PENS CHRISTMAS 2012

 

 

Our Pens meeting was wonderful again! I'm amazed at the tallent represented in our small group. This month we dug into "The Fire In Fiction" byDonald Maass and explored stripping the work in progress selection of all description and then building it up again a couple times with different points of view.

Here is our devotion for December....

Christmas 2012

Tear It Down & Build It Up

@Susan Marlene Kinney

Oh no! Look at the snow splattered on the ground…And I’ve got somewhere to go! Well thank goodness that sneaky old Jack Frost didn’t have the chance to paint my car windows with ice unawares.

STOP

Oh wonderful! Snow laces the landscape in the most delightful way! I can’t wait to slip into my car and zoom around town…carefully…to see all the wonders of a frost covered creation. Jack Frost is the most talented artisan, and I love the surprises he creates.

STOP

Sometimes the Lord Our God, Creator, Author of Our Faith, Deliverer, Redeemer and Lover of Our Souls etc. etc. uses mysterious, creative ways to tear down the negative in our lives to create wondrous fresh points of view. It’s as though we can be writing from the valley or the mountaintop or somewhere in between even if we are observing the same situation. Our opinions or points of view when we look at life, people, and God matter and do influence others. More than we may think. Jesus didn’t have to be born in a stable to expand His point of view. He made that choice for us. He enlarges our steps under us. He prospered our joy and love in incredible ways by making Himself available in the weirdest way (born in a stable)

– my perspective.

But most effective way.

Let’s walk tight to his side and learn of Him as we step into 2013. May we gaze at this life and our loved ones from His perspective. May we write each day as though we don’t have another one left –may we offer all we encompass on the written page for those who come after….

 

 

 

 

Instagram & Porschea's Peanut Butter Parley

 

Greetings all. My daughter took this photo of Porschea the perfect puppy in our back yard next to her new fence. She loves to run carefree in the yard without being chained up. Vanessa, our youngest daughter, had downloaded some application for her phone . It was free.  It can’t get any better than that right! Do you want to know the name of the application? It’s called Instagram.  I’ve not tried to download it yet so I can’t tell you my experience.

She took this photo on her phone and then text it to me. Sure does look like a professional shot doesn’t it! I want to print this out and frame it. That is on my 1,000 things to do this week list! We all have one of those right?  

Porschea’s hair gets tangled and knotted easily. She hates me pulling the long hair on her backside and legs  when I brush her . In fact she thinks it’s fair game to tug on my shirt sleeve or pants leg when I’m tugging on her hair. So I’ve developed a method that works for the both of us. I call it Porschea’s Peanut Butter Parley. I get a soft hairbrush and squirt it down with a detangler called I (Heart) PET HEAD FUR BALL StrawberryYogert Detangling Spray. Then I take a large spoonful of peanut butter and smear it on the refrigerator door. She falls for licking the peanut butter every time. I read this tip somewhere. This idea didn’t originate with me. I am able to take care of the knotty situations on her legs and hind end without fighting for my sleeve or pants or shoes. Plus I’m able to positively praise her for being a “good girl” and I save a special treat after I’m satisfied with her hair do. This is exactly what she and I did today not knowing that Vanessa would be here to take her photo shoot. I’m so glad I took the time for she looks absolutely beautiful in the Instragram shot above.

 

 

These other photos were fun to shoot too. Porschea had been lounging on the deck and saw me pulling a treat out of her drawer .She had to come in and investigate…and hope. I can report that she was the perfect lady as far as not steeling her treat. It was quite the temptation though for her to be that close to her treat and not even lick it! She is my perfect puppy! She makes me laugh.

