What Is Different Is Not The Same: 016

Matthew 20:7

KJV 

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

NIV 

7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

ESV 

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’

NRSV 
7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’

Five Cold, Quick, Sweet Treats For Summer!

This past week temperatures have been in the 90's (Fahrenheit) in our neck of the woods. In this kind of weather a cold treat is always welcome! I will share with you some of the quick and healthy things I have been eating on these hot days.

1. Frozen Berries

Lots of frozen berries! I just buy them at the store, but they would be a pretty cheap snack of you grew your own.

2. Frozen Grapes

Frozen grapes are like little Italian Ice bites, so yummy!

To freeze grapes you just take them off their stem and wash them, and then you pop them in the freezer.
I had frozen home grown grapes with seeds in them. The seeds are definitely noticeable, but I read that they are good for you so I didn't worry about eating them.

3. Frozen Peas

Believe it or not, I find frozen peas to be very refreshing. I can remember my siblings and I eating up a whole bag of frozen peas when we were little.  My mother had pulled the peas out of the freezer to use in a recipe and we ate them up before she could use them. :)

4. Crushed Pineapple, Frozen 

Just take a can of crushed pineapple, canned in 100% juice, and put it in the freezer. You may want to freezer it partially so that you can still scoop it, but if you freeze it all the way you can just let it thaw out a little bit before you serve it.

5. Frozen Bananas

Frozen bananas can be enjoyed many ways.
You can eat them plain.
You can make banana popsicles by putting wooden skewers into bananas, freezing them, then dipping them into melted chocolate and rolling them in crushed nuts and the refreezing them.
Or you can make banana ice"cream" with them. No Sugar Added Banana Ice "Cream" is one of my favorite desserts! :) It is super easy and delicious!

No Sugar Added Banana Ice "Cream"

2 frozen bananas 

1-2 TBS. milk

Cut the frozen bananas into 1 inch chunks. Put the banana pieces and a splash of milk into a food processor.
Pulse the food processor until the bananas are smooth, stopping to stir down the sides periodically.
The finished product should look exactly like soft serve ice cream!
You can make variations by adding cocoa powder, chocolate chips, peanut butter, etc... be creative!

What types of cold treats do you enjoy in the hot summer months? Let me know in the comments! :)

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 015

Matthew 19:17

KJV 

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

NIV 

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

ESV 

17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

NRSV 
17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Multi Grain Sourdough Bread

This has turned into one of my "go to" sourdough recipes.

It makes a small loaf with a nice moist crumb. I like to use it for sandwiches.

The slices are flexible and this bread stays fresh a little longer than plain whole wheat sourdough  bread.

The dough is quite sticky and does not require hand kneading.

Without any further ado...

Multi Grain Sourdough Bread 

1 cup water
3 TBS. Steel Cut Oats

- Combine in small pot. Bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

1 cup Rye Sourdough Starter
2 TBS. Molasses 
2 TBS. Soft Butter 
1 tsp. Salt

- Combine in a large bowl. When the oat/water combination has cooled to around 120° F. add to ingredients in the bowl and stir.

2 - 2 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour 

-Stir in one cup of flour and mix for a minute. Add the second cup of flour and mix for another minute.

- Cover with towel and let rest 30 minutes to allow flour to hydrate. After 30 minutes stir and add more flour 1/4 cup at a time, if needed. The dough should be sticky.

- Cover and let rise 2-4 hours. Stir dough half way through rising, this will count as kneading. Rise times will vary based on the strains of yeast in your starter and the temperature. My dough needs to rise 2-4 hours: 2 hours on hot days, 4 hours on cool days.

- Scrape dough into a greased loaf pan. (I use 9"×5" pan but an 8"×5" would be more ideal.) Cover and let rise 1-2 hours.

- Bake in a preheated 350°F. oven 30-35 minutes.

- Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Slice when cool. Enjoy!

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 014

Matthew 19:9

KJV 

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

NIV 

9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

ESV 

9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

NRSV 

9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”

Skirts! (More Sewing Projects)

Here are pictures of skirts I have completed in the last couple of months. I was taking pictures of them all today, so I thought I'd show you what I've been up to.

This first skirt is three panels, front and back, (six total) and is flared at the base. I made it out of some narrow corduroy. The material is pretty heavy and durable. It will be a great winter skirt. I sewed a pocket in the right seam and a lapped zipper on the left side with a hook and loop fastener.

This second skirt is made from a wool-like material. (Maybe wool, maybe a poly/wool blend, I'm not sure. I get a lot of my materials second hand and sometimes I have to guess about what they are made from.)
I put a zipper/ button closer down the center front. This skirt has four panels (total) and darts at the waist band. I made belt loops and side seam pockets for this skirt. This skirt would also make a nice winter skirt. :)

I got a little creative on this third skirt. I started with a half circle skirt and added a sewn in ruffled petticoat. (Again, this would make a good winter skirt.) I thought the petticoat would make the hemline look kind of like it was floating, just to add a little visual interest. I put a pocket in the right seam and an invisible zipper in the left seam with a button and latch fastener at the top.

And, finally, this is a denim skirt that I just finished this morning.
I am very happy with how it turned out. It is very full and has all the bells and whistles; (In my opinion, other women may have different preferences.) Front pockets, back pockets, belt loops, and topstitching. It is very long. It is a little too long for me. (It drags on the floor. I am kind of short. :))

That is what I've been working on.

I hope you all have a good day! :)

What Is Different Is Not The Same: 013

Matthew 18:11

KJV 

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

NIV

11[a]

ESV

NRSV