Thursday, December 22, 2011

Caribbean Rice and Peas

We made this wonderful recipe last night.  I was excited about it because if was full of all the veggies that I love and that my family hates.  To my surprise, not only did my husband eat it and like it, so did both of our kids!  They ate their entire bowl.  I served it with rolls, which was a plus, too.  Anyway, since our family liked it so much that we want to make it again, I thought that someone else out there might like it, too.

Caribbean Rice and Peas--courtesy of Food Network & Food Network Magazine

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: ---
Cook Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Level: Easy
Serves:4 (unless you double the rice, then it gets you another day out of it)


Ingredients:
10 ounces frozen black-eyed peas, thawed
kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces turkey kielbasa (or other smoked sausage,) thinly sliced
1 large bunch scallions, sliced, white, and green parts separated
2 small ribs celery, diced
6 cloves garlic, sliced (I used 2 tablespoons of minced garlic instead)
1 jalapeno, finely chopped (I used 2 tablespoons of this and just added more to mine)
2 teaspoons jerk seasoning
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup uncooked long-grain brown rice
2 bay leaves (I left this out)
4 cups stemmed and chopped collard greens (I used frozen and it was just fine)

Directions:
Combine the black-eyed peas , 3 cups water and a pinch of salt in a small pot.  Cover and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.  Add the kielbasa and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.  Add the scallion whites, celery, garlic, jalapeno, jerk seasoning and a generous pinch of salt.  Cook until the vegetables brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the thyme and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste turns brick red, about 2 more minutes.  Add the rice, bay leaves, and the black-eyed peas with their liquid to the skillet and bring to a boil; do not stir.

Add the collards; cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer undisturbed until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 50 minutes; set aside for 10 minutes.  Remove and discard the bay leaves.

Just before serving, add the scallion greens and fluff with a fork.

_________________
If you had extra rice, don't forget the extra water.  I found the extra water wasn't enough, so I had to keep adding more, so I would recommend stirring it and doing a taste test a few times after the water is added and starts to recede.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Day 22 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

I had never heard this song until this year and I have fallen in love with it.  I love the lyrics and enjoy pondering about them.  Published in 1848 and written by Cecil Frances Alexander, this carol reminds us of the Nativity and Jesus' birth, and the city of Bethlehem.  It was actually a children's poem at one time which helped the children learn the story of Jesus' birth.


Once in Royal David's City

Once in royal David's city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor and meek and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all
His wondrous childhood,
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly mother,
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian children all should be,
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our child-hood's pattern,
Day by day like us He grew,
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew,
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle,
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on,
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars
His children crowned,
All in white shall be around.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Motherhood and Work


1--The Vocation of Motherhood from Canon Wired on Vimeo.

Great article on motherhood!

I read a wonderful article on mothering and Christmas on John Piper's blog, www.desiringgod.org. It is written by Rachel Jankovic who writes one of my favorite books, Learning to Love the Little Years.
If you know me, you know how imperfect I am and how I do not desire to pretend to be someone that I am not. When you read my blog, I hope that you see my imperfections and my flaws, but I also hope that you see my heart. I am human after all! I desire to be what God has called me to be and strive every day to live a life that reflects the glory of Christ. That means I strive to reflect Christ in even my parenting. However, there are many days where I lose my cool and have to bend down and ask forgiveness from my kids and my husband. With that said, I hope that I'm not one of those bloggers who appear to have the perfect family where everything goes perfectly and where I make my readers feel like they just haven't gotten the hang of this thing called motherhood. If I've done that, then I'm incredibly sorry! I'm still learning and figuring it out and making mistakes and probably always will. I'm learning how to be more flexible and not so hard on myself and to let go of that thing we call "mommy guilt" that is often used to make us feel like everyone else has it more together than we do. In fact, the one I struggled with was the feeling that several people I know seem to have their house spotless, watch their kids, have dinner on the table by a certain time, sew, read, blog, and homeschool (along with all that each of those entails), and play with their children. I'm so thankful for my mentor because she pointed out that that's probably what certain people want us to view them as and behind the scenes, they are probably just as frazzled. But letting go of what you think you should be and your idea of what motherhood was supposed to be can be hard, especially when there's not really an immediate reward or acknowledgement from it.
Anyway, read this article if you get a chance. It's very encouraging! Check out her book, too. The article is Of Kids and Christmas.

