Third Thursday Thoughts: Favorite recipe

Today is this month’s Hearts at Home blog hop. On the third Thursday of every month, I have the opportunity to write on a specific topic and link up with other bloggers and Jill Savage. This Third Thursday’s Thoughts are prompted by the question, “What is your favorite homemade dish? Share your recipe!”

Lasagna, bread, sausage and all the heavy Italian foods are the delicacies served at gatherings with my mom’s side of the family. My husband came from a Swedish family where the foods don’t contain quite as much spice. While my husband didn’t complain about the pasta I served every night in the early years of our marriage, he did request that I at least use a meat sauce. It took some years to combine the meals we enjoyed.

When I served “skinny” pancakes for the first time, my husband was thrilled that I made a Swedish food. Unbeknownst to me, the pancakes that we rolled up log style, topped with syrup and powdered sugar, were a favorite of his as well. The exception was that his family always had lingonberries on hand. Needless to say, these pancakes (I was now educated originated with his ancestors) became a popular meal in our home.

Expectations of this comfort food come on Christmas Eve with my family, Saturday breakfast, Sunday lunch, or even a weeknight dinner. My children beg for the meal and I have heard no complaints about the alterations I gradually made to use whole wheat flour in the recipe. If you are looking for an easy meal that will be enjoyed by all, cook up a package of sausage or bacon and serve it with these pancakes and some fruit on the side to make it complete.



“SKINNY”/SWEDISH PANCAKES
3 eggs
¾ cup flour (I use whole wheat)
1 ¼ cup milk
1 Tablespoon sugar

Beat eggs until thick and yellow. Add milk. Then flour, sugar and salt. Cook over medium-high heat in continually buttered pan. (Melt a pat of butter each time before you add just shy of a ¼ cup of batter to the heated frying pan.) Serve with syrup and/or powdered sugar or with your favorite berries.

SYRUP
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp mapeline
Bring water with sugar to a boil. Stir in mapeline and remove from heat.

(Note: I double the recipe for my family of 5 which usually leaves some leftovers)

Do you have a favorite recipe?

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On Rain and Rainbows

Check out my friend Kelly's blog today. She has some great insight on the rain and rainbows.

Defeating Soul Search to Victory

“If I’m honest, I’m feeling defeated lately. That’s if I’m being honest – which I usually don’t do. I’d much rather eat.” These were the words I typed to my friend the other day as she checked in to keep me accountable. She responded with “Can you pinpoint why?” I really couldn’t pinpoint the source of my feeling. It was just a pity place I’ve visited too often to wallow in.

Being faced with this question, I’ve had to do some soul searching. Romans 8 instructs that “...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” If victory is my truth in Christ, defeat is nothing but a lie. Why, then, am I overwhelmed with a feeling of defeat?

Housework defeats me as I awaken every morning to the same mess I fell asleep in. My scale continues to defeat me after three years of half-hearted effort to overcome. All too often, I watch the backs of those I intentionally invested time and effort in as they walk away and I’m left defeated in relationships. Defeat is a ministry I am passionate about dwindling in numbers. It is the anger I display toward my husband and children when my desperate desire is to reflect my God. The lie I all too easily believe, is due to the everyday factors that I’m just not good enough while I play the comparison game to others.

Author Dee Brestin is doing a study of idolatry at her blog. Three common deep idols she refers to are: control/power, comfort/security, and approval/affirmation. I never really thought much about idolatry in these terms, despite my familiarity with them. My heart sank as I realized defeat is the result of idol worship.

All too easily, I give in to the desires of my flesh. When I’m hungry, I eat. I sleep when I’m tired. If I’m cold, I turn on the furnace. As the seasons grow warmer, I simply switch to the air conditioning. Comfort/security is most certainly, sadly, an idol in my life. Laziness, despite what others see, is my greatest declaration of allegiance.

My need for control/power is revealed daily through my anger. Defeat sets in because I have no control over others. Desperately, I want to make them share my desires in life. I think I know best how others should live and it frustrates me to watch them in opposition to my desires. My aspiration for control/power is revealed in my overbearing response.

While the idol of approval/affirmation is not as blatantly evident in my life, it still exists. I want my relationships and the ministry I am involved in to affirm my efforts. It is important to me that others think highly of me. Defeat is only possible because my efforts strive to please others instead of seeking God’s endorsement.

It is rather disheartening to realize I am giving my allegiance to idols outside of God. Even as I type the words, I struggle to admit that I am worshipping other gods. Each time I say “no” to God and “yes” to these other…gods, I will continue to experience defeat. Victory is found in God alone. Each “yes” I give in response to His requests of me bring me that much closer to my desired feeling of triumph.

“The usual solution is to attack the surface sin - perhaps a better budget, a better diet, or a better alarm clock - but because you have not addressed the deep idol of COMFORT/SECURITY, and allowed God to be your comfort, your security, that idol will cry out when restricted and win.” - Dee Brestin

“For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NLT)

Focus

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." - Proverbs 4:25-27

A Gift from the Heart

1# Mom
Written and Illustrated by Nikelle Carlson

My mom is special. She helps me grow. She is special to me. I am her gift from God. She is my model, one of my paths, and my key to life.


I [heart] mom


My mom is in MOPS (Mothers for Preschoolers). She helps us learn about the Lord. She is a Christian, which means she chose to be Jesus’ best friend for life. She reads us books, feeds us, sometimes she is funny, and helps us with our chores.





My mom helps me when I am sick. When I had the stomach flu my mom stayed with me the whole time and helped me feel better. She also helps me in school. When I’m having trouble with my homework, she comes and helps me.



I [heart] Mom (Mother unOrdinary Mosthelpful)

CHAPTER 2 – Jaycie thinks

Mom prays for me when I am scared. Then it helps me feel better. I also get better dreams.


I [heart] mom 2

CHAPTER 3 – The end

Dear Mom,

We hoped you like this book and love us. Give us big hugs when you finish reading this book.

Love,

Nikelle, Jaycie and Ande

We [heart] you

MOM IS THE BEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (one word each on its own page)