This really should have been a few days ago, but sadly I am not always as organized as I should be.
First some recipes:
Sauer Kraut Casserole.
1 large can of Sauer Kraut
2 packages of sausage
5 tablespoons of mustard powder.
2 tablespoons of caraway seed.
Slice the sausage thin. Mix everything together and bake or microwave until hot. If baking, I suggest 350 for about thirty minutes. Cover with foil before hand to avoid browning.
Sauer Kraut is popular in Germany and in parts of the US where German immigrants settled for New Years Eve.
Black eyed peas
2 cups peas (soak overnight before cooking)
1 hambone
2 jalapeños
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash Worcestershire sauce.
Chopped onion and cilantro (optional)
After soaking, cook for about an hour and a half. Add water as needed. Add cilantro in last 10 minutes. Add onion in last 30 to 5 minutes depending on how well you wish them to be cooked.
Both these recipes are considered good luck for New Years. Blacks in Central America also consider it good luck to be in church on New Year’s eve. Of course we as Christians know that we don’t have good luck from any of these, but that God will bless us as we obey him (and withhold the blessing if we don’t. For that reason it is important to line our lives up with his will.
Some people make resolutions for New Year, and some of those are good, but most are forgotten before January is done. Personally, I think the best thing to do on New Years is to see where you came from, where you are now, and plan for the future. As Christians, we know the future is not ours to see, but we should still plan for it. We should have certain goals, and should be aiming at those goals. Some of these goal we will look at again as we come into pre Lent, but for the secular year, we should be checking carefully in these times on our management of time and money. In both of these the first things we need to look at is God’s portion. You show me how you spend your time, I will tell you if you are really a Christian. Sunday definitely should be set aside for God and for family. Hopefully you are a member of a church which still has morning and evening Sunday services. Go to both. Ditto for Wednesday services or Bible Studies if available. Time for family prayer, spousal prayer and private prayer time are also important as well as studying God’s word. Look at where you are on these, and seek improvement. The time is there if you put God first. (I might not in passing, that I came up from Honduras to vacation one year. Of course there were no funds for this, so I worked at a car wash. I told the guy I would not work on Sunday, and he respected that. For some strange reason, even though I was the only one not working on Sunday, I always managed 40 hours or more per week, something that the other guys rarely managed. God respected my commitment to him.)
Aside from church, and Bible study, Sunday is a good time for family time. Pic Niks, hiking, bike riding, monopoly, whatever are good family activities. We always have leftovers Sunday lunch so no one has to cook, and after sunset we fix something simple (our family keeps Sunday Sabbath from sunset to sunset as Jesus did.) We don’t buy anything, or go to movies or knowingly do anything that would require anyone to have to work to serve us, so as to keep the Sabbath. Many young people today have no opportunity to go to church on Sunday anymore because they end up working on Sunday.
God must come first though. We have a habit of allowing other things, which may be good in an of themselves to be gods in our lives. Some time should be set aside for exercise, but it should not consume us. How much time do you spend playing tennis, or soccer, or golf. These are all good things, unless we allow them to be gods in our lives. I have seen the same thing with volunteer fire fighters. That becomes their god. So always be careful how you spend you time.
Money of course is the other big one. The Bible tells us the tithe is the minimum standard. I have found that when I am tithing, things have a way of working out, despite the amount of money I have. We also need to plan our use of money. Car and other major repairs. Money saved up for house repairs, money saved up for if a job is lost. We need to always be prepared, especially in these precarious times. Do we really need a four bedroom house? Or a brand new car? Spouses should sit down and think about these things.
Also of course teach your kids about wise use of time and money. Either a regular allowance or report card money or both. I know of one guy who gave his kids (starting in jr. high) money to buy their own clothes for a year. He didn’t help them, and they learned to make the dollar stretch. One of his sons was stunned when he realized that his prom tux had to come out of that money too, and found a perfectly good tux at Goodwill. It is not enough to tell the kids, we have to show them as well.
We might think about a vegetable garden too. If you are in the south or southwest, you might even want to start know. Cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, swiss chard and beats all grow well in cool weather. Cabbage and everything mentioned before it, but especially broccoli takes a light freeze well. Cilantro and parsley grow well in cool weather, as do some spices. We have thyme, parsley, and oregano that all took a hard freeze and still growing well. If you live further north, think about what you can plant and when.
