what's cooking...pumpkin pie!

So, as I posted earlier this month in my first Let's Resolve post, one of my goals for this month was to cook something.  I decided to take myself up on that yesterday evening when I baked a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!  Since it's baking, I'm not sure if it actually qualifies, so I'm going to try and cook something else later this month.  For now, though, I really enjoyed making this pie!  Probably because it's just about the easiest recipe in the world and went off without a hitch.  I love pumpkin pie, too, so there was an ulterior motive.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell

Combine all your dry ingredients.

Add your eggs!  And if you have to go diving for an eggshell, don't worry about it...it's all part of the process.

Add that pumpkin!

If your can opener is absolute crap, don't worry--that's what your mother is for.

Pour in your evaporated milk.

Mix it up!

We accidentally got two shallow pie crusts, rather than one deep dish, so I just made two. :)

Throw those bad boys in the oven at 425 for 15 minutes.  Then, reduce the temperature to 350 and go for another 40 or 50 minutes.

The finished product!  As you can see, it's a bit lopsided since there were two pies on the cooking sheet and they had to kind of lean on each other, but we were going for taste over appearance!  And it was delicious. :)

I also made deviled eggs!  Kind of ironic since I don't like eggs, but my mom needed it done.

I got a bit zealous with the paprika on this one. :)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!  I know I did--I had such a good time with my family just remembering all the things we're thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #28

I'm thankful for:

0541. the new movie "Courageous".  So powerful!

0542. the police force

0543. "You Are On Our Side" by Bethany Dillon

0544. all my college classes!  I'm enjoying them all so much more than I thought I would!

0545. being able to get a room "makeover". :)

0546. little kids' art

0547. carnations

0548. hoop earrings

0549. that purple dye from the town where Lydia lived

0550. how my history class is teaching me more about the places where a lot of biblical things took place

0551. being able to learn Spanish.  It's really interesting!

0552. a warm house

0553. double mocha coffee mix

0554. unique guitars

0555. a new fish tank that Rachel got for our room!

0556. marathons

0557. Chloe starting to lose her teeth!

0558. honesty

0559. solitaire

0560. mud that's finally starting to dry up!

* last two pics taken from weheartit.com

new year's resolutions

I love making new year's resolutions.  I'm always sad about the previous year ending, but it's nice to have resolutions sort of be a "plan" for how I want the next year to go.  Here's a few of the most important ones:

~ finish reading through my Bible (I didn't quite finish last year) and try and read through it again

~ I want this next year to be one in which I spend more and more time in God's Word, trying to make it a habit for the rest of my life.  It's really hard to do that with school and work and everything else, but I want to try and "fast" from the other things in my life that aren't necessary and take up so much time, and fill that extra time with the Bible.  The day after I decided this I read an interesting part of a book by Amy Carmichael that seemed to fit exactly what I was thinking about.  I wanted to include it here.

*Note on Prayer and Fasting

   This note is to those to whom the idea of “prayer and fasting” is new, and who are rather puzzled about it.
   First, what does it mean?
   It means a determined effort to put first things first, even at the cost of some inconvenience to oneself. It means a setting of the will towards God. It means shutting out as much as possible all interrupting things. For the thing that matters is that one cares enough to have time with God, and to say no to that in oneself which clamors for a good meal and perhaps conversation. It is that which is of value to our Lord. Such a setting of the will Godward is never a vain thing. “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain.”
   But we must be in earnest. “When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.”

   A few simple Don’ts:

   1. Don’t get into bondage about place, or position of the body. Where did our Lord spend His hours of prayer? We know how crowded and stuffy Eastern houses are; we know that sometimes, at least, He went out into the open air to a hillside; to a garden. Where did Elijah spend the long time of waiting on his God? Again, out in the open air. I have known some who could kneel for hours by a chair. I have known others who could not. David “sat before the Lord.” Some find help in going out of doors and walking up and down; this was Bishop Moule’s way. Some go into their room and shut their door. Do not be in bondage. Let the leaning of your mind lead you; a God-directed mind leans to what helps the spirit most.

   2. Don’t be discouraged if at first you seem to get nowhere. I think there is no command in the whole Bible so difficult to obey and so penetrating in power as the command to be still—“Be still, and know that I am God.” Many have found this so.

