Saturday, January 16, 2016

HOW TO ENJOY MY "IN SEASON" BLOG - A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBTITLES

My name is Sheila Gail Landgraf.  I am a freelance writer.  All writers are advised to write about the things that they love and hold dear.  I have done this for the past four years inside this little blog space called IN SEASON.  

So; welcome to the blog!   

If you ever lose this link and want to look it up again just go to your search engine and type in dancinginseason@blogspot.com.  I'm easy to find.  
You can also bookmark this page.  

At first my articles had nothing in common.  They were all stand alone thoughts with  no rhyme or reason to the order of the messages and no arrangement or organization could be found.  I simply had this hodge-podge of random subjects which finally began to include more and more thoughts on some of  the same common subjects that have finally proven themselves to be worthy of my time.  I've cared about a certain number of subjects enough to be writing them down over and over in different forms for the whole world to share.  The various titles and subtitles have finally begun to take on order and shape and each category of writing has come to life in its own particular and unique way to land and live on these pages.  I've only kept the ones I hope to be found worthy of your readership. I only hope that you understand the word "worthy" is a multifaceted word.  It can mean different things to different people based solely on their perspective at the time.  

My purpose in writing this article is to tell you how my blog works and to explain how it can be of more interest to you.  No one will like all of the articles.  Everyone will like some of the articles.  The trick is to know how to notice the ones you prefer.

WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU SEE THE SUB-HEADINGS OF MY ARTICLES:

COME AS A CHILD:  This is an on-going weekly bible study that started in Genesis and follows through the bible in chronological order.  You can review the past articles if you are just now joining; no problem.  This study has been well received and it may never end!  I publish these every Thursday.   The whole idea started with an adult bible study I held in my home.  When the study ended many wanted to continue; so I basically started the blog for their sake.  Most of these lessons illustrate how God wants us to come to Him with the innocent heart of a child, loving and open and willing to believe His word without question or doubt.  The concept is to leave your preconceived notions and whatever you have been taught by others and take a fresh new look at the scriptures as if God were teaching them directly to you for the first time.  You should approach the lessons like a child with the element of wonder and full anticipation that you will hear directly from God in the process.  Each child of God is unique, hears in a different way, and each message for each child could be different.  The question to ponder is:  What is God showing you?   The results of this concept have been amazing to many as they have grown closer to God in their daily walk.   

OH THE PLACES WE WILL GO:
 These subtitles contain informational articles about fun places for families to visit, mostly in the South, as well as family friendly fun things to do together (trips, adventures, crafts, projects, games, etc.)   It is all about wholesome, healthy play time with your family in mind, most of it involves inexpensive little trips and delightful places to travel.  I wholeheartedly believe that God wants us to learn more about how to rest and how to play together.  I think He loves for families to discover these times along the way and that these fun experiences help busy families to bond together.  So here are some simple ideas.  I've organized these into articles subtitled OH THE PLACES WE WILL GO.  


FOOD ART AND FAMILY TRADITIONS:   We all want to eat right, but truth be told, we are all too busy!  It is hard and complicated to look up the menus, write down the recipes, make the grocery list, gather the groceries and cook decent and healthy home cooked meals for our families at the end of long days at work or busy days caring for children.  Thought should be given to better health and well being.  We all know this is the best way to live!  Yet, we find it too hard to organize and too complicated to carry out on a day to day basis.   With these articles, I've tried to make simple dinner plans available with recipes that are basic and easy to make.  My hope is simply to relieve some of the stress in your day, to make your own planning easier and simpler and less time consuming.  There is also another second reason.  Like a lot of other southern women, cooking and entertaining are like breathing for me. Not only do I want to do it, I HAVE to do it!   I constantly need these elements in my life.   I feel stressed if I cannot maintain at least a portion of cooking and entertaining in my own family.  So I've also tried to be creative and fun with many holiday, holy day and special occasion ideas.  These are for whenever you are in the mood and have the time to enjoy them.  I like to keep family traditions going through every season and these ideas are divided up into each month of the year and each season and reason for the recipes.  Some of these articles are simply about ways to make your own plans a lot easier to accomplish.  So check these out whenever you need a place to jump start your own thoughts and ideas.   I do claim to be a recipe expert based on the fact that I collect cookbooks.  I've done this for about 50 years now.  Most people have china cabinets for their china, at my house the china cabinet holds my favorite cookbooks!  So, novice or not - I do know a few things about this subject.  I've also written my own family cookbook called The Seasons of Landgraf Castle.

