The Journey

The Journey

What Testimony is there to give truth to my existence.  Where is there proof of the mark I lay upon my journey, to be remembered by those who wish to know me.

Interpretations of stories passed down and images studied give partial witness to the entirety of who I am. 

If you wish to know, see,  hear and feel me; search  for me in the music you hear and the flowers you see. 

I linger near the laughter of children,

And always in the embrace of my family.

The gentle breeze that softly rustles through leaves high in a tree,

will find me outstretched on large sturdy limbs, pondering. 

I am the quest in dark soft nights that reveal heavenly lights and early streaks of dawn's glory.

I am in the soft movement, on pillows of air and quiet industry of colorful;

delicate wings that seek nourishment in rhythms of perfect harmony. 

Heart sharing tears and laughter of friends and foe are my banner, with ornaments of love, joy and peace.

Look not in wooden chests for medals and treasures.  Look to my beloved who shares my days and nights, joys and sorrows. 

Great battles were fought back to back, wielding the sword of the Spirit and fire of the Holy One.

Count my wealth by each hair and bone, fashioned by the creator to be masterpieces of my lineage.  My coffer is full: my joy is overflowing. 

Forests on glacial landscapes with crisp air and nips of cold;

Gentle hills full of color and pageantry;

Rugged shorelines, bold and hungry for all it touches;

Warm, wet sandy loam under canopies of sycamore that have trunks carved with names long gone but bearing the truth of their existence, are the promenade of my wandering. 

I sojourn in deep arches of hair flowing in the wind that produce heart swelling laughter with legs out stretched to reach the highest pinnacle; In Patches of berries and thorns laden with fruit and unfriendly hitchhikers;  Among the dance and loud calling of winged mating, followed by careful preparation of nature's birthing place.

I will meet you there to share a moment, until you cross the great River on the path to the ancient of ancients.

Elaine Abbott

Big Daddy's Back Yard Kitchen...Grilled Eggplant

Grilled Eggplant

Larry grilled on Sunday for our son Jeff's birthday. He prepared one of my favorites....grilled eggplant. It is great ...if you know how to prepare it properly. I am making it the recipe of the week... Be sure and don't skip any steps.
From Big Daddy's Back Yard Kitchen....Grilled Eggplant
Preparation
In a large bowl dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 cup warm water. Add 2 quarts cold water. Set aside.
Trim the eggplant. Peel it, if you like,( I think it is best to stripe it when you peel to help hold the shape) and cut it into ¾-inch thick diagonal, crosswise, or lengthwise slices. Put the slices in the salt water, weigh them down with an upside-down plate, and let sit 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat (you can hold your hand about an inch above the grill for 3 to 4 seconds).
Drain the eggplant and pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Lay the slices on a large baking sheet or tray. Brush one side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Lay the slices oiled-side-down on the grill. Close the lid if using a gas grill and cook until grill marks appear, about 5 minutes.
Brush the top sides of the slices with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Turn the slices over, close the lid on a gas grill and cook until grill marks appear on the other side and the eggplant is very tender, about 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature with balsamic vinegar.

The Squeaky Wheel Gets Oiled

 

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Squeaky Wheel Gets Oiled

My kids always say I have a hotline to heaven... Well...I may have found an answer to why they feel that way....I have often wondered about it. I am so thankful that God has answered so many of my prayers.. and this scripture seems to say why... :)

Praise His Holy Name!

read on....

Luke 18:1-8 (New International Version) ( amplified)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow (My take on this....is the Squeaky Wheel gets oiled )

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

My favorite proverb or idiom is....The Squeaky Wheel gets Oiled. :) It fits me. :) This scripture is actually applying the same principal. It teaches to be persistent in your petitions to God because he is a Just God. You can do it humbly but without letting up (Hebrews 4: 14-16 amp. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].)

This means ...we can boldly draw near to the actual throne of grace...the wonderful privilege Christians have through prayer to approach our gracious God, with full confidence that HE hears our prayers! We get the attention of the Big Guy!! Wow! When I am praying like this....I believe with all my heart in His Justice....believing there will be an answer....It may not turn out exactly like I hope ...but there is no doubt when I pray...that God enters the picture.

