Pray for. . .

our community, our children, and our law enforcement. As I headed home from Wal-Mart this evening I learned that there was a drive by shooting at a park in town. I'm not sure how many were injured or why the shooting occurred. However, I am aware that there has been gang activity in recent months that seems to only be escalating.

I worry about the safety of not only my own children, but the safety of other children in this community. But more than their safety I worry about their souls. It's obvious within our community that there are parents that have no idea where their children are, what they are doing and to be honest they could care less as long as they aren't having to deal with them.

Our law enforcement is working hard to put a stop to the gang activity, but it is a hard battle to win. Pray for these men and women that put their lives on the line each day and work numerous hours away from their families to protect our community against crime and violence.

As I'm prone to do of late, I found another wonderful place to enjoy God's beauty. Since purchasing my camera, my favorite things to capture are God's creation. It is so relaxing to pack the camera and head to one of the many nature centers, preserves, or State Parks that we are blessed with in South Florida. Recently while searching for more places to visit I came across a link to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. After looking at the website, I knew this preserve was going to be added to the list. I was not disappointed. For starters, it was a beautiful day and admission was free (parking is $1.00 per hour). This sign sums up pretty much how I'm beginning to feel about being in the outdoors.
A lesson was learned on this particular trip. Always carry your extra lenses either in your camera case or a purse. On this particular day, I decided to attach my 75-300mm lens to the camera and just carry the 18-55mm lens in my hand. What was I thinking? All was good until I was trying to take a picture of the snake (see below) and put the 18-55mm lens between my legs. It slipped from between my legs, rolled off the boardwalk and into the grass (thankfully it wasn't water). I looked at the stranger behind me and we discussed how to retrieve the lens. Wasn't but one way, climb down in the grass with a snake within a 100ft. of the lens. Why couldn't the stranger have been a brave man? Oh no, he wasn't going to go after the lens, so yours truly climbed down in the grass (all the while praying the snake didn't move) and retrieved the lens. After getting the lens however, the fool discovered she needs to exercise to remove weight off the behind to make climbing over a boardwalk railing easier. Thankfully, the not so brave stranger and his friend hoisted me over the railing back to safety and the snake never moved. It's funny now, but let me tell you this old gal was shaking worse than the leaves on those trees.

One Another Principles

These are one another principles from Scripture that I got while attending a Ministry Assistant conference earlier this week.

1. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” ~Mark 9:50
2. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ~ Romans 12:10
3. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ~Romans 12:16
4. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way ~ Romans 14:13
5. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. ~ Romans 14:19
6. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God~ Romans 15:7
7. Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another~ Romans 15:14
   
8. That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.~ 1 Corinthians 12:25
9. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ~ Galatians 5:13
10. With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ~ Ephesians 4:2
11. Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.~ Ephesians 4:25
12. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
13. Submitting to one another in the fear of God ~ Ephesians 5:21
14. Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.~ Colossians 3:13
15. Therefore comfort one another with these words ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:18
16. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:13
17. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:15
18. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He, who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. ~ James 4:11

Registered and Ready to Go

Glades and Hendry county are cooperating to put on the Big "O" Birding Festival on the Southwest shores of Lake Okeechobee on April 3 - April 6. I have heard about the festival but have never attended, but that is not the case this year. I'm registered and ready to go. My friend, Kathy, and I registered yesterday for one tour on Saturday (you can choose to do all the tours, but that is somewhat expensive). We choice to do the "Premier Loop Tour" with Dr. Paul Gray, Florida Audubon. The tour is straight out of Peterson's Guide with a local guide. We will have the opportunity to see other birding spots in and around Clewiston.

It should be fun to see to spend the morning outdoors taking pictures of all the birds. Not that I'll remember which bird is which, but maybe I will surprise myself and remember a few of them.

Georgia on My Mind

A Touch of Spring

Loving the 10 Day Forecast

			High / Low (°F)	Precip. %
Today Mar 10		Mostly Sunny	80°/60°	10 %
Wed Mar 11		Mostly Sunny	82°/61°	10 %
Thu Mar 12		Partly Cloudy	81°/60°	0 %
Fri Mar 13		Partly Cloudy	80°/61°	10 %
Sat Mar 14		Mostly Sunny	81°/62°	0 %
Sun Mar 15		Partly Cloudy	82°/62°	10 %
Mon Mar 16		Partly Cloudy	82°/60°	0 %
Tue Mar 17		Isolated T-Storms	80°/58°	30 %
Wed Mar 18		Showers	76°/54°	60 %
Thu Mar 19		Partly Cloudy	75°/53°	10 %

13 Years

Thirteen years ago today I moved to Clewiston. Wow, time has flown. Angela and David were so little back then. It's amazing to see how God has worked in our lives in thirteen short years. What once was a strange town and strange people has now become home.

Househould Tips

Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds.. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum.. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that c ling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... ta da! ... static is gone.

Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS
A friend of mine had the heating unit go out on her dryer. The gentleman that came to fix it for her told her that he wanted to show her something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. He told her that he wanted to show her something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told her that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too.. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down. He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

Everybody Cut Footloose

When I saw Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center brochure for this year's performance in August of last year, I was thrilled to see that Footloose was among the performances. I knew then that I wanted tickets but put off getting tickets until last month only to find out there was a waiting list. Needless to say I was disappointed. That was until today at our Senior Adult Luncheon when I found out that my good friend, Dot, who had put my name on the waiting list had a ticket for me and it is being held at the ticket booth. So tomorrow night I will be going to see Footloose! I can't wait!

Roses in Bloom

New Recipe for Menu Planning

I found this recipe to add to our menu next week.

Strip Steak with rosemary and garlic
3 russet potatoes
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 1-inch strip steaks
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Heat oven to 400. Prick the potatoes all over with fork and bake directly on an oven rack until tender, 45 to 55 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, combine the garlic, rosemary, and oil. Add steaks and turn to coat. Let marinate, turning once for at least 30 minutes (and up to 1 day in refrigerator).

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the steaks from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook to desired doneness, 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the reserved marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon over sliced steak and serve with the potatoes and sour cream.

Cleaning Checklist

In an attempt to keep my home neat throughout the week, I made a to do list this weekend that, hopefully, by sticking to it our home will be clean and inviting in between those deep cleanings. Here's my list. . . (if you have suggestions, please leave a comment).

Kitchen

• Clear out and wipe down the sink. No piles of dirty dishes!
• Wipe down countertops and stove.
• Sweep floor and wipe spots on floor.

Bathroom

• Wipe out the sink.
  
• Clean splatters off mirror.
• Wipe the toilet seat and rim.
• Spray the shower and curtain liner with a shower mist.
  

Bedroom

• Make up the bed.
• Fold or hang clothes.
• Straighten the night stand and dressers.

Living Room

• Pick up crumbs with a handheld vacuum.
• Wipe tables and straighten the magazines or books.
• Clear any major clutter.
  

Accomplished This Afternoon

This afternoon I had my to do list made out and after a power nap and cooking a late lunch, I was set on getting all items crossed off.

1. Finish menu plan for week and buy groceries.
2. Put gas in van.
3. Clean stove top and oven.
4. Clean range hood.
5. Clean refrigerator.
6. Finish laundry.
7. Sweep and mop kitchen floor.
8. Clean bathrooms and mop.

I enjoyed making out our menu for the week and getting things done that I had put off doing (cleaning the oven and refrigerator). I want to eventually try my hand at investment cooking, but I need to do more research before I undertake that task.