Shiver Me Timbers!

What a surprise we had on Sunday evening!

On Sunday after church we made a quick trip to Spokane to pick up my new prescription eye glasses. When we got home closer to the evening I received a text on my phone from Steven’s County informing us of a major Thunderstorm coming through our area. Pretty quick after the notice the rain started to fall. We saw lightning and then we heard the thunder and knew those strikes were very close by.

The rivers of rain starting coming off the roof. We had talked about putting the summer furniture away and taking down the shade cloth the day before but put it off, oops.

A gust of wind blew through and lifted the bar that holds the cloth up. We were fortunate the bar didn’t go flying into our patio doors. Down came one end of the cloth and the chair and a decorative lantern.

This was one of the stronger storms we’ve experienced since moving here. The power only went out for a few seconds which is very fortunate. The lightning and thunder continued through the evening hours even after the rain died down here.  That was an exciting Sunday evening at our country bungalow.

My plans to mow our acreage on Monday have been changed to later in the week.

On Monday (Labor Day) we put away all the patio furniture and took down the shade cloth and cover on the gazebo. Everything is stored for next summer.

Labor Day 2023

Happy Labor Day to us in the USA and our Canadian neighbors.

 

Several turkeys visited our front acre a few weeks ago. We do not water in the Summer so you can see how dry and brown things are.

Then before the end of August we had quite a downpour for several hours and things greened up nicely.

This photo above was taken on Sunday evening just before the rains came again with some good thunder.

I changed out some decor around here. What do you think? Too early? Schools start up in our town tomorrow and it just feels like Fall. As I’m typing we are having a nice downpour.

Have a great first full week of September!

Christ Above All Glory Seated ~ Hymn

 

Christ Above All Glory Seated

Christ, above all glory seated!
King triumphant, strong to save!
Dying, Thou hast death defeated;
Buried, Thou hast spoiled the grave.

Thou art gone, where now is given
What no mortal might could gain,
On the eternal throne of Heaven,
In Thy Father’s power to reign.

There Thy kingdoms all adore Thee,
Heaven above and earth below;
While the depths of hell before Thee
Trembling and defeated bow.

We, O Lord, with hearts adoring
Follow Thee above the sky!
Hear our prayers Thy grace imploring,
Lift our souls to Thee on high.

So when Thou again in glory
On the clouds of Heaven shalt shine,
We Thy flock may stand before Thee,
Owned for evermore as Thine.

Hail! all hail! in Thee confiding,
Jesus, Thee shall all adore,
In Thy Father’s might abiding
With one Spirit evermore!

Words: From a 13th Century Manuscript

Brie Avocado Sandwich

This is a different way to enjoy Brie and a fresh sandwich idea. The combination of flavors was very nice.

Ingredients:
Good fresh multi grain bread, sliced.
1 avocado, peeled and sliced.
1 small round of Brie sliced
Cranberry sauce
Lettuce greens
Thinly sliced red onion (optional)
Aioli or Mayonnaise (optional)

Spread the bread with about a tablespoon of Aioli or Mayonnaise (if desired), add lettuce greens, top with avocado, then add the slices of brie, spread cranberry sauce on the brie to your taste, add onion slices if desired, top with second slice of bread and enjoy. One avocado and a small round of brie makes up to 3 sandwiches.

Goodbye August

Another week of soccer for these two. Because of our smoke filled week a while back, soccer was extended to next week which will make for a very full week with the beginning of Homeschool Co-op and Awana!

Finally… I finished this puzzle which was harder than many with the coloring and the fact that all the pieces were similar!

It was okay that it took so long since our dining table was not in heavy demand in August. It will be cleared off for dinner tonight with our local kids and grands.

Welcome to September which will be a full month for us. Fall ministries are starting up at church. Awana, Women’s Bible Study, Mops, Women’s Retreat and Connection Groups are all happening in September.  Our Grands and their mom will be full speed ahead with Homeschool and Co-op.  A milestone birthday for someone in the family is coming up. We are also gearing up for a trip to a land we’ve never been to before. More details to follow soon.

What does September hold for you?

Truth for Today #70

Thursday August 31st

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the 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!

Ephesians 4:25-28

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

From Lana:

Luke 23: 39-43

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’
42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
43 Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

Romans 1:9
if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

From Vera:

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“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. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.”

From Leonard:

1 Samuel 30:6 (b)
“…But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

From Karen:

Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

From Cheryl:

Luke 20:20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

And then . . .
Luke 20:26 But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

‭‭

Time for School!

The 2023-24 school year begins! So grateful for this Mom and our Grands.

And she will start the school year with one less tooth. The first tooth to come out! A second one will probably be ready to pull soon. Praying for God to bless them with knowledge and love of learning and that the learning will draw them closer to God and all He has done for them. Also praying that they will be obedient for their teacher!!

No Wednesday Hodgepodge this week.

Fair Days

On Friday we attended the NE Washington State Fair here in our town.

 

Before we left the fair we enjoyed some ice cream cones.

On Saturday we met up on Main Street for the NE Washington Fair Parade.

The fire department starts the fair off and it is really loud. Our Grands have the best mom and she plans so well and remembered their ear muffs!

The participants in the parade are always stocked up with lots of candy to throw to the children along the parade route.

 

 

The short parade was over in no time and our Grands had a bag full of candy. We walked over to the Saturday Farmer’s market and bought veggies and fruit before heading home for the rest of the day!

 

What Is It for a Saint to Die? ~ Hymn

What is it for a Saint to Die?

What is it for a saint to die,
That we the thought should fear?
’Tis but to pass the heav’nly sky,
And leave pollution here.

True, Jordan’s stream is wondrous deep,
And Canaan’s walls are high;
But He, that guards us while we sleep,
Can guide us when we die.

A parting world, a gaping tomb,
Corruption and disease,
Are thorny paths to Heav’n our home,
And doors to endless bliss!

Eternal glory just before,
And Jesus waiting there,
A heav’nly gale to waft us o’er—
What have the saints to fear?

Words: Joseph Swain, 1792

Spicy Dark Chocolate Cookies

These cookies with surprising ingredients are very tasty and have a nice after kick of spice to them. Enjoy them with a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee. My sister Lana made them in the past and shared them and the recipe with me.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
6 oz. of semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Melt the butter and chocolate together either on the stove top in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (whisking until glossy and smooth) or in the microwave in 25-second increments (whisking after each 25 seconds). Cool the chocolate mixture to room temperature.

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment beat together the brown and white sugar, eggs and vanilla extract on low speed until mixed well. Pour in the cooled chocolate mixture and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, chili powder, baking soda, salt and cayenne.

Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture and mix on low speed until the flour is incorporated well.
Fold in the chopped walnuts.

Scoop 12 equal rounds of the cookie dough for each cookie sheet making 24 cookies in total (approx.1-1/2 tablespoons each)
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 12 minutes.
Cookies should still be a little puffy and soft.
Immediately slide the full sheet of parchment paper with the cookies onto a cooling rack.
Cool and enjoy with a cold glass of milk.
Note: If you enjoy sweeter cookies you can increase the brown sugar to a cup.