Home Made Play Dough Recipe

An old fashioned favorite that is still just as exciting today as it was years ago - play dough!

My girls love play dough - and how much more fun it is when we make it from scratch. They get to choose their own color and add a scent if they want. Today's choice was a batch of peppermint pink. The aroma of the mint filled my kitchen and it looked like pink cupcake frosting. But we dared not take a taste with our finger knowing we would get a mouth full of salt.

I hope you enjoy this recipe with your children or grand children. Have fun with being creative with colors and scents.

Play Dough

2 cups water
choice of food coloring
3 tbs oil
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tbs powdered alum (can be found at Michaels)
1/2 cup salt

Put 2 cups of water, oil and food coloring into a sauce pan and bring to boil. Set aside.

In large bowl mix the flour, alum and salt. Pour the hot water mixture over the flour mixture and mix well. At this point you can add your scented oils if desired. I use the flavored oils you can purchase at most grocery stores. After it cools a bit in the bowl then knead well. Store in air tight containers or ziplocks.

Rebecca's Ravenous Chicken Salad

I love creating in the kitchen! Today I wanted to re-create a favorite chicken salad we like from Chelsie's Deli. Not knowing their ingredients - I created my own version.

This is what you will need:

1 whole lemon-pepper rotisserie chicken (or any flavor) or one whole baked chicken.
3-4 celery stalks
4 green onion with stalks
1 clove garlic
fresh ground sea salt
fresh ground pepper
lemon and pepper seasoning (can find in seasonings at store)
red pepper flakes
garlic salt
dijon mustard
plain greek yogurt
lowfat mayonnaise

First, separate all meat from bones and skin. Place chunks of chicken in food processor and process in batches. Place processed chicken in a large bowl.

Next, lavishly season the chicken with the sea salt, pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, red pepper flakes and garlic salt. Mix well - taste to your liking.

Next, prepare your vegetables for food processor. Chop the celery, green onion and garlic then add all to food processor. Process.

Combine processed vegetables to chicken mix. Then add 1 tbs dijon mustard, 1 tbs greek yogurt and 1 tbs low fat mayo. Mix well. Taste and add more if needed to your liking.

One great thing about this recipe is that there is so much flavor in the seasoned meat and vegetables that not much mayo or yogurt is needed which makes the recipe very low fat. Yet very delicious! To many times you will find your salad drenched in high fat mayonnaise which ruins it. Have fun and enjoy on varieties of bread, crackers or on lettuce leaves.

Squash Soup in Pumpkin Bowls

For the bowls: 4 small pumpkins

2 teaspoons sugar

kosher salt

For the soup: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 small onion - chopped

kosher salt

thyme

2 pounds of butternut squash

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons heavy cream

freshly ground pepper

5 cups water

For the toppings:

croutons

pumpkin seeds

paprika or chili powder

crisp prosciutto, ham or bacon

fried onions

fresh sage or parsley leaves

1. Make the bowls. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a paring knife -cut a large circle around the stem of each pumpkin. Remove the lid and scoop out the seeds and fibers. Sprinkle the inside of each with 1/2 teaspoon each sugar and salt. Place the pumpkins and lids on a baking sheet; roast until tender - 20-25 minutes.

2. Meanwhile make the soup: Cut the squashes in halves, scooping our seeds and fibers. Cook in microwave until tender. While squash is cooling - Melt the 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Add fresh or dried thyme - a pinch. Increase the heat and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Scoop out cooked squash and add to pot along with 1 teaspoon sugar and cook, stirring, until glazed, 3-4 minutes. Add 5 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes.

Working in batches - transfer the soup to a blender, crack the lid on occasion to let the steam escape. Puree until smooth. Pour batches into large bowl -until finishing pureeing entire batch. Transfer back to saucepan. Stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, to desired taste. Ladle soup to individual soup bowls. Add topping as desired.

Fall Forward?

As Fall approaches we will soon be setting our clocks to fall back. But how many of us are prepared for the long winter months? I suppose if you are from the South -winter can bring a relief from the stifling summer heat - but if you are from the North - you know soon the months of frigid cold will draw you indoors to an almost hibernating state.

This is how the seasons go - we must go forward into the next season - and each season brings change.

Spiritually - how many of us would always want to be in the season of spring and summer and even fall? How many of us truly look forward to that season of long. cold, bitter winter? - with daily shoveling of heaps of snow, temperatures so low that you cannot feel your face, and your vehicle becoming stuck on the smallest spot of ice.

But that is how winter goes. The question is - do we face winter coming -with joy and great expectations - or do we trudge through the long months with feelings of torment and desperate hope of spring?

I love the bible verse -"To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastics 3:1-8.

God created the seasons - every season of life. He gives us the season of winter - not to cause us misery or pain - but for it to be a season of - yes possible hibernation and possible isolation - but also as a season that allows us the time to curl up in front of The Father and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with Him -read His good book -the bible - reflect in the fireplace -Jesus. This season - you can take all those mounds of terrible "snow" and re-create it into something beautiful - a marvelous snow man -or snow angel. Or better yet - put on the pair of skis -called faith - and glide right on top of it -up and over the snowy hills. Put a smile on your face - as you find joy as you speed over the problems of life -of winter. God fully equips us in this season - he gives us the full armour. Would we dress ourselves in a snow storm -with beach attire?

So in this new coming season - as I sense the stirring of change - I know that winter will bring some hardships - I know it will bring some isolation - but if I view it like God views it - He always knows that there is a field filled with sunshine and fresh growing flowers at the end. It is time to unpack the winter attire - the full warm robe of righteousness - and put away the flip flops. Challenges are coming - I must prepare myself -fill my lanterns with oil -open up my book of life -but yet -will totally appreciate the warmth as I sit in front of the fire -God makes really good cocoa to enjoy in the long months. So drink.