By the way, for tonight, egg nog, smoothies, banana milk shakes are all good. Pray for a good year to come, and especially pray for the church, and for the leadership of the country and your state. After we ahve finished praying and making noise, we watch movies.
May God bless you this year to come.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
30 December 2009
As Christians, we are about raising up our children to be good Christians as well. Part of this process is in developing communication skills, and socialising. It seems and others are in agreement with me that mealtimes should be the main time for socialising, for finding out what is going on with your kids and to plan activities.
Of course with all out busyness and schedules and what not this can be very difficult, but if possible it is good to try and have two meals a day with family. Impossible you cry. When we were in Danli, Honduras, we had 5 kids in three diferent schools, with three different schedules, yet managed to have breakfast and dinner together every day. It is just wanting to do it enough, and being willing to sacrifice other things. The trick is to mark out those mealtimes as necessary and work around them, instead of putting everything else as necessary. So if God is first then everything should be arranged around prayer times and meal times. You can do it, if you really want to.
Don't forget to set boundaries. Everyone is to be on time. If you just cannot stand to let call notes or the answering machine answer your phone, unplug it. Remember it is family time, not work time, not friend time but family. In the same mode, cell phones should be off, no texting, no telephoning, no telelvison, no radio. It shows tremendous ego that we have to be connected at all times. In other words, we don't. If it is really important, they will call back or leave a message. One of the saddest things I ever saw was a car load of people all on cell phones, all talking away, but with nothing to say to each other. Cell phones are useful. I even text occasionally, and use it mostly for emergency, but there is something insidiously wrong about not being able to be disconnected from the cell phone or phone. We need ot sit down and be family together and friends together.
In a family that I have been working with, the mother complained that her family never talks to her at meals, yet she always managed to be talking with someone else on the phone during meals. In other words, set the example. If you want your kids to talk to you at dinner, you need to talk to them. If we start off making meal and prayer times sacred even before kids come along and keep it up, the kids will keep it up as well, as long as both parents buy into it. The moment either family decides not to go along, it will rapidly fall apart. We adults have to be disciplined to be leaders in our families.
One other thing, it is good to have silence in our lives. Between radios, stereos, televisions, telephones, many of our kids (and some adults) no longer have silnce in their lives. The TV or radio goes on first thing and stays on all day. The teenagers have their cell phone surgically attached to the ear or text all the time. Remember, God revealed himself to Moses and Elija in the silence. We all need some quiet time each day (and not just during our regular prayer time.)
Have a great day.
Of course with all out busyness and schedules and what not this can be very difficult, but if possible it is good to try and have two meals a day with family. Impossible you cry. When we were in Danli, Honduras, we had 5 kids in three diferent schools, with three different schedules, yet managed to have breakfast and dinner together every day. It is just wanting to do it enough, and being willing to sacrifice other things. The trick is to mark out those mealtimes as necessary and work around them, instead of putting everything else as necessary. So if God is first then everything should be arranged around prayer times and meal times. You can do it, if you really want to.
Don't forget to set boundaries. Everyone is to be on time. If you just cannot stand to let call notes or the answering machine answer your phone, unplug it. Remember it is family time, not work time, not friend time but family. In the same mode, cell phones should be off, no texting, no telephoning, no telelvison, no radio. It shows tremendous ego that we have to be connected at all times. In other words, we don't. If it is really important, they will call back or leave a message. One of the saddest things I ever saw was a car load of people all on cell phones, all talking away, but with nothing to say to each other. Cell phones are useful. I even text occasionally, and use it mostly for emergency, but there is something insidiously wrong about not being able to be disconnected from the cell phone or phone. We need ot sit down and be family together and friends together.
In a family that I have been working with, the mother complained that her family never talks to her at meals, yet she always managed to be talking with someone else on the phone during meals. In other words, set the example. If you want your kids to talk to you at dinner, you need to talk to them. If we start off making meal and prayer times sacred even before kids come along and keep it up, the kids will keep it up as well, as long as both parents buy into it. The moment either family decides not to go along, it will rapidly fall apart. We adults have to be disciplined to be leaders in our families.
