Old Stone School House by Sandra Clayton in Kansas on Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography
Flint Hills, Kansas
So many things to write about - everyday life,gardening, cooking,France,Kansas,family,holidays, church,God,Jesus Christ,Christianity,missions, ministry,abortion, politics, art, music, "Sullivan" our English bulldog,reading .....
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Bag / Trick or Treat from Zazzle.com
Bag / Trick or Treat from Zazzle.com
Sturdy cotton trick or treat bag ... photo of leaf shadows with the word: 'BOO!!!"
Sturdy cotton trick or treat bag ... photo of leaf shadows with the word: 'BOO!!!"
Friday, August 26, 2011
http://asset.zcache.com/assets/graphics/_zletter/2011/0826_FFHS_25_BTSEssentials_fw.html
http://asset.zcache.com/assets/graphics/_zletter/2011/0826_FFHS_25_BTSEssentials_fw.html
50% off !!!!
Hurry! Still time to get in on the four-hour Zazzle sale ... started at 11:25 ..... check in quickly at zazzle.com/samecla* and use the code word: BACKTOSCHOOL
Find great gifts and back-to-school items: t-shirts, binders, mugs, posters, etc.
This is a great deal - hurry in!
50% off !!!!
Hurry! Still time to get in on the four-hour Zazzle sale ... started at 11:25 ..... check in quickly at zazzle.com/samecla* and use the code word: BACKTOSCHOOL
Find great gifts and back-to-school items: t-shirts, binders, mugs, posters, etc.
This is a great deal - hurry in!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Poster / Hands from Zazzle.com
Poster / Hands from Zazzle.com
Poster of my original art - mixed media drawing of two up-reaching hands. Design is also available on other products: t-shirts, mug, greeting cards, etc.
Poster of my original art - mixed media drawing of two up-reaching hands. Design is also available on other products: t-shirts, mug, greeting cards, etc.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Man's T-Shirt/Turnips from Zazzle.com
Man's T-Shirt/Turnips from Zazzle.com
A fun man's t-shirt - available in many styles,colors,fabrics and prices. On the back it says: "A real man ...", and on the front there are beautiful photos of purple turnips and the words: "Real men eat turnips". A fun gift for the man in your life!
A fun man's t-shirt - available in many styles,colors,fabrics and prices. On the back it says: "A real man ...", and on the front there are beautiful photos of purple turnips and the words: "Real men eat turnips". A fun gift for the man in your life!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Fast Food
Oh, I know that we don't need to be eating fast food everyday. But I'm not totally against fast food places. Especially having lived in a country, when our four kids were young, where there weren't any kid-friendly, fast food places to stop at when we were making long trips. On a long trip, dragging four tired little kids into a "regular" restaurant to wait on their meals, is no picnic .... which is what we usually did - picnic (because it was also quite costly to eat in that "regular" restaurant with four kids). And having a picnic in the car when it's pouring rain outside is no picnic, either. There were many times back then when I wished we'd come upon an honest-to-goodness fast food place. ( Now this country has plenty of fast food places.... ours and theirs. And they are always full.)
However, the fast food place is not my topic here. Fast food is. Homemade fast food. Did you know that you can make fast food at home often FASTER than you can get it at the fast food places? And, you can make perfectly healthy fast food at home. AND you can serve totally "normal" portions of your fast food at home. Oh.....and get this: you can actually serve your homemade, healthy, small-portions of fast food at home WITH the toy of your choice, if you so desire. And no one can sue you for doing so, either (not yet, anyway)! :)
"Fast food" took over my thinking the other night when I was tired and aching, and didn't feel up to doing a lot of cooking, even though I love to cook. Going out to eat somewhere didn't appeal to me. Just too tired. So was my husband. Hence, the "fast food" thoughts - only I wasn't thinking of the hamburger-french-fries kind of fast food. I was thinking of the "what's-in-my-kitchen-to-fix-quickly-and-easily" kind of homemade fast food.
So I peeked in the pantry to see what lurked there. Onions caught my eye. Opened up the fridge to check it out and saw those pretty little yellow summer squash. Cucumbers. Couple of left-over pieces of steak. Some fresh okra.
Hmmmmmmm, let's see. My mind told me to grab those veggies and that left-over meat and get busy "fast fooding". So I did.
Getting out my great old cast iron skillet, I put in a little olive oil and heated it. Peeled an onion and sliced it into the skillet. Took several of those little squash and sliced them into the skillet with the onions (the squash were already washed). Stirred everything. Cut the ends off the also-already-washed-okra and sliced them into the onions and squash. Stirred. And the cucumbers? Didn't you know that you can cook cucumbers? I peeled a couple of them and sliced THEM into the mixture. Stirred again. Mmmmmm. Was already smelling good. Added some salt and pepper, lots of garlic powder and a sprinkling of Herbes de Provence spice. REALLY smelling good at that point. And almost done. Those veggies cook quickly; only a matter of a few minutes until they were done to my liking (which isn't mushy). Then I took the kitchen shears and snipped up those two pieces of left-over steak - right into the skillet full of veggies. Stirred around a bit until the meat was good and hot and, voila, my fast food supper was done - quickly. Less than thirty minutes; probably about twenty minutes or so. Just before serving I stirred in a little green salsa. Oh, and I also sprinkled some grated parmesan cheese on top. My husband and I both loved it.
So, you see, you CAN fix fast food right at home. This version, and many other versions. Be creative. I often fix a mixture like this and serve it over rice or some sort of pasta. Sometimes I add slices of green and/or red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, celery, leeks, potato - just any veggie you have and happen to like. Often, too, I will add chopped-up fresh tomatoes (hard to come by this summer in drought-plagued Kansas) or a can of crushed or even whole tomatoes. Add meat. Or not. Any left-over meat: hamburger, steak, sausage, chicken, left-over hot dogs, etc. Add any kind of spices/herbs you and your family love. Add some cheese as it cooks, then sprinkle some on top. This is such a versatile "fast food" that you are sure to come up with SOME kind of combination that you and your family will enjoy. I often cook up a huge pot of rice (usually brown rice) and let it cool, then divide it up into quart-size freezer bags to have on hand for a fast food meal. You don't even have to thaw it; just put it into the mixture and stir around until the rice has thawed and separated into the rest of the food. I also do this (cooking a big batch) with pasta.
The point is: homemade fast food IS fast. And good. And can be healthy. And can be served in the right portion sizes to your family. This is only one example of a really tasty homemade fast food dish; there are so many others. So - if you have worked all day outside of your home and come home dead tired, or if you have worked all day inside of your home and are already home dead tired - don't despair. You can still enjoy a homemade meal that doesn't take up a lot more of your time and energy.
You will enjoy it. So will your family.
Do fast food!
Friday, August 5, 2011
I'd Like To Say .....
I'd Like To Say .....
This is my old blog - does anyone know how I can integrate it here? I've tried before but haven't succeeded. Thanks for any help!
This is my old blog - does anyone know how I can integrate it here? I've tried before but haven't succeeded. Thanks for any help!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Original Photos
Check out my redbubble.com site for my original photos available on greeting cards/ note cards/ posters/photo reprints. See: http://www.redbubble.com/images/clear.gif/
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Poster/Hanging Out from Zazzle.com
Poster/Hanging Out from Zazzle.com
Beautiful poster. Great for dorm room, bedroom, living-room, ANY room! :) Three clothespins "hanging out" on a line.
