I had to chuckle today at the hullabaloo over Sarah Palin’s reference to a Sbx (yeah, I know, she said Quote of the Day and blew it and should have said, “The Way I See It… number… blah, blah, blah – and should not have blundered the word: help when she used the word: support). So, she got the #287 cup… ‘sure glad she didn’t bungle the number of States in the US or something silly like that.
You know which cup I got? Yep……………. it’s the same #280 I’ve gotten many times. How is that possible? I’ve gotten that #280 cup in Seattle, in Snohomish, in Portland, in Spokane, at SeaTac and probably other places, too. Just a few days ago, Kathryn came home with a yummy, grandé extra-hot mocha — she was actually laughing when she handed it to me. Yes, it was #280. I nearly crumbled… but I was revived by the delicious brew.
I don’t even know how many times I’ve gotten that #280 cup. I’m telling you, it’s a conspiracy. In the last four or five years I’ve developed a nagging and sometimes debilitating inferiority complex – and no, I’m not kidding, and so when I get the cup — that number two-eighty cup, I start to think someone’s arranging it. It’s ironic — almost humourous. Almost.
I’ve never gotten #287. I’m glad, actually — and not just bcz I think Ms. Albright was way off.
My cup? Quote #280?
Yes… you’re reading it right. It says:
You can learn a lot more from listening than you can from talking…”
I’ve been thinking that we need to think on other things… you know… Philippians 4.8: “…whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good, whatsoever things are of good report, whatsoever things are tasty; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Well, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do today… think on *good things* instead of dwelling in the valley of dimness & despair.
It’s cold outside today. Samuel swept the chimney, the boys filled the porch with stacks of wood and there’s a fire in the woodstove. Wood is the source of heat for this home and a fire in the stove sort of means, for our family, that the winter season has officially begun.I know it’s truly not winter yet, but this is what we call winter — the cold, wet days where swimmingpools are sort of a distant summer memory — as if there are only two seasons: summer and winter.
Hmmm, there was a point to all that — O, yes… so I’ve been thinking on lovely things — thinking on what my family might enjoy, what would say: “I ♥ you” to them — something they’d really go for right about now. Yes… aebleskivers. So, tomorrow morning — though it’s no one’s birthday, we’re having aebleskivers for breakfast. Below I have posted a youtube video of Aebleskiver preparation in Solvang.
When I was a little girl, one of my very most favourite treats was to go next door and watch my friend’s mama make aebleskivers. I loved watching her as she quickly worked with a knitting needle to flip the aebleskivers over and over in the special pan. I loved that they had that tradition and more, that they shared it with us. Another very favourite memory was going to visit the restaruant where we ordered Aebleskivers in Solvang. I thought the raspberry jam was so delicious — and the presentation so lovely!! See? thinking on things that are lovely??
Well, that was a long time ago, my friend’s mama has gone to be with the Lord and the making of memories there has long passed. However… we’ve started writing these memories into our own family’s story and, for our children, there’s nothing quite like a breakfast of aebleskivers. I love to prepare and serve them… there’s just something about making them that makes me smile. I love that I learned to flip the aebleskivers with a knitting needle and that one of the blessings we discovered when we moved to this old farmhouse was the long row of raspberry canes (that has since become three rows) and that I learned make raspberry freezer jam that tastes just about like the sweetest summer day ever.
I don’t use a “mix” for Aebleskivers. Here’s my recipe (pasting in from our website)
pamela’s aebleskivers
2 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2+ cups buttermilk
3 eggs (separated)
3 Tablespoons melted butter
oil or butter/oil mixture for coating the aebleskiver pan.
Powdered Sugar
Raspberry Jam and/or Real Maple Syrup
Mix the flour, soda, baking powder, salt together with a fork. Set aside. Blend egg yolk and buttermilk. In a mixing bowl, whip egg whites still stiff. Gently blend the dry and milk mixture and melted butter and then fold in the whipped egg whites.
