Sooooo, what did you do with the Christmas cards you received this year?  Are they in a stack somewhere?  In a box?  A drawer?  You’ll come across them this spring when you begin your deep cleaning and give them a chuck into the trash can, right?  Hold it!  I have two suggestions to make good use of that hard work and money your friends and family put into sending you a holiday greeting!

When you were learning to drive, what was the first thing you father, mother, or instructor showed you?  Was it the ignition? I doubt it. The accelerator?  Hardly!  It was probably the brake!

Waiting.

Some have been waiting for it to snow.

Our “good” snowfall that we’d been waiting for came yesterday!

I was one of those “some.” I call these winter weather days we’ve had since Saturday “Delicious.” I don’t mean that I’m stuffing down toasted marshmallows and other luscious comfort foods, though this kind of weather begs for it! What I’m saying is that these days just are delicious all in themselves. They are meant to be enjoyed and savored, just like an exquisitely prepared meal.

How did I relish these days? I have had the pleasure of staying in bed a wee bit longer, wrapped in my down comforter, the warmth of the fireplace at my bedside. Delicious. Normal routines that would have called for busyness and flurry were replaced by the luxury of being in no hurry whatsoever. Delicious.

Yesterday while it snowed out here in the country, plans for the day were changed. So instead I:

David’s situation had become onerous. Sin was enjoyed for a season, now came the reaping of it. The consequences were fair, but difficult. Nathan the prophet told David that he would not die, but his infant son would. What would you do? I can see myself hanging over the side of my baby’s crib crying my heart out, but what does David do? II Samuel 12:16 tells us that David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

He prayed and fasted. He knew that prayer was the thing that mattered the most; not crying, pacing, shouting at the Lord…praying. That was what would make the difference. And it did.

Wait! You might say! The child died! What good was it to pray? The evidence of the impact praying did is in David’s response to hearing that his son had died:

But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

What are you attempting to do today?

Have you prayed about it? Then and only then will you have a right response if things don’t go the way you’d hoped (or even prayed) they would! You won’t fall apart. You won’t accuse God. You will be able to bow your head, and with a hurting heart whisper, “Thank you. I accept this from Your hands. I worship You.”

Prayer. It’s the only thing we must do.

With love,

Here are the recipes. I know you’ll want to try them during this cold snap most of the country is experiencing.

Baked Potato Soup
Ingredients

4 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour Note – I reduce this to 1/3 Cup!
6 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.
Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash. Discard skins.
Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Dutch oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Sprinkle each serving with cheese, onions, and bacon.

Super Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
 1/2 cup chopped onion
 2 celery ribs with leaves, chopped
 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
 1-2/3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
 1/4 cup ketchup
 2 tablespoons brown sugar
 1 tablespoon white vinegar
 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
 1 tablespoon steak sauce
 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
 1/4 teaspoon paprika

 8 to 10 hamburger buns, split

Have you tried any new soups this winter? I seriously hope you’ll make this soup and sandwich!

From my country kitchen,