Beautiful poster. Great for dorm room, bedroom, living-room, ANY room! :) Three clothespins "hanging out" on a line.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Woman's T-Shirt/Gardening from Zazzle.com
Woman's T-Shirt/Gardening from Zazzle.com
Cute woman's t-shirt. Photo of young girl in the garden and the words: "I'd rather be a gardener than the President!"
Cute woman's t-shirt. Photo of young girl in the garden and the words: "I'd rather be a gardener than the President!"
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Necklace/Friends from Zazzle.com
Pretty sterling silver plated necklace - in circle or square shape. Charming watercolor of two Haitian women with multiples of the word "friends".
Back-to-School Kids' T-Shirt from Zazzle.com
Back-to-School Kids' T-Shirt from Zazzle.com
Cute kids' t-shirt ... design: a charming drawing of a European village and the words: "No kids home. We're back at school." This t-shirt is pink and long-sleeved, but same design is available in other styles, colors, fabrics,sizes and prices. Come check out some "not-everyone-will-have-one" t-shirts. :)
Cute kids' t-shirt ... design: a charming drawing of a European village and the words: "No kids home. We're back at school." This t-shirt is pink and long-sleeved, but same design is available in other styles, colors, fabrics,sizes and prices. Come check out some "not-everyone-will-have-one" t-shirts. :)
Back to School Poster "Sioux Indian Proverb" from Zazzle.com
Back to School Poster "Sioux Indian Proverb" from Zazzle.com
"A people without history ..." A great poster for college dorm walls, your wall, your child's bedroom wall, etc. Take a peek!
"A people without history ..." A great poster for college dorm walls, your wall, your child's bedroom wall, etc. Take a peek!
Sweatshirt from Zazzle.com
Sweatshirt from Zazzle.com
Cotton, long-sleeved sweatshirt with photo on front of a dog riding in the back of a pick-up ... and the words: "Easy Rider". Makes a great back-to-school gift .......or, for your hubby - or for yourself! :)
Cotton, long-sleeved sweatshirt with photo on front of a dog riding in the back of a pick-up ... and the words: "Easy Rider". Makes a great back-to-school gift .......or, for your hubby - or for yourself! :)
Rachel / Mug from Zazzle.com
Rachel / Mug from Zazzle.com
This is a mug I made up for a gift for a daughter.....you can have one with YOUR family photos on it. Completely costumizable. Come order one!
This is a mug I made up for a gift for a daughter.....you can have one with YOUR family photos on it. Completely costumizable. Come order one!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Apron/hospitality from Zazzle.com
Apron/hospitality from Zazzle.com
Nice-size, barbeque-style apron with photo of blue china cup and saucer sitting on red-print cloth - and the Bible verse, in French: Hebreux 13, versez 2 / Hebrews 13:2 about hospitality
Nice-size, barbeque-style apron with photo of blue china cup and saucer sitting on red-print cloth - and the Bible verse, in French: Hebreux 13, versez 2 / Hebrews 13:2 about hospitality
Monday, July 25, 2011
Summer Squash
Due to some unpleasant things (husband's major surgery, long hospital stay, etc. ) happening at crucial gardening moments ... as well as this Kansas drought, our garden this year is pretty much dead. :( This is disappointing, after our nice, green Spring garden of lettuces, radishes and green onions. We are still watering tomato plants, okra and a few pepper plants, but don't know what will happen with them. The big question amongst Kansas gardeners in our area seems to be: "Do you have any tomatoes setting on?" Well,,,,,,,,,we DID pick and eat two little cherry tomatoes recently. A sign of hope? :) We'll see; but I'm not REALLY getting those hopes up.
Fortunately for us, we do have some friends who have managed to have some garden, with their regular watering. And, also fortunately for us, these same friends have been very generous with us and others with the fruits of that garden. We have, therefore, been feasting on garden potatoes, onions, turnips, cucumbers, okra, zucchini and yellow summer squash (also some home made bread and rolls!).
I have been putting many bags of this fresh produce into our freezer.
Did you know you can freeze cucumbers? I didn't, but read it in my "old" how-and-what-to-freeze freezer book. So, I gave it a try and, sure enough, you can. :) In case you'd like to know about the cucumbers: the book says to just chop them up in the blender, then freeze the chopped-up cucumber in ice-cube trays and freeze; than you can defrost a cube or two and pop them into winter salads - and the cucumber will actually still taste like cucumber. Well, I decided to try it. I froze two trays-worth of cucumber, popped them out of the trays and put them into a freezer bag ... defrosted a couple to see, and they DID taste like fresh cucumber! Learned something new from that old freezer book after all these years. Actually, when we lived in France, I learned to also COOK cucumbers ... saute them, sliced or chopped up, with a little onion, bacon and bacon grease (or, olive oil). Yum! I decided to also try freezing some peeled, cut in half, and seeded for cooking. Will see how they turn out.
Now, back to the title of this post: squash. Summer squash is one of my favorite things. I love cooking them. I love eating them. So does my husband. They are such a versatile and easy to fix vegetable. My absolute favorite is the yellow squash. As I blanched slices of yellow squash to freeze I would snitch a piece here, a piece there, pop it into my mouth and, mmmmmmmmmmmm, good! Just plain like that. That may sound strange to squash-haters, but you squash-lovers will surely understand.
Probably my favorite way to cook the squash (zucchini or yellow) is to cook a few slices of bacon, add some sliced onion and then the sliced squash and stir it all around, cooking, for just a few minutes. Talk about "fast food" - this is it! And good for you, too.
This basic stir-fried squash can be eaten as is, as a side-dish, or used in various other ways as a main dish. Some of my tried-and-true uses:
Do the cooking in a skillet (I use cast-iron), then spread the mixture out over the skillet ...I then
crack eggs, individually, over the squash mixture (I usually do 4 eggs) - sprinkle with grated cheese (or not, we like it both ways), cover and let cook two or three minutes until the eggs are set. I also often top the eggs with: chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, chopped green onion,finely-chopped red pepper, etc. ...use what you like. We've had this for both breakfast and supper, with a green salad added. It's a quick, economical and delicious dish.
Another way I use this mixture is to use it as the topping for rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. I've put it on top of rice, adding some salsa on top of the squash mixture and then some grated cheese, for a Mexican "flavor". It's very good with spaghetti, too - adding some Italian-flavored pasta sauce on top, if you'd like. Haven't tried this one yet, but have thought it would be good: mix the squash mixture with some cooked rice and use as stuffing for bell peppers ... with (again, or without) some tomato sauce and grated cheese on top. Sounds good to me.
The other night I stirred up a skillet-full of this mixture, with a little red bell pepper I think, and then stirred in some already-cooked barley that I had in the freezer, sliced a few okra pods into it, sprinkled on some salt and pepper and cayenne pepper flakes, some half-and-half, and some shrimp. Simmer on low for just five minutes or so, 'till the shrimp are pink and cooked. That was supper. Quick. Simple, And, good! Try it.
Fortunately for us, we do have some friends who have managed to have some garden, with their regular watering. And, also fortunately for us, these same friends have been very generous with us and others with the fruits of that garden. We have, therefore, been feasting on garden potatoes, onions, turnips, cucumbers, okra, zucchini and yellow summer squash (also some home made bread and rolls!).
