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Thrift Find and Birds Nest

My friend Holly and I took off Thursday morning

 to make the thrift store rounds. 

I always look forward to our fun time together. 

This sweet little raised cloche was my favorite find. 

It was $5.99 and still wrapped and in the box from the Stokes store. 

A friend commented on my Facebook page that it looks

like the little bird is sitting on an Easter egg.  :)

This darling little nest was a gift from Holly.

  She crocheted it using hemp string,

 from a little hat pattern.  Genius, eh?

The perfect thing to put in my new Spring cloche!

"The beauty of winter, is that it makes you appreciate Spring."

L. M. Montgomery

Tanya

Exciting Announcement at Take Six

Keep your eyes open and watching...

We are doing a Spring blog makeover, including moving to a new home!

Nicole has been working really hard and we are almost ready for the big reveal!!

Word Press...here we come!

~Tanya

Take 5 with Kathy - "Nothing is hidden..."

Listening to the cheerful chirping this week of “my” song sparrow brought to mind a song I had learned in childhood,

God sees the little sparrow fall,

It meets His tender view;

If God so loves the little birds,

I know He loves me too.[i]

In Luke 12:6-7, Jesus reassured His disciples with these words, “What is the price of five sparrows – two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” These coins were worth about half-an-hour’s work for a labourer back then. Of all God’s creation, mankind is most precious to God.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God…” the writer of Hebrews says.[ii] He is “El Roi”, the “God who sees”. In Genesis 16 we find the complex story of a barren woman, Sarai, who despite knowing God’s promise of a son could wait no longer. She took matters into her own hands and gave her maidservant, Hagar, to her husband so she might bear a son thus providing an heir for Sarai. When Hagar became pregnant, she taunted Sarai relentlessly and, in turn, Sarai mistreated her servant. Hagar fled into the desert where the angel of the Lord found her. He confirmed she was carrying a son whom she was to call “Ishmael” meaning “God hears”. Indeed He had heard Hagar’s misery. “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”[iii]

Scripture places great emphasis on this very personal aspect of God’s nature. In the Old Testament He saw…the depravity of man in the days of Noah…the cruel treatment of the Israelites in Egypt…Judah’s unfaithfulness to God…the proud who needed to be brought to their knees…those whose hearts are fully committed to God…the temple being rebuilt.[iv]

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ extended His divine nature through tangible contact with everyone He met. He saw …the faith of the paralyzed man’s friends…Levi, a tax collector, and called him to be His disciple…the widow whose son had died and comforted her with “Don’t cry”… …a crippled woman and said “You are set free from your infirmity” …ten lepers whom He healed…Zaccheus in a tree…a poor widow offering all she had …the crowds and began to teach them…the large crowds on which He had compassion and healed their sick …the little children whom He held and blessed …Mary weeping after the death of Lazarus…His mother at the foot of His cross.[v]
 

He even “saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”[vi] As Job testified, God sees everything I do and every step I take.[vii]

During this past couple weeks I’m so grateful I know El Roi personally. He sees my friend as she grieves the loss of her pet cat of seventeen years…my daughter-in-law as she visits relatives a few hours away…my son as he received his engineering iron ring…my parents as they move forward together following a difficult decision…another friend as she awaits cancer surgery…my neighbours as they travelled to Florida for March break…a grieving community as they mourn five lost fishermen…a couple from our church hovering anxiously over their little son in the hospital…God sees and cares deeply for each and every situation in which we find ourselves. How comforting it is to know this truth!!

He sees my pain when no one else can or when I try to hide it from them. He knows all that lies before me and sees what way I should go. He sees why I am going through my current challenge and how frustrating it is for me. He sees dangers in my way and sends angels to protect me. He sees when I need encouragement from a specific Bible verse or lyrics of a song.
 

Thank-you my El Roi !

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

 

---

[i] Maria Straub, Solomon W. Straub, http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/godseest.htm

[ii] Hebrews 4:13

[iii] Genesis 16:13

[iv] Genesis 6:5; Exodus 3:9; Jeremiah 16:17;  I Samuel 22:28; I Chronicles 16:9; Zechariah 4:10

[v] Luke 5:20, 27; 6:13; 13:12; 17:14; 19:5; 21:2; Matthew 5:1; Mark 6:34; 10:16; John 11:33; 19:26

[vi] Psalm 119:16

[vii] Job 31:4

Before & After ~ Easter Topiary

This week a thrift store in my area moved to a much bigger location.  I thought it would be supportive of me to "help them celebrate" their grand opening *wink*.  I took a quick run in one afternoon.  What a celebration.  The very spacious parking lot was full, and both sides of the four lane highway were lined with cars (including mine!)  I hurried inside and grabbed a shopping cart. This little "before and after" is one of my finds from that day.  

