Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Fruit-Evaluation...


How often love relinquishes what we dearly love 
for Who we dearly love~

***
To love something is never Reason enough unless
it is because we love someone

***
2 Tim.3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, 
lovers of money, 
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
 unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, 
slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, 
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. 
And from such people turn away!

***

We all know it is foolish to wait till autumn to contemplate
what will be the harvest!
Harvest depends on what we sow during planting season!
Today in the Season of life it is still planting season,
even in November.
Fruit is no liar;
we reap what we sow.
We are wise to pause time and again, and evaluate
humbly and honestly the health and hardiness
of the fruit on the tree...

Matt.3:10
The ax is already at the root of the trees, 
and every tree that does not produce good fruit 
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

On today's to-do/planting-harvest list; can pumpkins...


Roast beets for supper 'salad'...



(Below, last week's first time recipe-try and new fall favourite!)



Myriad medleys of  moments served up inspiration for today's poem...

Upon a scale we oft forget, the fruit of love is weighed
Each new day, rife with gleaming 'yet' grants opportunity 
To manifest love's evidence, as word and deed are laid
Before the One whose ordinance lays the ax to the tree   
 
Upon a scale we cannot see, we heap the fruit of love
While God's goodness streams fresh and free, like rainfall and sunshine
His mercy hails and we reply; as what we prize we prove
By who we serve; vain to deny the fruit upon the vine   

Great peace have they who love God's law, yea, nothing will offend
Then pray for more genuine awe as we approach The Scale
For love is not a liar as it fills limbs that will bend
With fruit of heart's desire and the proof that will not fail 

Upon a scale none can revoke love's sacred fruits accrue 
The deed we did, the word we spoke, the Thought, secretly sown 
Then pray we pay more earnest heed as we embark anew
To till the ground and plant the seed that by its fruit is known

Upon a scale held in hands scarred by love, nailed to a cross 
We heap our answer; no holds barred, holy, holy, the fruit 
Because it tells the tender truth; futile, all verbal gloss 
The fruit of love, the sacred proof that silences dispute  

Gal.5:19-26
The acts of the flesh are obvious: 
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,
 fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; 
drunkenness, orgies, and the like. 
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this
 will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
 kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
23 gentleness and self-control. 
Against such things there is no law. 
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 
with its passions and desires. 
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 
 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Gal.6:7-10
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. 
Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
  8The one who sows to please his flesh, 
from the flesh will reap destruction;
 but the one who sows to please the Spirit, 
from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

9Let us not grow weary in well-doing, 
for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
  10Therefore, as we have opportunity, 
let us do good to everyone, 
and especially to the family of faith.
 

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Like a Lovely Treasure Hunt

John 15:11
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you 
and your joy may be complete.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. 
Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

It's the time of year when blog posts and poems don't have any fixed schedule!!
Right now I'm waiting for zucchini date nut loaves to finish baking...
oops!! just checked them and they're done! (recipe below)

 
 I began this poem yesterday before heading out to a
belated birthday tea with some friends I used to do childcare for...
inspiring this line; Thank God for little boys and girls; 
for cups of tea with cake-slice bliss...
(I intentionally didn't take my camera with me but thoroughly regretted it)
Enjoying leftovers today and treasuring the memories !



this was last weekend's slice of cake bliss 😋



To search for simple joys each day is like a lovely treasure hunt...

Like rooster at daybreak that crows to rally us with raucous noise...




Like bud that always without fail bears handiwork, second to none



Who can instill the seed with bread,...



Who but God can turn every head to marvel at His evidence...




