copy it into Word, highlight the reasons of that really strike you, print them out, and meditate on them. Sin --even for the redeemed child of God--is a very serious issue which we cannot afford to take lightly.

It is good for the Believer to shudder and weep over their sin, yet such a time must end int looking to Christ's work on the cross which gives us freedom. Guilt is the full, dead-weight of sin of our shoulders. Conviction is the dead-weight of sin being lifted from our shoulders by our precious Savior. In the latter, we have felt the burden of our sin, but we have also found our hope in the work of Christ. May you be convicted as you read on...

35 REASONS NOT TO SIN
From the Rebelution Blog; Aug 8th 2009

Because a little sin leads to more sin.

Because my sin invites the discipline of God.

Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.

Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.

Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.

Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.

Because I am doing what I do not have to do.

Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.

Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.

Because my sin saddens the godly.

Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.

Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.

Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.

Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.

Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.

Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.

Because my sin may influence others to sin.

Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.

Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.

Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.

Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.

Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.

Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.

Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.

Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.

Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.

Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.

Because my sin is adultery with the world.

Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.

Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.

Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.

Because to sin is not to love Christ.

Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.

Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it’s own.

Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Vacation in Review--part 5 Friends and Fun

Friends

Meet my friends, the goats. I came love these two, four-legged critters. They call to you, eat (anything!) out of your hand. Tthey frolic and run with (and after) you.

I really came to have a a deep affection for these little guys. I think of them often when I am weeding or cutting out strawberry hulls. I could feed my goat-buddies with these I think. Maybe one day I'll be able to have some, but for now their memory will live on in pictures.

Fun

One of these happy vacation days was spent swimming in a river (not the one in the in-laws backyard, a different one). We jumped and dove off of rocks as well as those overpass cement post thingys (never in a million years would I have thought of jumping off of the actual overpass! EEK!)! I later took County Sis's dog's example and took an nap in the delicious sunshine using Callie-dog herself as my pillow (honestly, you didn't expect me to use a rock for a pillow do you? I hear it gives you weird dreams and strange visions. Just ask Jacob of the Bible.)

Sigh...the whole day was wonderful....what relaxation!

Vacation in Reveiw--Part 4 Harvesting

“I’m a God-fearing hardworking combine driver
Hogging up the road with my p-p-p-plower
Chug-a-lug-alugin 5 miles an hours
On my International Harvester”

Such are the words to the country song written by songwriter Craig Morgan. I always thought this upbeat tune a fun one when I heard it played on the radio; however, the humor became much more real as I got a taste of real combine work.

To continue yesterdays’ narrative…after we finished with the blueberry pie filling, The Lady and her brother Wrestler Man had to go to their Combining job with a local farmer. Were we (Curly-Q and myself) up to ride along with them? Were we ever! It was between one and two O clock in the afternoon when we left for the fields. Because of the recent rainy and damp weather, their work day began later so as to give the cut rye grass a chance to dry out.

The cab of a Combine is not designed for two females of feminine proportions to fit spaciously into; however, The Lady and I squeezed in (good thing we know each other and are friends!) so we wouldn’t have to endure the dusty conditions resulting from an open cab door. Yes, you can keep the door open when you Combine without any fear of being sucked out at the incredibly high speed of 5.7 miles an hour! Round and round, The Lady and I went, chit-chatting while the monstrously large machine “ate” at the fallen grass that lay before it. With rye grass, The Lady told me, you have to come at it a certain way. The grass has to be facing the Combine (the rye heads forward) so it will be collected, sifted, and separated all properly. I even got to drive for a while, having to pay a little more attention than I did last year when I “helped” (if you can call 30 minutes of driving “help”) combine wheat grass.

I felt almost special knowing that I was helping make food for other people. It was one of the highlights of my trip.

I still think the song by Craig Morgan is funny, perhaps even more so now that I can identify with it a little more. I sure didn’t “hog up the road with my p-p-p-plower” but I sure “chug-a-luga-luged 5 miles an hour!”

Vacation In Review--part 3 Blueberries For Gals

A note of explanation… before I begin my narrative let me explain the “names” I use:
Country Sis is my eldest sister whom my family was visiting
Curly-Q is my middle sister
The Lady is Country Sis’s sister in law who lives across the road. When I call her “ The Lady” I am meaning it with all kindness and seriousness (and certainly not an austerity) . She is indeed a lady in the best and noblest of ways.

It was 7:00AM when we got the call from Country Sis that The Lady was going a-blueberry picking. Did we want to come? Did we ever! 45 minutes later Curly-Q, the Lady, and I were dragging the drift boat to the river bank that bordered the in-laws yard. After almost getting our heads and hands spun off by the incredibly fast whirling crank/reel that releases the boat from the trailer in to the water, we piled in and enjoyed a rather surreal ride to the opposite bank where the “U-Pick” blueberry field awaited us. There, up atop the incline, was the field owner’s house surrounded by trees, from which hung decapitated milk cartons with twine threaded through their handles. Following The Lady’s example, we made little “blueberry baskets” by tying the headless milk cartons around our waists with the twine. (This, I learned, was standard procedure for any passerby wishing to pick berries. One never had to bother the owners until it was time to pay.) Away we went to the farthest end of the blueberry rows and “plink, plink, plink,” we picked, picked, picked. Between mouthfuls of blueberries we discussed the whys and wherefores of our favorite books and movies, until we came the end of our 4th row and realized we had collected a grand total of 8 gallons! As we rowed back home through the deliciously cool water that sparkled with the summer sunshine, I felt like a thief, having paid only five dollars per gallon!

Once home we continued in domestic busyness by making 14 jars of blueberry pie filling as well as one (each) fresh blueberry and rhubarb pie. The fun and industry didn’t end here for almost as soon as we had finished the pie The Lady…but if I told that, it would make this post terribly long. No, that story must wait for tomorrow!

Vacation In Review--Part 2

Don't sunflowers just make you smile?! This was the little beauty that graced the table of four of us ladies: Mom, L, A, and myself. We went a little town and eat lunch, and window shop, and simply enjoy the little chance we had at "girl time." This happy little table decoration reminds me of the joy it was to sit and discuss, take pictures (mostly of our food), and goof off.

Vacation In Review--part 1

I could write numerous excuses for why I haven't been posting much lately (ok, at all) , but here is one of them...I was on vacation! We went to visit my dear sister and her husband and his family in their house in the woods. Sigh...It was such a wonderful time.

This picture shows a bit of "dead" amongst the profusion of "green" It was taken on a morning walk with Mom in the clear (unpolluted) woodsy air!

It was the first of several walks that Mom and I took together. This particular ramble through the woods was sweet to me because, as Mom and I came to the medal green gate that stopped us from going further, we took the opportunity to sit on a stump, hold hands, and pray. As the birds twittered, and sun's fingers reached in past the tree tips that moved in thelight breeze, we talked with Jesus, told Him our fears and asked Him to be with the ones we love so dearly. It was a sweet time. One of the many of our trip. Stay tuned!!