I have been putting many bags of this fresh produce into our freezer.
Did you know you can freeze cucumbers? I didn't, but read it in my "old" how-and-what-to-freeze freezer book. So, I gave it a try and, sure enough, you can. :) In case you'd like to know about the cucumbers: the book says to just chop them up in the blender, then freeze the chopped-up cucumber in ice-cube trays and freeze; than you can defrost a cube or two and pop them into winter salads - and the cucumber will actually still taste like cucumber. Well, I decided to try it. I froze two trays-worth of cucumber, popped them out of the trays and put them into a freezer bag ... defrosted a couple to see, and they DID taste like fresh cucumber! Learned something new from that old freezer book after all these years. Actually, when we lived in France, I learned to also COOK cucumbers ... saute them, sliced or chopped up, with a little onion, bacon and bacon grease (or, olive oil). Yum! I decided to also try freezing some peeled, cut in half, and seeded for cooking. Will see how they turn out.
Now, back to the title of this post: squash. Summer squash is one of my favorite things. I love cooking them. I love eating them. So does my husband. They are such a versatile and easy to fix vegetable. My absolute favorite is the yellow squash. As I blanched slices of yellow squash to freeze I would snitch a piece here, a piece there, pop it into my mouth and, mmmmmmmmmmmm, good! Just plain like that. That may sound strange to squash-haters, but you squash-lovers will surely understand.
Probably my favorite way to cook the squash (zucchini or yellow) is to cook a few slices of bacon, add some sliced onion and then the sliced squash and stir it all around, cooking, for just a few minutes. Talk about "fast food" - this is it! And good for you, too.
This basic stir-fried squash can be eaten as is, as a side-dish, or used in various other ways as a main dish. Some of my tried-and-true uses:
Do the cooking in a skillet (I use cast-iron), then spread the mixture out over the skillet ...I then
crack eggs, individually, over the squash mixture (I usually do 4 eggs) - sprinkle with grated cheese (or not, we like it both ways), cover and let cook two or three minutes until the eggs are set. I also often top the eggs with: chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, chopped green onion,finely-chopped red pepper, etc. ...use what you like. We've had this for both breakfast and supper, with a green salad added. It's a quick, economical and delicious dish.
Another way I use this mixture is to use it as the topping for rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. I've put it on top of rice, adding some salsa on top of the squash mixture and then some grated cheese, for a Mexican "flavor". It's very good with spaghetti, too - adding some Italian-flavored pasta sauce on top, if you'd like. Haven't tried this one yet, but have thought it would be good: mix the squash mixture with some cooked rice and use as stuffing for bell peppers ... with (again, or without) some tomato sauce and grated cheese on top. Sounds good to me.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Trusting God With Life's Disasters
Life is never certain from one day to the next. Things may be going well one day, everyone well and happy and healthy. The next day, or hour, or moment - disaster. Our family has just had this happen - again.
My husband came home from a nine-day emergency stay in the hospital on July 4th. Though we didn't celebrate the 4th this year with fireworks bursting in the air, our hearts were bursting with gratefulness that he was still with us. I could have lost him a couple of times from heavy bleeding. I never cease thanking God now that my husband was able to get to the hospital and was diagnosed and treated by such wonderful and capable doctors and nurses.
My husband, John, had had colon cancer four years ago, and has had regular colonoscopies ever since. He'd had his last one a week before he entered the hospital, bleeding profusely. He'd never had any bleeding from the colonoscopies before.
Our son and their four kids had been here for several days. The day the bleeding started my husband and son and grandkids were going to another town a couple of hours away to visit Grandma. Before they left my husband told me there had been some blood in the toilet when he went to the bathroom, but said it was probably from the colonoscopy and nothing to worry about so he would go ahead and go.
Mistake.
At noon he called from a restaurant where they'd gone for lunch before visiting Grandma, and told me to call his doctor, as there was a lot of blood when he went to the bathroom. The doctor said, "tell him to come straight to the hospital immediately - go to the lab, where I'll leave instructions ...". Long story, short: he was hemorrhaging so badly and his blood pressure dropping so quickly that he was admitted to the hospital right away. He was about two days in our local hospital, losing lots of blood and having transfusions. Late the afternoon of the second day he was sent by ambulance to a larger hospital in a larger town a half-hour from us.
In the new hospital the surgeon kept hoping for the bleeding to stop on its own . Tests were done to find the reason and location of the bleeding - which was from the areas where two polyps had been removed after the colonoscopy, and from some diverticulosis that was discovered during the colonoscopy. After several days of continual bleeding and transfusions, there was one day of no bleeding; giving everyone hope that surgery would not be needed. My husband was moved from the ICU unit to a regular room. The next day the bleeding started again, and the surgeon then decided he'd have to go ahead with the surgery.
Surgery happened. Colon removed.
The doctor came to tell me the surgery went well - that my husband was in the recovery room. And ... something else had come up during surgery ... "had to take out a small part of the small intestine as there was some hardness there, need to biopsy it for cancer; also had to cut a tiny piece of the liver that had a small nodule on it to send for a cancer biopsy ... will need to wait several days for the results ...". Wow. The colon surgery had been enough to take in; now, two biopsy results to wait on to see if there is cancer.
Thankfully, the biopsies came back early and showed no cancer. Now, we could concentrate on the colon removal and recovery. No colostomy bag was needed, as the small intestine was attached to the rectum. According to the surgeon there are many people living long and happy lives without their colons. God created such amazing bodies!
Minutes before my husband was rolled into surgery I asked him, "Are you still praying?"
"I've never stopped", he replied.
I quietly said, "I'm angry right now with God."
"Why?", my husband asked.
"Because I've been praying this wouldn't happen; that you wouldn't have to have surgery to remove your colon. That you wouldn't have to suffer through surgery again. How come God isn't answering my prayer?"
My pastor-husband looked at me, quiet for a minute, as we held hands, then said, "Sandy, has it occurred to you that He DID (answer my prayer)? We could have been in Haiti or somewhere else (Haiti was mentioned because we've ministered there) where we might not have been able to have the medical care I needed as I lost all that blood? Or, out somewhere where I couldn't have gotten to a hospital ...".
Well, no, it didn't occur to me, as I was honing in on the only way I thought God should be answering my prayer. I simply didn't want my husband to suffer anymore; and I thought I knew what was best.
My husband's answer, though, made me stop and think. God's way is not always MY way. My way may seem so logical from my human viewpoint - but God sees and knows and understands so much more than I can ever hope to this side of heaven. His answer made me think of the old "embroidery illustration": that our lives are like an embroidery-in-progress. We are down below, seeing only the knots, tangles and loose ends of the underside of the embroidery motif. God, though, not only knows of the knots, tangles and loose ends ... but He sees the top. He sees the whole picture. He knows what the finished piece will become.
So, it comes down to trust. Trusting God. I may not completely understand God's way; but I can choose to trust Him. Trust that He cares for my husband and knows what's best for him. Trust that He Cares for me and understands and forgives my anger at Him, my fears.
Trust. Yes. This pastor's-wife has been through the fear/anger thing before. You'd think I'd have learned for sure by now that I can trust God. I could have trusted Him from the beginning of this ordeal and saved myself from some of the stress and worry. I can trust Him now, as He is with my husband through the recovery period. I hope I will remember the following verses, and not let my trust in God waver if, and when, another life-disaster arrives.