Delight The Lord

When I was in my teens I used to do a fun thing with God - I would place my bible on my lap - and ask God to show me a word in the bible that He wanted to speak to me thru. Then I would randomly open to a page and begin to read. Sure enough - He always revealed a word to bless me with for that day.

I still enjoy this fun with God today as I am entering the fall stages of my life. It is a thrill to open the bible and say -speak to me -teach me - what can I learn from you today Lord!

One thing I have learned from God - is that He always speaks gently, in kindness. If I needed a word from Him to correct me in an area of sin - He lets me know lovingly. So many times - I know when I correct my children or husband - my words are not gentle and come out with sharpness that is damaging. I have so much to learn from God - to be more like Him.

Today I am smiling because of what the Lord did for me last night. After tucking in my girls and beginning to relax, I began brainstorming about all the projects I am doing, reviewing the list of things to do, in my mind, what I wanted to do next, what new ideas I could come up with for the orphanage, what I wanted to cook for my husbands Birthday dinner - I actually started to become a bit anxious about it all really! As the stress was building - I decided that I needed to put my hurried thoughts aside and ask the Lord to calm my spirit - to clear my mind - and to take my stress and give me peace. I then picked up my bible and said my usual prayer and then opened it. This is the scripture that my eyes fell on.

Psalm 147:10-11

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his delight in the legs of man;

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Do you see how God works? I had been concentrating all day on all the great things I wanted to do for God's Kingdom and thinking about all the plans and was getting stressed. not realizing, one thing I had forgotten to do was regard God in the midst of all of it. Although I was thinking of Him and thanking Him on occasion, I wasn't honestly reverencing Him as sovereign God. Forgetting that God delights in us most - not in what we do - but in how we praise Him and lavish love on Him and focus on Him and letting Him be in charge.

There is nothing wrong with spending time sharpening our skills and increasing our strength by working hard for God, and in fact, our gifts can be used to glorify God. But when we use our skills with no regard to God, they are indeed worth little. It is our fear and trust that God desires. When He has those, then He will use our skills and strengths in ways greater than we can imagine.

But - I am so thankful that God showed me lovingly yesterday - as a subtle reminder - that He delights in the things I am doing - but He gets more delight in seeing me fear and trust Him. It all balances out so nicely when put in that order. And helps to omit much anxiety that comes when we focus on what we are doing more than we are focusing on Him.

Love Challenge

Paul writes "If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body up to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing". These are strong and unmistakable words. According to God, we are here to love. Not much else really matters. God assesses our lives based on how we love. But, the word love is so over used and worn out. What does God mean by love? He tells us,

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends...faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13

But even these words have grown tired and overly familiar, haven't they?

Challenge yourself to do a little exercise with these verses. Take the phrase "Love is patient" and substitute your name for the word love. Do it for every phrase in the passage. I will use my own name as an example.

Rebecca is patient and kind; Rebecca does not envy or boast; Rebecca is not arrogant or rude. Rebecca does not insist on her own way; Rebecca is not irritable or resentful; Rebecca does not rejoice at wrongdoings, Rebecca rejoices in the truth. Rebecca bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Rebecca's love never ends...faith, hope, and love abide, but to Rebecca, the greatest of these three is love.

In the end of this little exercise - I have to admit - I felt like a liar. If I was represent what love is, then I often fail to love people the way God asks me to do.

Following Christ is not something that can be done half heartedly or on the side or when we feel like it. It must be central to everything we do and are.

In Jesus last commandment to his disciples - he replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt 22:37-38)

The next commandment says "To love others as much as you love yourself".

Our main focus in life is to obey God. We must obey His greatest commandment - To first love Him with everything inside of us - and secondly to love others just as much. He gives us His instruction on how to do this is - plain and simple language that is easy to understand.

The questions to our selves is "Are we willing to obey God's greatest commandment"? Is it the main focus in our life? Can I replace my name in the scripture above and sincerely say that I meet all the standards of love?

If your answer is -no - that you are not obeying all of God's Word - remember this - God does not want us to feel guilty - He says come to me for all your needs - if we need to learn how to completely love Him and others - He will help us - it begins with repentance and sincere seeking.

The results of true repentance are intimate prayer and study of His word. Thru this - you will find your motivation changes from guilt to love.

A closer, stronger, intimate relationship with God results in a stronger desire to want to obey Him. When you can put your name in that verse - and finally say - yes - I have truly learned how to love - I am obeying God's commandment's - you will begin to see your whole life change before your eyes. Don't give up - Jesus is calling you to Him and He will help.

What kind of love is this?

What kind of love is this

that climbs the hill

that bears the cross

that takes the nails

What kind of love is this

that takes my place

That gives His life

And clears my name

oh' I want to know

what kind of love is this

What kind of love is this

that gives His son

that bears the sin

of everyone

What kind of love is this

that cries alone

that tastes of death

to bring me home

oh' I want to know

what kind of love is this

It Wonderful

Its Glorious

It's full of Grace

And full of Mercy

Powerful

It's Marvelous

That's what this Love is

That's what God's Love is

What kind of love is this

that fills my soul

that lifts it up

and makes me whole

What kind of love is this

that gives me hope

that dries my tears

and brings me joy

oh' I want to know

what kind of love is this

Jesus, Jesus

He's full of grace

and full of mercy

Jesus, my Jesus

That is what love is

That's what God's love is...

Song by: Phillips, Craig and Dean