PEN ART:  I am a writer; body, soul and spirit!  I live and breath to write.   I have been writing my heart out for over fifty years.  Over the last five years, as I approach old age, I finally came to realize that writing is the sole purpose and reason that God put me here on planet earth.  It is about the only thing that I have been able to do well and consistently!  Because of this wake-up call from heaven, I have taken the frightening high-dive into becoming professional about this much beloved hobby.  It has been a long and rocky road and it hasn't been easy!   My blog is often the place where I hide when the journey gets rough and the tides get high on the sea of discouragement and nasty predators each author must face in order to become a "professional."   Fortunately I have been blessed by some awesome supporters who hold me up and keep me going.  When times get really rough though right here on these sacred pages, I find my solace.  I can be my own editor and happily and peacefully pursue my favorite past-time with the art of the written word.  This blog is my "practice" field.  I "practice" for at least one hour every day.  You get to enjoy the outcome of that under my PEN ART subtitles.  I'll be happy if people are even reading the words from my pen long after I leave this earth.  It would make me feel I left a legacy behind.  Here is where I include my own favorite short stories and poems, whenever the inspiration seems appropriate.  I welcome comments and critique on these.   Some of them are exclusively mine, and sometimes I share the poems and stories of other friends and and fellow writers who want to be guests on my blog, or people that I have found to be inspirational.   I love to read great writing as well as write.  Please let me know if you want to participate here!  I have written my first novel and am slowly beginning work on two more novel ideas; but I'll not share those here.  I'll let you know when they are published.  Pray that I find a good publisher!  I'm calling this section of my blog:  PEN ART.  Occasionally I will have to throw in some other art forms besides writing; such as music, painting, sketching, dance, etc., just for good measure.  All art is great!  If you want me to feature you - just let me know.  I'll also write here about the writer's guild that I am forming.  All in time.  Words have their own schedules!


SEASONS:
 I LOVE the seasons of the earth as well as the seasons of the church,  I enjoy the celebrating of our cultural seasons in  the country of America.  I am a true Patriot, and I hold to the values of which this country was founded.  I like to remember these things in traditional and seasonal ways.  I love the Constitution and think it is the key to fair government.  I DO NOT believe it is organic and changeable every time the wind blows, but I do think it is flexible enough to handle the changing lives  and needs of the good citizens of our great country.  Often my heart breaks for the changes I see taking place within America.  I write about some of these things.  Sometimes I am also just as amazed at the modern-day heroes who step up and make a difference.  These are stories that MUST be told.   I sometimes write these thoughts down into words, or poems, and they can be found under a few articles with the subtitle of SEASONS.   SEASONS is also about the changing events of our planet and the wonders we experience in nature every year.   Every month has its own set of seasonal activities and events.  Some of these are almost forgotten days that I chose to resurrect.  There is something very special and unique about every month on our calendar.  I also LOVE the Hebrew calendar that God gave to Moses.    I want to notice these things.  I do not want them to quietly pass by while no one is looking.  I tend to take notice of all the little details of each season.   It is my hope that I can encourage others to keep the seasonal traditions of my God and my country and that I may help others to hold them dear.  It would make me happy to be of even a little use in teaching the young people of the coming generations the values of our forefathers and our church fathers, all of  which I feel have been too long neglected.  There is something to be said of the traditions each season brings.  These things must never be forgotten or swept under the rug by a culture that is either too busy or too self-centered to acknowledge them.  


THE HOUSE DOCTOR:
 Decorating and remodeling are another hobby I have enjoyed for years.  I am not materialistic at all about this; it all stems from my belief that the home is the sanctuary of the heart.  I put a lot of heart and elbow grease into my decorating.  It may be pleasing to the eye, but it isn't just for show.   It all has purpose and blessing behind it.  Much stems from a desire to be constantly expressing hospitality and showing the love of God to others.  I love to assist with home improvement ideas that are practical toward this end.  The condition of my present home has been a slow 24 year evolution, and it continues to evolve.  A house that never changes is a house that has ceased to live.  It has been interesting to mark and share the daily changes and events of the house.  I'm probably the only woman on the face of this earth with a "home" scrapbook.  If you want a glimpse, it is free and I think you will find it interesting, maybe even fascinating.   I often feature little bits and pieces of my own home on this blog.  My theme song here is that a house should always be a HOME.  It should reflect the heart and soul of the person or people dwelling under it's roof. No homes should ever be the same.  Each should have their own personality and speak of the people living inside.  I live under the philosophy that a cardboard box can be charming if it reflects it's owner's personality.   Hence I have created these subtitles called THE HOUSE DOCTOR where I share my own experiences of making and remodeling a home and write down new ideas and suggestions that anyone can apply to their own remodeling plan for a better way to live.    I feature others here from time to time.  I love a community that shares it's ideas.   If you wish to be featured, please let me know!


