A Quiet Beginning

It’s been a relatively quiet start to the month of February at our Country Bungalow.  The biggest excitement was this delivery we had from Home Depot on Thursday.

We would have had to make two trips to Spokane to be able to haul this material and we were thankful we could have it delivered for a $79 delivery fee. Forty sheets of drywall, some 2×4’s, primer, paint, drywall compound, tape, screws and nails! It would have cost Dear around $100 dollars in gasoline to do that trip to Spokane twice in his truck, not to mention loading and unloading. 2100 pounds of stuff. Dear’s truck is rated for 1500 pounds.

And…he doesn’t have a nifty forklift to unload all that drywall! We are so thankful for this delivery service and what it saved us in time and labor. The driver managed to set that stack of drywall inside the new shop with a little maneuvering. It was below freezing here for this delivery.

Earlier in the week we had a warmer than freezing day and we got this photo via text. So thankful to get texts with photos from our Daughter-in-law!

Today in Colville we are suppose to get up to 47 degrees!! Quite a change from the 20’s and 30’s we have been experiencing. As you can see from the photos most all of our snow has melted. Today is definitely a day to spend outdoors before the next snow pattern comes our way. While Dear takes advantage of not having his fingers frozen while working in the shop I need to come up with an outdoor activity to enjoy the warm 40’s and sunshine!

What’s new in your corner of the world?

Truth from A to Z ~ S is for…

Hello February! Today we are on the letter S in our Bible Verse Challenge. The sky is the limit on the verses you can come up with. As usual leave your verse/verses in the comments and I’ll add them to this post. Thank you in advance!

This passage from Psalm 28 is loaded with words that begin with S.

S is for Strength, Shield, Song, Saving, Save, Shepherd

Psalm 28:6-9 ~ Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

From Vera: S is for SUFFICIENT

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Bethany: S is for Sing and Song

Click over to her blog Raindrops and Rainbows to read her post and verses!

From Patsy: S is for Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NASB)

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

From Maristella: S is for SHINE :

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
And :
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1
And :
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5

The Snowball Effect Hodgepodge

A new month of Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for coming up with the questions for us to answer.
***
1. Feb 2nd is Groundhog Day in the US of A. Tell us about one day you wouldn’t mind living over again, and why you chose that day. 
***
 I’ll pick July 9th, 2014.  This was a day Dear and I spent in Oxford, England. I chose this day because it’s impossible for us to visit Oxford at this time in virus history and it is something we dream to be able to do again. Here’s a link to part of our day in Oxford in 2014.
***
 2. Something you know beyond a ‘shadow of a doubt’?
***
God created me a woman and he created my husband (Dear) a man. Those are the only two genders that God has created. 
***
3. Give us an example of history repeating itself in some way, in your own life or the lives of your children.
***
It’s fun to see our little grandson doing some of the things our son did when he was little. 
***
4. Snowed under, snow job, not a snowball’s chance, snowbird, on thin ice, snug as a bug in a rug, tip of the iceberg, snowball effect, run hot and cold….choose a wintry idiom and tell us how it best applies to your life right now. 
***
I’ll choose snowball effect. Building a shop on our property has had it’s own snowball effect. Once I think the hard part is over and done with another hard part presents itself. One thing leads to another. I think I should plan a huge completion party to celebrate once it is all done and all our stuff from our son’s shop finds it’s way into Dear’s shop. 
***
5. Your favorite sign of spring? 
***
It’s hard to choose just one. 
***
There is Easter and all that it means. Easter is my favorite holiday to celebrate. So much promise, so much hope because of Jesus’ resurrection. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! 
Our very first grandchild was born on the first day of Spring four years ago. We get to celebrate her at the beginning of Spring every year!
Our grandson was born in Spring, too, in April of 2019. We have so much to celebrate in Spring! 
***
6. Insert your own random thought here.
***
All this talk of Spring makes me want to go out and find a bunch of daffodils to bring in for cheer and the good promise that Spring is on it’s way!

Our Mom’s Roolyet (Russian Nut Roll)

Roll the “R” when you try to pronounce the name of this nut roll that is a family favorite from my childhood and adult life, too. Our mom’s Roolyet was the best. We’ve just managed to perfect a recipe that brings back the memory of our mom’s roll. I think she would give us at least an A maybe not an A+ yet. Our pop got teary eyed when he bit into his piece because it reminded him of his beloved bride who died four years ago. (Since I published this post back in 2017 our dear Pop was called up to heaven in June of 2018.)