One other thing, it is good to have silence in our lives. Between radios, stereos, televisions, telephones, many of our kids (and some adults) no longer have silnce in their lives. The TV or radio goes on first thing and stays on all day. The teenagers have their cell phone surgically attached to the ear or text all the time. Remember, God revealed himself to Moses and Elija in the silence. We all need some quiet time each day (and not just during our regular prayer time.)
Have a great day.
Monday, December 28, 2009
29 December 2009
Blessed Childermas to all. To find out more about Childermas go to: http://hagiographies.blogspot.com/
The thought for today is in saving money. Many of us have dripping faucets or toilet valves that run all the time. These can cost us a lot of money. So, should you call the plumber? No definitely not. Most people can take care of most of the plumbing needs in their house. You will need to buy about $30.00 worth of tools, (tub and basin sockets, seat wrench, small stilsen wrench and maybe a crescent wrench) but you will have them forever as long as you put them up. Instructions on how to change the washers can be found on the internet, just type in your question, “How do I change the shower washers?” or kitchen sink washers or whatever. Once you have the tools in hand, the parts are cheap. It cost me about $3.00 in parts to change the washers on one shower today, much cheaper than calling the plumber. Toilet flapper valves are usually easy to change as well. Sometimes a new float is needed. Don’t be afraid to try it, and look for stuff that saves water.
While thinking of this, do you have fluorescent bulbs in the house, or the new energy saver bulbs. Please don’t throw them in the garbage. They have mercury in them and will contaminate the water supply. Take them, and any mercury batteries (and NiCad batteries for that matter) to the recycling center so as not to contaminate the water supply. Something else new out. Wallmart and several other stores now have trash bags made of starch. Right now they are twice as much, but if people buy them the price will go down. Use them especially for leaves, and the bags will biodegrade, allowing whatever is in them to biodegrade as well. This will help keep the landfills from filling up so much and will cut down some on our use of petroleum. We do need to save money and protect the environment.
One more quick way to save money in the bathroom. The hardware store has small screen drain plug filters, they come in a size good for the tub or wash basin and also for the sink. Put one in each tub, and you will never have your plumbing stopped up by hair. Also if you wash your hair in the kitchen sink you can put one there, and it will keep the hair out. They also make rubber ones which are good for shower applications.
Got a septic tank. Copper sulfide crystals will help keep roots out. RidX will keep your tank clean. Butter milk once a week will do the same trick (I am talking the old systems, not the new anaerobic ones.
An ounce of prevention in worth a pound of cure.
The thought for today is in saving money. Many of us have dripping faucets or toilet valves that run all the time. These can cost us a lot of money. So, should you call the plumber? No definitely not. Most people can take care of most of the plumbing needs in their house. You will need to buy about $30.00 worth of tools, (tub and basin sockets, seat wrench, small stilsen wrench and maybe a crescent wrench) but you will have them forever as long as you put them up. Instructions on how to change the washers can be found on the internet, just type in your question, “How do I change the shower washers?” or kitchen sink washers or whatever. Once you have the tools in hand, the parts are cheap. It cost me about $3.00 in parts to change the washers on one shower today, much cheaper than calling the plumber. Toilet flapper valves are usually easy to change as well. Sometimes a new float is needed. Don’t be afraid to try it, and look for stuff that saves water.
While thinking of this, do you have fluorescent bulbs in the house, or the new energy saver bulbs. Please don’t throw them in the garbage. They have mercury in them and will contaminate the water supply. Take them, and any mercury batteries (and NiCad batteries for that matter) to the recycling center so as not to contaminate the water supply. Something else new out. Wallmart and several other stores now have trash bags made of starch. Right now they are twice as much, but if people buy them the price will go down. Use them especially for leaves, and the bags will biodegrade, allowing whatever is in them to biodegrade as well. This will help keep the landfills from filling up so much and will cut down some on our use of petroleum. We do need to save money and protect the environment.