Psalm 31:14 (NIV)
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' "
Psalm 30:11 & 12 (NIV)
(11) "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
(12) that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
My husband came home from a nine-day emergency stay in the hospital on July 4th. Though we didn't celebrate the 4th this year with fireworks bursting in the air, our hearts were bursting with gratefulness that he was still with us. I could have lost him a couple of times from heavy bleeding. I never cease thanking God now that my husband was able to get to the hospital and was diagnosed and treated by such wonderful and capable doctors and nurses.
My husband, John, had had colon cancer four years ago, and has had regular colonoscopies ever since. He'd had his last one a week before he entered the hospital, bleeding profusely. He'd never had any bleeding from the colonoscopies before.
Our son and their four kids had been here for several days. The day the bleeding started my husband and son and grandkids were going to another town a couple of hours away to visit Grandma. Before they left my husband told me there had been some blood in the toilet when he went to the bathroom, but said it was probably from the colonoscopy and nothing to worry about so he would go ahead and go.
Mistake.
At noon he called from a restaurant where they'd gone for lunch before visiting Grandma, and told me to call his doctor, as there was a lot of blood when he went to the bathroom. The doctor said, "tell him to come straight to the hospital immediately - go to the lab, where I'll leave instructions ...". Long story, short: he was hemorrhaging so badly and his blood pressure dropping so quickly that he was admitted to the hospital right away. He was about two days in our local hospital, losing lots of blood and having transfusions. Late the afternoon of the second day he was sent by ambulance to a larger hospital in a larger town a half-hour from us.
In the new hospital the surgeon kept hoping for the bleeding to stop on its own . Tests were done to find the reason and location of the bleeding - which was from the areas where two polyps had been removed after the colonoscopy, and from some diverticulosis that was discovered during the colonoscopy. After several days of continual bleeding and transfusions, there was one day of no bleeding; giving everyone hope that surgery would not be needed. My husband was moved from the ICU unit to a regular room. The next day the bleeding started again, and the surgeon then decided he'd have to go ahead with the surgery.
Surgery happened. Colon removed.
The doctor came to tell me the surgery went well - that my husband was in the recovery room. And ... something else had come up during surgery ... "had to take out a small part of the small intestine as there was some hardness there, need to biopsy it for cancer; also had to cut a tiny piece of the liver that had a small nodule on it to send for a cancer biopsy ... will need to wait several days for the results ...". Wow. The colon surgery had been enough to take in; now, two biopsy results to wait on to see if there is cancer.
Thankfully, the biopsies came back early and showed no cancer. Now, we could concentrate on the colon removal and recovery. No colostomy bag was needed, as the small intestine was attached to the rectum. According to the surgeon there are many people living long and happy lives without their colons. God created such amazing bodies!
Minutes before my husband was rolled into surgery I asked him, "Are you still praying?"
"I've never stopped", he replied.
I quietly said, "I'm angry right now with God."
"Why?", my husband asked.
"Because I've been praying this wouldn't happen; that you wouldn't have to have surgery to remove your colon. That you wouldn't have to suffer through surgery again. How come God isn't answering my prayer?"
My pastor-husband looked at me, quiet for a minute, as we held hands, then said, "Sandy, has it occurred to you that He DID (answer my prayer)? We could have been in Haiti or somewhere else (Haiti was mentioned because we've ministered there) where we might not have been able to have the medical care I needed as I lost all that blood? Or, out somewhere where I couldn't have gotten to a hospital ...".
Well, no, it didn't occur to me, as I was honing in on the only way I thought God should be answering my prayer. I simply didn't want my husband to suffer anymore; and I thought I knew what was best.
My husband's answer, though, made me stop and think. God's way is not always MY way. My way may seem so logical from my human viewpoint - but God sees and knows and understands so much more than I can ever hope to this side of heaven. His answer made me think of the old "embroidery illustration": that our lives are like an embroidery-in-progress. We are down below, seeing only the knots, tangles and loose ends of the underside of the embroidery motif. God, though, not only knows of the knots, tangles and loose ends ... but He sees the top. He sees the whole picture. He knows what the finished piece will become.
So, it comes down to trust. Trusting God. I may not completely understand God's way; but I can choose to trust Him. Trust that He cares for my husband and knows what's best for him. Trust that He Cares for me and understands and forgives my anger at Him, my fears.
Psalm 31:14 (NIV)
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' "
Psalm 30:11 & 12 (NIV)
(11) "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
(12) that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Monday, May 30, 2011
"On Second Thought"
On Second Thought
Lonely is the wind
flowing through the windows of my soul.
Does it seek
another lonely one to share its lonely life?
Or, does it
poke and thrust to coax me out for fun?
"Go away!", I say
and wrap myself tighter in my arms.
"My soul is wounded, bleeding, it can take no more."
Oh, but it can, I know,
because He is always there within
He will heal and love and help me grow.
So, lonely wind,
perhaps you are a friend.
And, if I loosen my grip on me,
if I slip out of my window
and join you on this day,
could it be that you and He
will lift my soul in play?
flowing through the windows of my soul.
Does it seek
another lonely one to share its lonely life?
Or, does it
poke and thrust to coax me out for fun?
"Go away!", I say
and wrap myself tighter in my arms.
"My soul is wounded, bleeding, it can take no more."
Oh, but it can, I know,
because He is always there within
He will heal and love and help me grow.
So, lonely wind,
perhaps you are a friend.
And, if I loosen my grip on me,
if I slip out of my window
and join you on this day,
could it be that you and He
will lift my soul in play?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Print/Apple Still Life from Zazzle.com
Print/Apple Still Life from Zazzle.com
Beautiful, bold print of my original oil painting ... red and black borders
Beautiful, bold print of my original oil painting ... red and black borders
Friday, May 27, 2011
My Online Zazzle Store ..... come in and browse. :) ... Product Panel
New and different gift products - come in and see............
Father's Day Card from Zazzle.com
Father's Day Card from Zazzle.com
Original Father's Day card: photo of leather saddle in the barn on front, inside: Happy Father's Day to the greatest of Dads!
Original Father's Day card: photo of leather saddle in the barn on front, inside: Happy Father's Day to the greatest of Dads!
samecla*: Fathers/Dads/Daddys: Zazzle.com Store
samecla*: Fathers/Dads/Daddys: Zazzle.com Store
Come and check out my unique Father's Day gifts.............
Come and check out my unique Father's Day gifts.............
My Online Zazzle Store ..... come in and browse. :) ... Product Panel
make custom gifts at Zazzle
Everybody needs a gift at one time or another - I have lots to choose from. Come in and look around.........Father's Day is coming up - but there are also birthdays, anniversaries, girl-friend gifts, etc. Choose from what you see - or I can design something personally for you, with your photo; all gifts can be customized.
Man's Cap/Father from Zazzle.com
Man's Cap/Father from Zazzle.com
Father's Day coming ... here's a nice gift for the horse-loving Dad ... brown and tan cap (available in other colors) with photo of leather saddle. Come see!
Father's Day coming ... here's a nice gift for the horse-loving Dad ... brown and tan cap (available in other colors) with photo of leather saddle. Come see!
"Green Things"
Kansas pioneers, I remember reading, were always so thrilled when spring arrived and they began seeing green "things" growing again. After their often-times long, hard winters, as they kept trying to stretch their provisions, I can well imagine their relief and delight at the arrival of Spring. And green things.