I spotted this cute little Easter topiary just as another lady picked it up off the shelf.  So I just waited patiently and she finally decided to put it back!  Swoosh!!!!  (That was me grabbing it quickly!) ;)  This topiary was too "bright" for my taste.  I was looking for a more muted look.  So the first thing I did was tear out all the bright green moss and silk flowers.  

That's better...but the pot was too bright as well.  I took it outside on the weekend.  It was -1 and sunny.  Too cold really for spray painting outside.  But I spray painted it anyway and took it back into the warm house to dry.  The pot looks white in this picture but it is actually a warmer ivory color.  

I'm getting there!  Then I took the glue gun and Spanish moss.  I just broke off small bunches of the moss and glued it in between the eggs, and at the base of the topiary branch.  

Oh, so much better!  Are you doing some Easter/Spring decorating?  I'm working on it now.  It makes my heart sing!  Such a very fun time to decorate.  

Wishing everyone a very Happy Spring!

Tanya

Joining:
Seasonal Sunday

Take 5 with Kathy - "Above all..."

 

On Thursday, my parents came along with me and my husband to a maple sugar camp. Hubby and I had visited there in the fall of 2011(see my October 22, 2011 post). We couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful day for such an outing as we enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine after such a long winter. As we drove along, however, we soon saw evidence of the power of nature following a night of heavy rain and wind. Flood waters covered baseball fields, parking lots, farmer’s fields, and roads. We negotiated one country road very carefully as potholes and washed-away shoulders made driving tricky. All of us kept remarking, “Look at all that water!” It brought home how quickly the forces of what God has created can unleash their fury and change our lives.

(Sugar Moon Farm, Nova Scotia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was soon reminded of what God had already led me to write about this week and how what we had seen is a good illustration. No matter how much power and might nature possesses, it pales in comparison to the sovereignty of God.

His name is “El Elyon” – "God Most High" - "uppermost". This title distinguishes Him as the sovereign ruler over all. Because He created all, He is superior to all. He is the Supreme Being above all beings. He is above all authorities whether appointed by God or selected by man. He deserves our utmost attention, honor, and worship.

The first instance in Scripture of this name is in Genesis14:19-20, “Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you...’” Abram had just returned from defeating four Mesopotamian kings who had captured his nephew, Lot, among others. Melchizedek was the King of Salem (Jerusalem) as well as a priest of God. Abram, great as he was to become, acknowledged Melchizedek’s superior spiritual position by giving him a tenth of the plunder (this practice would become a significant requirement under Mosaic Law providing for the needs of future Levitic priests). Soon after this event, God made His formal covenant with Abram promising him an heir and a land for his descendants.

Melchizedek’s birth and death is unexplained; we know little of him beyond this passage. Yet, he became an archetype of Christ, the Messiah portrayed in Psalm 110:4, “…You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The fulfillment of this prophecy was realized in the life of Christ and was sanctioned by God Himself. Hebrews 5:5-6 makes this clear, “And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor Himself by assuming He could become High Priest. No, He was chosen by God, who said to Him, ‘You are my Son, Today I have become your Father’...‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” Chapter 6:20 confirms that, “He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” The whole of chapters 5-8 are devoted to explaining the significance of this fulfillment. It’s a fascinating study!

Personally, I am most blessed by knowing that Christ is “able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven…Jesus did this once for all when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.” (Chapter 7:25-27) It upsets me when I see a humanly-appointed person receiving all the recognition and glory instead of the God they have been called to serve.

 

I am so glad I have direct access to God, the Father, through Jesus Christ. Since He is my High Priest forever, there is no need to go through anyone else for atonement and forgiveness of my sins. What an amazing truth to believe and appropriate! It provides a security and freedom that cannot be found in anything or anyone else, no matter how good or righteous they may appear. He is Most High – higher than Melchizedek, Abraham, the priests with their mortality and inability to atone for their own sins, Moses and Aaron, King David, modern-day spiritual leaders – He is above all.

As John the Baptist testified of Christ, “The One who comes from above is above all…”[i]

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

 

---

[i] John 8:31

*All Scriptures from NLT

Take 5 with Kathy - "Created with purpose..."

We are soon approaching my favourite time of year – Spring! Since childhood I have always loved seeing and experiencing the first signs that winter was coming to an end and warmer weather was around the corner…

…tiny green shoots poking up through a snow-bare patch of earth

…water trickling merrily from under the snow on our roof

…catching a whiff of that “earthy” aroma in the late winter air

…delighting in the cheery babble of a bubbling brook beneath transparent ice

…hearing that first twittering of songbirds returning from southern climates

…observing emerging insects anxious to spread their wings

…marveling at jagged fissures formed by thinning lake ice

…seeing fresh buds bursting from tips of branches

When these evidences of spring appear in our cold northern environment it is truly a time for celebration! Like a bear venturing forth from hibernation my senses awaken with fresh energy and my spirit rejoices in my Creator who makes all things new.

