Yes, I was able to cut off the burned parts,
Turn it over on a cake plate,
and frost it with whipping cream.
And it was delicious!
Thanks for reassuring me.
Even the worst of our mistakes
Can turn out OK,
IF we don’t give up!
But, the best solution is Read the fine print to begin with!
Have a great Monday evening.
.
We’re headed to visit our dear neighbors
Who are here for the summer
and then leave in the fall –
headed for warmer weather.
Only kidding… You’re not chicken for leaving in winter… But we will sure miss all our “Snowbirds!”
Four of these five guys head for warmer climate in winter.
Only Bob – on the left – the guy in shorts –
the one who thinks it’s warm
when others are cold-
will remain!
And both of my girlfriends here will leave.
Penny, on the right, is the one
we are saying farewell to tonight.
Oh, but I can’t cry.
I need to count my blessings.
Better to have ’em part of the year
rather than not at all.
. And thanks, Mrs Hen, for the egg whites. Without them I couldn’t have made that angelfood cake!
.
See ya tomorrow, my blogging friends. Sure glad you’re not leaving me!
Shortcuts rarely give
The results we so desire
Often disastrous
Disaster Unaware
I didn’t realize when I put the angelfood cake batter in the angelfood cake pan that I had taken a shortcut. But, I guess not fully reading the instructions is a shortcut to getting the batter made and the cake put into the oven.
If you live at the 5,000 ft. level and the fine print on the box says “high altitude instructions,” you should probably take time to read them. Otherwise, look at what happened… it overflowed the pan and the top became way too crusty. Do you think it still is salvageable?
Bible Lesson on Shortcuts
Interestingly, my Bible Study lesson from In Touch Ministriesyesterday morning dealt with this very subject!!
You’d think I’d learn, wouldn’t you? Impatience … rushing to get things done… multi-tasking … all are part of that “Shortcut Syndrome.” Not a good idea!
Read the Fine Print
The fine print below the ordinary cake instructions told me that people who are at 3500 to 6500 ft. need to add 1/3 cup of cornstarch into the dry cake mix. And it told me to beat the batter 3 minutes instead of only 1 minute on medium. Uh, I think that would have made a big difference. Ya think?
The lesson for Abram and Sarai had some fine print, too. “You are going to have a son,” was the bold print message. The fine print said, “But, hey you 80 year old bare woman, you gotta wait another ten years!” (or was she 89 waiting for her 99th year?) Whatever it was… it was wierd! And for good reason, the couple became impatient.
Disastrous Results
Taking things into our own hands, rushing God’s perfect timing, skipping the whispers and the fine print… those all result in disastrous outcomes.
Do you have a goal that you’ve been working to accomplish? Does it seem that the harder you work toward it, the farther away it seems to be?
Sometimes trying to accomplish a goal is like eating a bowl of spaghetti. You take a bite and the pasta grows to fill the hole you thought you’d made!
My Goal
The pasta growth is a perfect example for me to use today because my goal is to get back to my “Goal Weight.” I had a potluck at my house yesterday – and lasagna was the main dish. It was soooo good! But, this morning at TOPS, it showed up as .75 of a pound on the scale!!
I was the Queen of the State of Montana TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) back in I don’t remember when… 2013 or so. Earned that status by reaching my goal weight and in the process losing 30+ pounds that had crept up on me over about a 30 year period.
Then like that pasta that fills the void, over the next few years, ten of those pounds have crept back on. My body has settled at this and decided it likes this place on the scale. Well, I don’t!
Arguing with Self & Others
Some of my TOPS friends tell me I should change my goal weight. Afterall Jan, at 80 you’re not supposed to look like you did at 30! Well, that’s not my goal. I just wanna look and feel like I did when I had 10 pounds less than I do now. Thirty was nice, but it’s unrealistic for me now. I’d look gaunt!
Here I am almost 50 years ago when my daughter (who will be 52 tomorrow) was about five years old. (Yes, I sewed our matching dresses. Awww… how cute!)
Well, she doesn’t look like that anymore, so why should I? Here we are now:
Still got that sparkle. Still love each other to the moon and back. Both still healthy and thanking God daily for our vitality and ability to travel and spend time with each other annually (DeAna lives in Switzerland).
So Why Argue?
