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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Using up the Old and a Gentle Reminder...



Good Afternoon to one and all...

It is a beautiful sunny day here today but I am trying to do the dreaded taxes:)  I work for an hour or two and then work at something else... I don't want my brain to clog... smile..

I have been trying for the last few weeks to work on eating up some of our put up food.... frozen and canned...
So, this morning I made a couple of batches of cooked strawberry jam... I decided to buy a few packages of fresh ones that were on sale and mix them..  I find the jam is much fresher tasting..

I really washed the fresh ones well, though and just mixed them with the frozen...  

As you can see there were quite a few bottles and it tastes really good...
After; I worked a bit more on the papers and then decided to make a pan of my Dad's favorite treat...
I used to love making these for him when he would visit .. It is hard to believe that he has gone Home now for over 22 years.
Whenever I make strawberry jam I remember these squares and how Dad loved them...
I thought you might like the recipe...

ENGLISH TEA SQUARES...
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar  (I use splenda)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1/4 tsp. allspice
1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup strawberry jam ( I use 3/4 cup)
3 T. confectioners sugar (I forgot)

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy and then add egg and vanilla.. 
Stir well...Add flour, allspice and almonds and blend well.. 
Spoon half of mixture into lightly greased 9 inch pan.. 
Carefully spread strawberry jam over top and then add rest of crumb mixture.. Pat down.
Bake in 350 degrees oven for 40 minutes...
Remove to cooking rack and sift confectioners sugar on the top... 
Makes 3 dozen... 
Lovely with a nice hot cup of tea... 


I was reading a book last night after I had gone to bed... It is a book about a family who lived in  Ireland many years ago..
It is not one of the best books I have ever read by far but as I was reading it a paragraph that was written made me pause..
The writer was talking about the love of God...
He compared God`s love to a cloak that we wrap around us...
He stated that no matter what we go through in life that God`s love surrounds us and shields us like a cloak...
Isn`t that a wonderful comparison....  
Nothing happens to us as His child unless He allows it to.. He will not let us go through anything alone and everything that happens to us is approved by Him... He holds us in the palm of His hand. 
I had to lay the book down and ask His forgiveness for the many times that I have feared instead of trusting Him.. I needed to  thank Him for His love... I am a mother who needs to remember this daily...The book stated that the opposite of love is actually fear... How true... Perfect love casteth out all fear...  I realize that I need to put my trust in His Hands that my children are in His palm.... Whatever happens in my life is blessed by Him because I am His child... I love Him and I need to trust Him always...When troubles come He places us in the cleft of the rock and covers us with His Hand... We are safe... He protects...
I am thankful that I read that.. Sometimes, even though we are His child we need a gentle reminder to put not just ourselves but our families or whatever circumstances we are in right back into His care...
What an awesome God:)

Thanks again for dropping by... 
Blessings... 
  

6 comments:

  1. I always admire how industrious you are and efficient in your home, Faye!
    That was a lovely little thought too about the cloak of God's never failing love!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Christine

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  2. Thanks for sharing the recipe and your thoughts. All you said is so true. I often wonder why we need to be reminded of this. We should dwell on these thought often however I am very guilty of forgetting (no not forgetting, I just let it slip to the back of my mind when it should be in the front). Thanks again for lifting up and encouraging those of us who read your blog. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. We are in full dandelion stage. The girls and I want to try our hand at your dandelion jelly hopefully this week. Enjoy your day and God bless.

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  3. Faye,
    What a beautiful post and one to stop and reflect on! Gave me a real sense of peace reading it! Thank you for sharing it and thank you to for the delicious looking recipe for the tea squares!
    Smile!
    ~Donna~

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  4. Perfect post. Just when I needed it. Something has really been weighing on my heart and I so needed to be reminded of God's protection and love. He is Good.
    The tea squares look yummo!!
    Hugs Granny Trace
    www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

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  5. Faye,

    So nice to meet you:) Thank you for stopping by today and leaving such a sweet comment.

    I absolutely LOVE your blogs. I've enjoyed looking around at both of them, and I couldn't help but notice how talented you are.

    And yes, what an awesome God we serve! Thank you for that comforting reminder. Also, we had a sweet family from Ireland visiting with us last week. Your post reminded me of the blessed time we had together.

    Blessings,

    Sherry

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  6. Oh, Faye~ your recipe sounds so good! I love anything with strawberries in it.
    And thank you for sharing part of your book with us... I needed to hear that too! From now on, I will remind myself of that "cloak" and try to picture it in my mind... what a peace that image brings!
    Hope you're having a wonderful day, dear...

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