My sister Vera and I perfected this in 2017 while I was visiting in Southern California. I posted this recipe on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog but decided now to add it here for my own easy access.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/8 cup milk, scalded
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 egg yolks (set aside egg whites)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly, reserve 1 tablespoon
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup flour

For Rolling Surface:

  • 1/4 cup powdered/icing sugar

For Filling:

  • 2 1/2 cups ground walnuts
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 egg whites

Method:

  1. In a small bowl dissolve the 2 teaspoons sugar with the scalded milk, add the yeast and mix well.
  2. In medium bowl mix the 1/2 cup milk, egg yolks, melted butter minus the tablespoon you set aside, and vanilla then add in the yeast mixture and mix well.
  3. Sift the 1 3/4 cup flour, salt, and 3 tablespoons sugar together.
  4. Add sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly while mixing, the dough will be sticky.
  5. Prepare kneading surface with a light dusting of flour.
  6. Knead the dough adding as much of the 1/4 cup of flour needed during this process to make the dough less sticky, knead the dough for 10 minutes then form into a ball.
  7. Place the dough into a lightly greased stainless bowl that is 3 times the size of the dough and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and place in a warm spot without drafts.
  8. Leave the dough to rise to double its size, 1-2 hours.
  9. While dough is rising prepare the filling by mixing the 2 1/2 cups ground walnuts, egg whites, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mixing well.
  10. Divide the filling into two equal portions.
  11. Once the dough is doubled in size prepare the work surface where you will be rolling out the dough, dusting it with the powdered/icing sugar.
  12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  13. Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal portions.
  14. Roll each portion of the dough separately into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
  15. Spread the filling evenly over the rectangle of dough leaving 1/2 inch free of filling along the edges.
  16. Starting at the long edge fold over the dough carefully and keep rolling into a tight roll.
  17. Pinch the seam well and pinch the ends to prevent the filling from leaking.
  18. Place the roll seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.
  19. Repeat the process for the second roll and add it to the baking sheet keeping the rolls at least 3 inches apart.
  20. Use the reserved tablespoon of melted butter to brush the tops and sides of the rolls evenly.
  21. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  22. Let cool and cut into slices to enjoy.

Yield: 2 twelve inch long rolls

Notes: We found that 3 cups of whole walnuts make 2-1/2 cups of ground walnuts.
We used a slightly warm oven to let the dough rise in.
Use a serrated/bread knife to cut the roll.

 

 

Let the Gospel Light Shine Out ~ Hymn

Let the Gospel Light Shine Out

Standing like a lighthouse
On the shores of time,
Looking o’er the waves
Of darkness, sin, and crime,
Open up your windows,
There’s a work sublime,
Let the Gospel light shine out.

Refrain

Let the Gospel light shine out;
Let the Gospel light shine out;
Keep your lamp in order,
Trimmed and burning bright—
Let the Gospel light shine out.

There are human shipwrecks
Lying all around,
O, what moral darkness
Everywhere is found;
Warn some other vessels
Off from dangerous ground,
Let the Gospel light shine out.

Refrain

Do not let the bushel
Cover up your light;
Keep your lamp in order,
Trimmed and burning bright;
Try to be a blessing,
Brighten up the night,
Let the Gospel light shine out.

Refrain

Try to live for Jesus,
Till this life is o’er,
For along this pathway
You will pass no more;
Till He bids you welcome
On the other shore,
Let the Gospel light shine out.

Refrain

Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1900.

Leftovers from Arizona

For our family archives I’m adding the rest of the photos I have from our time in Arizona from January 13th to the 19th of 2021. Jaymison’s first ride down the slide with his daddy.

Daddy made sure JJ stayed above the water!

Addy became quite a pro on coming down the slide all by herself!

I shared about the epic birthday party for our two sons on Saturday the 16th but our daughter-in-law Jamie had a birthday, too, on Friday the 15th. For her day we watched the grands while Dan and Jamie enjoyed brunch out all by themselves and also enjoyed shopping at Target after brunch without their kids in tow. On Friday night we went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and that photo of Dan, Jamie, Jaymison and Addyson was taken by Laura while we waited for our table.

Our grands are blessed beyond measure with aunts and uncles that love them and are attentive to them.

Instead of grass in Arizona people have rock or faux grass in their yards.

While the ladies had a shopping outing without the grands the guys took them to a couple parks.

 

Uncle Andrew and JJ.

Daddy and JJ.

Most everyone contributed some time in putting our Arizona Jigsaw puzzle together.

On Monday night the 18th of January we had another meal out at Amigos Restaurant. Dear tried a new to all of us dish called Molcajete Cielo Mary Tierra, mouth watering steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, chorizo, grilled green onions, grilled nopales, jalapenos, in a molcajete stone. Served with sides of rice, beans, tortillas, guacamole and pica de gallo. I should have shared this dish with Dear.

Such special times with our grands and all our kids.

Our trip to Arizona was the first airplane trip we’ve taken since the Covid restrictions on wearing masks were mandated on airplanes. I found out early in our flight that this cute mask that came From ‘Russia with Love’ was quite painful on my ears and I had to use my MacGyver skills to attach the mask to my glasses instead of my ears. On one of our shopping trips to Old Navy in Arizona we all bought 4paks of masks and they were so much more comfortable and adjustable. Hooray. I might try and replace the ear pieces on this mask to make it more comfortable.

On Tuesday the 19th we said our goodbyes to our temporary home in the sun.

Until the next time we treasure these memories.

We are back here in Colville for well over a week now and we had a few inches of snow overnight from Wednesday until Thursday. Thursday was a very nonproductive day at our country bungalow. We made good progress on putting together our latest jigsaw puzzle while enjoying the snow views out our windows.