When I was ten pounds lighter, my clothes looked better on me. I was able to bend down and tie my shoes without getting out of breath. (Yes, 10 extra pounds makes that kind of difference). I had lower blood pressure. I felt better about myself. So, it’s a goal worth persuing – and an accomplishment worth keeping. This yo-yo-ing is not good for me… 2 lbs down in two weeks and the one week later it’s back. (Why does it come back so much faster than it comes off?)
Here I am with my granddaughter, Hope,
when I was on my way down – almost to my goal weight.
And my sis, Sally, and my hubby Bob with me at goal weight.
Keep the Tiny Spark Glowing!
The goal you are striving to accomplish may not be a big fiery flame for all to see, but a tiny spark that whispers to you. You know you can do it. The spark keeps whispering, “You can do this! Don’t give up!” Keep the spark alive.
Other people may not think it is important … whatever that personal goal is… but YOU DO! And so it is worth persuing. Stick with it!
Keep going! You got this!
I was TOPS biggest loser last week. I can do it again.
Keep those damn pounds off.
Forget about that pasta hole!!
Eat less carbs.
My husband, Bob, is a retired beekeeper. During the 25+ years that he worked with honeybees, he had as many as 2000 hives. I have a passion about saving these insects. It’s about saving our world!
Have you hugged a honeybee today?
Gotta love those little insects –
The fuzzy little gals who sting.
They are essential to us, you know.
Important all year, not just in spring.
No, I don’t recommend you hug ’em. They wouldn’t like it any more than you. But, I do recommend you protect them. Just think of all that they do.
Producing honey is not all they do!
While the honeybee is out working To gather nectar and return to her hive, She is pollinating the flowers To produce the food that keeps us alive.
Just look at those pollen packs!!
One out of every three bites of our food Is related to the work of the bees. As they move from flower to flower, They pollinate ground crops and trees.
Entomophily is the scientific name Of the pollination activity. It is crucial to the production Of many crops and their proclivity.
Celery, strawberries, beets and mustard, Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and such All rely on the honeybee for pollination. Without their work, we wouldn’t have much.
Turnips and peppers, papaya and watermelon, Oranges, coriander, cantaloupe, apples for you. Squash and pumpkins, zucchini and quince, Lemons, limes, and most fruit you love, too.
Alfalfa needs bees, and avocados do, too. Lima beans, string beans and green beans, Almonds and most of the nuts we eat… I could go on, but you get what it means To have honeybees in our world. You can see why protection’s a must. So, get the word out to love those bees! They are essential to life; of that you can trust!
Get the word out!
Honeybees don’t want to sting you. They have barbs on their stingers, you know; So when they sting to protect themselves or their hive, Their stinger stays in you – and they die. Oh no!
Don’t pinch the stinger out of your skin; Just scrape it with your fingernail. Get it out quickly so less poison goes in you, And put ice on the spot. Don’t whimper and wail!
Bees create honey for their food
Bees are social insects who gather together To divide up the work in hive and in field. They create the honey for their own food, And use the pollen like bread. Quite a yield!
A beehive is sterile – more clean than a hospital. The bees line their entrance with propolis. It sterilizes their feet when they cross the threshold. They have a lot of tricks that would be good for us!
What flower would you want to bee?
You gotta love those honeybees! They are essential to our life on earth. If we don’t protect them and do the research, Our lives here won’t have much worth!
The End!
Thank you, Roth Poetry, for writing about our bees on your post! It would be great if all my readers would share this post with your friends. Get the word out! Gotta Love Those Honeybees!
Today at church our guest minister was Dan Hollard, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bozeman, Montana. Our pastor for the past 25+ years has been Rev. Jean Johnson. Jean is on disability leave right now … in a rehab facility in Great Falls, MT.
Pray for Jean
Join me in prayer for Rev. Jean Johnson’s release from pain and ability to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
Sunday Surprises
Meantime, it’s a surprise each Sunday to see who is in the pulpit and to hear a different kind of message. Today’s message was titled, “Spirit of Peace.” I think Dan Hollard must have spent some time in Africa, because he put on an authentic African accent and told us the story of Ubuntu (Oooo-boon-too).
He based his message on the scripture of Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
Here’s what I heard through my filter and took away this morning:
There was a woman in Africa named Dorothy
Who embodied the spirit of Ubuntu
She was all about community and humanity.
