Another day...

Just thanking the Lord for another beautiful day.

Some things I'm thankful for: 

1. Beautiful blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds. 

 2. Falling leaves...they're headed for the compost pile! :)

 3. Watching the birds from our front porch--such amazing color and variety in God's creation!

The other day I spotted cardinals, blue jays, a woodpecker, eastern bluebirds, mocking birds,

and a hummingbird in our front yard. I keep reminding myself that my next project needs to be 

some birdhouses to put out there. :)

4. The finished work of Christ. 

 "Ought not we who have been favored
By God’s grace so rich and free,
With His overflowing mercy,
Ought we not to thankful be?"

Past, Present, Future

Past, Present, Future

He helped me yesterday -
Today I'll praise His Name!
Because I know that for tomorrow
He will help me just the same!

-Unknown 

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall 
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Creation Close-Ups: Lightning Bugs

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship 

the LORD in the beauty of holiness. -Psalm 29:2

       Some interesting facts about lightning bugs:

• There are about 2,000 firefly species.

•  Fireflies are very efficient light producers. An average electric light bulb gives off 90% of its energy as heat, and only 10% as light. Fireflies produce light through an efficient chemical reaction that allows them to glow without wasting heat energy. All 100% of the energy goes into making light. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate this process to turn their lights on and off. (There are a lot of things than scientists simply "can't explain"... why can't they just give God the glory?!)

• Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) are beetles. They take from one to two years to mature from larvae, but will live as adults for only about 21 days. 

•  Some fireflies synchronize their flash signals. (I found this information very interesting!) Synchronous fireflies are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns. The fireflies do not always flash in unison. They may flash in waves across hillsides, and at other times will flash randomly. Synchrony occurs in short bursts that end with abrupt periods of darkness. This simultaneous bioluminescence, as its called by scientists, occurs in just two places in the world: southeast Asia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, right here in the U.S.A.

What do lightning bugs eat?

While in the larval stage, the insects feed on worms, snails, and other small, soft-bodied creatures. However, interestingly enough, scientists aren't sure what many species of adult fireflies eat. It is possible that adult species of fireflies eat pollen and nectar from plants, other species of bugs, or possibly nothing at all—as their adult lifespans are short.

Do firefly eggs glow?

They sure do! In some species, the larvae and even the eggs emit light. Firefly eggs have been observed to flash in response to stimulus such as gentle tapping or vibrations.

...who is so great a God as our God? Thou art 

the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared 

Thy strength among the people. Psalm 77:13b-14

DIY Glass Bottle

 Recently while shopping at an old-fashioned general store,

I noticed some cute glass milk bottles for sale that had a straw 

through the lid for use as a drinking bottle. I thought it would 

be fun to try it myself! I just peeled the paper off a glass juice

 bottle, and removed the sticky residue.

Then, I painted the lid, and my brother drilled the hole in the lid for me.

 I found a nice plastic straw in the drawer that worked great for it! 

By the way...I thought the "S" stamped on the side of the glass fit

 nicely for Simple Inspirations. :)

Mallorcan Ensaimadas

Mallorcan Ensaimadas

These spiral-or snail-shaped rolls are a popular Spanish breakfast treat. I made these rolls once, a long time ago, and just recently made them again. You might want to double the recipe, as they don't last long! :)

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp. oil

1/4 cup butter, melted
confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Mix the flour and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and make a well in the center.

In a small bowl, mix the yeast, egg, milk, and oil. Pour into the center of the flour mixture, then sprinkle a little of the flour mixture evenly on top of the liquid. Let sit in a warm place for about 15 minutes.

Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic adding more flour if too sticky. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a thin rope about 14 inches long.

Melt the butter. Dip each piece into the butter to coat. On a greased baking sheet, curl each rope into a loose spiral. Tuck the ends under to seal. Let rise for about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes, or until lightly brown. Dust with powered sugar, if desired. Serve warm. Makes: 16 rolls.

 

 Shape the ropes into spirals...

  Bake, and enjoy! :)

Happy Fall!

Happy Fall!

...Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His:  
And He changeth the times and the seasons.....
Daniel 2:20b-21a

The slight change in temperature is slowly becoming evident in the south,
and I love the cool mornings and beautiful birds singing in the trees. This time
of year begins to have more birds coming through migrating away from those cold
northern states! :) 

What is one of your favorite things about this season?

Flee Idolatry

The great cause of neglecting the Scriptures is not want of time,
but want of heart, some idol taking the place of Christ.

Robert Chapman

Two Roads

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
- Mark 8:36