PIECES OF THE PUZZLE:  This is a subtitle that is full of deep theological thought.  I love pondering, studying and reaching for the stars in the realm of theology.  I want to make things simple here, easy for the common man to grasp and understand the difficult and confusing issues of knowing  and existing with God.  I want to unravel the complex theologies the temples of men have created and get back to God's simple truths.    

So you see, there are SO MANY things I want to share and say in this blog,  These subtitles will give you a clue into all of my favorite subjects.  They are each  varied and come in assorted shapes, colors and sizes.  So don't let just one article throw you off.  There is a lot more to discover, but you must dig into the blog to find the gold of it. I hope you accept the challenge!   I know there will be even more categories and subjects as I continue to blog in the years to come. Bear with me as I add one article after another.  Feel free to express your opinion!  

I love photography and a lot of the artwork for my blog comes from my own camera.  It is my gift to share these photos with you my cherished readers.  I find that old expression "a picture is worth a thousand words" to be true in most cases.  I will know I've achieved success as a writer though when my words can paint a thousand pictures inside your mind.  

Just think of me as your free continuing subscription to a great little magazine and think of my blog as a great big continuing magazine full of different and interesting subjects.  Have you seen those magazine price tags in the supermarket lines?  Why waste your time and money?  My blog is free and fun!

I'm so glad to have you here!  I hope you like the new "face-lift" I have given the blog.  I'm hearing from publishers that I need to improve my "platform."  So I've started with this blog.  I'm working with Blogger instead of Word press, so some things are simply out of my control, but I've brightened up and lightened up a lot of things for the coming year.  Blogger changed some functions that only allows google users to join,  so I'm basically starting over with my followers.  If you want to subscribe just look to the right of the article of the day I've featured and click that button that says "subscribe to blog posts."  Also, please, please, please use the comment button at the bottom of the page and let me know what you think!   I value your input and hope we can share life's journey a bit on these pages.

Thank you so much for visiting with me here.  I cherish your comments!  I long to have more followers - the more the merrier.  Please join me in walking through the seasonal roads of life.

God bless you and keep you always!


Sheila Gail Landgraf

Thursday, January 14, 2016

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 102 GOD'S PEOPLE MOVE TO GOSHEN




(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

As he had promised, Joseph told Pharaoh his father and brothers had arrived in the land with their flocks and herds and all that they owned.  He informed  Pharaoh that they were now residing in Goshen.  Joseph then arranged for  five of his brothers to be presented before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh asked the question they were expecting and anticipating:  “What is your occupation?”  They answered as Joseph had requested:  “Your servants are shepherds just as our father’s were.”

They explained to Pharaoh that they had come to live in Egypt for a while because the famine was severe in Canaan and their flocks had no pastures from which to graze.  They humbly requested to keep residing in Goshen.



Pharaoh said to Joseph; “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.  Let them live in Goshen and if you know of any among them with special abilities, put them in charge of my own livestock.

Then Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him before Pharaoh.  Jacob blessed Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked  Jocob's age.  Jacob told Pharaoh he was 130 years old.  He explained that his years had been difficult and they were not as long as that of many of his ancestors.  After their conversation Jacob blessed Pharaoh again and went out from him. 

The part of this story where Jacob blesses Pharaoh is interesting.  Pharaoh was the ruler of the land and he was being blessed by a foreigner that was also a despised shepherd.  The Egyptians hated shepherds, yet Pharaoh respectfully allowed Jacob's blessing and treated him with the honor and respect an elderly person deserves.  Was it because of his respect for Joseph?  One cannot help but wonder why this occurred in the way that it did.

So it was that Joseph’s family came to have property in the best parts of the land of Egypt.  They had food provided for them.  Their children and wives had food and their flocks had land to graze in.




All was well again as Joseph and Jacob rekindled their relationship as father and son and the relationships between Joseph and his brothers were restored.


Thursday, January 7, 2016

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 101 MOVING TO EGYPT




(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Israel set out with all of his sons, wives, grandchildren, livestock and personal possessions to go to live in the land of Egypt where Joseph now lived.  When they reached Beersheba, Israel offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac.  It was there that God spoke to him in a night vision. 