Heat the aebleskiver (able-skeever) pan (a cast iron pan that has molded, rounded “cups” that hold the batter and help form the aebleskiver “pancake” balls). When the pan is hot, you will “paint” each aebleskiver cup with oil. (I use a ½ & ½ mixture of oil/butter) When the pan is hot, fill each cup with batter and immediately start “turning” the aebleskivers with a knitting needle. Quickly turning quarter turns at a time until all sides are cooked and the center is cooked through. This is tricky the first couple of “pan-fulls” and then you’ll get the hang of it. Then pluck the aebleskiver balls out of the pan with the knitting needle. Set on a plate and dust with powdered sugar and then serve with raspberry jam or maple syrup. Repeat process each time of coating the pan-cups with oil and making the aebleskivers. A typical serving size is 3 aebleskivers (the equivalent of 3 or so pancakes). I triple this recipe for our family of 11 and make even more when the older sons are home!
It’s a funny thing to have to have a knitting needle to cook in the kitchen… but it’s necessary for the easy turning of the aebleskivers. Anything else is too cumbersome. I use a # 6 knitting needle.
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
So, browsing the news………. You had to know this was coming…
I wonder what those overly confident senators and reps were thinking this afternoon when the house on the sand went splat. I received yet another form letter from my senators and representatives this morning. Form letters bcz I received the very same letters of response each time I wrote last week.
I don’t know why in the world our government officials thought the US could bail out ailing financial institutions with loans when the US itself cannot even pay its own debts. It’s all ludicrous! I keep thinking that our government is getting into debt it will never, ever, ever be able, or even intend, to repay – and yet(!) citizens will have to pay and pay and pay and pay on that never-ending debt. Incredibly,Wall Street needs to take care of itself investors will invest and Wall Street will be fine; businesses will fall, businesses will rise. Supply and demand, supply and demand = the ebb and flow of business.
“Business-as-usual” is not just a catchy phrase – nor is, “Necessity: the mother of invention.” People will buy and sell, create, manufacture, invent and distribute… and consume, consume, consume. But it won’t be bcz of government that solutions are found and implemented. It won’t be bcz of government that wheels of progress will turn. Government needs to take care of matters in its jurisdiction. Business will create business if the government will step out of the way of progress. In the meantime… until people turn to the Lord, efforts will be futile.
♫
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock;
The wise man built his house upon the rock
And the rain came tumbling down!
Oh, the rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
The rain came down and the floods came up
And the house on the Rock stood firm!
The foolish man built his house upon the sand;
The foolish man built his house upon the sand;
The foolish man built his house upon the sand;
And the rains came tumbling down!
Oh, the rain came down and the floods came up;
The rain came down and the floods came up;
The rain came down and the floods came up;
And the house on the sand went “splat!”
So, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ…
And the blessings will come down!
Oh, the blessings come down as your prayers go up;
The blessings come down as your prayers go up;
The blessings come down as your prayer go up;
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
I love it. I love my own and I love others’ marriages as well. I love God’s beautiful plan for marriage – His picture and His design. I love the imagery of marriage and am thankful that God, in His gracious wisdom and mercy, created marriage and called it a picture of Christ and the church — the Lord and His bride… that’s an incredible picture — an incredible gift. What a loving and merciful God — to show us Himself by what He creates, what He designs and what He establishes.
So, yeah…I ♥ marriage. I’ve seen a lot of great marriages. I’ve seen more not-so-great marriages and still more really bad marriages — that is if I use the term “marriage” synonymously with the term “relationship.” In reality – marriage and relationship are not the synonymous. But for the sake of this conversation and for the sake of understanding, I’ll use it that way when talking about a covenent relationship between a man and a woman — bcz that’s what marriage really is. It’s not just a paper declaring an event has occured and it’s not just a ceremony witnessed by at least two others. It’s a covenent established by God signifying the joining of two lives – the blending of two halves the making of twain, one flesh. That’s a beautiful picture – but so lost on so many who are married but don’t live it, don’t understand it, don’t treasure it and don’t worry about the dire consequences for being careless about marriage and the message that gives the watching Word and, especially what it says about the Lord, the bishop and overseer of our souls.
