It's Winter of A New Year

 I think most of us think the same each year, so perhaps it's a bit repetitious--but it's always hard to believe how quickly a year seems to go by. I'm still getting used to the thought that it's really 2022 now. In these winter days, I haven't had as much to post about, but hope all of my readers are doing well! 

I find it a thought of interest to consider one day in eternity there will be no more years as we know it now.

There will be no night there. Revelation 21:25

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 

-Revelation 10:5-6

ARE THERE NO YEARS IN HEAVEN?

-By Philip Phillips, 1868

Are there no years in Heaven?

No change of day and night?

No rolling seasons’ varied hues

To mark time’s onward flight?

No: Time itself must fade,

And New Years’ Days shall cease,

When all God’s children meet on high,

To hail the Prince of Peace.

His realm is endless rest,

And perfect holiness!

No cares shall cloud, no sorrow dim

That home of loveliness.

In His great name we raise

Our New Year’s song to Heaven;

To praise our Father’s boundless love,

And ask to be forgiven.

Savior, be Thou our trust,

Our daily, hourly friend;

Unite our hearts in love to Thee—

The love which knows no end.

So may our lives on earth

Made happy by Thy grace,

Be foretastes of a fairer home—

A heavenly dwelling place.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

-Colossians 4:5

Favorite Flaky Biscuits Recipe

 

I've tried quite a few different biscuit recipes, and by far, this one has surpassed all of the ones I tried! 

I especially knew I had a good recipe when my brother (who normally is quite particular about his food) told me they taste so good, and asked me why I don't make them more often.  That may not sound like much, but it's a high compliment coming from him. 😄

 Your family might already have a favorite biscuit recipe that's just as good, but this has definitely become a new favorite for me. 

Here is the recipe:  

2 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup milk (or buttermilk)

Preheat oven to 475. (I will make a note here, that unlike perhaps most other cooks...I almost never preheat my oven. However, for this recipe, I do believe this is important as it helps the biscuits cook more quickly, making them moist in the middle, and nice and crisp on the bottom). Freeze butter at least 30 minutes; frozen solid works best.  Grate butter, and mix with dry ingredients. Add milk, a little at a time, while tossing with a fork, until a ball of dough begins to form. Squeeze together, and pat dough into a thick rectangle (about an inch thick or so). Fold in half, and pat it down again. Repeat 4-6 times. (Note: I've been told this step of folding is important for making flaky biscuits, as it creates those noticeable layers that flake apart...and I definitely notice a big difference.) 

Flatten dough to about 3/4" thick, and cut with biscuit ring of desired size. (Or, if you have no biscuit cutter, you can do like me and just use a cup from your cupboard.) : ) 

Bake for 10-12 minutes. 

A verse for today: 

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

-Psalm 111:10

The benefits of trials

"We learn more Bible in a day of sorrow than a year in good times."

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes." -Psalm 119:71

"The faith of a child of God should grow stronger in times of trial and trouble. Trials have a way of digging up the soil of our hearts and exposing the weeds that need to be gotten rid of. It is not in the sunshine but in the storm that we discover the depth of our need, the Source of our strength, and even the weakness of our faith. Great soldiers are made in the battlefield, not in the barracks. God is far more concerned with our welfare than even we are. God is the Father of mercies. All mercy and feelings of compassion come from God. He remembers that we are dust. The Lord provides these means for His children's comfort during times of trouble: the Saviour, the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and other saints." -Unknown

 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

GEN. 1. 20

“God meant it unto good,”—O blest assurance

Falling like sunshine all across life’s way,

Touching with heaven’s gold earth’s darkest storm clouds,

Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

‘Twas not by chance the hands of faithless brethren

Sold Joseph captive to a foreign land;

Nor was it chance which, after years of suffering,

Brought him before the monarch’s throne to stand.

One Eye all-seeing saw the need of thousands,

And planned to meet it through that one lone soul;

And, through the weary days of prison bondage,

Was working towards the great and glorious goal.

As yet the end was hidden from the captive,

The iron entered even to his soul:

His eye could scan the present path of sorrow,

Not yet his gaze might rest upon the whole.

Faith failed not through those long dark hours of waiting

His trust in God was recompensed at last;

The moment came when God led forth His servant

To succor many, all his sufferings past.

