Author Archives: Ellen

What’s Your View Hodgepodge

Joyce, From This Side of the Pond has new questions for Wednesday Hodgepodge to inspire the Thinker in us.

I love this view from August of 2019 when a few of our MGCC (Mennonite Girls Can Cook) friends came to camp in our front acre for a few days. Such a fun time of eating and fellowship together.

1. What kind of thinker are you-doer concrete thinking) analyst (analytical and abstract thinking), orator (logical thinking) inventor (imaginative thinking) or original thinker (creative)? What makes you say so? You can try this little quiz (link here) to help with your answer. 

I scored the highest in Doer/Original Thinker. Get er done people! 🙂

2. Do you own a crock pot, air fryer, and/or instapot? Do you leave said small appliance sitting out? How often do you use it/them? Favorite thing to make in one of these? 

Just a Crock pot. We had an instapot for awhile but I gave it to our kids because it mostly sat in the cupboard. Crock pot is in my pantry. I use it infrequently. I like to use it for a roast or for Carnitas.

3. What’s something you hold a strong opinion on that matters not at all in the grand scheme of things? 

Coffee should be black and unadulterated. No flavored coffee for me, please. Freshly ground, too, please. And strong, please. Make it strong. Is that a strong enough opinion?

4. Describe the view from your window. 

When we were looking for our retirement home in 2018, one of the desires I expressed was to have views out my windows that did not include a neighbor’s carport or any building in close proximity. I’m so grateful for our views. This is our kitchen sink window view. We see trees and mountains and horses and barns in the distance. Sometimes we see haystacks or rolls of hay. Frequently we are visited by deer, turkeys, quail, barn swallows and occasionally we smell a skunk. Just to keep it real we also get that foul smell in the air sometimes because there are lots of cows around us. It reminds us that we live in the country.

5. Do you have a favorite brand? Explain.

Toyota. We love our Toyotas. Our Toyotas have served us well and lasted a long time. Our Toyota Van was the first brand new Toyota we bought in 1985 just before Katie was born. Our 1992 Toyota Corolla all track was such a great car in the snow. We gifted our used Toyotas to our kids and they served them well, too.  Our 1999 Camry was gifted to Katie and Andrew. Katie and I drove it across the U.S. from the Seattle area to Camp LeJeune, Jacksonville N.C. in 2014 to set up an apartment for K & A upon Andrew’s return from Afghanistan. That car made it back from Jacksonville with Katie and Andrew after Andrew’s service was completed and they used it until 2020ish.  That Toyota was then gifted to our Grand Nephew who lives in Southern California. Unfortunately it was totaled in an accident last year. Our Grand Nephew was not injured in that accident and it was not his fault. In total we’ve purchased 5 new Toyotas. We also purchased 4 used Toyotas. Currently we still have our 2007 Camry and we have a 2019 Toyota Highlander.

On our cross country trip in 2014, our first stop from our home in Kenmore for the night was in Bozeman, Montana. When we woke up and looked out the window we saw the car covered with snow. That was not something we anticipated. We put our big girl pants on and soldiered on with God’s help to our next stop in Rapid City, South Dakota.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Seajack 6 pentax-001

This is the rear view mirror of that 1999 Camry looking back on the highway during our epic journey across the USA in 2014. It was fun to look back and remember this trip with my daughter with all it’s twists and turns.

Cousins

Our youngest brother and sister got together with our oldest cousin and his daughter who also live in Texas a couple Saturdays ago. I wanted to document that here. Cousins, the oldest to the youngest on our Father’s side of the family. Our cousin Alex is a widower. He is our oldest cousin. Alex is 91. Leonard and Lana, the youngest, are 60.