Ah, dearest Lord! I cannot pray,
   My fancy is not free;
Unmannerly distractions come,
   And force my thoughts from Thee.

The world that looks so dull all day
   Glows bright on me at prayer,
And plans that ask no thought but then
   Wake up and meet me there.

All nature one full fountain seems
   Of dreamy sight and sound,
Which, when I kneel, breaks up its deeps,
   And makes a deluge round.

My very flesh has restless fits;
   My changeful limbs conspire
With all these phantoms of the mind
   My inner self to tire.

Faber

   This is true. Let the tender understanding of your God enfold you. He knows the desire of your heart. Sooner or later He will fulfill it. It is written, “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him.” “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain.” (Thank God, for using the poor name Jacob there. Do you not often feel very much like the seed of Jacob? I do. “Surely, shall one say, In the lord have I righteousness and strength.” There is none of either in the seed of Jacob.”

   3. Don’t feel it necessary to pray all the time; listen. Solomon asked for a hearing heart. It may be that the Lord wants to search the ground of your heart, not the top layer, but the ground. Give Him time to do this. And read the Words of Life. Let them enter into you.

   4. Don’t forget there is one other person interested in you—extremely interested; he will talk, probably quite vehemently, for there is no truer word than the old couplet,

**Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

As far as I know the only way to silence his talk is to read or say aloud (or recall to mind) counter-words, “It is written, . . . It is written, . . . It is writing”; or to sing, for the devil detests song. “Singing . . . in your heart,” “singing . . . to the Lord”—either or both are too much for him.
   But let the Spirit lead as to what to read. “Let Thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.”

   5. Don’t give up in despair if no thoughts and no words come, but only distractions and inward confusions. Often it helps to use the words of others, making them one’s own. Psalm, hymn, song—use what helps most.

   6. Don’t worry if you fall asleep. “He giveth unto His beloved in sleep.”

   7. And if the day ends in what seem failure, don’t fret. Tell Him about it. Tell Him you are sorry. Even so, don’t be discouraged. All discouragement is of the devil. It is true as Faber says again:

Had I, dear Lord, no pleasure found
   But in the thought of Thee,
Prayer would have come unsought, and been
   A truer liberty.

Yet Thou art oft most present, Lord,
   In weak distracted prayer;
A sinner out of heart with self
   Most often finds Thee there.

For prayer that humbles sets the soul
   From all illusions free,
And teaches it how utterly,
   Dear Lord, it hangs on Thee.

   Then let your soul hang on Him. “My soul hangeth upon Thee”—not upon my happiness in prayer, but just upon Thee. Tell Him you are sorry, and fall back on the old words: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee”—unworthy as I am. Let these words comfort your heart: “The Lord . . . lifteth up all those that are down.” “Cast not away . . . your confidence,” there is a “great recompense of reward” waiting for you a little later on.

   But maybe it will be quite different. “Sometimes a light surprises the Christian when he sings,” or waits with his heart set upon access to his God; and he is bathed in wonder that to such dust of the earth such revelations of love can be given. If so it be, to Him be the praise. It is all of Him.
   “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

~  I want to try and read one good, edifying book every month.

~ Work hard at my job and do my best, even if I don't love it all the time.

~ Honor God through school and get good grades.

~ Nail down exactly what my plans for school are.

~ Write more poetry, fiction, music, etc.

~ Eat fruit regularly.  I make this resolution every year and never follow through with it, but I hope I can actually do it this year. :)

~ Write more actual letters to people.  I used to love doing this, and I think writing a good letter is a dying art.

~ Provide a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for a family in need.

~ Learn how to pray.

~ Adore Him more and more.

~ Memorize more of the Word.  About halfway through this year I'd memorized quite a bit.  I've lost most of it now, though, and I'd like to try and get it back, along with memorizing more.  I've been so encouraged by the memorization group that was formed in my church this year.  We press on together!

~ Learn how to cook more, and try to actually enjoy it (I really just can't stand cooking).

~ Find a way to serve others consistently.