One more quick way to save money in the bathroom. The hardware store has small screen drain plug filters, they come in a size good for the tub or wash basin and also for the sink. Put one in each tub, and you will never have your plumbing stopped up by hair. Also if you wash your hair in the kitchen sink you can put one there, and it will keep the hair out. They also make rubber ones which are good for shower applications.
Got a septic tank. Copper sulfide crystals will help keep roots out. RidX will keep your tank clean. Butter milk once a week will do the same trick (I am talking the old systems, not the new anaerobic ones.
An ounce of prevention in worth a pound of cure.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
28 Deceber 2009
Well I thought I had something for today, but I either didn't or saved to some unknown point in cyberspace.
For those of us who are working, and who are not teachers, tomorrow is stepping back to the normal workweek, except of course for students. It is still Christmas though and remains Christmas until the 5th of January. Today is the 4th day of Christmas, and if you like, to remind yourself, you could sing the 12 days of Christmas today up to the the fourth day. That is something we do most years until we get to the 12th day. In addition, we keep the Advent wreath on the table and will continue praying and lighting all five candles. For the 12 days of Christmas, we sing "the Light of Christ has come into the World" January 5, we will sing, "Shine Jesus Shine," a great song to bring in Epiphany, and that will be the last night of the Advent, now a Christmas Wreath.
Drive your neighbours crazy, keep your Christmas lights on and your tree up until January 6th. Remember we start Christmas December 25th and celebrate 12 days. Keep telling everone "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Christmas" outside the US.
Kids driving you crazy? Put them to work, leaves to rake, snow to shovel (well not here in La Porte), there is no reason the kids cannot help, and when done, put them to work making Christmas cookies. Go caroling tonight. There is always something to do. Nothing wrong with having Christmas parties for the kids either. Help them be in the mood that we are still celebrating the dear Saviour's birth.
Another recipe for left over turkey:
Turkey omelet:
Chop the turkey into fairly small pieces.
Scramble eggs, and pour into skillet on high. Allow to cook without stirring and flip over. Spread the turkey over half the omelet, and then spread guacamole. Fold over, heat a little longer, flip over and serve.
If you don't know how to make guacamole:
Slice up two avocados.
Mash, and mix in four tablespoons of mayonaise,
Chop fine 1/4 stick of celery.
Chop fine 1 Serrano pepper.
Chop fine 1 tablespoon of Coriander (cilantro)
Chop fine 1 tablespoon of onion.
Mix it all together adding a dash of salt,
Grind about 1 teaspoon of black pepper and mix in.
(if you have left over guacamole, leave the seed in the guacamole to keep it from turning black. Most people add some lemon juice, which is not for flavour, but to keep it from turning black as well. If you make it immediately before eating, there is no need for lemon juice, and in my opinion, it is better without it.
For more American style leave our Serrano and cilantro. For Honduran style, chop in some hard boiled eggs.
For those of us who are working, and who are not teachers, tomorrow is stepping back to the normal workweek, except of course for students. It is still Christmas though and remains Christmas until the 5th of January. Today is the 4th day of Christmas, and if you like, to remind yourself, you could sing the 12 days of Christmas today up to the the fourth day. That is something we do most years until we get to the 12th day. In addition, we keep the Advent wreath on the table and will continue praying and lighting all five candles. For the 12 days of Christmas, we sing "the Light of Christ has come into the World" January 5, we will sing, "Shine Jesus Shine," a great song to bring in Epiphany, and that will be the last night of the Advent, now a Christmas Wreath.
Drive your neighbours crazy, keep your Christmas lights on and your tree up until January 6th. Remember we start Christmas December 25th and celebrate 12 days. Keep telling everone "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Christmas" outside the US.
Kids driving you crazy? Put them to work, leaves to rake, snow to shovel (well not here in La Porte), there is no reason the kids cannot help, and when done, put them to work making Christmas cookies. Go caroling tonight. There is always something to do. Nothing wrong with having Christmas parties for the kids either. Help them be in the mood that we are still celebrating the dear Saviour's birth.
Another recipe for left over turkey:
Turkey omelet:
Chop the turkey into fairly small pieces.
Scramble eggs, and pour into skillet on high. Allow to cook without stirring and flip over. Spread the turkey over half the omelet, and then spread guacamole. Fold over, heat a little longer, flip over and serve.