“Jacob, Jacob!”

“Here I am.”

“I am God, the God of your father.  Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again.  And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”





The journey was easier for Israel after this vision in the night.  He knew he was not going against God’s will by leaving the land of Canaan.  They traveled on in the carts that Pharaoh had sent them to travel in. 

The names of the sons of Israel and those who were with them are recorded in the book of Genesis.  They are mentioned specifically by name.  I have learned whenever this happens to listen up.  The names are recorded and proclaimed for some reason.   In a later lesson we will explore some of the possible reasons, as well as examine the prophetic significance of the story of Joseph.

The list was like this:

Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob.  The sons of Reuben:  Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.  

The sons of Simeon:  Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.

The sons of Levi:  Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

The sons of Judah:  Er, Orian, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan, as we discussed in an earlier lesson.)

The sons of Perez:  Hezron and Hamul.

The sons of Issachar:  Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron.

The sons of Zebulun:  Sered, Elon and Jahleel

It is mentioned that these were the sons that Leah had born to Jacob in Paddan-Aram, besides his daughter Dinah.  These sons and daughters of his were thirty three in all.

The sons of Gad:  Ephon, Haggi, Shuni, Exbon, Eri , Arodi and Areli. 

The sons of Asher:  Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah.  Their sister was Serah.
 
The sons of Beriah:  Heber and Malkiel.

These were the children of Jacob by Zilpah whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah.  Sixteen in all.

The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel:  Joseph and Benjamin.  In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

The sons of Benjamin:  Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob – fourteen in all.

The son of Dan:
Hushbim.

The sons of Naphtali:  Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.

These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel – seven in all.   

 I only thought I had a large family!  

Can you imagine all of these people gathering all of their belongings together and traveling to a land they were not accustomed to?  Not one decided not to go!  That within itself is a miracle.  Do you think if God told you to move unexpectedly that ALL of your relatives would just drop their lives and say "so be it" and pack their bags and move with you?  What are the chances? 




Sometimes families have to go places that they never dreamed they would have to go.  They must live among people who do not think, worship or live as they do.  They must learn to get along with everyone all the time, for the sake of the greater thing that God is working out.  When God says “go” it should not be questioned, only done.  It is a rare thing that a family will be this bound to one another, that they ALL would accept the consequences of obeying their father who has been listening to God’s will for them.   Perhaps they were all there as Jacob made the sacrifice in Beersheba and their hearts were moved by God to make the change.  They were all in one accord on this strange journey.   

The way this all came together was yet another miracle in the history of Israel’s life story. 

All those who went to Egypt with Jacob; his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives were numbered as sixty-six persons.  With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.  I'm still having trouble understanding this math....but that is what the scriptures says and I know the scriptures are accurate.  Yet another thing to sort out at the end of our story!

Perhaps they were rounding off whole numbers?  At any rate, how interesting to note that the scriptures record the number 70 and we know from reading more later that 70 nations came from the nation of Israel, a nation for each of the families that went up to Egypt following God’s will. 

So, Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to get directions to Goshen from Joseph.  When they all arrived in Goshen Joseph was there with his chariot.  He had been waiting for them.  As soon as Joseph appeared he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.  No doubt this was one of the greatest reunions ever experienced on earth.  Joseph was just the opposite of the prodigal's son.  Jacob had no reason to question Joseph's loyalty, honesty and integrity.  That had made the absence of Joseph unbearable for him.  The love between this father and son was very special and rare.




Finally, with much emotion in his voice, Israel spoke to his son:  “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

Joseph told everyone that he would go up and speak to Pharaoh and say to him that his father and brothers have actually arrived and come to live with him!  He would tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds and tended to livestock, and they have brought all that they owned with them.  

Joseph explained to everyone that when Pharaoh called them in and asked:  ‘What is your occupation?’ they were to answer ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’  Then they would be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen; for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.   It seems that Goshen is set aside for less than desirable people of the nation.  This showed Joseph's humility and willingness to have the heart of a servant.  He would honor his employer and try not to disturb the Pharaoh with the happenings of his family.  He was just glad to have them with him.  Any place would do as long as Joseph could come to them in a short time and they had food and shelter.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

FOOD ART - A MEXICAN FIESTA

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

The "Food Art" part of this blog is all about creating imaginative menus to enjoy with your family and friends.  I always hope to post some easy-to-pull-together meals that are festive enough for entertaining, but simple enough to be a regular weeknight meal for the family.  You can add your own personal flare to these ideas, but the basic organization here will get you started down your own path.    I just like to have a bunch of "go-to" tried and true menus for impromptu occasions.  This is one of the menus I've used a lot over the years that is simple, easy, inexpensive, but very festive.   