“It was not you, but God that sent me hither,”

Witnessed triumphant faith in after days;

“God meant it unto good” no second causes

Mingled their discord with his song of praise.

“God means it unto good” for thee, beloved;

The God of Joseph is the same today,

His love permits afflictions strange and bitter:

His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

The Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,

Hath purposes for thee of love untold;

Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,

Till thou the riches of His grace behold.

Then when thou standest in the Home of glory,

And all life’s path lies open to thy gaze,

Thine eyes shall see the hand which now thou trustest,

And magnify His love through endless days.

F. H. A.

Declare His glory among the heathen, 

His wonders among all people. 

-Psalms 96:3

Glazed Honey Rolls

I recently discovered this recipe in a cookbook my sister had brought back to her home from the library. It has become my new favorite roll recipe! The rolls are moist, mildly sweet, and best of all for me, :) easy to make. 

Glazed Honey Rolls

 1 cup warm milk, 70°-80°

1 large egg, room temperature

1 large egg yolk, room temperature (set aside the egg whites...this will be used later for the glaze!)

1/2 cup canola oil

3 Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 1/2 cups bread or all-purpose flour 

2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast

Glaze: (The glaze is optional...I've made these without it completely, other than just brushing them with melted butter instead, and the rolls still taste great). 

1/3 cup sugar (Note: I personally don't care to use a lot of sugar...so I actually left this part out of the glaze completely the times I did make it, and just increased the amount of honey. It's up to you.) :) 

2 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. honey (or, if leaving out the sugar...may be increased to 2 Tbsp. or so.)

1 large egg white

Additional honey, optional

Dissolve yeast in warm milk. In another bowl, combine egg, egg yolk, oil, honey, salt, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).  

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough is doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide and shape into 24 balls; place in 9x13 in. greased baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350; glaze and bake 20-25 minutes. Brush with additional honey, if desired. 

Note: The honey glaze will make the top of the rolls look darker brown than usual earlier on in the baking, making it a little more difficult to tell when they are done. I was a bit worried they were burning at first, but that's just normal with the glaze. :) 

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And in closing.. a verse that was an encouragement to me today. 

A Verse For Today

 

Changing Seasons

 

The trees where I live have changed colors, and are losing their leaves. I've been enjoying seeing the many shades of bright colors while they last!  Our first possible snow is forecasted tomorrow...so the rest of the leaves will likely be falling soon.   

One of the last daisies still hanging on. Most of our other flowers are finished blooming for the year. 

 With the days getting colder, I have felt a little more like baking than usual...(baking is not one of my favorite things normally for some reason, although I do try to occasionally). I hope to share one of the new recipes I tried on here soon! It is a new favorite of mine. 

These verses have been an encouragement for me recently, and thought I'd share them here. 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah." Psalm 46:1-3

And I'd like to share this hymn that is new to me, but has been a great blessing to me: 

I hope each of you are doing well! Thank you all for the comments you take the time to leave...it always means a lot to me! 

It's October, and...

 

I've been enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having lately! It's been nice to get outdoors and take walks almost every day. The leaves are beginning to change, and it's getting noticeably cooler in the evenings. 

Even weeds have some uniqueness and beauty in their own way at times (at least, that's my opinion). :)

The other day, I was looking out our back window, and at first seen what looked to me like a bunch of leaves floating through the air. It took me a minute to realize they were monarch butterflies! I went outside to find there were a couple hundred of them at least clustering in different trees, and flying through the air. They're apparently on their way down south! This picture is of just one of the clusters on a tree branch (there were lots more). 

For years, I have heard about the migration of Monarch butterflies from the northern U.S. and Canada down to southern parts of California, and to remote areas of Mexico. I never thought I would actually get to see some of that first-hand! I was so excited to be able to. :) 

They stayed around for a couple hours or so, then took off again.  If you've never heard about the migration of Monarch butterflies, you might find it interesting to watch some things on it. :)  It's amazing how the Lord gave an insect such an amazing ability to fly the long distance to a place they've never even been before. 

Interesting Fact: 

Monarch butterflies may travel more than 3,000 miles to migrate from Canada and the northeastern U.S. to reach their overwintering habitats in central and southwestern Mexico. 