~ Work on my friendships.  I'm generally really terrible at this--I don't keep up on what's going on in people's lives, and then I don't like telling them about what going on in my life, but I know friendship is a gift from God, so I need to work on improving those.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer said something about this that encouraged me: "It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian [friends] is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed."

A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.
-- Anonymous

~ Give more than most would think is wise. By this I mean not only time and strength, but financially as well.  I read a quote sometime this year that said something like, "As soon as I have any money, I give it away, lest it makes its way into my heart."  Now if only I could find out who said that!

~ Cultivate a gentle, quiet spirit.

~ Get wisdom (Pro. 4:7).  My dad preached a great sermon on this today.

* excerpt taken from Edges of His Ways by Amy Carmichael, pages 247-250

** William Cowper

Thanksgiving

Taking a little bit of a break from Christmas music:

I meant to post this around Thanksgiving, but haven't gotten around to it 'til now. Enjoy!

The leaves are falling, swirling fast in all-abundant shades

Summer days are now long gone; it’s time for shorter days

And now we gather all our friends and all our loved ones too

To think awhile on this past year and all the gifts from You

We are thankful for the blessings that You give

We are grateful for Your grace that lets us live

We are thankful for our families, and Your church that is in unity

But most of all, God, we are thankful for knowing You

And as we think on this past year and all the gifts You gave

Sometimes it seems to overwhelm for all things do is change

But in Your Word we see that You are ever truly God

You never change—all is for our good—You will not spare the rod

Though at times Your gifts were hard some gave us joy and tears

For in those gifts such love was shown—Your goodness made so clear

A new baby life, the gift of love where there was none before

We are in awe of all Your gifts; Your love is shown still more

Oh God, You are unchanging

Our Lord, ever true

And all the blessings You ever give us

Are just a glimmer of what we have in You

We are thankful for the blessings that You give

We are grateful for Your grace that lets us live

We are thankful for our families, and Your church that is in unity

But most of all, God!

We are thankful that You took away our sins

We are grateful that it's by Your grace we live

And if You should take our families and allow the church disunity

You give, You take; God, we still bless You

It could never be enough to thank You that we can know You

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #27

I'm thankful for:

0521. It's Thanksgiving on Thursday!

0522. Thanksgiving break

0523. only two more weeks after this in the semester!

0524. getting all my classes for next semester

0525. dried roses

0526. my grandparents coming for Thanksgiving

0527. tamales

0528. bangles

0529. big floppy hats

0530. TV mini series

0531. English papers

0532. and art papers

0533. teacups

0534. teapots

0535. brown eyes

0536. that Sigmund Freud's disturbing psychological theory isn't widely taught

0537. people whose strength is in Christ

0538. medical advances

0539. surgeons

0540. the knowledge that my path is exactly God's path for me

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #26

I'm thankful for:

0501. three crazy sisters

0502. overwhelming grace

0503. forgiveness, though I am the one who could overtake Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15

0504. being able to study Japanese art; it's actually really cool, and tons better than that of India or China

0505. Southwest Pieta by Luis Jimenez.  I have to go see this sculpture here in ABQ and write an analysis paper about it, but there is so much about it I won't be at a loss, which is awesome!

0506. being able to teach in Bible club on Wednesday!  I haven't been there in almost seven months, so I'm really excited!

0507. going to pick up my paycheck tonight!

0508. it's snowing!

0509. gracious provision

0510. taking notes; it really helps cement things in my head, whether it's at church or school

0511. a new song I wrote in honor of Thanksgiving.  Ironically, it's called "Thanksgiving".

0512. this video, which basically sums up what I was feeling today (I couldn't find the tape).  Also, I just love how it says "Someday my prints will come."  It's hilarious!

0513. Mondays where I don't have anything to do except get all ready for the coming week

0514. being able to sign up for next semester's classes this Friday!

0515. going to see a play this Friday night, and then watching my sister perform in a different play on the next Friday and Saturday!

0516. Isaiah 59:1

0517. the Music Inspired by the Story CD.  It has just about all my favorite music artists, and I love the songs!  Here's one of my favorites.

0518. The Bedford Handbook.  So helpful for my English class!

0519. Crazy Love by Francis Chan

0520. composition notebooks

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #17

I'm thankful for:

0321. O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus by Enfield

0322. sunrise service

0323. wisdom of the ages

0324. finding a book under my bed after wondering where it was for months!