A GREAT MEXICAN MENU

Ahead are four great Mexican dishes that combine to make a perfect menu to serve on a day when you are bored with the same old American cuisine!  Put out the chips.  Melt some cheese.  Mix up a large picture of cold margaritas to go with these.  Soon you will have a feast!

 MENU:
MEXICAN FRUIT SALAD WITH HONEY LIME DRESSING
TACO PIE
BLACK BEAN AND RICE CASSEROLE
SALSA AND CHIPS
FAKE FRIED ICE CREAM
A simple and elegant meal that invites fun and casual conversations to happen.

MEXICAN FRUIT SALAD WITH HONEY LIME DRESSING
1 cup cantaloupe chunks
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup kiwifruit
Red or Green Grapes
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
¼ cup fresh lime juice
In a large clear bowl, combine 1 cup each: cantaloupe chunks, blueberries, kiwifruit slices, pineapple chunks and red or green grapes. Stir in 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ cup fresh orange juice and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Whisk together with 1/3 cup honey and ¼ cup fresh lime juice; pour over salad and toss to blend. Serve in pretty stemmed dessert glasses, or side bowls. 




GAIL’S TACO PIE

Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls

Taco seasoning mix
Salsa

Corn chips
1 lb. ground beef 
½ cup chopped onion
Shredded lettuce
Tomato, chopped
Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (4oz.)
sour cream, optional

1.      Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a pie shell with the triangles from 8 Pillsbury

Crescent Dinner Rolls.
2.    Brown the onions in a skillet.  Brown the hamburger in the onion.  Mix onions and hamburger together and add taco mix to them in the skillet. 
3.  Crumble corn chips and put in the bottom of the pie shell.
4.  Pour hamburger and onion mix over corn chips. 
5. Pour salsa over this mixture.
6.  Sprinkle the top generously with shredded cheese, any flavor you prefer.
7.  Bake uncovered for 30 – 35 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Top with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sour cream and a little unmelted cheese.  
9.  Cut into slices and serve with sour cream on the side.


Black Bean and Rice Casserole
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1  small jar of salsa

1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½  teaspoon cumin
½  teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 zucchini, chopped
1 can white shoe peg corn kernels
1 cup green or red peppers, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 small can green chilies
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pan over medium heat, cook beans and salsa for 5 minutes  Stir in spices..
2.   Add all of the vegetables to the mixture and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until veggies soften slightly.
3.   Mix in the cooked brown rice.
4.  Place mixture in a large casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes.
5. Crunch up some tortilla chips in the bottom of a clear or decorative bowl and pour the casserole mixture over the chips while hot.  Line the sides of bowl with whole chips and garnish the top with slices of avocado and olives.  Serve sour cream on the side.

 
    
 FAKE FRIED ICE CREAM

“Fried” ice cream with no frying involved. Just like what they serve in some Mexican restaurants.

Ingredients
1 (18oz.) box corn flake cereal

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

½ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

 vanilla ice cream 

Any Favorite Toppings

Instructions
1.  Shape ice cream into 3 inch balls and place in a muffin tin to freeze very hard.



2. Place cereal in a food processor and process

until finely crushed (or place cereal in batches in sealable plastic bags and crush with rolling pin). Place crushed cereal in a large mixing bowl and mix in melted butter. Stir in sugar and cinnamon until well blended.
3.  Roll frozen ice cream balls in the crunchy mixture, pressing down to make it all stick and stay on the ice cream.
4.  Place in a pretty serving dish, drizzle with caramel or chocolate, add a dollop of whipped cream if desired, place a cherry on top and serve immediately.




 

Friday, January 1, 2016

SEASONS - TURNIP GREEN SOUP FOR NEW YEARS

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION - EAT RIGHT/LIVE RIGHT
(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Here we are already on the very first day of 2017.  I have to admit I was ready for 2016 to turn the page. I am anxious for a better year to come to us all in 2017.  

That being said, I do not overlook the fact that even though the whole country had a pretty bad year last year; we all were blessed in unexpected ways in the midst of it.  I am most thankful to know that we have survived the very hard political, economic and socially changing culture battles in America for one more year.  I remain hopeful in spite of the odds and stand ready to take on the battles of another year.