To search for simple joys each day is like a lovely treasure hunt
To keep discouragement at bay and touch the hem of God’s garment
The weight of love’s workaday cares, or circumstance, heavy with ‘why’
Without the One who hears our prayers, would drain life’s cup of gladness dry
Thank-you dear Lord, for the sweet joy and peace that comes from trusting You
Content to know none can destroy Your promises, faithful and true

This world reels and groans with unknowns, yet overflows with simple joys
Like rooster at daybreak that crows to rally us with raucous noise
Like bud that always without fail bears handiwork, second to none
Like night as it grows pale and wears blue and blush scarf, then brooch of sun
And as daylight grows dim dusk splays a gold and coral masterpiece
As heaven’s declarations brim with praise for He who does not cease

Goodness and mercy’s glory-days are not reserved for Select Few
God loves to amaze us with ways that mere mortal cannot outdo
Who can instill the seed with bread, or offer death’s deliverance
Who but God can turn every head to marvel at His evidence
Who else can crown Bygone’s vast ‘Had’ with Holy Ground of a new day
For us to rejoice and be glad for simple joys along life’s way

Like fresh baked pies, cookies or tarts, like curious little girls and boys
Who find the soft spot in our hearts and tickle us with simple joys
Of innocence and grins and curls, dimples and freckled nose to kiss
Thank God for little boys and girls; for cups of tea with cake-slice bliss
For colour-kindled laundry lines and gardens bursting at sod-seams
For honey-suckle and grape vines, for happiness of hopes and dreams

Praise God from whom all blessings pour in mercies where sorrows run rife
While making us more thankful for the simple joys of love and life
Like strength to tackle to-do lists and pause to smell the posies too
Like lying beneath vistas of cumulus cloud and boundless blue
Like being humbly overcome with gratitude; joy’s sweetest sum
Evoked by things like clumsy bumblebees, covered in pollen crumbs

© Janet Martin

Like fresh baked pies,...


colour-kindled laundry lines 


and gardens bursting at sod-seams




For honey-suckle and grape vines,


and the recipe for;


Janet's Date-nut Zucchini Bread

3 eggs (room temp)
1 cup oil
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
11/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
11/2 cups all purp. flour 
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
(OR 2 cups all purpose flour)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped dates

Beat eggs then add sugars, oil and vanilla.
stir in zucchini
Sift and add dry ingred.
Do not overmix.
Last stri in nuts and dates.

Line 2 loaf pans with parchment paper
(or grease them but I find they get a bit dark on the bottom
 more easily without paper.)
Divide batter evenly
garnish with a few more nuts if you like
bake at 350F till firm to touch
(between 45-55 min.)

cool and enjoy.
These loaves freeze well which is why I usually make a double batch






Thursday, July 11, 2024

The Good and Perfect 'Changeless'



James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.

The cup that holds life’s sparkle of delight
Praise God, still spills to gladden taste and touch...



The innocence of tot, eager to learn
The priceless charge of we who teach and train...
(Helping gramma make *Lemon-raspberry-blueberry muffins)
Recipe at the bottom of this post



Grandson is learning,an egg beater is not as easy as gramma made it look 😊💖



Forever, licking the bowl is the best part of helping


well, almost!

The sweeping lyrics of soft summer rain...
(I hope the corn rows recover  from some 
VERY sweeping, not always soft, 
remnant of hurricane Beryl 'lyrics', yesterday!)


Mingled warble of songbirds, free of care...


The happy, smile-reward of ‘dishes done’


The unspeakable awe of lilies fair




And fine vesture of fields, wildflower-spun





The best things in life do not change, in spite
Of rise and fall of centuries and such
The cup that holds life’s sparkle of delight
Praise God, still spills to gladden taste and touch

The innocence of tot, eager to learn
The priceless charge of we who teach and train
God’s tutelage, that we could never earn
The sweeping lyrics of soft summer rain

Mingled warble of songbirds, free of care
The happy, smile-reward of ‘dishes done’
The unspeakable awe of lilies fair
And fine vesture of fields, wildflower-spun

Each new day, rife with opportunity
A little like an ephemeral raft
Where the pleasure of pleasant company
Grants echo-measure to treasure long aft

The value of kindness, however small
To cheer someone. The joy of home, sweet home
A haven in a world of beck and call
To which, eager and thankfully we come