0325. exactly what I need, when I need it, even when I thought I needed it sooner

0326. Children of God by Third Day

0327. a job!

0328. Luke 22-24

0329. a devotional book by Amy Carmichael

0330. finding new songs that I like

0331. the knowledge that God is my haven, and will never withhold what I need, but will provide

0332. encouragement

0333. Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elisabeth Elliot

0334. life in Christ!

0335. the opportunity to shine as a light in a dark place

0336. overabundant blessings that allow me to bless others in turn

0337. cloth roses

0338. jelly beans

0339. finishing up AWANA

0340. provision

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #16

I'm thankful for:

0301. food to eat

0302. spring

0303. Radical by David Platt

0304. western movies

0305. freedom

0306. life

0307. liberty

0308. the pursuit of happiness in Christ

0309. best friends

0310. waterfalls

0311. inspiration for songs

0312. Psalm 106

0313. the opportunity to share my testimony a few weeks ago

0314. witnessing opportunities that challenge me

0315. informative books

0316. my wonderful mother, who is a fantastic example to me of selfless service to others

0317. and my wonderful father, a man after God's own heart and an example to me of humility and grace

0318. 1 Timothy

0319. challenging quotes.  When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

0320. discipline

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #15

I'm thankful for:

0281. Kleenex

0282. 5:45 AM

0283. the lottery scholarship

0284. patience in trying to find a job

0285. "Twelve Ordinary Men" by John MacArthur

0286. earrings

0287. hangers

0288. sucker fish

0289. crabs

0290. index cards

0291. the weakness of sickness that makes me realize Christ's strength

0292. God's faithfulness, even when I am faithless

0293. envelopes

0294. news articles

0295. people who are willing to take a stand for what they believe in

0296. history books

0297. Valentine's Day

0298. red roses

0299. a whole shelf full of books to read

0300. bookends

Everday's Thanksgiving, Part #14

In this very wintry post, I'm thankful for:

0261. the cool distinction, at this moment, of living in the coldest place in the nation; it's twenty degrees warmer in Antarctica!

0262. that all of our animals survived the -25 degree weather last night!

0263. warm blankets

0264. that our water is finally back on!

0265. times like these, that make me thankful for "the little things"

0266. fuzzy socks

0267. satellite images

0268. four days of having nothing to do; it's been amazing!

0269. amazon mp3 downloads

0270. a place to live that provides shelter from the cold

0271. almost a foot of snow!

0272. that the Waites got out and headed to Texas before the storm hit

0273. the Internet

0274. icicles

0275. the weather channel

0276. the weather people who are willing to brave the elements and tell us about...well...the weather

0277. chocolate

0278. the diversity of names

0279. warm showers

0280. roaring fires

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #13

I'm thankful for:

0241. John 8:1-11

0242. new people who follow my blog!

0243. writing letters

0244. kettle corn

0245. leading a Bible study

0246. a new cat addition to the family

0247. fake flowers

0248. The Gadarene by John Piper

0249. the space trilogy--"Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra", and "That Hideous Strength"--by C. S. Lewis

0250. milk

0251. What Wondrous Love is This? sung by Michelle Tumes

0252. good sermons

0253. play performances

0254. balloons

0255. new books to read

0256. being able to read

0257. electricity

0258. miraculous friendships

0259. old fashioned clothes

0260. plants that somehow live year after year after year...

Everything's Thanksgiving, Part #12

I'm thankful for:

0221. saying goodbye, because it teaches me to long for the day when all the believers will be together in Heaven, and we won't have to say goodbye anymore

0222. old ways

0223. and new changes

0224. "He Ran To Me" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

0225. my Bible

0226. 1 Cor. 1:18-31 and 1 John 2:15-17

0227. trackers that tell me how many people visit my blog

0228. a sturdy bucket

0229. a new nightstand

0230. systematic theology

0231. having the opportunity to take the GED and graduate!