He is my “Elohim”, the Creator God. This is a primary Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament and it represents His power and preeminence. Genesis 1:1&26 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” It is significant to note that the second part of this title, “him”, is in the plural form referring to the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As they are one God, all three were present at creation.

The apostle Paul testifies to this in Colossians 1:15-16, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth… everything was created through Him and for Him.”

God Himself verified His role as Creator when He said, “I am the One who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.”[i]

At the very essence of God is creativity. The diversity with which He fashioned the universe, the animal kingdom, and humanity never ceases to amaze my finite mind. It brings my spirit to its knees in worship as I acknowledge with the apostle John, “You are worthy, O Lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”[ii]

Chris Tomlin’s beautiful song, “Indescribable”, often comes to my mind:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation’s revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

 

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky

And You know them by name

You are amazing, God

 

All powerful, untamable

Awestruck we fall to our knees

As we humbly proclaim

You are amazing, God

 

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet, conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom[iii]

God’s purpose in creation is to bring glory and pleasure to His name.

“Lord, my Elohim, thank you for being our Creator God. It is amazing to think of all you have brought into being. Thank you for creating me to be the person I am. My heart is filled with gratitude for giving me the gifts, abilities, and personality that you have. Forgive me for times I have complained about myself or for times I longed to possess qualities I saw in someone else. Thank you for continuing to develop character in me that will accomplish Your purposes and bring glory to You. May I be faithful in daily obeying the truths of Your Word. May others know You better because they saw Jesus reflected in me. Amen.”

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

---

[i] Isaiah 45:12

[ii] Revelation 4:11

[iii] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/indescribable.html

*All Scripture from NLT

Take 5 with Kathy - "Beyond any other name..."

The catch phrase, “by any other name”, originated with Shakespeare’s Juliet who lamented to Romeo, “What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”[i] Oh, if his family name had not been Montague perhaps these love-torn hearts could have lived happily ever after! Juliet reasoned that the character of a person matters more than what they are called.

This is true, however many people and cultures place great worth in the meaning of a person’s name. Like so many moms-to-be I consulted baby-name books while waiting for our child. I wanted to ensure he or she had a name with spiritual depth. So, we chose one which comes from the Hebrew meaning “God will uplift”. It is also a favourite of mine! Because my husband’s heritage is Chinese, it was customary for his parents to decide on a name as well. The one they chose represents “bright” and “handsome”.

Two weeks ago I took up the challenge to explore the Hebrew names for God. But instead of only researching the meanings behind these names, I wanted to go “beyond” and see what impact they have on my own life. What difference do they make in my understanding of God? Do they influence me to change in some way? How can they contribute to a deeper relationship with God?

Over the next few weeks I invite you to come along on this journey with me. I’m excited to know God better and see how my daily walk is transformed as a result!

In the Bible, the primary word for God, or a god, is“El”  signifying “might, strength, or power”. It was the most common title for any deity in the ancient Near East including Almighty God. It can be used on its own, but is usually combined with another word to clarify the nature or role of a god in some way. This is especially true when distinguishing the one true God from false gods. There are many combinations of this name but I will choose a few for further reflection.

“El  Haggadol”  is found in Deuteronomy 10:17, “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome…” This title speaks of the greatness and awesome nature of God. After Moses had received the Ten Commandments, he descended from Mount Sinai to discover the Israelites had turned away from worship of God to bowing before a golden calf. He was so angry and distraught he smashed the stone tablets, ground the idol into powder and made them drink it. To Moses, it was unthinkable that anyone could treat God with such disdain and disregard for the consequences. After God had written His laws on new tablets, Moses recounted to the people the goodness and mercy of God and encouraged them to “Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him…He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” (v.20-21)

During my travels to many Asian and European countries, I’m always fascinated with visiting various cathedrals, temples, and other places of worship. While their architecture is captivating, the spiritual overtones are what move me most deeply. I have watched people burning candles and incense, offering food to the gods, falling prostrate on the ground before manmade idols, consulting fortune tellers, and buying paper money to burn for their deceased loved ones. Hubby and I have hundreds of photos of tiny idols, golden idols, wooden idols, the largest Buddha statue in the world, simple and ornate crucifixes, and altars of every description. It makes me sad to see these people so devotedly going through the rituals they believe will please their unseeing gods and earn them a better afterlife.