Day 21 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Reread this verse. What do you notice about the position of Jesus' name throughout this verse? This name of Jesus that gets thrown around so flippantly these days holds power. When you say the name of Jesus, do you think about that? It's the name above all names!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Day 20 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

When reading the words to this song, think about the fact that Jesus is a stem from the lineage of Jesse. Jesus bloomed in Bethlehem and continues to bloom within our hearts when we receive Him.

Lo How a Rose

Lo how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As saints of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half-spent was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
She bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Day 19 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Matthew 1:18-25

(18) This is how Jesus, the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

(19) Joseph, her fiance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

(20) As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

(21) and she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

(22) All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

(23) ”Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

(24) When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

(25) But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Day 18 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Joy to the World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Day 17 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Matthew 2:1-12

(1) Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking
(2) "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him."
(3) King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
(4) He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"
(5) I"n Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote:
(6) 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"
(7) Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
(8) Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him , too!"
(9) After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
(10) When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
(11) They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(12) When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Day 16 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

"Believe it or not, a Christmas carol describes Herod's horrible deed.  Set in a minor key, this haunting lullaby, with words from a song written in 1534, is titled 'Lully, Lullay,' but is often called 'Coventry Carol.' The song originated in Coventry, England, where the local crafts guild performed a pageant depicting Herod's slaughter and the subsequent sorrow.  During the pageant mothers sing the children to sleep with 'Lully, Lullay' so Herod's soldiers can't find them.  The words themselves sound like a mother lullying her baby to sleep."--Ann Marie Stewart

Lully, Lullay

Lully, thou little, tiny child
By, by lully, lullay
Lully, Thou little tiny Child
By, by Lully, Lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do for to preserve this day
This poor young ling for whom we sing
By, By, Lully, Lullay.

Herod the King in his raging, charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight, all children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, and ever mourn and say
For thy parting, nor say, nor sing,
By, by, Lully, Lullay.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Day 15 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

To understand the birth story, we need to understand a bit about Herod. Here is a short rundown. Very short, I know, but feel free to study him for yourself.
  • Ruled Judea from 37BC until his death in 4BC.
  • Known as Herod the Great.
  • Known for his impressive architecture. He used Jewish labor to complete his designs.
  • He lived in a multi-story, fortress-like place. it was called the Herodium. It was strategically placed to sit on a hill so that he could see the entire region from his palace.
  • He was a horrible person with no regard for human life.
  • He married ten times.
  • One of those times of marriage, he actually married a woman from the royal Jewish family. Ironic, huh?
  • He had his uncle, mother-in-law, (favorite) wife Mariamme, father-in-law, his three sons: Antipater, Aristobulus, and Alexander, his barber, and a close friend all executed.
  • He had the high priest and his brother-in-law drowned.
  • Five days before he died, he had 3,000 of Jerusalem's most respected citizens arrested and ordered for them to be executed when he died. It has been said that he wanted the people to mourn on the day he died, even if it wasn't necessarily for his own death.
  • He had all children, age 2 and under (including his own son) killed because he was afraid of losing his position as King. It is believed that 30-60 children who lived in a village of three hundred were killed. The range is said to be between 200-2,000, though. Despite the true numbers, that is a lot of mothers with broken hearts, wailing for their child. I can't even imagine the grief that was heard that night.
Taking all of this into consideration, can you see why the wise men could have been afraid to NOT return to Herod? They could have been executed for their disobedience. However, they followed God and chose to return home via a different route.