CONFESSIONS OF A COCONUT HATER

`

My husband has wanted some coconut oil for cooking some time now. Being notorious for making lists and then leaving them at home when I grocery shop is a part of who I am. That quality is in my DNA. So, I kept forgetting all about a little item called coconut oil. Not on purpose mind you, but I didn’t make a special trip and rush out to buy any either.  Fact is I’m also known for HATING coconut. The best and only possible use for the smelly stuff is for moisturizing my face. Wouldn’t you know I ran out of my personal stash of coconut oil. I hate to admit that virgin coconut oil is the best product I’ve ever used on my face! Yes, I’m not a fan of how coconut feels on my tongue. Nor do I like this fruit’s peculiar taste or smell in spite of the wonderful results I’ve noticed when using this as a moisturizer.

But anyway let’s get back to the topic of my confession about coconut. though I definitely do not tolerate eating this fruit and I’ve avoided it all my life. Not even candy bars with coconut ever tempt me. I tell you the truth.

Once I purchased his coconut oil he came up with the bright idea of making coconut shrimp. What a way to ruin shrimp, one of my favorite meals. He was bound and determined to widen my scope of experience with coconut. He promised that I would like his coconut recipe. I must admire the fact and I’ll always be grateful that he did make some plain non-coconut pieces for me. Sort of plain that is. We started out making beer batter and also added cayenne powder (shush this is the secret – one whole tablespoon full) to about a half cup of flour. After washing and dipping the shrimp in both the flower mixture and beer batter then to my dismay at least half of the shrimp were coated with white fluffy…you got it…coconut slivers. Ugh!

Cal lifted the coconut fried and coated with slivers and positioned it so that I could take a bite. I did so to appease him, expecting the worse. Delicious, I was quite surprised. Who would have thought that there would be any way anyone could disguise such a distinct flavor! My confession  is that I never thought I could ever tolerate anything tasting of coconut and here I actually liked it! Wonders never cease!! If you’re a coconut hater…maybe you could give this a try also.

 

 

 

 

Traveling With Thankfulness

© Susan Marlene Kinney

November 10, 2012

Enter His gates with thanksgiving. And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name.

 

Psalms 100:4

Step spritely into the new day dawning. Bumpy country roads, sleek highways, valleys, and mountains topped with snowcaps await your awe.  How Father God delighted in creating every crevice and sculptured rock formation, as well as hot sandy deserts, brush stroked with copious color schemes reflecting off each unique terrain.

Oceans surge with power and life, reflecting it’s mood with each twist and turn of the weather or spin of the moon. Such stunning sights take our breath away, cause us to stand on tip toe and gasp at the immense sheer wonder of His creation. The measure of our fascination and appreciation cannot comprehend His colossal thrill over…our smile…

His ecstasy  is not dampened by our limitations for God is JOY, LOVE, and PEACE in the extreme! He experiences the highest, most delightful, undiluted, and uncontaminated thrills over our praise and attention.

We offer so little. He bestow so much. Audaciously allow yourself to nearly burst with heart pounding gratitude for all He has done. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of light consists in goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 5:10

Do enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name. Sure we cannot imagine the thrill He experiences, but isn’t it wonderful to

TRY…

 

Grand Version of Borscht

The cookbook Splendid Soups by James Peterson was the inspiration for this recipe. I’ve changed several items to suit our taste and because I didn’t have it at home and didn’t want to make a road trip. So here goes on a winning recipe.

GRAND VERSION OF BORSCHT

James had a nice write up about the recipe after each title. It would be a very nice Christmas or Birthday gift.

 

Meat

2  1 pound smoked ham hocks. (I didn’t have this.)

3 pound beef brisket or chuck 1 or 2 large chunks (I cut mine in small pieces and used chuck)

3 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of rind and excess fat, in 2 or 3 large chunks.

                                                                           (I cut mine in small pieces.)

2 ½ quarts of beef broth or water (I used 7 cans of Campbells Beef Broth, 1 can Campbells Beefy

                                                                            Mushroom Soup plus 2 cups of water.)

1 bouquet garni, including 3 marjoram sprigs if available

Vegetables

1 1/3 pounds fresh or 2 10-ounce can whole beets drained. (I didn’t use these since I deemed the recipe sweet enough.  ( I didn’t use beets.)