I'm not a pioneer; but,sometimes I have to do some "food stretching", too. Not for the same reasons the pioneers had to - all I need do is run to the grocery store any time throughout the winter. Depending on finances - which is what MY "food stretching" hinges on.
Still...I can relate to the excitement of Spring that the pioneers had. During the winter my mind harbors visions of - no, not sugar-plums, but GREEN THINGS. Not just any green things. My mouth waters with the anticipation of fresh green salad fixin's popping up from the newly-awakened earth. When I notice the first Spring flowers (which I also love) pushing their way up from the ground I know the green-salad-stuff can soon be planted.
Nowadays my husband does most of the planting. He loves it, and is an old hand at it. He prepares the ground and plants. We both wait and watch for the salad-bowl-green-things to grow. I pick (he does sometimes)and prepare a salad.
And, ooooooh!, the subtle but distinct taste of just-pulled-out-of-the-dirt lettuce makes the long winter longing for "green things" worthwhile. So good. So much better than the grocery store lettuce. Yes. It is better.
Along with the tasty and pretty green things are the young scallions and the beautiful, bright red radishes. Mixed all together, they combine to form a most delicious and very healthy salad. One of life's small pleasures, for sure.
There is, however, a difference between pulling my green-things salad fixin's straight from the dirt and buying a bag of ready-to-eat lettuce at the grocery store. The store-version comes already clean and ready to throw into the salad bowl.
MY lettuce comes with dirt, pieces of dried leaves, maybe a bug or two - and has to BE cleaned before throwing it into the salad bowl. So - I give it a quick rinse in one side of the kitchen sink, while filling a plastic dishpan on the other side of the sink with cold water. Then, all of my green-things fresh from the garden are plunged into the cold water and swished around and around several times. Still not done, though. I then grab a handful at a time for a final rinse-and-check under cold running water, where I may still unseat a final bug or blade of grass.
When pronounced clean the green things fill the basket of my French salad spinner; a very inexpensive plastic one bought when we lived in France years ago and still working. Spun dry, the lettuce is then transferred to a plastic bag (a recycled grocery bag or a large freezer bag), with a clean rag or a couple of paper towels on the bottom of the bag to catch any left-behind moisture. My treasured and cleaned green things are then stowed in the fridge veggie bin where they last several days, depending on how fast we eat them up.
A little work ...but, SO worth the effort.
*********************************************************************************
A favorite, simple fresh-from-the-garden "chopped" salad:
Put washed and spun-dry garden lettuce or lettuces (we have two kinds, so far)and some fresh spinach leaves (also in our garden) in a large bowl ... chop it up with kitchen shears ... add cut-up green onions,cilantro or parsley, red radishes, celery, bell pepper, green Granny apple, dried cranberries, a few walnuts or pecans and sprinkle in some freshly-grated parmesan cheese. Shake a bit of garlic powder and freshly-ground pepper into the mix.
Our favorite dressing is just plain old HOMEMADE vinaigrette. Toss it all together and, Yum!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enjoy this garden-fresh salad as a first course, as a side salad with the meal or add some left-over meat(s) (chicken,beef,etc.) and enjoy it as the meal itself. The salad may, of course, be altered in many ways ... with the greens as the base for ANYthing that suits your taste. Get creative and mix up your own "house salad". :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A simple French Vinaigrette (makes about 1/4 cup)
1/8 tsp salt
1 Tblsp red wine vinegar (or more or less, to your taste)
1/2 small shallot, or small green onion, chopped fine
3-4 Tblsps olive oil
fresh herbs, chopped (optional)
2 Tblsps Dijon mustard (more or less, to your taste)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Put all ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake well to mix.
.................................................................................
(I make vinaigrette all the time without a recipe; don't be afraid to do so. I usually make about 2 cups at a time ..... adding the olive oil, vinegar and mustard to taste. We like the vinaigrette with less vinegar "sharpness" and with lots of the mustard. I usually make it in a bowl and mix it all up with an old-fashioned "egg beater", before putting into an old vinegar cruet.)
....................................
I'm not a pioneer; but,sometimes I have to do some "food stretching", too. Not for the same reasons the pioneers had to - all I need do is run to the grocery store any time throughout the winter. Depending on finances - which is what MY "food stretching" hinges on.
Still...I can relate to the excitement of Spring that the pioneers had. During the winter my mind harbors visions of - no, not sugar-plums, but GREEN THINGS. Not just any green things. My mouth waters with the anticipation of fresh green salad fixin's popping up from the newly-awakened earth. When I notice the first Spring flowers (which I also love) pushing their way up from the ground I know the green-salad-stuff can soon be planted.
And, ooooooh!, the subtle but distinct taste of just-pulled-out-of-the-dirt lettuce makes the long winter longing for "green things" worthwhile. So good. So much better than the grocery store lettuce. Yes. It is better.
There is, however, a difference between pulling my green-things salad fixin's straight from the dirt and buying a bag of ready-to-eat lettuce at the grocery store. The store-version comes already clean and ready to throw into the salad bowl.
When pronounced clean the green things fill the basket of my French salad spinner; a very inexpensive plastic one bought when we lived in France years ago and still working. Spun dry, the lettuce is then transferred to a plastic bag (a recycled grocery bag or a large freezer bag), with a clean rag or a couple of paper towels on the bottom of the bag to catch any left-behind moisture. My treasured and cleaned green things are then stowed in the fridge veggie bin where they last several days, depending on how fast we eat them up.
*********************************************************************************
A favorite, simple fresh-from-the-garden "chopped" salad:
Put washed and spun-dry garden lettuce or lettuces (we have two kinds, so far)and some fresh spinach leaves (also in our garden) in a large bowl ... chop it up with kitchen shears ... add cut-up green onions,cilantro or parsley, red radishes, celery, bell pepper, green Granny apple, dried cranberries, a few walnuts or pecans and sprinkle in some freshly-grated parmesan cheese. Shake a bit of garlic powder and freshly-ground pepper into the mix.
Our favorite dressing is just plain old HOMEMADE vinaigrette. Toss it all together and, Yum!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enjoy this garden-fresh salad as a first course, as a side salad with the meal or add some left-over meat(s) (chicken,beef,etc.) and enjoy it as the meal itself. The salad may, of course, be altered in many ways ... with the greens as the base for ANYthing that suits your taste. Get creative and mix up your own "house salad". :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A simple French Vinaigrette (makes about 1/4 cup)
1/8 tsp salt
1 Tblsp red wine vinegar (or more or less, to your taste)
1/2 small shallot, or small green onion, chopped fine
3-4 Tblsps olive oil
fresh herbs, chopped (optional)
2 Tblsps Dijon mustard (more or less, to your taste)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Put all ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake well to mix.
.................................................................................
(I make vinaigrette all the time without a recipe; don't be afraid to do so. I usually make about 2 cups at a time ..... adding the olive oil, vinegar and mustard to taste. We like the vinaigrette with less vinegar "sharpness" and with lots of the mustard. I usually make it in a bowl and mix it all up with an old-fashioned "egg beater", before putting into an old vinegar cruet.)
....................................
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
"Oh, Those Eggs ... "
In The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, "eggs" are defined as: "the round or oval female reproductive body of various animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and insects, consisting usually of an embryo surrounded by nutrient material and a protective covering" and "the oval, thin-shelled reproductive body of a bird, especially that of a hen, used as food."