Sound slumber’s elixir, coffee, hot, black
The grace whereby we weather the ways of
Today; something we can never have back
Then, make the precious best of live-to-love

Because the best things time cannot estrange
No shifting shadow, God, whose mercies brim
In steadfast faithfulness, through constant change
Still, every good, perfect gift comes from Him

The pure contentment of a thankful heart
The happiness of words like ‘us’ and ‘we’
Each season, showcasing majestic art
By the author of perfect poetry

The thrill of a good book, good food, good friend 
Good morning dear, wherever you may be
We have a God whose goodness knows no end
 Trustworthy throughout all eternity 

© Janet Martin

This is how the book George Muller of Bristol ends;
the changelessness of truth makes its treasured text timeless 


and here is the above mentioned recipe

Janet's Raspberry-Blueberry Lemon Muffins

(originally they were going to be only Raspberry-lemon.
 but while Gramma had her back turned
half of the raspberries mysteriously disappeared!) 😂😉

21/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar (or less)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 cup butter (or 3/4 cup butter and 2 tbsp. olive oil)
zest of one lemon
3/4 cup milk
squeeze in juice of 1/2 lemon
2 eggs
 1 tsp. vanilla 
1 cup each, frozen or fresh
raspberries and blueberries
slivered almond garnish, optional

Combine flour, sugar and baking powder in large bowl.
cut in butter peices till crumbly.
reserve 3/4 cup of crumbs for topping.
set aside.
Combine milk, eggs and vanilla
Add to dry ingredients, and lemon zest, 
and stir only till moistened.
gently fold in fruit.
Spoon into muffin cups.
Sprinkle with reserved crumbs (and slivered almonds)
Bake approx. 30 min. or till firm whe touched at 350 F
Yield: 12 large or 18 medium muffins


Thursday, February 29, 2024

Of Tomorrow's What-We-Had (Today)

Happy Birthday, Leap Year 'babies'!!


The other morning dawn drew back night's shutters with a spectacular, balmy 'hello'...



...but there was something sort of ominous in its unseasonably warm temperatures 
and billowy thunderheads.

And small wonder! A thunder-hailstorm was brewing!!






Yesterday we woke to still-mild temps but by
the afternoon the mercury plummeted and frigid gales meant business!



And so, winter is back...



but not for long!


But whatever the weather, let's celebrate Today because
it will never be again!

Time offers no rerun
Today's burgeoning sphere
Of 'nothing new under the sun'
Is temporary, dear
 
Whatever today grants
Where dawn kicks up its heels
Is but a one-time song-and-dance 
That twilight always seals/steals 

Then rejoice and be glad
Whatever fills today
Will be tomorrow's 'what-we-had'
Before it slipped away

© Janet Martin

So far 'what -I-had' consists of sweet morning with grandsonny...
(it never gets old; bird-watching or watching tots watch birds😘)



...and lunch with daughter, providing the perfect excuse for a sumptuous salad!
I dubbed it Leap-Day Celebration Salad!



Leap Day Celebration Salad

3 cups oven-roasted or air-fried butternut squash cubes 
tossed with olive oil salt and pepper, and pinch of parsley flakes 

Rinse one cup quinoa
Strain in sieve.
Bring to boil in 2 cups water.
Reduce heat enough to keep it simmering.
Cook uncovered till water is gone
then turn off and cover for 5-7 min.
Fluff with fork.
Add a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper
a few cloves of fresh-pressed garlic.

cool quinoa and squash 
then place desired amounts on a bed of
your choice of greens.
Top with 1/2 pomegranate seeds,
(thinly sliced/diced apple or pear can be sub.)
1/3 cup feta cheese
1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
I small red onion finely chopped and 
mixed with 2 stalks celery finely chopped

Toss and serve with a dressing of
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. veg oil
2 tbsp. honey or maple syrup
11/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
(or 1 tsp. white vinegar and 1 balsamic)
bit of crushed dried parsley (optional)