1 small head of cabbage

1 large onion, finely chopped

4 leeks finely chopped

1 Cup white wine vinegar

Salt  & pepper

You may garnish with sour cream and finely chopped fresh dill. ( I didn’t have the dill.)

 

Use a large pot to heat the beef broth and water on high. Add bite size pieces of meat and bouquet garni. When it approaches a boil turn down to a slow simmer for 3 hours.  Skim off any froth or fat that floats to the surface.

Peel off and discard the tough outer cabbage leaves. Cut into short slivers. Add chopped onion, leeks, cooked beets if you want to, and cabbage to soup and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir in wine vinegar and season to taste.

Lighthouse Book Signing - Come and See



 

Lighthouse Christian Book Store at 2781 South Oneida Street, Green Bay, WI hosted a book signing Saturday, October 20th. Some of the authors highlighted at this event were Cynthia Ruchti, Deborah Erdman, Tricia Propson, Judy Charme, Ruth Boettcher, Becky Melby, and Chris Elliott.



The mood was festive and friendly as many customers mulled around purchasing books and visiting with some of their favorite authors. Everything from devotions, books on strengthening mother and daughter relationships, a true missionary account, self help and fiction were offered. I spied author Stephenie Hovland walking around with some of her children’s books in hand! She had been situated in the children’s area where I heard that someone was reading stories to children. I didn’t get to see that first hand since I was loading up with ladies fiction and devotion books and devotions from both the author table and Lighthouses shelves!

 

Lighthouse Christian Book Store is one of my favorite bookstores. Their book selection as well as the artwork they offer keeps me coming back for more. How wonderful they would host an event that allows readers to connect with writers in such a warm welcoming atmosphere. I want to invite you to spend time investigating the terrific authors listed in this blog post. Here are some WEB pages and blogs for you to frolic about in. Have lots of fun getting to know the authors and the books they write. Fiction that makes a difference one book at a time, one reader at a time.

Cynthia Ruchti www.cynthiaruchti.com    http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/blog

Chris Elliott   http://thoughtshredder.com/

Becky Melby  www.beckymelby.com   www.beckymelby.com/blog

Deborah Ann Erdmann  www.DeborahErdnamm.com   http://heavenlyhumor.blogspot.com/

Judy DuCharme   JudithDuCharme.com

Tricia Propson   trish@cornerstonecomm.org

 

I've read some of Cynthia Ruchti's books and loved them. Now I'm already on page 47 of Becky Melby's book called "Yesterday's Stardust" and let me tell you...

she had me at page one. 

Enjoy!

Pens of Praise and Porschea the Perfect Pooch

 

Our very own Deborah Ann Erdmann who this year published "The Inside Scoop on God"

had a tussle with the wind and rain on her way into our Pens writers meeting! Thanks for comming Deborah! You kind of remind me of the flying nun show! (That show

was a really long time ago.)

 

Kathy Leist made the most wonderful pumpkin and dessert and chocolate

cookies! And she sighned up to make next months treats also! You rock Kathy!!

Thanks a million!

 

Porschea the perfect puppy had to taste the water on top of the table

after she played in the leaves! Cooler weather brings out all kinds of energy and curiousity

in our girl.

 

 

Dad is almost done with the fencing and Porschea is ready to run around the

yard chain free! Let's hope Zoey will realize the puppy will be loose!

 

 

That's all for now everyone. I've got to get back to writing the Great American Novel!!

Porschea has a part in this book and I'm eager to finish the story. It's been

fun writing her antics into the story. Weaving her puppy tricks and

irrestable personality into the plot!

 



 

Vices & Virtues & Life In The Mix

Devotions for Pens of Praise

October 13^th 2012

By Susan Marlene Kinney

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

 

Any form of the word ‘blessings’ may be thought of as vague, wispy, and unidentifiable. But if you stop and consider the intimacy this word implies, you’ll find abundant depth of meaning. These blessings come from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His fingers fragrant with myrrh and oil strengthen us spiritually and emotionally with every kind of  provision. He embraces our hearts with acceptance and love.