This scripture stood out like a beacon to me yesterday in church. The reading was on something else but it was like there was a light shining right on that scripture and I was drawn to it and mesmerized...and I knew it was speaking to me. As I have meditated on it this morning....I realized....it is saying what is in the core of me.... Believing Persistence... :) Maybe another way of saying FAITH. I took a spiritual gifts inventory years ago that Fr. Ted gave us at church. I was amazed when Faith was at the top of the list of my strengths. The definition of Faith according to the inventory is knowing what you hope for, having a conviction about things you cannot see, trusting God, believing God’s Word, and obeying Him. (Hebrews 11) or my take on that .....being able to see God's Big Picture and believing it. :)

To be tuned in to His Big Picture ....it is important to spend time with Him daily in His Word and in prayer and worship. To draw away from everything but Him.....like the example Jesus gives us of going into the mountains to be with the Father. Also important is to get rid of inner junk...sin..yuk that we collect every day...that separates us from God. Confession is awesome. Even though we are encouraged to boldly approach the Almighty and His throne of grace it is good to do it with humility and...submit to His way of answering it. :) But WOW!! He answers!!! As I said...not always like I hope....and it may take some time for me to understand that... I may not have the all the pieces as He does...to understanding why things turn out the way they do... BUT...there is no denying HIS PRESENCE in what is going on... I love clues..and figuring out a puzzle so if I can get past the disappointment of my own expectations.... I can be the detective and find the treasure He has waiting for me... or...having Faith...in the unseen hand of God. :)

I see this kind of persistence in my kids. I see their approach to life by the way they followed instructions when they got lost in the store from me when they were little... :) It was interesting to see the way they would problem solve their dilemma. :)

Jeff 's persistence in always going to the front of the store for the manager... This is what he was instructed to do...and he did it exactly as he was told without delay. They were awed at his mature approach. :) He got results!

Lara persistently screaming her head off for help right where she was at.. That was another instructed option... :) Trust me she got results!...haha...that baby was not gonna stay lost. :)

Missy walking up and down every aisle over and over until she found me....persistently...no matter how long it took. Maybe not in the instructions....but she was effective in her determination. She never for a minute thought she would fail in that quest! :)

and Josh...who persistently never felt lost.... :) Definitely not in the instructions...but it is how God made Josh and that inner confidence on finding his way has proven to be very effective in his life. He knew exactly where he was...and he was totally confident that he was where he was suppose to be.

Their Faith is a wonder to see...especially as each grows in the Lord and applies those early instructions on where to go and what to do when Lost. ( you can't help but see the play on the word Lost :) But by the Grace of God...and early instruction by our parents and the Church.....we would all be Lost.... :) "I once was lost but now I'm found....was blind but now I see... " Praise His Holy Name!

I pray this scripture & my thoughts this morning blesses you as it blesses me to share them... and most of all... Fuels your Prayers! :) Elaine

Where's the Beef...

I am behind.... I prepared two of our favorites last week. Neither were what I would call easy but sure worth the effort. I will post both of them...

Irish Beef Stew Recipe ( Crock Pot recipe and once in the pot...easy.
Ingredients
• 2 lbs Stew meat ( I may not have used exactly that much)
• 1 clove chopped garlic cloves ( or powder)
• aprox 2 cups canned beef broth ( No MSG)
• 3 Tbsp. Beef paste ( organic) ( the kind in a jar with no MSG)
• 1 cup of Guinness beer ( 12 oz can of any beer is fine ) optional but I recommend it… All the alcohol content will be cooked out.
• 1 cup of fine red wine ( or ¼ cup vinegar ) again…optional… but it makes it taste good.
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 TBSP brown sugar ( no more than that though)
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon soy or Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 3 pounds red potatoes, cut up
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 stalk of celery cut up in pieces
• 2 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled carrots ( or a few carrots)
• English peas drained .. optional
• Salt and Pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Put everything in Crock Pot and cook 5 Hours on High and 10 Hours on Low. I serve it with Irish Soda Bread.