I loved the movie: Fireproof. O, I said that, didn’t I. Well, may I say again: I loved the movieFireproof.
There are so many marvelous helps, methods of encouragement — things to do to turn a relationship around that the Lord can take your mess and make into the marriage *He* designed and created it to be. But you’ve got to be willing to do whatever it takes.Life Innovation’s Prepare-Enrich has and interesting marriage quiz you and your spouse can take: Here. And… if at all possible, please go see the movie: Fireproof. You will be so blessed and your marriage will be helped – no matter where you’re at in marriage – good, bad, great, terrible, agonized or elated… you will take something away from this movie that will deepen your relationship with your spouse – but more importantly, with the Lord.
Coyotes are whining and howling in the field. They sound horrible and shrill — like someone is trying to kill them (sometimes I wish someone would). Sounds seem magnified tonight… the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, the icemaker and the water refilling it. O, and the coyotes. Suddenly, they’ve become quiet. Maybe my neighbour said, that’s it…
I have been mulling over the bailout plan the senate is expected to vote on tomorrow. I consider many silly scenarios and some sensible ones — several I have written to my reps and sens in the last few days. Now, I’m no poli-sci major, nor econ major either, for that matter. But I’m a mother and over the years, mothers figure things out pretty well. I don’t know any mothers who are thinking this “bailout” or rescue is any sort of a sensible idea.
Mothers quickly learn the mechanics of supply and demand… they understand that the supply never seems to be adequate for the demand — but they don’t usually look for a bailout – they deal with lack of food, lack of sleep, lack of finances, lack of energy, lack of clothing that fits, lack of ability or whatever else is lacking and they figure out way to make it – to make ends meet, to adjust, to stretch, to flex, to wait or to go without. It’s that simple.
Can you imagine a mother going to school where her teenage boy is a failing student and taking him on her lap and telling the teacher that she, herself, will be doing the assignments and taking the tests so that he won’t fail?
I mull this over… Wall Street is sort of comprised of investors — investments make the wheels of Wall Street turn. Government has no business directing or redirecting or bailing out Wall Street — Wall Street will take care of itself if it’s not ‘bailed out’ and if investors taxes are not increased. Simple supply and demand. So what if wealth in this country will decline some – does the government, by going through with a bailout, possibly think that going further into debt will make or keep this country ‘rich’? It’s crazy… all we can do is patiently wait and watch and pray.
Well… still can’t sleep. It’s hard you know… to go to sleep when attempting to run the country the children aren’t all in yet… I’m a mother… patiently waiting… watching… praying.
I very rarely make a bold movie recommendation and I don’t think I’ve ever suggested that there’s a movie *every* married couple must see. Until now. Now, I’m not caught up in the afterglow of a tremendous movie or in a bunch of emotional hype that seems to be the order of the day when a person comes out with a guaranteed to change the purpose of your best life now sort of book and I’m not doing a 40 day program with my church and I am not even saying this movie will change your life, your marriage or your future. But I am saying that if couples (married especially, but engaged couples as well) would go see the movie Fireproof, I believe God would most surely use it to open blind eyes and soften hard hearts and change directions, habits, decisions and futures of marriages – any marriage – current or future.
Wes and I went to see Fireproof last night. I’m telling you it was a powerful, God honouring, insightful and inspiring movie. The message was that powerful. And it wasn’t bcz it was a message about something I’m passionate about – though it is – it’s bcz the underlying message of the Good News of Jesus Christ was the central theme woven in the message that marriage is a covenant and no one/no marriage is beyond hope. I would go see it again today. I will buy it and I would, if I could, buy a copy of the movie for every couple I know (couples from engagement beyond golden anniversary). I would, if I could today, buy The Love Dare Journal for every couple I know (see a sample chapter here); No kidding.