Webster’s Encyclopedic  Dictionary says this about the word blessed:  Supremely blessed, fortunate, well off: --blessed happy (x ier)

Breaking down each VIP word enlightened me and cheered my heart:

Supreme – 1. highest in rank or authority; paramount; chief   2. Of the highest quality, degree, character, importance etc.

Blessed- 1. Consecrated: sacred; holy; sanctified   3. Divinely or supremely favored; fortunate to be blessed    4.blissfully happy or contented

Fortunate- 1. Having good fortune; receiving good from uncertain or unexpected sources’ favorably  2. Auspicious…made prosperous or happy…etc.

 

How thrilling to realize that when we suffer despair, becoming acutely aware of our colossal need for the Father, we will be blessed. Not with superficial and short-lived niceties either. He begins tipping the pitcher, which overflows with pure unadulterated blessings too numerous to measure.

 

In Psalms 81:10 the Lord says, Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Our Father God knows just the right words to say! The kinds of words that melt my heart and cause me to hope.  He does not just speak and then duck out of town. He stays with us through thick and thin. He is faithful. Even when we focus on pain and the what-ifs life tosses our way and we do not see Him.

Aren’t our greatest obstacles our own mindsets and misunderstandings when we seek the Lord? Truly, aren’t fears, distractions, and intrusions allowed to interfere because of our own wandering hearts?  When we chose selfishness instead of generosity, or fear over courage or judgment rather than acceptance, we are setting ourselves up for yet another rocky ride…sometimes in a slick looking vehicle fashioned by pride.

He looks at us with the eyes of love and sees you and me as important, set apart. His thoughts toward us are like the sands of the sea, innumerable, yet holy, and sacred. Our Father, so generous, forgiving, and loving favors us with His eye upon us. We receive good from his certain though unexpected sources so our spirit will  prosper. We can experience His fullness of joy in the light of eternity. We will be walking on streets of gold. For sure, our attention will be blessed with far greater measure, the blissful awareness of Our Father’s Love.

Forever!

 

Etouffee - Shrimp Variety

 

 

My husband and I usually try to cook a great meal during the weekend. He is marvalous for sniffing out a great recipe. Last week Cal was hungry for the Cajun Cuisine called Etouffee and am I ever glad he was! 

 

This Recipe serves four to six hungry table talkers!

 

1/4 cup peanut oil (we used extra virgin olive oil)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 lg onion

2 celery sticks

1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded , and corsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped (we used a garlic press from Pampered Chief)

1 tablespoon minced thyme

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups fish or vegtable stock. (We used chicken broth)

1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp bite size is best so cut them in small peices.

5 dashes of Tobasco sauce or more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste 

My husband added in:

•  Cayenne Pepper  and Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasonings to taste.

Serve with your favorite cooked rice in the middle of the bowl. 

 

Heat oil in large heavy saucepan on medium until hot and moving. Add flour and whisk until well blended. Reduce heat to around medium-low.

 

Add bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic then cook over low heat and stir constantly for around five minutes. When vegtables are soft and flour mixture is brown stir in the salt and thyme. stir constantly for 30 seconds or more.

 

Whisk in sause until smooth. Reduce heat until simmering. Then continue to simmer for another 15 minutes.

 

We decided it was simular to his Gumbo recipe but definatly faster and easer to make. So worth the time! Let me know if you try this meal out and how you like it.

 





PENS OF PRAISE OCTOBER 13, 2012

PENS OF PRAISEChristian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, October 13th  ~  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

§    

The teaching for October is called “Premise What Good Is It & How to Make One” Taught by Susan Kinney

Our prompt for October is…

 Write a recommendation for a book you enjoyed or felt useful.

Also, you are invited to bring a short five minute sample of you own work in progress if you so desire to share it in a safe friendly environment. This is not required to attend the meeting.

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!

 

Remember - visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or e-mail her at                      cal-suek@charter.net or susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!