Eggs are good things. Really. They've gotten a few bad raps in the past few years, but, like for a lot of things, opinions have changed. Now we're told they are "okay". Could even be good for us. Like any food, you don't want to eat them 24/7 (well...unless that's all you have!), but DO eat them. They are a very versatile food.
Over my long years of cooking I've reached many times for that egg carton. For breakfast. For lunch. For supper. Fried eggs. Poached eggs. Creamed eggs. Scrambled eggs. Egg sandwiches. Hard-boiled eggs. Omelets. Egg sandwiches. Soft-boiled eggs. Mexican eggs. Italian eggs. Deviled eggs. And so on and so on and so on ...
Who knows how many ways there are to prepare eggs? About the time I think I've see all of the ways to cook an egg, up pops another recipe I haven't seen. Most egg recipes are pretty simple; a few a bit more complicated.
At any rate, I know one thing for sure: eggs are good things. They've been my answer many times to "what is there to fix for supper?". Or, "unexpected visitors - what to fix?" Or, "I'm so tired - what to fix quickly?" Eggs! Of course! Voila! Pull out that carton and crack those shells (or not). In a very short time you will have a tasty meal ready to eat.
Trust me. If you are not already an "egg person" you will become one - when you see how easy it is to create a quick and yummy meal with eggs.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
How To Boil An Egg (no, not everyone knows how!)
1. Place eggs in a deep saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them
2. Set pan over medium heat and let water slowly come to boiling.
3. Reduce heat to keep water just below boiling point (this is "simmering").
4. Cook 15 minutes - remove from heat.
5. Let cooking water cool - or drain and run cold water over eggs 'til cooled.
6. Peel and eat! Or, peel and fix in any number of ways! :)
(from a 1942 "Fannie Farmer Junior Cook" cookbook)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A Quick Supper ...
Scrambled Eggs / broiled tomatoes / toasted English muffins / fresh fruit
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
One of my favorite egg "recipes":
... I butter a slice of whole wheat bread, tear it into small pieces and put it into a cereal bowl
... Usually, I will salt and pepper the bread and add a bit of onion powder and garlic powder
... Then I poach two eggs in simmering water and put the two poached eggs on top of the bread pieces
... I like to sprinkle some grated cheese on top
... Then I top that off with chopped cilantro or parsley and more black pepper
... Chop everything together with knife and fork and ... Yum!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Another of my "ways" with an egg:
... In my old-faithful cast-iron skillet I put just a bit of olive oil and a tiny bit of butter and heat it up
... Slide in an egg and cook just to a soft-yolk stage (or hard yolk, if you prefer)
... Sprinkle grated cheese on top
... Slide onto a plate
... Top off with a couple of spoonfuls of salsa and chopped cilantro
... Enjoy!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
One more "favorite":
A fried egg on top of hot grits, sprinkled with a little cheese (full-fat, no-fat, ANY kind of cheese!) and topped off with chopped cilantro or parsley and LOTS of black pepper. Mmmmmm, good!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Do YOU have some favorite egg recipes you'd like to share? Feel free to do so here. I'd love to see them and try them out. :)
Eggs are good things. Really. They've gotten a few bad raps in the past few years, but, like for a lot of things, opinions have changed. Now we're told they are "okay". Could even be good for us. Like any food, you don't want to eat them 24/7 (well...unless that's all you have!), but DO eat them. They are a very versatile food.
Over my long years of cooking I've reached many times for that egg carton. For breakfast. For lunch. For supper. Fried eggs. Poached eggs. Creamed eggs. Scrambled eggs. Egg sandwiches. Hard-boiled eggs. Omelets. Egg sandwiches. Soft-boiled eggs. Mexican eggs. Italian eggs. Deviled eggs. And so on and so on and so on ...
Who knows how many ways there are to prepare eggs? About the time I think I've see all of the ways to cook an egg, up pops another recipe I haven't seen. Most egg recipes are pretty simple; a few a bit more complicated.
At any rate, I know one thing for sure: eggs are good things. They've been my answer many times to "what is there to fix for supper?". Or, "unexpected visitors - what to fix?" Or, "I'm so tired - what to fix quickly?" Eggs! Of course! Voila! Pull out that carton and crack those shells (or not). In a very short time you will have a tasty meal ready to eat.
Trust me. If you are not already an "egg person" you will become one - when you see how easy it is to create a quick and yummy meal with eggs.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
How To Boil An Egg (no, not everyone knows how!)
1. Place eggs in a deep saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them
2. Set pan over medium heat and let water slowly come to boiling.
3. Reduce heat to keep water just below boiling point (this is "simmering").
4. Cook 15 minutes - remove from heat.
5. Let cooking water cool - or drain and run cold water over eggs 'til cooled.
6. Peel and eat! Or, peel and fix in any number of ways! :)
(from a 1942 "Fannie Farmer Junior Cook" cookbook)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A Quick Supper ...
Scrambled Eggs / broiled tomatoes / toasted English muffins / fresh fruit
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
One of my favorite egg "recipes":
... I butter a slice of whole wheat bread, tear it into small pieces and put it into a cereal bowl
... Usually, I will salt and pepper the bread and add a bit of onion powder and garlic powder
... Then I poach two eggs in simmering water and put the two poached eggs on top of the bread pieces
... I like to sprinkle some grated cheese on top
... Then I top that off with chopped cilantro or parsley and more black pepper
... Chop everything together with knife and fork and ... Yum!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Another of my "ways" with an egg:
... In my old-faithful cast-iron skillet I put just a bit of olive oil and a tiny bit of butter and heat it up
... Slide in an egg and cook just to a soft-yolk stage (or hard yolk, if you prefer)
... Sprinkle grated cheese on top
... Slide onto a plate
... Top off with a couple of spoonfuls of salsa and chopped cilantro
... Enjoy!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
One more "favorite":
A fried egg on top of hot grits, sprinkled with a little cheese (full-fat, no-fat, ANY kind of cheese!) and topped off with chopped cilantro or parsley and LOTS of black pepper. Mmmmmm, good!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Do YOU have some favorite egg recipes you'd like to share? Feel free to do so here. I'd love to see them and try them out. :)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Speck IPad Case/Planes from Zazzle.com
Speck IPad Case/Planes from Zazzle.com
Beautiful Speck Products brand hard-shell IPad case. Customizable. Great gift for Dad for Father's Day ... or for anyone for ANY day.
Beautiful Speck Products brand hard-shell IPad case. Customizable. Great gift for Dad for Father's Day ... or for anyone for ANY day.
Travel Mug/Tools from Zazzle.com
Travel Mug/Tools from Zazzle.com
Father's Day coming up .... or, have a brother, uncle, cousin, etc. who needs a gift? Check out this nice stainless steel travel mug ... with TOOLS! :)
Father's Day coming up .... or, have a brother, uncle, cousin, etc. who needs a gift? Check out this nice stainless steel travel mug ... with TOOLS! :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
NONNY AND HER THOUGHTS .....: My Zazzle Store Panel
NONNY AND HER THOUGHTS .....: My Zazzle Store Panel: "make custom gifts at Zazzle"
Holy Sufferer
They pushed a crown of thorns
down upon His head.
He could have hated them then;
He chose to love instead.
Jesus bore our burdens,
bore our sin, our wrongs.