The power of the Gospel – the power of God to save, restore, rekindle love, secure commitment to the covenant of marriage, to power of God to work in lives of husbands and wives… to honour, respect, forgive, love and cherish one another… this is the theme of the movie. This is the powerful message Fireproof presents.
Now, I know there are critics mocking this movie and punching gaping hole in whatever flaws they perceive the movie to have. And there are those who, for seared consciences, are mocking the “religious” answers, approach or reaction to life’s trials and temptations – as if to be disappointed that the movie didn’t go the direction most marriages on the brink of divorce go or the direction physical or emotional affairs go. It’s pretty incredible that a movie of the caliber of Fireproof is even playing in mainstream theaters.
I suppose there’s probably some shock disappointment, by those same sarcastic, hollywood plastic faces and movie critics, and they’re probably incensed that the movie contained no nudity, no gratuitous sex, no philandering, no swearing, no omg’s, no crude language, no drinking, no drugs, no gambling, none of their favourite ‘stars’ and nothing to bolster Barak Obama’s standing in the polls.
My prayer is that this will not become just another hyped up, trinkets and trash, mega’church’ gizmo to attract masses – 40 days of whatever and the marvelous intrinsic value, message and intent is lost to much making of merchandise. (Ezekiel 26.12 & 2Peter 2.2-3)
The sad thing is… all the emotional, sensual, persuasive and innocent hope seems to me to be just a figment of imagination. And yet, the power of suggestion alone is astonishing. Consider the change change could do to change these days.
I browse the news(and marvel!!) and think of the many times the US has been likened to the Titanic… the ineffable, unsinkable US — the Titanic that was described as the ship that even “God himself could not sink…” Well… I wonder, had he been alive, what would that man have said on April 15, 1912? So you suppose he would have said, “Hmmm, so, all that happened.”
Well, so, I’ve been thinking about the Titanic… I’ve been thinking about ‘end times’ and the state of the state and it’s hard not to make comparisons. Really hard.
I remembered reading some bits about the Titanic and so had to look them up – here’s an interesting one: Dr. Charles Parkhurst, of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, preached a sermon after the demise of the Titanic and in reference to society of that day [!!] he said,
The picture that has hung before my eyes ever since last Tuesday morning has been the that of the victims staring meaningless at the gilded furnishings of this sunken palace of the sea… and there was no need for it. It is just so much sacrifice laid upon the alter of the dollar.”
Now, that, to many, might seem malevolent — even disrespectful of the lives lost in that tragedy. That’s not intended here. What’s intended is the similarity to these days… the gilded ship that is the US and the (proposed) gilding by Henry Paulson of the US Treasury or the US Usury. You can’t help but wonder is Henry Paulson… Julius Caesar?
Sec. 8. Review.
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.” text of the proposal [scary!!] in a NYT article – full article here.
So, about the non-sinkability of the Titanic and the US today? You’ve got to wonder: What else is going on in the boiler room or the engine room of the ship? And what about all the passengers? What will the great grandchildren be saying in 96 years?
Our oldest boy woke up Friday morning to his new reality… the gilded ship company he had worked for for nearly 10 years was no longer — O, he still has a job and, in fact, apparently had 3 job offers that very day — but that’s not what concerns me (that son has always been sort of a ‘golden boy’ and seizes the moment and works very hard). What concerns me is that the taking over of WaMu was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. And what took down the Titanic?
I had to chuckle today at the hullabaloo over Sarah Palin’s reference to a Sbx (yeah, I know, she said Quote of the Day and blew it and should have said, “The Way I See It… number… blah, blah, blah – and should not have blundered the word: help when she used the word: support). So, she got the #287 cup… ‘sure glad she didn’t bungle the number of States in the US or something silly like that.
Yes… you’re reading it right. It says:
You can learn a lot more from listening than you can from talking…” 
