While walking in the woods last week, I found a few beautiful white feathers. I researched them a bit, and believe they might be the feathers of a snowy owl. Snowy Owls in New Jersey are rare but at times the birds venture beyond their normal breeding and feeding grounds. Another possibility is the feathers belonged to a hawk. At one time seeing hawks was also rare in our area, but they have adapted, and now thrive in civilization.
Oh my how this soup made my spirit sing! Have you ever taken a mouthful of pure sunshine? This soup is just that good and so beautiful in appearance. The carrots add subtle flavor and color, the ginger warmth and depth, the lowfat milk a nice touch of creaminess. I found and adapted the recipe in an old cookbook that gave the credit for the soup to the Junior League of Pasadena. I adapted it to my own taste and pantry ingredients. It’s easy and took under an hour to prepare, and also has the added bonus of being low in calories.
CARROT GINGER SOUP
1 TBS butter
1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 medium onion, chopped
1 14 – 16 ounce can chicken broth (or 2 cups homemade broth)
1 1/2 tsp. shredded orange peel
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 1/4 Cup (10 ounces) lowfat (2%) milk
salt and pepper to taste
can be garnished with a fresh parsley sprig
Melt butter in saucepan. Add carrots and onion & 4 tbs water. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Check and stir often to prevent burning.
Stir in one cup of the broth, orange peel and ginger. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender. In blender or food processor, puree the saucepan ingredients. Transfer back to the saucepan and add remaining broth and lowfat milk. Heat on low heat until warm, stirring as needed. Salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy.
I recently saw a special on Johnny Cash. He is one of my all-time favorite singers, and I love the message of God’s love that his life exhibited. I also love the words and message of Billy Graham. Two classics, one in song, one in word, and both men of God.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Monochromatic.”“This week, share with us your monochromatic images. Be calculating and creative in choosing your subject and focal point; resist the urge to simply take a photo of something with a single color range.”
Salt Marsh in Greens with Texture. My photograph is a close-focus capture of a salt marsh on the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, taken along the Delaware Bay. I have also included several panoramic shots and additional close-ups of the various plants and herbs that make up a salt marsh.
“A salt marsh or saltmarsh, also known as a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open salt water or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides. It is dominated by dense stands of salt-tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh in trapping and binding sediments. Salt marshes play a large role in the aquatic food web and the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters. They also support terrestrial animals and provide coastal protection.” ~ Wikipedia
Can you make out the gigantic bird nest atop one of the trees in the photo below?
Moore’s Beach
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
In remembrance of September 11, 2001. The antidote for the evils of this world is the love and light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~John 3:17
I recently viewed two movies on DVD. Both were quiet, thoughtful, and completely satisfying. Cedar Cove, a series on the Hallmark Channel, has also been a nice respite this summer.
“Far From the Madding Crowd,“ by Thomas Hardy, is a beautiful love story. I have never read the novel, but will remedy that situation after watching the movie based on the book. The film was beautiful; the story satisfying and believable.
I loved the ‘Age of Adaline”, a story of a young woman who lives her life without aging. The premise might be way out there, but the storyline makes it all believable. It was interesting to see Harrison Ford in a non-leading man role.
Cedar Cove is a television series on the Hallmark station based on the books of Debbie Macomber. I missed the first two seasons, but was able to purchase the first through Amazon at a great price. Andie McDowell is terrific as the heroine and small town judge.
Friend,
I give to you every burden I carry in my heart this day, and have faith as I leave them upon your altar, all will be well. In each moment and circumstance, help me remember to give thanks for the blessings you have given to me and my family. Thank you for this life, and best of all, salvation and the promise of eternal life with you in your Kingdom. I think of heaven and dwell for a moment in a flood of pure joy, much like the waves washing over me when I am within the ocean. Sometimes your Spirit is a powerful surge, other moments a gentle touch of purest love, but always Lord, your love moves me, and reaches the inner recesses of my spirit. Hallelujah! What a Savior, what a friend…always…and forever…and like the song…Amen!