Our cousin Alex is seated in the chair on the right. His mother, our pop’s sister Oxahnya, is standing behind our paternal grandparents. This photo was taken in Persia. Our Aunt remarried the man to the left of her in Persia. Her first husband didn’t leave Russia with her. After marrying Ivan Voloshin she had 3 more children. She died from complications during the birth of her third child with Ivan. Her son by her first husband, our cousin Alex, was then raised by our grandparents. Alex was 11 years younger than our Pop. They remained close after immigrating to the USA and settling in the Los Angeles area. Alex found his bride, Vera, in the Los Angeles area and our parents were their ‘best man and matron of honor’. We all shared many family times with them. After their girls were raised and married with their own families, Alex and Vera moved to Texas close to their younger daughter. Vera unexpectedly died from an aneurysm in 2007. Alex faithfully kept in touch with our mom and pop after moving to Texas with a weekly phone call. When he traveled back to the Southern California area he always visited our parents.

President’s Day

I found this book at Goodwill in 2007, Lincoln’s Devotional.

The newly-found book of daily Scriptural messages and inspirational verse in which Abraham Lincoln signed his name – a book he used and cherished, revealing a faith you can share.

This copy was copyrighted in 1957.

This book has short devotionals for every day of the year. February has devotionals called, ‘Believer’s Evidences’.

Here is #8

Confession of Christ

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15

I’ll tell to all poor sinners round,
How great a Savior I have found;
I’ll point to his redeeming blood,
And say, “Behold the way to God.”

And one more

The True Believer;

The Believer the Object of Divine Love

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John iv. 9.

Pause, my soul, adore and wonder,
Ask, Oh, why such love to me?
Grace hath put me in the number
Of the Saviour’s family:
Hallelujah!
Thanks, eternal thanks to thee.

The photo above is a collage of two photos from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. The statue of George Washington gets such great light reflection from the stained glass window during certain times of the day. I was happy to be able to capture it when we were there in May of 2011.

If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. 

~George Washington

So my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.

~Abraham Lincoln

 

If you hail from the United States of America, I wish you a Happy President’s Day from the State of Washington!

My Fortress

“Battle Hymn of the Reformation”

Psalm 18:1-3:

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Are you feeling weak or discouraged or overwhelmed? I hope you can take some time to just breath in the words of this Psalm. Read it out loud and look with me at the definitions of some of the words in the text.

Stronghold: A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.
A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.

Fortress: a large fortified place; a fort or group of forts, often including a town; citadel.
Any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

Shield: To cover with, or as with, a shield; to cover from danger; to defend; to protect from assault or injury.

Call upon the Lord today. Praise him because he is worthy of all our praise. Rest in the fact that He is our Rock and our deliverer. He is always with us, guiding us through His Spirit within us.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Words and Music: Martin Luther, 1529.

This song has been called the great­est hymn of the great­est man of the great­est per­i­od of Ger­man his­to­ry, and the Bat­tle Hymn of the Re­for­ma­tion. It was sung at the fun­er­al of Am­er­i­can pre­si­dent Dwight Ei­sen­how­er at the Na­tion­al Ca­thed­ral in Wash­ing­ton, DC, March 1969.

Teriyaki Glazed Skillet Chicken

This is a simple tasty chicken dish made in the skillet. I was inspired to try it after seeing Bev’s tip on storing fresh ginger.

Teriyaki-Lemon Glazed Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, micro-planed
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts thin cut

Method:

  1. In large skillet combine lemon juice, soy sauce, white and brown sugar, water, garlic and ginger.
  2. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. 2-4 minutes.
  3. Add the chicken and cook 15 to 20 minutes or till thoroughly cooked turning after 10 minutes.
  4. Optional: Remove chicken and cook down glaze till it thickens somewhat and drizzle over the chicken before serving.

Serve with rice and vegetables of your choice.
Serves 4

If you purchase whole chicken breasts instead of thin cut just halve the breasts lengthwise to make them thinner.

Valentine Treats With Love

Our favorite Valentine’s stopped by to give us some love and we returned some love to them.

We got a special homemade Sour Dough loaf from Jamie and Dan. She has the bread skills down!