___________________
Info taken from Preparing My Heart for Advent by Anne Marie Stewart. She used the information from Vander Laan and Focus on the Family Video (video production) and from Joseph J. Walsh's book, Were They Wise Men or Kings? The Book of Christmas Questions.

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

The Christmas Singing (Chapter 1 Excerpt)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Day 14 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born they people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Day 13 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Luke 1:46-55

Mary responded:

Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notices of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.

Watch: You'll be shocked. I promise.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Day 12 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

We know this song by heart, but have we truly stopped to read the lyrics?  What a beautiful picture of the summary of that first Christmas.  Read through the lyrics to this song with fresh eyes and see before you the scenes found throughout Scripture.

The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frakincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Day 11 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Zechariah and Mary.  Both are expecting babies that they can't fully comprehend they why or even the how.  Zechariah with his old age and his wife's old age and Mary by being a virgin.  When the angel, Gabriel, comes to both of them, he is met with a different responses given by each.

When Zechariah is told that he will give birth to a son, he doesn't say, "Okay."  He doesn't even say, "I don't understand how or why, but if you say it, I'll believe it."  I think Zechariah represents many of us today, in all honesty.  I don't know that my response would have been any different.  I would hope it would have been, but having met an angel, not so sure!  Zechariah's response is "please give me a sign."  So, God does....He takes aways his communication (but he gets by with the flailing of his arms). 

When Mary is told she will give birth to a baby boy, and oh, that baby's name will be Jesus by the way, she responds with "But how can this happen?  I am a virgin."  Gabriel then tells her how it would happen, with the Holy Spirit coming upon her.  Her final response? "I am the Lord's servant.  May everything you have said about me come true."

Two completely different responses.  When we are presented with tests of our faith, we have two options.  We can believe that God stays true to what He says or we can doubt.  Regardless, God is still God whether we choose to believe in Him or not.  Ann Stewart sums it up best: "Our lack of faith does not make God any less; we just fail to experience His power."

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Day 10 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

The Advent Wreath

This year, I finally found the Advent wreath that I wanted to use at home.  I had been searching for the past couple of years and finally found an Irish store (which is fitting since I'm part Irish) and decided that we'd get it.  I love it because it has the candles that are bigger than tealights but smaller than the candlestick.  They are the small and chunky ones and they sit in a vase.  I figured with kids around, that would be the best thing to get.

We light it every night before dinner and then B gets to blow it out after we eat.  Of course, after we light it, B insists that we sing happy birthday to baby Jesus.  One night he got upset because baby Jesus wasn't blowing out His candles but I told him that I was sure baby Jesus was okay with B blowing out the candles for him.

We have just celebrated the first week of Advent, so we lit the first candle.  That was the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope.  It signified that we have faith that God is/has/will continue to keep all of His promises that He has made to us that are found within the pages of Scripture.  The second candle that we will light starting today is the Bethlehem Candle or Candle of Preparation.  We are preparing to receive God and for His second coming.  It also reminds us of peace.  Next to be lit in the coming weeks will be three more candles.  We will light the Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy, in remembrance of the joyfulness of Christ's birth and the angels that sang.  We will also light the The Angel Candle or Candle of Love, which reminds us to love others and most importantly, that God loves us so much to send His only Son to us.  Last to be lit on Christmas Day is the Christ Candle.  This reminds us of Jesus Himself and why He came in the first place.

With B being so little, this has opened up some great conversations for us to talk about Jesus.  Granted, he can't go deep, but he can understand the basics.  If you don't already have an Advent wreath, consider getting one.  It's probably my favorite part of the day when we light it and talk about what the candle means each day.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Day 9 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Today I share with you a song that we all know and love because it has the fun "Gloria" part. In fact, I think that's the part that most kids learn first! I want you to read the lyrics to this song and see a neat perspective in each verse.