If you don't know how to make guacamole:
Slice up two avocados.
Mash, and mix in four tablespoons of mayonaise,
Chop fine 1/4 stick of celery.
Chop fine 1 Serrano pepper.
Chop fine 1 tablespoon of Coriander (cilantro)
Chop fine 1 tablespoon of onion.
Mix it all together adding a dash of salt,
Grind about 1 teaspoon of black pepper and mix in.
(if you have left over guacamole, leave the seed in the guacamole to keep it from turning black. Most people add some lemon juice, which is not for flavour, but to keep it from turning black as well. If you make it immediately before eating, there is no need for lemon juice, and in my opinion, it is better without it.
For more American style leave our Serrano and cilantro. For Honduran style, chop in some hard boiled eggs.
Friday, December 25, 2009
26 December 2009
Today is the feast of St. Stephan and the second day of Christmas. What to do today? Lots of wonderful recipes on the internet for left over turkey, look around and try one out. Of my favourites is Turkey Pot pie, turkey Tetrazzini, Turkey in cheese sauce, white chili using turkey instead of chicken, of course turkey soup as well. Since we smoked out turkey, we will be having turkey sandwiches. As I have four hungry carnivores for children at home for Christmas, we don’t have to worry very long. If you do have a bunch left over, freeze it in bags with portions right for the family, or for the guests to take home with them.
Today is a great day to go to the store and buy Christmas supplies if you need them. Main trick, make a list and make a promise not to buy more than one thing that is not on the list. That will help you to save money. The new LED lights really save electricity. The electricity for one bulb of the traditional lights (C7) will light two strings of 60 LED’s, so if funds are available, it might be a good idea to start changing over to keep that electrical bill down. Limit your time at the store. If you need to take something back, it is probably better to wait to January, especially if it is a Wall Mart item.
Some of us sadly have to work. Just make the best of it, and remember, eleven more days to celebrate the birth of Christ. Twelve days of Christmas is not just a song. The liturgical churches celebrate the Nativity of Christ and his incarnation from the 25th of December until the 5th of January. The 6th of January we celebrate the Epiphany, a day associated with the visit of the Wise Men to see the toddler Jesus some two years after his birth.
Today is also a good day for evaluation. What worked and didn’t work yesterday. Were we worried more about Christ, or presents, more about food or fellowship. Food is a means to fellowship, but can also be an idol. Too much turkey leftovers, smaller turkey next year. Make a list of things you may have run short of and have it ready to check next December. Did something not get eaten this year. Don’t get it next year. Did someone spend too much time cooking, maybe change what you are eating. My wife spends a lot of time making tamales for Christmas. Maybe she should make them some other time and freeze them, so she is not so worn out, or we should help her more, or both even. If you don’t like traditional Christmas foods, do something different. How about Chinese for Christmas. You decide. Look at how Christmas might be more Christ centered. Maybe remove presents from Christmas all together and have them on St. Nicholas day. You decide what works for you. I am only giving suggestions. In your house, God is the boss, followed by you.
Merry Christmas and blessings to each of you.
Today is a great day to go to the store and buy Christmas supplies if you need them. Main trick, make a list and make a promise not to buy more than one thing that is not on the list. That will help you to save money. The new LED lights really save electricity. The electricity for one bulb of the traditional lights (C7) will light two strings of 60 LED’s, so if funds are available, it might be a good idea to start changing over to keep that electrical bill down. Limit your time at the store. If you need to take something back, it is probably better to wait to January, especially if it is a Wall Mart item.
Some of us sadly have to work. Just make the best of it, and remember, eleven more days to celebrate the birth of Christ. Twelve days of Christmas is not just a song. The liturgical churches celebrate the Nativity of Christ and his incarnation from the 25th of December until the 5th of January. The 6th of January we celebrate the Epiphany, a day associated with the visit of the Wise Men to see the toddler Jesus some two years after his birth.