This is a 1000 piece puzzle and the pieces are oversized so it is larger than most 1000 piece puzzles. We only have about 100 pieces left on this puzzle and it will be done on Friday for sure.

Hope January ends well for all of you with a lovely weekend! I’ve put up a few Valentine Day Decorations already. Do you have Valentine Day decor that you put up?

Truth from A to Z ~ R is for…

It’s the last week in January of 2021 and that brings us to the letter R. So many rich verses with words that begin with R. It’s always hard to choose just one or two or three.

Share the verse/verses you have come up with in the comments and I’ll add them to this post. Enjoy searching and digging!

Besides my current Bible reading in Luke and Proverbs I’m reading a Psalm a day. For my verse this week I’m sharing from Psalm 25. The whole Psalm is so good…

R is for Remember:

Psalm 25:6-7 ~ Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! 

From Cheryl: R is for Rich

” But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:4-7

Visit Bethany at Raindrops and Rainbows for her verses on remember.

From Patricia: R is for Remember, Rise, Remembered, Risen

Luke 24:6-8 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” And they remembered His words.

From Vera: R is for Redeemed

“You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:58‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Maristella: R is for Righteous, Righteousness and Rebuking

” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
AND:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17

From Cindy: R is for Rock and Refuge

Psalm 18:2 ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.’

“The Lord is our safe place, a place where we can find comfort and peace. He’s our shelter in the storm and we’ve certainly been in a storm the last year or so! He’s our foundation, a solid place to stand on when we need confidence and reassurance. He is my Rock and my Refuge!”

From Wendy: R is for Renewed

Renewed — Ephesians 4:23 

I’ll let you all look that one up and read the whole paragraph from verse 17 to 24!

 

Hit the Road Hodgepodge

Speaking of travel the photo above is of me behind the waterfall in the pool at our son’s Airbnb in Arizona a week ago, sigh.

Jo From This Side of the Pond has come up with the weekly questions for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Jo! Click on over to join in on the fun.

1. Have you done more binge watching this past year than in ‘normal’ years? Any plans to break that habit in 2021? Tell us one or two shows you binged last year that you really liked. 

Our satellite connection for tv and the internet is temperamental and works better some parts of the month over other times. When it is working well we’ll binge some of our favorite shows on Acorn or BritBox. Since many of the British seasons are 4 to 8 episodes it’s not tough to binge. We’ve enjoyed Murder in Paradise, and we always enjoy going back to Midsomer Murders and the Great British Baking Show. Murder in Paradise had a new season in 2020 and we binge watched it. We enjoy other shows like Endeavor and Vera, too. If in 2021 there are any new seasons of these shows we’ll watch them when the internet is working well.

2. January 26th is Australia Day. Have you ever visited or lived in Australia?

No.

Have you ever tasted Vegemite, and if so what did you think? 

No thank you.

Is a trip down under on your bucket list?

No and I’ll tell you why…it would take far too long on an airplane to get there. If I could afford business or first class with the opportunity to lie down flat for much of the trip I might consider it.

We answered a question about travel three months ago (the October 21st Hodgepodge), but let’s revisit now…where are you when it comes to planning or even imagining travel this year? 

Our youngest niece on Dear’s side of the family is getting married on October 1st of this year in North Carolina. We are planning and imagining what a road trip from Washington State to North Carolina would look like with possible stops at some National Parks on the way. On the way back we are considering a route that would take us through Dallas to visit my youngest brother’s family then home via Colorado with a detour to some National Parks in Utah, Lord willing.

3. Something that zaps your energy?

Unconfessed sin, misunderstandings and confrontations.

Something that energizes you? 

Planning a trip, Spring, having company.

4. On a scale of 1-10 what are your eating habits like these days? (1=all junk food all the time and 10= juicing every green thing in the frig)

Dear says, “we’ve been juicing all the junk food in the fridge”. Haha.

I’m gonna say we are a 5 in eating habits these days.

Healthiest meal you’ve eaten in the last week or so? 

White meat chicken tacos with corn tortillas that weren’t fried with cabbage.

5. What’s your most often ‘Back in my day….’ thing to say? 

Back in my day we did not have cell phones to call anyone.

This phrase comes up a lot, “well we didn’t have cell phones then”.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Psalm 39:1 (ESV)

Consider joining in for Truth from A to Z, a Bible verse challenge for Thursdays on my blog. Tomorrow we are on the letter R. You don’t need a blog for this challenge.

Wildlife

I wanted to add the rest of the animals we enjoyed during our zoo and aquarium experience while we were in Arizona in the middle of January.

We did see a very majestic Lion but it’s hard to get a good photo through a fence.

We all had a good time at the zoo. The fact that it was a short ten minute ride from the house we were staying in was a plus. This was our first full day in Arizona and while the kids napped some of us made a trip to Costco to buy food for dinner and to stock up the fridge. We enjoyed Costco Rotisserie Chickens, their macaroni and cheese, Caesar saIads and fresh bread. We had enough chicken leftover to enjoy chicken Caesar salads for lunch the next day. I still have some catch-up posts from Arizona that I’ll add soon.