He pushed the heavy cross along,
as He was jeered by the throngs.
The painful thorns drew blood,
the nails caused burning pain.
Yet He endured it all.
"Finished". He went home again.
Oh, Jesus, Holy Sufferer,
a glorious gift You gave.
You chose to shed Your precious blood,
this sinful world to save.
- Sandra Mers Clayton -
down upon His head.
He could have hated them then;
He chose to love instead.
Jesus bore our burdens,
bore our sin, our wrongs.
He pushed the heavy cross along,
as He was jeered by the throngs.
The painful thorns drew blood,
the nails caused burning pain.
Yet He endured it all.
"Finished". He went home again.
Oh, Jesus, Holy Sufferer,
a glorious gift You gave.
You chose to shed Your precious blood,
this sinful world to save.
- Sandra Mers Clayton -
Saturday, April 16, 2011
I'd Like To Say .....
I'd Like To Say .....
My "old",original, blog ... that I tried transferring to this new one. Don't know if this will work or not........
My "old",original, blog ... that I tried transferring to this new one. Don't know if this will work or not........
Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography : Home
Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography : Home
Come in and shop for original and beautiful photos, greeting cards, posters, prints (different sizes and framed or unframed). Great place to find that unique gift.
Come in and shop for original and beautiful photos, greeting cards, posters, prints (different sizes and framed or unframed). Great place to find that unique gift.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Woman's T-Shirt/Mother's Day
Pretty new t-shirt design ... great for a Mother's Day gift - or for anytime!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Stainless Travel Mug/Inspirational from Zazzle.com
Stainless Travel Mug/Inspirational from Zazzle.com
It's a new season - why not have a new travel mug for that hot coffee OR iced coffee??? (or any other non-alcoholic drink). This 15 oz. stainless steel travel/commuter mug is also available on other mugs of different materials, sizes, colors and prices. Come check them out. You just might find one you can't live without. :)
It's a new season - why not have a new travel mug for that hot coffee OR iced coffee??? (or any other non-alcoholic drink). This 15 oz. stainless steel travel/commuter mug is also available on other mugs of different materials, sizes, colors and prices. Come check them out. You just might find one you can't live without. :)
Ornament Gift/Religious from Zazzle.com
Ornament Gift/Religious from Zazzle.com
A pretty ceramic "ornament" ... a special gift for a special friend. A great gift for that "secret prayer partner" ... Sunday School teacher ... your pastor's wife ... a child ... just anyone, really. The design is on both sides. Bright, happy colors (pinks, purples, yellows) and the words, on one side: 'Jesus loves YOU and ME!", and on the other side: "Jesus loves ME and YOU!"
A pretty ceramic "ornament" ... a special gift for a special friend. A great gift for that "secret prayer partner" ... Sunday School teacher ... your pastor's wife ... a child ... just anyone, really. The design is on both sides. Bright, happy colors (pinks, purples, yellows) and the words, on one side: 'Jesus loves YOU and ME!", and on the other side: "Jesus loves ME and YOU!"
Necklace/Religious from Zazzle.com
Necklace/Religious from Zazzle.com
Beautiful sterling silver necklace. Share your faith - wear for Easter and ANY time. Image of brown torn-paper cross and the words: He Lives!
Beautiful sterling silver necklace. Share your faith - wear for Easter and ANY time. Image of brown torn-paper cross and the words: He Lives!
Button - Easter from Zazzle.com
Button - Easter from Zazzle.com
"He is risen" buttons - give 'em to your kids, grandkids, Sunday School class, Christian school class, ANY one!!!!
"He is risen" buttons - give 'em to your kids, grandkids, Sunday School class, Christian school class, ANY one!!!!
Easter bumper sticker from Zazzle.com
Easter bumper sticker from Zazzle.com
A bright, sunny yellow bumper sticker to let the ones behind you see the truth of Easter. "He is risen!", with Bible verse.
A bright, sunny yellow bumper sticker to let the ones behind you see the truth of Easter. "He is risen!", with Bible verse.
Greeting card - Easter from Zazzle.com
Greeting card - Easter from Zazzle.com
Pretty Easter card showing that Jesus Christ IS the Easter story! Bunnies and yellow chicks cards are cute and fun to send ... but why not also send a card that shows the real reason we celebrate Easter?
Pretty Easter card showing that Jesus Christ IS the Easter story! Bunnies and yellow chicks cards are cute and fun to send ... but why not also send a card that shows the real reason we celebrate Easter?
Easter card from Zazzle.com
Easter card from Zazzle.com
Bunnies and yellow chicks are sweet Spring time decor - but the CROSS is the real symbol of the Christian holiday, Easter. Christ suffered for us, died for us, and was resurrected for us. That's the real Easter story. Why not send a card showing this? Card has a brown torn-paper cross image on outside and a Bible verse inside. (Image also available on other products.)
Bunnies and yellow chicks are sweet Spring time decor - but the CROSS is the real symbol of the Christian holiday, Easter. Christ suffered for us, died for us, and was resurrected for us. That's the real Easter story. Why not send a card showing this? Card has a brown torn-paper cross image on outside and a Bible verse inside. (Image also available on other products.)
Baby Onesie Tshirts from Zazzle.com
Baby Onesie Tshirts from Zazzle.com
Perfect baby outfit for baby to wear on Mother's Day - "Mommy Loves Me". Design also available on other products (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)..........
Perfect baby outfit for baby to wear on Mother's Day - "Mommy Loves Me". Design also available on other products (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)..........
Mother's Day Card from Zazzle.com
Mother's Day Card from Zazzle.com
Cute Mother's Day card ... drawing of an angel on front ... is YOUR Mom an angel? Send her this card and TELL her so! :)
Cute Mother's Day card ... drawing of an angel on front ... is YOUR Mom an angel? Send her this card and TELL her so! :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Family friendly organizations stand firm against new ABC show ‘Good Christian B–ches’ » Bible Chick
Family friendly organizations stand firm against new ABC show ‘Good Christian B–ches’ » Bible Chick
The "bitch" word is insulting and vulgar for ANY women, not just Christian women. I am continually trying to tell young girls and young women that they should never stand for being called such a thing by anybody, boyfriend or enemy! What happened to womens' self-esteem and dignity? How come all the liberal womens' groups aren't protesting this T.V. program? Why aren't they giving seminars and speeches for the girls and women to help them stand up against being called this word? I cannot understand why a teen girl will allow her boyfriend to use this word "on" her, without throwing him a good slap before walking away from him - permanently. The word is demeaning and controlling.
Another thought comes to mind about this new ABC T.V. show: insulting and mocking Christians and Christianity is "okay" ... just don't let it EVER be insulting and mocking Islam! ABC and many others nowadays are VERY fortunate that Christians (in general) won't rise up in anger, killing "our own", threatening ABC and it's employees, destroying buildings and automobiles because of the insults and mocking of the Christian faith.
As the article says, "pushing the line" has gone on for quite sometime now ... pushing the line on sex, cursing, vulgarity in general, morality. They've gotten away with inserting, little by little over the years, every vulgar and immoral thing they could - and any of us, Christian and non-Christian, who may have opposed it kept silent. Now, there is little left to the imagination in T.V. programs and movies and music - including in this, our latest: "Good Christian B-ches"!