The first verse has to do with the angels and their perspective on Jesus' birth. Then it moves to the shepherds and what some must have asked of them because they were so excited and the Bible says that "All who heard the shepherds story were astonished. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them." (Luke 2:18, 20)

Moving on to the third verse, we hear the answer from the shepherds. They are telling them to come to Bethlehem, see Him, adore Him. The song ends with the picture of the birth, complete with Jesus lying in a manger (just as the angel had told the shepherds).

How amazing is this song! I love looking at Christmas carols in a new light and a fresh perspective. It makes these songs that much more meaningful when I sing them. Sing this song today and if you have children, teach them the "Gloria" part.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee, why your joyous songs prolong?
Say what may the tiding be, which inspire your heav'nly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See within a manger laid, Jesus, Lord of heav'n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior's birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Day 8 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

I love reading and re-reading the Bible. I'm always amazed at the fresh perspective God gives me as I study His word, no matter how many times I've studied a passage before. This can certainly be said of the Christmas story. How many times have we read this story? I mean, I think many of us know it so well that we often skim over parts of it because our brain recognizes it. This year, I've slowed down and purposefully have been studying it through a Bible study that I'm doing. In case you haven't guessed, I'm sharing little pieces that I've been studying throughout. Take a look at this passage below.
"A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." (Luke 1:39-42)

Backing up to earlier in the passage, an angel comes to tell Zechariah that he will have a son, call him John the Baptist, and will turn many Israelites to the Lord, among other things he says. Zechariah, who is by this time old and whose wife, Elizabeth, is old and has been unable to bear children, doubts what the angel tells him. He asks for a sign. So since he has doubted, he is made silent until John the Baptist is born. An angel then goes to Mary and tells her she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. She believes and responds with "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." (v.38)

Now that we have a little background, we pick up with the passage quoted above. Mary travels 80-100 miles, which is believed to be about a 4-day journey, while pregnant, to see her relative Elizabeth. When Elizabeth hears Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped. How incredible if you think about it.

How did John the Baptist know Mary? Well, John had the Holy Spirit in him from before birth, according to verse 15b where an angel tells Zechariah "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth." Then the passage above tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. They knew Jesus and saw that prophecy was being fulfilled. It was a neat realization to see that these women and children were the first to have the Holy Spirit.

Now this is not a life-changing revelation, but it is something truly awesome to think about and to ponder. They knew Jesus and believed and were a part of the prophecy being fulfilled. Do we believe or do we doubt?

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Day 7 of Preparing Your Heart for Advent

Colossians 1:15-20


(15) Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. 
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

(16) for through him God created everything in the heavenly reams and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.

(17) He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.

(18) Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
Supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.

(19) For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ

(20) and through him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

_________________________
What is it that I want you to notice in this passage?  I want you to notice the attributes of Jesus.  Who does this passage say that Jesus is?  Now, think about how Mary must have felt to carry Jesus, who was everything that the Bible states that He was.  How amazing!  Yet, in some way, I wonder if she was a little nervous knowing that He would see her shortcomings and knowing that He would see all of her mess ups and know her heart.  How humbling! 

The other thing to notice is the place that Jesus takes in this passage.  Is it first or second?  If you said first, then you'd be correct.  How does Jesus rank in your life?  And seriously?  Are you passionately consumed with Jesus so much so that you are COMPELLED to share the Gospel with others?  Do you feel that it is your duty?  That you MUST share whether you really want to or not?  We should be compelled to take the Gospel to those who don't have it.  Are you?

Book Review: Baby's Little Bible

Small and filled with Bible stories ranging from the Old Testament to the New Testament, this little Bible is perfect for little hands.  Both my 3-year-old and my 1-year-old carry this Bible around and is often the source of many arguments!

I received the pink Bible for girls and it is full of pictures and short sentences, which make it easy to read in the short segments that a child allows.  And priced less than $10, around $8 in most places, it makes it a great book to give for baby showers or birthdays.
____________________
I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...