My New Site and Sponsor!

Just wanted to direct viewers to a new site; http://www.stonerosevalley.com.

I am very pleased to announce that I have had the opportunity to upgrade to a domain name-very pleased indeed. Also, while there, go check out my sponsor-shopping-bargains.com!

Handmaidens For Him!

Here's the new site! I have been prayerfully considering this for a year or so now; and finally it has all pulled together! Come visit!

I'm Moving!....Well, not my residence, just my url....

Hey; I just wanted to let my millions (OK, not millions; more like five or so) readers know that I may be changing my blogging address....just as I was starting to compile a fairly long archive.....oh, well; that's the way the cookie crumbles.
My new address, in case you want to continue visiting me, is: http://stonerosevalley.wordpress.com/
At least, this is my new address for the moment.....You never know what might happen. :) I hope to continue to post here as well, but it just won't be as often.
I hope to continue seeing you!

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

OK, so tonight, I didn't turn out to be very wise in the kitchen. Friday is one of my days, so I came up with an elaborate dinner menu; Chimichangas, Spanish Rice, Purple Hull Peas (Yeah, I know that wasn't the best vegetable choice, but I was rather limited), and coconut macaroons for dessert. I cut (actually it was more like hacked at) my finger while slicing green peppers; and I burnt myself on the oil while frying the chimichangas....no, I guess I didn't exercise proper kitchen caution tonight.

Well, I really love coconut macaroons; so I'm going to share the recipe with you tonight.

From The Ultimate Cookie Book put out by Better Homes and Gardens

CHEWY COCONUT MACAROONS
Prep time: 15 min. Bake: 20 min per batch. Oven: 325 F. Makes: about 30 cookies.

2 3.5 oz cans (2 & 2/3 cups total) flaked coconut
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 ts. salt
4 egg whites
1/2 ts. almond extract
2 oz. semisweet chocolate (optional)
1/2 ts. shortening (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 324 F. Lightly grease and flour a large cookie sheet; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl stir together coconut, sugar, flour, and salt. Stir in egg whites and almond extract.
3. Drop egg white mixture by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. If desired, in a small heavy saucepan heat and stir chocolate and shortening over low heat until smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.
4. Enjoy!
   

Captivating

I've decided to take another journey through the pages of John and Stasi Eldredge's book Captivating. It's been over a year since last I read it, and I think I'm in need of the truths hidden within it's pages once again. Not that I should let it take the place of my Bible, but I find something refreshing in reading the revelations of other Christians.

So-is a true woman Cinderella or Joan of Arc? Mary Magdalene or Oprah? How do we recover essential femininity without falling into stereotypes, or worse, ushering in more pressure and shame upon our readers? That is the last thing a woman needs. And yet, there is an essence that God has given to every woman. We share something deep and true, down in our hearts. So we venture into this exploration of femininity by way of the heart. What is at the core of a woman's heart? What are her desires? What did we long for as little girls? What do we still long for as women? And, how does a woman begin to be healed from the wounds and tragedies of her life? Sometime between the dreams of your youth and yesterday, something precious has been lost. And that treasure is your heart, your priceless feminine heart.....So we invite you to take a journey with us, a journey of discovery and healing. For your heart is the prize of God's Kingdom, and Jesus has come to win you back for Himself-all of you.

I'll be posting excerpts from the book in the next couple days; I hope you enjoy it with me!

Excerpt taken from Captivating: By John and Stasi Eldredge

Valentine's Day

This is a post from a different blog of mine....written last Valentine's Day. I thought I'd share it here. This was my attitude then, and it is my attitude still.
I hope it makes you think.

I was thinking.....Wednesday is Valentine's. Yeah. That day just serves as a reminder of that special someone......that you don't have. :)

Well,....instead of just thinking about the day that you will have someone to celebrate this 'oh-so-important' day with, think about who you already have. And I don't really mean your family and friends. Though they are something to be EXTREMELY grateful for.

What I was thinking was more in the lines of Isaiah 54:5; "For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts.....". "The woman who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband." I Cor. 7:34.

So......If you're single, like me, and really long for a home and family of your own, then think on this. You already have a husband, and the LORD of hosts is His name. Spend some extra time with Him this week (actually, it would be ideal to spend extra time with Him for the rest of your life), thank Him for who he is to you, and LIVE FOR HIM!

That has been what He's been saying to me this past week. Actually, reminding me, over and over. I really had it down last fall, but have allowed the 'things of this world' to come between. Not necessarily my relationship with Him, but that kind of relationship with Him. One where I'm not impatiently awaiting 'the day', but 'living for today'.