Today is also a good day for evaluation. What worked and didn’t work yesterday. Were we worried more about Christ, or presents, more about food or fellowship. Food is a means to fellowship, but can also be an idol. Too much turkey leftovers, smaller turkey next year. Make a list of things you may have run short of and have it ready to check next December. Did something not get eaten this year. Don’t get it next year. Did someone spend too much time cooking, maybe change what you are eating. My wife spends a lot of time making tamales for Christmas. Maybe she should make them some other time and freeze them, so she is not so worn out, or we should help her more, or both even. If you don’t like traditional Christmas foods, do something different. How about Chinese for Christmas. You decide. Look at how Christmas might be more Christ centered. Maybe remove presents from Christmas all together and have them on St. Nicholas day. You decide what works for you. I am only giving suggestions. In your house, God is the boss, followed by you.
Merry Christmas and blessings to each of you.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
24 December: Chritmas Eve
Christmas Eve at last. Some of us will be having our Christmas meal tonight and others on the morrow. Take time to be with friends and family this day. Keep an eye out for older family members, especially those who have lost a spouse, and for younger family members (and friends) who may be alone for the first time ever at Christmas. Christmas without family (and without Christ) can really be depressing, and suicides spike this time of year. Take the time today and tomorrow to talk about Jesus, who came to make us whole, showing us the way and dying on the cross for our salvation.
Have fun doing whatever needs to be done today. Take the time today and tomorrow to call those relatives you haven’t seen for a while. Talk about family, talk about Christ. Be sure to go to church tonight and/or tomorrow depending on your church’s tradition. If you are in La Porte, Texas, or near by, come see us at 204 Sylvan St. at 8:30 tonight. We would love to have you. Remember, Christmas is chiefly about Christ, and him coming into the world to show us the way and to save sinners.
Guys, and kids, help the lady of the house in the kitchen. There is always lots to do and everyone can help.
Christmas donations are always welcome.
Shalom to each of you, and a very blessed Christmas celebration.
Mar Michael Abportus, OSL
Have fun doing whatever needs to be done today. Take the time today and tomorrow to call those relatives you haven’t seen for a while. Talk about family, talk about Christ. Be sure to go to church tonight and/or tomorrow depending on your church’s tradition. If you are in La Porte, Texas, or near by, come see us at 204 Sylvan St. at 8:30 tonight. We would love to have you. Remember, Christmas is chiefly about Christ, and him coming into the world to show us the way and to save sinners.
Guys, and kids, help the lady of the house in the kitchen. There is always lots to do and everyone can help.
Christmas donations are always welcome.
Shalom to each of you, and a very blessed Christmas celebration.
Mar Michael Abportus, OSL
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
23 December
It is getting closer to Christmas. Give yourself a break today. Whether a full time housewife, a working wife, or husband, take time off from cooking, shopping and whatever else may be happening for Christmas. Hopefully you have everything you need in the house. I am almost there, just need to check firewood and charcoal. Everything else is ready. Still some presents to get because I am waiting cheques to clear the bank. So if you have everything ready, kick back and relax. Give yourself a lunch time date with your spouse. If work precludes this, then lunch or dinner with a friend. (Of coarse if we are fasting for Advent, it might be a meatless lunch). The idea though is just to take a break from the endless activity, Christmas music and what not. Advent should be a time to get ready for the second coming and for Christmas. Spiritual preparation is every bit as important, if not more so than physical preparation. Do not let business rob you of spiritual preparation, and not just at home, but church as well. Men and other last minute shoppers, do it tomorrow, do not wait till the 24th. Believe me, it is not worse it, you will just stress out.
If you are on track, then start looking for the darkest corner of your heart. Whether it is jealousy, selfishness, gossip, or whatever, that is where Jesus wants to be born today. When he came about 2000 years ago, he was born in a stable in a cave. He looks for the darkness, so that he can conquer the darkness with light. Repent as you are able, and allow Jesus to come in. He stands at the door knocking, but awaits our permission to enter.
Some do’s:
Don’t worry
Do sit down with spouse and make sure you are both on the same page.
Meditate on the Sermons of John the Baptist in the Bible and Advent wreath lighting lessons.
Do sing Advent songs.
Don’t get excited about the little things, nor the big things.
Take time to pray.
Give the house a once over. Get those kids to give a hand.
Make sure you already know where your Christmas table cloth, turkey plate, crackers or any other special things you want for Christmas are.
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