Every Spring/Summer the garden beds are full of the previous year’s fallen tomatoes. These forgotten tomatoes self-seed and send up new sprouts by the dozens. Why then are tomato seeds so notoriously hard to save?
Tomato seeds are surrounded by a gelatinous sac that allows them to adhere to the garden soil for sprouting. This same gelatin works against growing the same seeds in pots. The gelatinous moisture is a perfect environment for disease to thrive in.
This year I decided to mimic nature and save the seeds without spending time, or dealing with the mess of fermentation.
The steps I followed are explained in this short video.
For more information on different ways to save tomato seeds visit this link:
Saving Tomato Seeds
If you are in the habit of cutting away your spent rose blooms, begin now to leave a few intact to stimulate the formation of rose hips. This signals the plant that winter is approaching.
Many more good tips on preparing rose bushes for winter can be found at Heirloom Roses.
Sometimes you have to do something just for fun. This nubbly tomato presented the perfect possiblity, and so…with a pair of googly eyes, and a felt heart for a mouth, we created a tomato lady with a lot of personality.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Connected.”“This week, show us how two (or more) things — people, objects, places — come together.”
Fishermen in Fortescue, so connected to the bulkhead, they almost seem to be part of the seawall at first glance.
I am always inspired and uplifted by groups from all around the world who are dedicated to praising God in song. What terrific examples of people all across the world who are serving God. A good reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Here are a few new songs I’ve recently come across.
You Are My Hiding Place – Golden Angels – South Korea
Wa Hamba Nathi (Siyabonga Jesu) – South Africa
How Great is Our God/Gadol Elohai – Israel/Joshua Aaron/Messianic Praise and Worship
Israeli musician Yaron Yerahmiel Cherniak on the Persian Tar.
United in Christ’s Love all around the world. Hallelujah! What a Savior.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Forward Drive.” “What is the one thing that drives you to wake up in the morning and do whatever it is you do? Is it writing, family, friends, or something else entirely?”
I have coffee with my Beloved Friend and read The Book of all Books.
“Sing to the Lord, O Earth,
Declare each day that he is the one who saves!”
“Show his GLORY to the nations!
Tell everyone about his miracles.”
“For the Lord is great and should be highly praised;
He is to be held in awe above all gods.” I Chronicles 16:23-25
“A player piano (also known as pianola) is a self-playing piano, containing a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism that operates the piano action via pre-programmed music recorded on perforated paper, or in rare instances, metallic rolls, with more modern implementations using MIDI encoded music stored on floppy disks or CDs. The rise of the player piano grew with the rise of the mass-produced piano for the home in the late 19th and early 20th century.”
I recall seeing, and listening to, player pianos when I was a child. The sample video I’ve included in the post, shows how the piano was pumped with a person’s feet. What is that tune? “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” was the favorite song of my dear grandparents. Enjoy!
I spotted him first atop the vitex tree.
He let me get close…closer…closest…
…and even seemed to strike a few interesting poses.
When I offered him my thumb, he climbed aboard…
…and seemed quite amused when I placed him on a bright zinnia as a backdrop for a photograph. Did I say I love praying mantis? I do. 😀
September is here…school begins…the bliss of summer ends. Happily, Autumn has its own joys…and apples are tops on my list of seasonal favorites.
I bought a small basket of Gala apples at the local farm market. Galas are one of my favorite apple varieties. I enjoy using them to make a delicious side dish of baked apples. (With whipped cream on top, baked apples can also be a delicious dessert.)
Core and slice the apples thin. No special measurements, slice up as many as you think you will eat in one sitting, or cut a few extra for leftovers.
I like to cook baked apples in glass bakeware. Place apples in baking dish, dot freely with butter, sprinkle top with brown sugar, and add a sprinkling of cinnamon. I sometimes also add a pinch of salt. Bake at 350, covered with foil or a lid for about forty-five minutes. Enjoy!
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “From Every Angle.” “This week, photograph a stationary subject from three different angles.”
The Gazebo overlooking Glen Lake, Pitman, New Jersey.
