Hymn: In Times Like These

I keep hearing this phrase bantered lately, "....in times like these,..." Every time I hear the phrase this hymn goes through my mind. I hope you enjoy reading it. Go ahead and lift up your voice and sing along!

1. In times like these you need a Saviour,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

Refrain
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, Be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

2. In times like these you need the Bible;
In times like these O be not idle.
Be very sure, Be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Refrain

3. In times like these I have a Saviour;
In times like these I have an anchor.
I'm very sure, I'm very sure,
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Refrain

Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Homemade Carrot Food Coloring For Icing

Three years ago when I wrote a post on natural food coloring (Here) Mary from The Cotton Apron suggested trying carrots for food coloring. Thank you for the suggestion, Mary! I finally gave it a try! I was pleased with the resulting color. I, also, used the grated carrots to make a carrot jam filling between the cake layers. I'll be sharing how that turned out in a future post.

Carrot Food Coloring For Icing

1. Peel and grate a pound of carrots.

2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the grated carrots. Mix well and let rest 10 minutes.

3.Pour the carrots onto a clean flour sack towel or cheese cloth.

4. Gather up the corners of the towel or cheese cloth, and squeeze out the juice from the grated carrots.

I got 1/3 cup of juice.

5.In a small sauce pan boil the carrot juice, stirring frequently, until juice has reduced to about a tablespoon of liquid.

6. Mix carrot food coloring into icing and stir until completely incorporated.

Before mixing

After mixing

8. Ice the cake!

Psalm 19:7-11

This portion of scripture is so poetic! It is reassuring of the confidence that we have in God's word. 

The law of the LORD is perfect,

converting the soul:

The testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart:

The commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever:

The judgements of the LORD are true

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

yea, than much fine gold:

Sweeter also than honey a

the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy

 servant warned:

And in keeping of them

 there is great reward.

This webpage has music to sing these verses with, verbatim. I am going to learn this song with our children this week! I am excited to have found this song!

P.S. Apparently, I grew up under a rock! This seems to be a fairly common song for children who grew up in Christian homes to have learned in their youth. Since writing this post I found a recording of the song that I really enjoyed. I'll share it here for your enjoyment, as well! :)

I hope you have a good week! Do you like to sing scripture songs? Do you have any resources that you would like to share? Do you make up your own tunes? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section!

Book Report: Lessons From Madame Chic

Lessons From Madame Chic

By Jennifer Scott

Lessons From Madame Chic is a compilation of 20 lessons that Jennifer Scott learned during her stay if Paris while she was an exchange student. The family she stayed with she loving refers to as the Chic Family, and the woman of the household is therefore, Madame Chic. Madame Chic made a big impact on Mrs. Scott. In Lessons From Madame Chic Jennifer Scott shares some of the ways Madame Chic stayed so distinguished and, well, chic. 

I walked away from this book intrigued. I definitely could use some lessons on being chic and polished. One thing that Mrs. Scott says is emphasized in the French culture is living life well. Enjoy the little things. For example, don't mindlessly snack on garbage. Allow yourself to become hungry between meals and then thoroughly enjoy your food. Don't let repetetive tasks become mundane. Take pleasure in your work, even when you have to do the same jobs everyday. Don't become slovenly or lazy. Be poised and always ready to do your best. 

Mrs. Scott relates that the French culture focuses on quality over quantity. Quality in every area of your life. Put quality foods in your mouth, quality perfumes on your body, quality information in your mind. Purchase home goods that are made to last. Buy things that will become heirlooms. Don't throw away your money on fad decor that you replace every season. Buy the best that you can afford in every area.

Mrs. Scott talks a lot about being presentable all the time. She says from your inner most garments to your outer most garments to wear nice things. Not only will it effect how others perceive you, but it will effect the way you feel and carry yourself. 

I found many elements of this book to be positive. On the other hand, I felt like some of the ideas are little frivolous and quiet high maintenance. Mrs. Scott tends to idealize the French culture. If the French are doing it, then whatever 'it' is, is wonderful. I have never had a positive impression of French culture. I had to open my mind a little and see if the French had anything to offer that would enrich my life.

One thing I would like to implement is treating everyday special. I want to abolish the notion of saving nice things for "later." As if it has to be a special occasion to use nice dishes or wear nice clothes. If I have clothes that make me feel pretty, than I should wear them. If I have a fancy tea cup or breakfast bowl that makes me feel special than I should use it. The same goes for my family. I can plate up our meals on a pretty serving platter. I can set the table every supper. I can use nice cloth napkins. We can light candles. I can do a spa day with the children. I can give Mr. In the Mid-west a back rub. I want my family to feel special everyday. I want to enjoy the small things in life and live well.

Another piece of advice I want to take away from Lessons From Madame Chic is, to cultivate my mind. I have been working towards this goal for around a year. I want to learn things on purpose. I don't want my brain to go to mush. Mrs. Scott, also, emphasizes seeking out the arts. If you are able, attend a live performance, visit a museum, take a class, learn how to play an instrument, volunteer at a local playhouse, or host a poetry reading. These suggestions sound a little out of my comfort zone, but I, also, think I would enjoy them. I want to try new things, and expand my horizons.

If you feel like your life has become dull and you would like some inspiration, or you feel sloppy and want a nudge in the right direction, I think you would enjoy reading Lessons From Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott.*

Ecclesiastes 5:18
 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

What have you been reading? Tell in the comments section!

* Do I really have to write a disclaimer to say that I don't agree with everything that Jennifer Scott says? Okay, well here it is: I don't agree with all of Mrs. Scott's views or recommendations. :)

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

This is a really good Cream of Mushroom Soup. In tastes just like the canned stuff. Isn't that awful, I just made a canned product the standard. But, come on, doesn't everyone like canned Cream of Mushroom soup? (Except my sister, but she doesn't like mushrooms.) So, for this recipe to be as good as canned soup without adding any MSG I was impressed.

We like this soup on Sunday evenings when we want something light yet comfort.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

5 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/8 tsp. ground thyme

3 TBS. butter

3 TBS. flour

1 cup half-n-half (or 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup milk.)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 TBS. Sherry (or 1/2 TBS. lemon juice

1. In a large heavy saucepan, cook mushrooms in the broth with onion and thyme until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. In blender or food processor, puree the mixture, leaving some chunks of vegetable in it. Set aside.
3. In the saucepan, melt the butter, whisk in the flour until smooth. Add the salt, pepper, half and half and vegetable puree. Stirring constantly, bring soup to a boil and cook until thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste, and add sherry or lemon juice