Here is an Irish Blessing to go with it...
May the blessings
of the light
of Christ be upon you,
Light without and light within,
And in all your
comings and goings.

I suggest if you take this one on....you purchase all your ingredients ahead of time...on a different day. Make decisons about cooking utensils... In other words... prepare... and don't be tired. This is an all day cooking marathon...but the pay off is amazing. When I was in my 20's a neighbor who lived in Germany for some years taught me to prepare it. I may serve it once or twice a year so we do it up big. Enjoy!
 

Rouladen
• 8 slices beef top round steak ( or how many you want to prepare. It’s a lot of effort so I make 8 – 10 and have company or left overs), (1/8 inch thick and about 2 pounds...I purchase at Kuby's in Snider Plaza across from SMU and it is called Rouladen meat and always displayed in the meat section and very very thin and long)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Mustard ( I prefer American)
• bacon strips...one for each piece of meat ( I sometimes precook the bacon slightly but not too much because you want all the bacon drippings…so save and add to the pan if you do that )
• 1 large onion chopped
• all-purpose flour
• Chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Lightly spread mustard on each slice of steak; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place 1 bacon strip (sometimes I slightly cook the bacon first) , chopped onion and sprigs of parsley on each slice; roll up; secure with toothpicks or baking twine. Coat each roll in flour.

In a large skillet ( I use a large electric skillet ) brown beef roll in oil on all sides. Remove meat rolls and set aside in a plate and pour oil in a bowl and reserve for gravy making later. Replace meat rolls in pan and cover with water and reduce heat; cover and simmer for hours...(I cook slowly for about 3 hours or until meat is fork tender.
Remove meat again on a plate. Pour liquid into a container but save it to be used for gravy. Pour the reserved oil in the pan. Stir some flour ( a couple of heaping tablespoons ) in the drippings in the pan and on medium heat stir until flour is absorbed and begins to be bubbly; gradually stir in reserved liquid. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Stir constantly until it begins to thicken. You may need to add water to get it to the desired consistency. Return meat rolls to the gravy and simmer for another hour. Serve with potato dumplings and red cooked cabbage. I like serving cheese blintzes for dessert. You can purchase them at Kubys also...and lightly brown in butter and serve with powdered sugar...

Potato Dumplings can be prepared from the box. Knorr makes a very good one and you simply follow the directions. Delish! Bon Appétit


Old German House Blessing (Haus Segan)
May the blessing of God crown this house where our children go in and out. We praise God, Thee we praise. We with our children for ever and ever. When they and we go out and in, let Thou us blessed be. Let the time of our life and thereafter ever Christ like be. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, from whom all our blessings, flow. Grant us that our children may have the speech to declare the name of the Lord. Let their obedience throughout their whole life be an imprint of thy Image and teach them the evil to shun."

Revisiting Paul Harvey on 911

Today seems like a good time to revisit the the amazing words of Paul Harvey that were written in 1965.
PAUL HARVEY’S ‘IF I WERE THE DEVIL’ TRANSCRIPT 1965
( if you prefer you can listen to it ....   http://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/2012/03/paul-harvey-if-i-were-the-devil-radio-audio-and-transcript/ )

If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee.     So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’
“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’
“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
“If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
“If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as thee way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.”

I am preparing Pork Tacos today in my Crock Pot.   I got the recipe from my niece Shelli.   I alter it to fit the occasion or our taste buds and it can be served a variety of ways…always good and easy…which as you know is my Motto.      J

Pork Tacos

Pork Tenderloin -  they come in various sizes.  I usually get a large one…store brand.  

1 package Taco Seasoning.  Make sure you get the kind that does not have MSG.  I make my own.  ( chili powder, ground cumin, garlic and onion powder) 

 Thai or Asian Sweet Chili Sauce….about ½ - 2/3 Cup.  I put some on in the beginning and save some for toward the end. 