Her kitchen was open to all … she’d welcome you.
She lived the spirit of Matthew 25:
If you see someone naked, clothe them.
If you see someone hungry, feed them.
We’re all one; you should never loathe them!
Dorothy was like a mother to all
Who entered her village; she’d invite
The hungry and poor to dine in her kitchen.
The sense of community was pure delight.
Like Nelson Mandela who invited his captors
To enjoy his inauguration feast,
Dorothy welcomed one and all –
Didn’t label anyone as one of the “least.”
Instead she lived a life that demonstrated
“I am who I am because of who we are.”
She knew “We are all connected.”
Her love lifted all people to “par.”
Everywhere in the world what we need
Is more Dorothys who live out Matthew 25.
Regardless of religion or color or creed,
We need Ubuntu to spread far and wide.
We must fill our world with love and joy.
We must fill the world with God’s peace.
We must feed the hungry and show respect
And love to all. Come and join my feast!
Shalom!
Ubuntu! Have a Matthew 25 Sunday. “I am because we are.” We are all connected. See you tomorrow.
We are at Elevation 486, an upscale restaurant “Food and Spirits for the New West.” We had a delicious dinner and have enjoyed beautiful 80 degrees lowering into the 70s as we ate, drank, visited and watched the sunset from our patio seats.
Come enjoy it vicariously with us.
We had a good night’s sleep after that beautiful meal.
Now we’re ready to continue my birthday week of celebrating!!
Good morning, my friends. Have a beautiful day. We’re headed home!
We arrived yesterday at the condo
in S. Lake Tahoe, California.
Great family time and beautiful scenery.
Big job getting ready for this weekend’s wedding.
Our son & daughter-in-law are preparing
the food for the 150 guests
who will join us Saturday
for Faith’s wedding.
Today we shopped.
Look at her planning charts!
Monika’s organizational skills are phenomenal!
Have you ever taken on a task this daunting?
I haven’t! My son is a great sport!
Here we are at breakfast in our condo this morning.
I hope you had a great day!
Tell me what you did.
I send you my love.
Honeybees give us
One out of every three foods –
Directly or indirectly.
Their pollination is essential.
Their honey is a pure food.
If you avoid adding water to it,
It will be good and nutritious
forever!
Don’t refrigerate it!
That speeds up any tendency to crystallize.
Honey was found in
King Tut’s tomb…
And it still was good.
Honeybees are in peril.
Worldwide they are dying
of Colony Collapse Disorder.
Save our bees!
Independence Day in Ennis, Montana is like stepping back 50 years.
The Firemen put on a pancake breakfast and feed over 800 people.
The parade blocks off Hiway 287 traffic for two hours. The floats are simple. The horses are wonderful. The old cars are fun to see. The children are delightful.
This video taken when we were watching it from Main Street a couple years ago gives you a real good glimpse of our parade. My friend, Mary Oliver, was Grand Marshall.
This year we watched from across the way from our Manor, the nursing home. The residents come out in their wheelchairs to enjoy the festivities. Some voolunteers served them rootbeer floats and presented the with July 4th hats or crowns. Adorable!!
It was overcast and a little cool
when the sun went behind a cloud,
but it did not rain on our parade!
Thank you, God!
I volunteered at our Senior Center to offer coffee, water, donuts, and restroom facilities to the more than 6,000 visitors who came to our little town of 1,000 residents on this special occasion.
My friend, Lynn,
who is President of our Sr. Center Board of Directors,
spear-headed the effort.
The rodeo is good-ole western down-home country.
And after the rodeo, we all have a BBQ
or invite neighbors and friends to come home with us.
The neighbors invite the neighbors to come dine with them in their welcoming homes.
What a lovely evening we had!
Just look at that view from our neighbor’s patio!
(Our house is beyond the trees to the left.)
You gotta experience it to believe it.
Maybe next year YOU can come to Ennis, Montana to experience the Firemen’s breakfast, the parade, the hospitality of the Sr. Center and the residents’ homes, and the rodeo.
Hope you had a Happy 4th of July.
What did you do if you were in the USA? And if you’re in another country, do you have similar celebratory experiences to celebrate your country’s independence or founding? Tell me about it!