Speaking of another year; some people are so superstitious about what to eat on New Year's Day.  


I find that very amusing, as I've had the same foods every year and had both good and bad years afterward.  So, I just laugh at the superstitions of our culture, but play along, mostly because I want to start the new year out healthy and what could be healthier than a good steaming hot bowl of turnip green soup?

It has become a tradition at our house.  

You get your greens and you get your black-eyed peas.  Throw in some broccoli corn bread and a salad and you have perfectly filling healthy meal.  




I think my recipe for turnip green soup is one of the best.  

We've experimented and changed it over the years until I think it may have evolved into a final perfection.

I share it with all of my readers here as a New Year's present, and am sending wishes for the happiest, most joyful and blessed 2017 that you can every imagine!



TURNIP GREEN SOUP


Ingredients:

1 pound cooked and diced ham
1 tablespoon extra pure virgin olive oil
1 package dry Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix
2 cans great northern beans
Three shakes of tobasco sauce
1 can pinto beans
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 cups chopped potatoes
3 cups chopped onions
1-1/2 cups sliced carrots
1-32 ounce package of freshly cut and washed turnip greens
2-48 ounce cartons chicken broth (may use beef if preferred)
2-15 ounce cans black-eyed peas (drained and rinsed)
1 (14.5 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
In a large stock pot with a tablespoon of extra pure virgin olive oil combine ham, onions, potatoes and carrots.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently for 7 to 8 minutes, or until ham is browned and onion and carrots are slightly soft.  Add turnip greens, and cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until wilted.  Add chicken broth, black-eyes peas, Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix, northern beans, pinto beans, tobasco sauce, garlic powder, Rotel tomatoes, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.  Bring all to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes or until greens are tender.  Serve steaming hot.

(If you use the fresh frozen veggies instead of the canned this soup usually taste better - or you can go all out and use totally fresh veggies - your choice - always good no matter how you do it.  After Christmas I always freeze the left over ham slices and save it for this dish on New Year's Day.  We love it!)

Thursday, December 31, 2015

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 100 JOSEPH REVEALS HIS IDENTITY





(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Judah was deeply troubled that Joseph thought Benjamin had taken his silver cup.  He had offered himself as a substitute for Benjamin’s punishment, knowing that if he did not return with Benjamin his father would never forgive him.  He had also told his father that his own sons would be the one’s punished if anything happened to Benjamin.  This must have been a terrible time for Judah, who had done no wrong and was caught in the middle of Joseph’s scheme.

But, as Judah was pleading with Joseph, Joseph could no longer control himself and he cried out in a loud voice.  “Have everyone leave my presence!” 

When there was no one left in the room with Joseph, except his brothers, Joseph made himself known to them.  He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him.  Even Pharaoh’s household became aware of Joseph’s state. 

Finally, Joseph said to his brothers; “I am Joseph!  Is my father still living?”
Upon hearing his words his brothers became terrified!  They could not speak or answer.



Joseph beconed for them to come closer to him.  He said; “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So then it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.  Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says:  God has made me lord of all Egypt.  Come down to me; don’t delay.  You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.  I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come.  Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”

Joseph turned to his brothers who were still in amazement and continued:  “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.  Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen.  And bring my father down here quickly.”

At that point, Joseph threw his arms around Benjamin and wept.  Benjamin embraced Joseph, weeping too.  Joseph kissed all of his brothers and wept over them.  Afterward they talked and talked.  They had a lot of catching up to do!

With all the commotion and the confusion of Joseph’s assistants, the news soon reached Pharaoh and all of his officials were pleased.  Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this:  Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me.  I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.”

Pharaoh also told them:  “Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.  Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.”

So the sons of Israel did as they were instructed.  Joseph gave them carts as Pharaoh had commanded and he also gave them provisions for their journey.  He gave them all new clothes, and to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.  He sent ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded wit grain and bread and other provisions to his father for his journey back. 

He said goodbye to his brothers and sent them on their way admonishing them not to quarrel on the way.

They left Egypt in a daze.  When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan they told him that Joseph was still alive!  Then they told him he was ruler of Egypt!


Jacob was stunned. 

At first he did not believe them.  The carts full of provisions that Joseph had sent finally convinced him.

 Jacob’s spirit revived!  Can you imagine his amazement?  He was full of joy knowing that Joseph was still alive and he would see him again!  

God was granting Jacob unexpected happiness in his old age!  It was a glorious impossible that only God could have brought about.  

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