Day Seventeen: October 11, 2008
23 days, 15 hours and 30 minutes left until election day.
For Issues of Faith and Prayer to Remain Key in This Election
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
-- John 8:32
Holy Lord God, You are strong, mighty and powerful, and You move among us so that we cannot miss Your presence and activity in the world. You reveal Yourself in the beauty, love and kindness that surround us. You know all things, and all things are revealed by You and before You.
How I praise You, God, that prayer has been freely spoken of during this election! I ask that the importance of prayer will remain key in this election as the date draws near. May all citizens long for the truth that is available only in You, and may they find that truth and the freedom that accompanies it. In Jesus' holy name, amen.
This is a reprint of the 40 Days of Prayer, Praying for the Vote
I wish for us all to join together to pray for our country. Each day I will have a new prayer from the website in the previous post. Go there to see on join me here - whatever you do, please pray for God's will.
My posts keep getting blocked and messed up but I am trying to stay diligent and so here goes...
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For Members of the Media to Remain Open, Forthcoming and Truthful
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. --Ephesians 4:25
Loving Lord, You are the God of all Truth, and there is nothing impure or false in You. You bring all things to light, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. Before You all things are laid bare and every detail, whether large or small is known. All praise and glory to You, O Mighty God!
I ask You to move and work among the members of the media this day, O Lord, keeping them from any form of falsehood. Let them lift up only what is true in these campaigns, Lord, that as a nation we may be discerning as we consider those whom we will elect to the offices of our government. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
4 sq. Bakers unsweetened chocolate
3/4 c. butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
Microwave chocolate and butter in large bowl at high 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts. Spread in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool. Makes 24.
Range Top - stirring constantly, melt chocolate and butter in 3 quart pan over very low heat.
CAKE-LIKE BROWNIES:
Stir in 1/2 cup milk with eggs and vanilla. Use 1 1/2 cups flour.
My daughter and son - 11 and 7 are making this for dessert tonight!
Over a medium-high flame, heat the corn oil in the bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Sprinkle in 2 or 3 popcorn kernels. When the kernels pop add the sugar, and then the remaining popcorn. Cover with a good lid. Shake the pan over the heat while the popcorn pops. When the popping stops, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately pour the hot popcorn into a bowl. Try to remove any oldmaids with a spoon or fork. The popcorn will be hot and sticky so be very careful not to burn yourself. The popcorn should be lightly coated with a beautiful amber caramel. Salt the kettle corn to taste and serve to thankful recipients. Makes a large bowlful. Tastes best while watching a movie with friends and family.
I read this at another blog and thought I would pass it along to you all!
For our military families stationed overseas, food costs are very high. Most families shop at the commissary but staples such as bread and milk cost significantly more than in the States. Many military families overseas are one income families and the high cost of groceries can really strain their budget.
There is something you can do to help. Overseas commissaries accept coupons 6 months past their expiration date, but coupons overseas are scarce. This is where you come in, you can send your expired coupons to these military families overseas. This is a great way to support our troops and only costs you the price of a stamp.
If you are interested in supporting our troops in this way please email -
at coupons4troops (at) comcast (dot) net and they can give you more information. If you are a military family stationed overseas and would like to receive coupons please them, They would love to send you some coupons.
I am going to try with the kids tomorrow - surprise!
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German Soft Pretzels
Heat Oven to 475 degrees
Ingredients:
1/8 cup hot water
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/3 cup warm water
1/3 cup brown sugar
5 cups flour plus some extra flour
Coarse Kosher salt
In a large bowl mix the hot water and yeast until the yeast dissolves. Stir in the warm water and the brown sugar . Slowly add 5 cups of flour to the mixture, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and does not stick to the side of the bowl. Put the dough on a lightly floured board.
Dip your hands in the extra flour. Knead the dough until it is stretchy and smooth. Push it down and away from you with the palms of your hands. Turn the dough as you work. Grease two cookie sheets very well. Sprinkle each with coarse kosher salt. Set the sheets aside. Pinch off a piece of pretzel dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll the dough into a rope 14 inches long and as thick as your thumb. Bend the rope into a u shape, cross one end of the rope over the other end. The ropes should cross about 3 inches from the tips. Twist the cross ends making a full turn. Fold the ends back, toward the middle of the U. Open the ends slightly to form a pretzel shape, press the ends into the dough firmly. Fill a frying pan with water. For each cup of water in the pan add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Bring water to a gentle boil. Not too many bubbles. Use a spatula to lower each pretzel into frying pan. Count very slowly to 30. Then lift the pretzel onto the greased and salted cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used. Sprinkle some kosher salt on top of the pretzels and put them in the oven.
Bake for 8 minutes or until the pretzels are golden brown. Makes 30 average size pretzels.
Tip: Twisting the dough into the pretzel shape may take some practice before you get it correct. If you can't get the knack, you can always make pretzel sticks.
UPdate - This was delicious!!! Very easy and my whole family loved it! I used ground lamb and no one noticed :) I highly reccomend this - great budget stretcher!
The Ingredients. --3 cups leftover mashed potatoes --1 lb ground turkey or beef --2 cloves garlic, chopped --2 cups frozen vegetables (I used roasted corn and peas) --1 medium onion, chopped finely, or 1 T onion flakes --1/2 tsp seasoned salt --1/2 tsp onion powder --1/4 tsp black pepper --1/4 tsp paprika (then a bit more for garnish) --1 cup water --2 cups shredded cheese
The Directions.
I used a 4 quart crockpot---it was the perfect size. A larger will work, but it will cook faster.
Brown the meat and onion on the stove, and drain any fat. Toss the meat with the spices and garlic---I didn't but next time I'd probably put the garlic and spices in with the meat in the frying pan, it would be easier.
Spray the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray. Put the meat in the crockpot and stir in the frozen vegetables, and a cup of water. Add two cups of cheese on top. Press the mashed potatoes down on top of the cheese and meat. Sprinkle with a bit of paprika.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for about 3, then remove the lid and cook on high for 30 minutes to release the condensation and allow the potatoes to brown a bit on top. Everything is cooked already, so you're really just allowing the flavors to meld and the potatoes to crustify.
Someone will ask about using raw meat. I'm sure it will work, but I have a swimming-in-fat-and-grease phobia, so I didn't do it. If you are going to try, I'd cut the water down to 1/2 a cup and remember that the potatoes might not get the type of crust you are looking for unless you vent the crockpot with a chopstick or wooden spoon.
The Verdict.
I will make this again. I loved it that all of us ate the same thing at the table, and the kids really enjoyed the meat and potatoes.
If you have never seen this documentary - you need to! This movie is amazing! It is about a small town in Tennessee - Whitwell, where a school decided to learn about the Holocaust. Their journey and the lives that were touched and the lessons taught through this video are incredible!!