0232. funny kids' books

0233. sweatpants

0234. teaching guitar lessons

0235. witnessing tools

0236. memorizing Scripture

0237. getting free books

0238. trying to find a job

0239. living where I live

0240. planes

Everything's Thanksgiving, Part #11

0201. winter

0202. Christmas--my favorite time of the year!

0203. being done with Christmas shopping

0204. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2010

0205. sketches

0206. this poem

0207. Christmas cards

0208. people coming home for Christmas

0209. 14 inches of snow on Thursday and Friday!

0210. stuffed animals

0211. how God provides for everything

0212. spending time with family

0213. building up muscles

0214. clean water

0215. warm sweaters

0216. thick, fuzzy socks

0217. wrapping paper

0218. Christmas music

0219. stripes

0220. The Chronicles of Narnia books

Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #10

I'm thankful for:

0181. music notes

0182. scarves

0183. the color blue

0184. youtube

0185. world history

0186. quotes by godly people

0187. flutes

0188. "Manger Throne" by Third Day

0189. God's gift of His Word.  I'm especially thankful for the first chapter of Luke today, as it's the most detailed account of the beginning of Jesus' life on earth.

0190. turkey and mashed potatoes

0191. the strength God gives for each day.  As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure...

0192. hymns

0193. a warm bed to sleep in

0194. finger knitting

0195. thick, fuzzy socks

0196. a loving family, both here and extended

0197. the blessing of my cousin-in-law being kept safe in Qatar

0198. yarn

0199. the promise of spring (and warmth again!)

0200. the blessing of giving things away

Thanksgiving

I hope everybody had a fantastic Thanksgiving!  My family and I went to Las Cruces on Wednesday and stayed the night there at my dad's parents' house on Wednesday and Thursday.  We spent the actual Thanksgiving day at my aunt's house in El Paso since my grandparents went back to Albuquerque on Thursday morning (you can tell our planning was a bit off).  In El Paso we saw the whole family on my mom's side--grandparents, aunt, uncle, four cousins, and my cousin's two children.  The only one missing was my cousin's husband, Johnny, who is currently serving in the Air Force in Qatar.

It was so much fun!  We came home yesterday, and it was good to be home too.  We got a grand total of fifteen pictures on the entire trip, and most of them weren't very good, but here's a few.

All the cousins.  From left to right; me, Rachel, Chloe, Ellie, Allie, Judy, Nicole, Austin, Albert, and John

All the cousins plus the grandparents

My grandpa has all of his pocket watches framed, and I saw a photo opportunity! :)

A Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Proclamation of Thanksgiving by the President of the United States of America.  A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.  No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.  It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.  And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed,

Done at the city of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

-- Abraham Lincoln

I hope everybody has a fantastic Thanksgiving, and remembers all that God has given them and thanks Him for it!

New Every Morning

New Every Morning

   Blessings taken for granted are often forgotten. Yet our Heavenly Father ‘daily loadeth us with benefits’ (Psalm 68:19).  Think of some of the common things which are nevertheless wonderful:

   —the intricate, delicate mechanism of the lungs steadily and silently taking in fresh air eighteen to twenty times a minute;

   —the untiring heart, pumping great quantities of clean blood through the labyrinth of blood vessels;

   —the constant body temperature, normally varying less than one degree;

   —the atmospheric temperature, varying widely it is true, but never so much as to destroy human and animal life;

   —the orderly succession of day and night, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so that, with few exceptions, man can make his plans accordingly;

   —the great variety of foods, from the farm, the field, the forest, and the sea, to suit our differing desires and physical needs;

   —the beauties of each day—the morning star and growing light of sunrise, the white clouds of afternoon, the soft tints of a peaceful sunset, and the glory of the starry heavens;

   —the symphony of early morning bird songs, ranging from the unmusical trill of the chipping sparrow to the lilting ecstasy of the goldfinch and the calm, rich, bell-like tones of the wood and hermit thrushes;

   —the refreshment that sleep brings;

   —the simple joys of home—the children’s laughter and whimsical remarks, happy times around the table, the love and understanding of husband and wife, and the harmony of voices raised together in praise to God.

   All these and many others come from the bountiful hand of Him ‘who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s’ (Psalm 103:4, 5).

   ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

   ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High’ (Psalm 92:1).

-- Philip E. Howard Jr.