I believe that this is referring to the ability we have, through the Holy Spirit to escape sin’s trap, but this verse was also an encouragement to me concerning the truth of death.  God’s Word, the law, allows us to depart – not from death itself, but from the snares of death.  A snare is a trap.  For people who don’t know the Lord as their Savior, and for one who doesn’t know their Bible, death is a snare waiting to capture.  It’s like a trap door, ready to take one prey.

On the other hand, for those who have trusted Christ as their Savior, death holds a whole other set of words in Scripture.  I made a list of words that were connected to the believer and their death.  Here’s a sampling:

• Shadow
• Present with the Lord
• Hope in his death 
• No more death
• Precious 

There’s nothing in that list to depress a believer!  Once again, the Truth of God’s Word is what must dominate our thinking. Remind yourself that Christ is the Victor over death.  He always wins, therefore, so will we!

If all the  talk around you about death and dying is discouraging you, take heart in the Truth!  We will live forever in heaven if we know Christ as our Savior!  With that reminder, live today to its fullest by telling someone else this Good news!  If you don’t have the assurance of heaven after you die, you can read here about how you can know you’ll have eternity with Christ when you die, and have a relationship with him now while you live on earth!

Lovingly,

• Christy Jordan (top middle picture) from Southern Plate shared how to make sure you have a plan for supper every night.
  • Check out her web site for the idea of putting meals together into bags so that all the ingredients are all in one place for the next supper you want to put together!  Genius.
  • She talked about keeping your pantry filled with shelf stable products like pasta and pasta sauces.  She also told us about Shelf stable milk you can purchase!  I am going to check that one out!
  • She shared about her Peanut Butter Balls that I’m going to try very soon!
• Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality (bottom middle picture) showed pictures so that we might define our style in decorating.  Half of the battle in making your home lovely is deciding what you love! She reminded me how fun searching yard sales and thrift shops can be.  I’m challenged to hit the road some weekend around the bend!
• Cents of Style was there again.  I love their accessories!
  • Courtney shared about personal style.  My test showed I’m a classics girl (no surprise there!).
  • One tip she shared is that lipstick is your best accessory!  So find a color you love and accessorize yourself!
  • Investing in essentials for your wardrobe is the smartest way to dress:
    • Good fitting jeans
    • Little Black Dress
    • Tailored Jacked/blazer
    • Perfect pumps
    • Amazing handbag
• Edie from Life in Grace had some good thoughts about home.  Like…
  • As you empty the dishwasher, set the table at the same time with those clean dishes.  Two tasks in one have been completed!
  • Plan your dinner menu on your phone calendar.  Hit repeat weekly or biweekly. Now you have a whole month’s worth of meals planned!
  • Look at your children in the eye.  Let them know you see them.
  • Listen to podcasts while you work.
  • Rather than separating your artwork, put them on one wall and make it a gallery.

I smiled as I read that, knowing that these two days of rest are indeed a gift.  I do not make the world go around, and if I don’t rest from time to time, I can’t even make myself stand up!  These two days are bliss.  We will be more ready for the rest of the week with rested bodies and minds.  “Thank you, Lord for rest.”

Do you need to stop what you’re doing for a day and enjoy the gift of rest?  Schedule it.  Plan for it.  You need it.  So does your family.  Ask the Lord when it could happen, then stay home and enjoy each moment of this special gift from a God who knows you need it.

If you have fresh corn, green tomatoes or berries, I have a few recipes you need to try!  These all come from Cooking Light – my favorite source of great recipes that are a little better for you!

Fresh Creamed Corn with Bacon

Ingredients
6 ears corn
2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 slices bacon
1 cup chopped leek

Preparation

Cut kernels from ears of corn to measure 3 cups. Using the dull side of a knife blade, scrape milk and remaining pulp from cobs into a bowl. Place 1 1/2 cups kernels, low-fat milk, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and pepper in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides.

Cook bacon in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until crisp, turning once. Remove the bacon from pan, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings in pan; crumble bacon. Add leek to pan, and cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring constantly. Add pureed corn mixture, remaining 1 1/2 cups corn kernels, and corn milk mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon just before serving.

Unfried Fried Green Tomatoes

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash of sugar
16 (1/2-inch-thick) slices green tomatoes (about 3 green tomatoes)
1/3 cup fat-free milk
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.
To prepare the green tomatoes, combine flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through sugar) in a shallow dish. Dip tomato slices in milk; dredge in flour mixture. Lightly coat both sides of tomato slices with cooking spray.

Place a baking sheet in oven; heat at 400° for 5 minutes. Remove from oven; immediately coat with cooking spray. Place tomato slices on preheated baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes, turning after 15 minutes.

We have been abundantly blessed with fresh blackberries this summer.  I hope to make some jam this week with the gems I have recently received.  However, every person in the south knows that berries scream to be put into a cobbler!  

I recently enjoyed this delightful treat…

Can’t you just taste those slightly tart berries tucked inside a flaky crust and then a spoon of vanilla ice cream melting over the top?  It was a.maz.ing!  It had only half the guilt, because as is my normal routine, I got out my Cooking Light Cookbook and made a lighter version of this southern classic dessert.  It was every bit as good! 

Here’s the recipe:

Blackberry Cobbler -done light

Ingredients
6 Cups Blackberries
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
6.75 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Place berries in a large bowl. Drizzle with juice; toss. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons flour to berry mixture; toss to combine. Arrange berry mixture evenly in a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces flour (about 1 1/2 cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and baking powder in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and butter in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined.

4. Spread batter evenly over berry mixture; sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Place baking dish on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 1 hour or until topping is golden and filling is bubbly.

Do you have fresh produce right now?  What do you love to make with it?

With love from my country kitchen,

Make plans for times with your family, then record it.  Those places will dim, but your memories don’t have to fade away!

Stay refreshed,