1 Can Rotel ( optional )

Ms. Dash   I use an organic Costco variation…and I like Ms Dash on everything.  J 

 Wash pork loin and place in crock pot.  I usually add about 6 - 8 ounces of water if I don’t add Rotel… to add a bit of liquid.  You can omit water or use less if you want it to be more dry and sort of roasted.  Pour Taco Seasoning and Ms Dash over pork loin.  Then add about half of the chili sauce.    Add Rotel if you want to spice it up.   If you are cooking it overnight set it to low…  If you are serving it for dinner ….give 5 hours and set it on high that morning.    I typically only use high setting if I am going to be home to monitor it…my crock pot tends to have some drama on high setting.   I think slow cooking it overnight gives the best results.  

Serve with flour tacos….on a bun….or as a main dish meat with veggies… It is delicious.    We are having ours with Mango & Avocado Salsa…. Delish!

Mango and Avocado Salsa-   avocados and mangos cut up…. Juice of one lime and cilantro to taste….  Serve on tacos or along side it. 

Body Nurturing Chicken Enchiladas

Body Nurturing Chicken Enchiladas! 

Now to nurture our physical body.... I found a fairly easy and quick recipe for Chicken Enchiladas today and had to try it out. Do you have as many of those as I do? I can never resist trying a new one....and I always improvise. Ok...so here is what I came up with this time. Tastes pretty good..... 

Chicken Enchiladas
one 12.5 oz can premium white chunk chicken drained but reserve the broth.
chopped medium onion
2Tbsp of butter
one 7 oz can chopped green chilis
1 lg.pkg cream cheese or you could use sour cream
1 clove garlic ( fresh or in jar or powder equivalent)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Ms Dash
Seasoning salt to taste
1/2 - 1 cup of your favorite salsa. We use black bean and corn salsa
10 or so corn tortillas
8 oz sour cream
2 cups aprox grated cheddar blend cheese

Brown onions in butter in a skillet... add drained chicken.... and break up the chunks. Add green chilis, salsa, garlic, cumin, Ms Dash and broth and stir until mixed. Take one tortilla and place a Tbsp of the chicken mixture in the center. Put a slice of cream cheese and roll it up and place seam down in a buttered casserole dish ( I don't know what size...medium). Repeat with the rest of the corn tortillas stacking side by side with seam down until the dish is filled. Any remaining chicken spread down the center of the enchiladas and top with sour cream and grated cheese. Bake in a 350 oven until brown and bubbly....about 15 or 20 minutes.
If you have a good one post it. Have a blessed evening!

Spiritual Food Please...

I woke up too early this morning. :(
Yesterday I slept later than I normally do and this morning I am awake and it is still dark outside. Go figure. I wish my inner time clock would make up it's mind what it wants to do. Nothing else in me lately seems to be on the same page and I am beginning to think I need to hire a new director in charge of Elaine. Fire the old one and let's get some new blood in here!

Among my inconsistencies is my inability to make up my mind if I am hot or cold.... or even if I am happy or sad. One minute I am laughing and the next I am crying. I have twenty projects going at once and none have a finish date on them. My usual, escape from reality fix isn't working either. As of last night I have four books I am juggling depending on my mood and there are prospects for more.

Food seems to be pretty safe... I seem to like all of it! Wouldn't you know ....the one thing that seems to be in good working order isn't proving to be too heathy. So I find myself nibbling on Snapeas ( a questionable healthier option to tortilla chips... and you know what that means!) ....Instead of strong northern coast English cheddar, I am settling for a few blueberries instead of peach cobbler and home made vanilla ice cream. What's wrong with that picture!

Sounds like it is time for a little morning prayer and meditation. As I was pondering on where to start.... and I might add gone from blazing hot to freezing cold ( time to turn off the 3 fans I have on hyper drive) ....a little spiritual food seemed in order and just the boost I would need to get things going this morning to tackle the day ahead of me. No way to do that without some spiritual strength.

The Word of God is often described as spiritual food and all the sustenance we need. There is no way to conquer daily battles if we are hungry or starving. (Not just foodie talk here folks... I am talkin' inner strength stuff ). The best remedy for that is to feed daily on God's Word. It has everything we need in it to fill and nourish us so that we can grow in spiritual strength.
It says in Colossians 3:16, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly." I don't know about you but I am going to partake! Have a blessed day! :)