I end here, sounding like the Christian pastor's wife that I am. I quote from the book, HEAVEN, by: Randy Alcorn: "To sin is to fall short of God's holy standards. Sin is what ended Eden's Paradise. And all of us, like Adam and Eve, are sinners. You are a sinner. That's the first thing you need to know. Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Sin has consequences, but God has provided a solution for our sin. 'The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord' (Romans 6:23).
We sin but God provided a way for us to be forgiven ... the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on a cross - then His resurrection. A horrible and painful death that He was willing to endure because of His great love for sinful humanity.
"Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong". Take heed ABC. Sin has consequences.
The "bitch" word is insulting and vulgar for ANY women, not just Christian women. I am continually trying to tell young girls and young women that they should never stand for being called such a thing by anybody, boyfriend or enemy! What happened to womens' self-esteem and dignity? How come all the liberal womens' groups aren't protesting this T.V. program? Why aren't they giving seminars and speeches for the girls and women to help them stand up against being called this word? I cannot understand why a teen girl will allow her boyfriend to use this word "on" her, without throwing him a good slap before walking away from him - permanently. The word is demeaning and controlling.
Another thought comes to mind about this new ABC T.V. show: insulting and mocking Christians and Christianity is "okay" ... just don't let it EVER be insulting and mocking Islam! ABC and many others nowadays are VERY fortunate that Christians (in general) won't rise up in anger, killing "our own", threatening ABC and it's employees, destroying buildings and automobiles because of the insults and mocking of the Christian faith.
As the article says, "pushing the line" has gone on for quite sometime now ... pushing the line on sex, cursing, vulgarity in general, morality. They've gotten away with inserting, little by little over the years, every vulgar and immoral thing they could - and any of us, Christian and non-Christian, who may have opposed it kept silent. Now, there is little left to the imagination in T.V. programs and movies and music - including in this, our latest: "Good Christian B-ches"!
I end here, sounding like the Christian pastor's wife that I am. I quote from the book, HEAVEN, by: Randy Alcorn: "To sin is to fall short of God's holy standards. Sin is what ended Eden's Paradise. And all of us, like Adam and Eve, are sinners. You are a sinner. That's the first thing you need to know. Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Sin has consequences, but God has provided a solution for our sin. 'The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord' (Romans 6:23).
We sin but God provided a way for us to be forgiven ... the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on a cross - then His resurrection. A horrible and painful death that He was willing to endure because of His great love for sinful humanity.
"Sin deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong". Take heed ABC. Sin has consequences.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com
Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com
Stickers, with photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible Verse: John 10:14. Give to yourself, your kids, grand-kids or friends. Stickers are good for your Sunday School class, too! :)
Stickers, with photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible Verse: John 10:14. Give to yourself, your kids, grand-kids or friends. Stickers are good for your Sunday School class, too! :)
Stickers/Christian from Zazzle.com
Stickers/Christian from Zazzle.com
Christian stickers .... Bible verse and image of the cross .... Isaiah 53:5: "...was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Stickers are "good" for your kids, grand-kids, yourself, friends .... your Sunday School class, to put on your Easter cards, etc.
Christian stickers .... Bible verse and image of the cross .... Isaiah 53:5: "...was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Stickers are "good" for your kids, grand-kids, yourself, friends .... your Sunday School class, to put on your Easter cards, etc.
T-Shirt/Christian from Zazzle.com
T-Shirt/Christian from Zazzle.com
T-shirt ... with a cross and the Bible verse: Isaiah 53:5 - "...was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Wear the words that tell the true Easter story.
T-shirt ... with a cross and the Bible verse: Isaiah 53:5 - "...was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Wear the words that tell the true Easter story.
"Summer Harvest" Magnets from Zazzle.com
"Summer Harvest" Magnets from Zazzle.com
I just sold 100 of these "tomato" magnets. Come in and take a peek; maybe YOU would like one, too. :)
I just sold 100 of these "tomato" magnets. Come in and take a peek; maybe YOU would like one, too. :)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Greeting Card/Easter from Zazzle.com
Greeting Card/Easter from Zazzle.com
Easter greeting card: photo of the sheep in the pasture and, inside, the Bible verses John 10:14 & 15, and the message: "May you have a blessed Easter."
Easter greeting card: photo of the sheep in the pasture and, inside, the Bible verses John 10:14 & 15, and the message: "May you have a blessed Easter."
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Poster/The Good Shepherd from Zazzle.com
Poster/The Good Shepherd from Zazzle.com
Beautiful poster, for Easter or anytime. Photo of sheep in a pasture and the Bible verse: John 10:14 ... "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-".
Would make a nice gift for anyone, a good poster to hang in a Sunday School class, on a bulletin board, a living room wall (can be framed) etc.
Beautiful poster, for Easter or anytime. Photo of sheep in a pasture and the Bible verse: John 10:14 ... "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-".
Would make a nice gift for anyone, a good poster to hang in a Sunday School class, on a bulletin board, a living room wall (can be framed) etc.
Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com
Stickers/Sheep from Zazzle.com
Stickers for Easter or ANYtime ... photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible verse, John 10:14: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-" (the design is also available on stickers in other shapes: hearts, ovals, etc., and on other products)
Stickers for Easter or ANYtime ... photo of sheep in the pasture and the Bible verse, John 10:14: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-" (the design is also available on stickers in other shapes: hearts, ovals, etc., and on other products)
Tasse/Lapin de Zazzle.fr
Tasse/Lapin de Zazzle.fr
Pretty mug with photo of a rabbit and the words, in French and English: RABBIT LAPIN. Very cute - would make a sweet Springtime gift for a child, perhaps at Easter, filled with goodies. :)
Pretty mug with photo of a rabbit and the words, in French and English: RABBIT LAPIN. Very cute - would make a sweet Springtime gift for a child, perhaps at Easter, filled with goodies. :)
Magnet/Lapin Aimants Pour Réfrigérateur de Zazzle.fr
Magnet/Lapin Aimants Pour Réfrigérateur de Zazzle.fr
Cute magnet ... photo of a rabbit, with words in English and French: RABBIT LAPIN
Cute magnet ... photo of a rabbit, with words in English and French: RABBIT LAPIN
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Treating and Beating Fibro Blog: Traditional Medicine Offers Little for Fibromyalgi...
Treating and Beating Fibro Blog: Traditional Medicine Offers Little for Fibromyalgi...: "With so many different symptoms, it’s no surprise that fibromyalgia and CFS patients are typically taking 6–12 different prescription dr..."
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sandra Clayton - Kansas fine art prints at Imagekind.com
Sandra Clayton - Kansas fine art prints at Imagekind.com
Come see my original photos from the beautiful Flint Hills area of Kansas. These are available in various sizes, papers, printed on canvas, framed or unframed. Great gifts for yourself and/or a friend!
Come see my original photos from the beautiful Flint Hills area of Kansas. These are available in various sizes, papers, printed on canvas, framed or unframed. Great gifts for yourself and/or a friend!
Old Stone School House by Sandra Clayton in Kansas on Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography
Old Stone School House by Sandra Clayton in Kansas on Sandra Clayton's Art and Photography
Beautiful, original photograph for sale - available in various sizes, prices, framed or unframed. Come see! A beautiful gift for yourself or another.
Beautiful, original photograph for sale - available in various sizes, prices, framed or unframed. Come see! A beautiful gift for yourself or another.
Friday, March 25, 2011
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