However, their devotion always inspires me to gaze inward and examine how deeply I am committed to the One whom I know is the God of all gods and the Lord of all lords. How often do I pause and openly, without embarrassment, give thanks to God before eating my meal in a restaurant? Do my neighbors see me unashamedly carrying my Bible as I go to church? Have I become desensitized at all to the blatant misuse of God’s name on TV or in the workplace, stores and recreation areas? Why am I shy about sharing my God and what He means to me?

I know and serve the One Great and Awesome God! I have no reason to fear!

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

P.S. I welcome your comments and input as we grow together!

---

[i] “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare, 1600

Cajun Chicken Soup

I know it is only February, but this morning the birds were singing.  They must be trying to explain that Spring is on its way.  It is above zero, and there are puddles from all the piles of snow.  Melting snow is a "very good thing"!  

I hope you aren't tired of homemade soup yet.  I realize that winter is drawing to a close, but I wanted to share this yummy one with you before we leave the comfort food behind for awhile.  It is a wonderful recipe with all kinds of "good for you" ingredients.  :)

I found this delicious homemade soup recipe on Pinterest.  It was from Diddles and Dumplings.  

Cajun Chicken Soup (printable recipe)

Ingredients:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" cubes)
1 large zucchini (sliced, then cut in half)
3 stalks of celery (chopped)
3 carrots (sliced)
1 onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning (divided)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup dry pasta
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (divided)

Instructions:

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in dutch oven, or large pot, over medium-high heat. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, place in dutch oven and brown on all sides. Remove from heat.

Place 1 teaspoon of oil in dutch oven and add zucchini, celery, carrots, onion and garlic. Sautee for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are just starting to become tender. Add diced tomatoes, parsley, thyme and cajun seasoning and cook for additional 1-2 minutes. Add chicken back to mixture. Add chicken broth and bring soup to a boil.

Once soup comes to a boil, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Add pasta and kidney beans and cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.


When I made this soup, I didn't have Cajun Spice. So I looked a recipe up online.  There are many.  I made a small batch, just big enough for this soup recipe.

Cajun Seasoning Recipe

2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2.5 paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/4 tsp dry oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

This was a real hit in our house...and you really have to take those when you can get them!! ;)


Tanya

Homemade Pita Bread

I love Pita Bread!  But I'm a bit of a "Pita Princess".

I only like it when it is REALLY soft, and it seems that

the grocery store pitas are only soft for a day. 

I throw out dry pitas all the time.  

Then I found this great recipe online at

Under the High Chair, and gave them a try.

These will be wonderful with homemade soup

~to make sandwiches with yummy fillings

~or dipped in my favorite hummus recipe!

By making my own, I can have them fresh

the very day I need them!  :)

Printable recipe

Homemade Pita Bread

1 tablespoon yeast
1 ¼ cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
3- 3 ½ cups flour

Dissolve yeast in water for about 5 minutes in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add salt and 1 ½ cups flour and with the dough hook, beat to make a batter. Add additional flour until a rough, shaggy mass is formed. Knead 8 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour if it is too sticky.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into six pieces for large pitas or ten for smaller. I make all sorts of sizes to suit different snacks and meals. Form dough into balls, then flatten with a rolling pin into ¼ inch thick discs. Try and keep an even thickness as this is what helps them ‘puff’.

Let rest on the floured surface 30-40 minutes until slightly puffed.

Preheat oven to 425F.
With a large spatula, flip the rounds of dough upside down on to a baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes until light golden. Stick around for the first five minutes of baking when the pitas perform their magic and puff up from flat pancakes to proud, four inch high pitas.

These store for up to two days well wrapped or frozen for three weeks.


Paula

Joining:
On the Menu Monday

Amaryllis

I love my Mark's Choice Amaryllis that I found

a couple years ago at my favorite

Home Hardware store.  

When it finishes blooming each winter

I cut the bloom stock off.

I leave the tall leaves to

grow throughout the summer.

In September I cut them off about 1"

above the bulb, stop watering it,

and move it to the garage

where it is nice and cool until after Christmas.

This year, when I brought the bulb back into the house after Christmas

I began to water it again and almost immediately 

the leaves began to grow.  

In no time I had 5 tall leaves!
But let's face it...
the leaves are not the exciting part!  :)

Once the bud began to poke up,  

I really got excited.  

This was the end of January.

This pictures shows what it looked like this past weekend.

The bud stock is much taller.  

Very soon I will be enjoying blooms like these ones from last winter!

Wouldn't it be fun to have a collection of these bulbs for the dreary dull winter months?  I think I will find some "friends" for my Mark's Choice Amaryllis.  They can all bloom together next year on top of the piano!  

Do you have an amaryllis?  What color is yours?

Tanya

Joining:
Share Your Cup Thurs
Seasonal Sunday