I am unsure if this video will load properly for everyone...but this is a short 

clip of one of the videos I got while the butterflies were here. Sorry it's not of better quality! I hope it at least lets you see a little. 

"But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, 

and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: 

and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?" 

Job 12:7-9

Summertime Beauty

I was excited to see this rose blooming for the first time since we planted it earlier this year. Peach happens to be one of my favorite colors. ♡ With fall nearing, I'm enjoying the last of summer's flowers! 

This little honey bee surprised me and landed on the rose just a few seconds - long enough to quickly snap a couple pictures. 

The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 

Psalms 24:1

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 

-Psalms 33:8-9

 

Encouraging Truth's from Plants...

I love gardening, and many times as I'm out working in the garden, spiritual applications from the Bible come to my mind such as the parable of the sower, and how weeds growing up remind me of the seriousness of sins that can spread so easily and choke out the good growth in peoples lives.  Also, as I'm working on pruning our bushes and trees, seeing the effect of the cuts helping stimulate the plants to grow even better, make me realize how often the Lord uses hurtful things in our lives that seem like "cutting back" and harmful things at the time, but in the end He uses it to cause us to grow in grace more.  So, when I came across this information about plants, it amazed me and once again reminded me of more spiritual lessons we can observe from God's creation. 

This is what I found: 

Plants do most of their growing at night.  The absence of light actually stimulates plants to grow fastest in the darkness.   Actually, the major part of the cell division and growth in plants is done at night. So we can easily conclude that plants need darkness as much as they need sunlight to grow.  Plant phytochromes detect darkness, encouraging growth hormone production, causing the plant to elongate in search of light. The same process helps plants orientate their foliage to light and helps seedlings stretch in search of light.

Roots of most plants also grow at night. The food prepared in the form of glucose is utilized at night for cell division. Not only the roots, but also stems, flowers, and fruits grow at night. This is the time when the accumulation of food and water is actually done. 

While plants capture energy during the day, the synthesis of new tissue is often better accomplished at night, because the conditions then allow avoidance of heat stress and water loss. In plants using CAM photosynthesis, the stomata in the leaves are shut during the day to reduce evapotranspiration, but are opened at night to collect CO2, and carbon fixation occurs then.

If you put plants in light for whole 24 hours then they will eventually die.  Likewise, if you put your plants in complete darkness for long, they will lose chlorophyll and hence die. So both sunlight and darkness are required for plants to grow healthy.  Some plants need more light, while others need more shade. 

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These things reminded me and gave me comfort in times of my own struggles, that the Lord knows exactly what each one of us needs...sometimes seasons of darkness, sometimes seasons of light and joy. It's all for our growth and our good. 

"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

 -Isaiah 50:10

 "He really cares about us in our sufferings. The greatest blessing in this world is to know God, and to have a knowing relationship of Him. You can't know Him fully without suffering. You can't know Him truly as the God of all comfort, without the excruciating pain of tribulations and pressures and trials and troubles. There is no other road to knowing Him in this way, than the road of pressure and suffering and trials."

But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 -1 Peter 5:10-11

A verse for today...

 

Cherry Cobbler

 

This year we were able to pick lots of tart cherries, and freeze them for later use. I made the first cobbler with them just recently, and it was a special treat! 

I used this recipe for the filling: 

6 cups tart red cherries, pitted

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup water (I left this out, as we had so much juice in our cherries)

4 teaspoons cornstarch

I also added a few tablespoons of tapioca for good measure to make sure the filling thickened enough. :)

My mom then combined two different recipes for the crust and streusel topping, which I don't have with me to share at this time.  

It's something I definitely hope to make again with the cherries still remaining in our freezer!  It's such a blessing to be reminded of all the things our Lord has provided for us to enjoy...so many different flavors, colors, etc., just amazes me.  Very thankful to Him for these things! 

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I hope you all have been enjoying your summer. : ) Thank you everyone so much for the comments you've left me recently - it always brightens my day to hear from you! 

Thankful for Freedom

 

Thankful for another yearly reminder of the freedoms and many other undeserved blessings the Lord has graciously given to us... 

I hope all of my readers in the U.S. have a special Fourth of July weekend with family and friends. 

   Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

- Psalms 106:1