This Friday will be busier than usual. Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Truth for Today #88

Thursday February 15th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Ephesians 5:1:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

From Vera:

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.“
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Leonard:

Ecclesiastes 5:7

“Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.”

From Willow:

Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

From Karen:

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

From Cheryl:

“So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

Perfect Love Hodgepodge

It’s a Valentine’s Day Hodgepodge! Thank you Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the love filled questions this week.

1. What does love mean to you? 

I’m fighting between being trite or deep with this question. Have you read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman?

I think Words of Affirmation speak love to me and Acts of Service.

Understanding God’s love for us is important in knowing how to express our love for others. God’s love is complex and perfect. It never compromises from the Truth of God’s Word.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

~~~~~

2. Is love blind? 

Simple answer, no. Complex answer, love sees, knows, confronts, forgives and lasts.
~
—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
~~~~~
3. How do you remember Valentine’s Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 
Valentine’s day in the 50’s was one of my favorite days at school. I so enjoyed the bag or box of Valentines to open and enjoy.
We don’t have anything special planned for today except for giving Addy and JJ their Valentine gifts.
~~~~
4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as ‘rom-com’? What’s your favorite (or one of your favorites)?
Not my favorite genre. In my not so humble opinion, bedroom scenes should not be broadcast on the screen. I can appreciate the romance in period pieces like Pride and Prejudice.
~~~~
5. What’s something you recently put your heart into? 
Looking for a little something special for Addy and JJ for Valentine’s Day.
~~~~
6. Insert your own random thought here.  
This is a ‘Valentine’s Day past’ table setting.
I put my heart into setting a themed table. I’m doing it less now but it still is enjoyable for me.
~~~~
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
May you “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Pancake Tuesday

These were a nice change from regular pancakes made with yogurt instead of milk. We enjoyed them with a dollop of plain yogurt and pure maple syrup. Since childhood our family has enjoyed pancakes with sour cream and syrup. If you’ve never tried it you should.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1-1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:

  1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  2. In separate bowl whisk together the yogurt, eggs, oil or butter and vanilla.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients combining well.
  4. Heat pan to medium high to cook the pancakes with a combo of vegetable oil and butter.
  5. Use 1/3 cup measure to proportion the batter and end up with 8 uniform pancakes.
  6. Cook to a golden brown on one side and flip and cook the other side.
  7. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Yield: 8 pancakes

Double the recipe to serve more people.

We did not grow up with the tradition of Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras or Lent. We have always joyously celebrated Easter ~ Resurrection Sunday.  In fact we never stop celebrating Christ’s resurrection and what His death, burial and resurrection mean to us as Christians.

It is a good day for pancakes.

One Anothers…

This was in my drafts from a few years ago and since Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday this is a good encouragement on how to love ‘One Another’.

I recommend this easy study to any of you to do at home or in a study group. Grab your concordances and search and find all the ways we are suppose to behave with one another. I’m including one great passage from Colossians that covers a few and suggestions for what to look for. Enjoy!

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances  you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Here are some helpful descriptions of some of these virtues; (taken from The Reformation Bible, ESV, R.C. Sproul – general Editor)

Kindness: Readiness to do good, even when it may be undeserved (Rom 2:4; Titus 3:4).

Compassion: An emotional, caring relationship with those whose lives are hurt and broken (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Rom. 12:1).

Humility: A posture of lowliness and servanthood (Mark 10;45; Phil. 2:1-11).

Meekness: Or, “gentleness” in offering help, a non-coercive approach to encouraging change in others’ lives (Matt. 11:29; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25).

Patience: Willingness to take the long view in face of human frailty (Rom. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:16).

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the “one anothers” to look for; love one another, serve one another, accept one another, forgive one another, comfort one another, encourage one another, care for one another.

Our Christian life is meant to be lived in community. What a good challenge it is to be encouraging to one another as we grow in community.