It is Friday, and honestly I am so happy. I know that have only worked one day so far this week, but it was a very stress filled day. Between starting end of the year duties, to dealing with people who lack professional communication skills, or at least the willingness to use them, to a few other things going on, and I came home wiped out. Usually Friday night is pizza night because of the simplicity, but we had our pizza last night instead. I just couldn’t think that standing and making something more complicated would be a good thing with the mood I was in. I’ll save that for tonight. This is the last work day of the year, so to celebrate I am taking my Café Latte machine to work with all of the ingredients to make mochas, and my office mate and I are getting caffeinated! Woohoo!
Verse of the Day
December 29, 2017
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Jesus came to his own things — the world he had created and the land he had promised his people — and his very own people didn’t receive him. Sometimes we are blinded by our desires and dreams for Jesus and we really miss what he wants for us and from us. Let’s not let the following be true in our lives. “Jesus came to me, but I wasn’t ready to receive him. I had other things I wanted to do and other things I wanted to experience before I fully surrendered my heart to him.” Each time we put off surrendering our will to Jesus, each time we push him away as Lord, we allow our hearts to harden and it becomes easier and easier to push him away. Now, while our hearts are still attentive to his grace, let’s renew our commitment to him afresh and completely offer him hearts and lives for his glory and grace.
www.verseoftheday.com
Food for Thought
As this year comes to a close I find myself reflecting back on 2017, and I can honestly say that it has had definite highs and lows. I suppose all years do. For me, one of the highs is our new President and all of the wonderful things he has accomplished in just one year! I know that isn’t a popular opinion all the way around, but like I’ve said before, this is my blog, so it’s my thoughts that I’m discussing. I pay for it, so the content is mine to choose. Anyone who doesn’t like it can take their snowflake mentality and just stop reading! See? Problem solved! Amazing sometimes how people seem to think that I should curb my words to be careful of their sensibilities. Anyway, I’ve been looking at various stories and seriously, the stupid came out strong over the last 9 years, but it isn’t getting any better! Seriously! Have you noticed that EVERYTHING is racist these days? From eating peanut butter and jelly on white bread, white women wearing hoop earrings, farmers markets, Halloween costumes, eating certain foods . . . the list goes on and on! It is insane! Here’s a clue folks – unless someone comes out and says they do not like you because of the color of your skin, they probably aren’t giving it a 2nd thought. Why? Because we can’t help the color of skin we are born with, nobody can. Duh. When I shop for produce at a farmer’s market, I can say with absolute certainty, I am NOT thinking to myself that I am shopping here because some people of other ethnicities may not be able to afford it and I want to make my mark on white culture. Um, no. I’m wishing I didn’t have a tendency to kill plants because I’d like to grow some of this expensive stuff myself at home! The truth is that most of us aren’t wasting any thoughts on racial issues because we are trying to work, keep a roof over our heads, feed our families and live our own lives, so step off of your self-imposed pity party box and start doing the same. Racism DOES exist, I’m not trying to say that it doesn’t, but it doesn’t exist to the degree that the squalling masses are trying to say it does.
And side note: I don’t think it’s nice to think that I’m better than other people, but seriously, after reading some of the idiocy spewing forth, and observing terrible behavior from so many people, I can honestly say that I am coming to the conclusion that yes, I am indeed better than some people, or at least my parents raised me better than other people’s parents did.
Tick Tock Day – We’ve reached the end of 2017 . . . for some it’s been a great year, for some, not so great. But we did make it in spite of the mayhem in our country. But with only two days left, can you hear the clock ticking? Well, that’s why we have TICK TOCK Day! Today is a good day to finish up any resolutions that you set for this year and didn’t achieve, cram in a last minute workout, or just cross the ones not accomplished off of this year’s list and put them on one for next year. Tick Tock! That clock is winding down really fast and there’s not much time left to get it all in!
Food Celebration of the Day –
Pepper Pot Day – this is an interesting one. I actually really like looking at the history of foods. Today we commemorate the creation of this thick spicy soup, which was served to the Continental Army during the cold, harsh winter of 1777-1778. Pepper Pot soup was first made on December 29, 1777. According to the legend, during the Revolutionary War, the Continental army was camped at Valley Forge. It was a cold, harsh winter and the conditions were deplorable. Food was scarce. George Washington asked his army’s chef to prepare a meal for the men that would do two things – warm them up, and boost their moral. The chef found scraps of tripe, small bits of meat and some peppercorns. He mixed them all up with some other ingredients and created what came to be known as Pepper Pot Soup. You may have heard of it under the name “Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup”. It was hot, somewhat spicy and the troops enjoyed it. Some call it the “soup that won the war”. Today, if you’re in a soup mood, make some Pepper Pot Soup to celebrate the day. Now, please note, that though tripe was the main ingredient in this soup – it’s what they had at the time – you can substitute chicken or beef. I know I would!
Here is a recipe that says it is authentic. Again, I’d substitute chicken or beef (probably beef) for the tripe and I see it calls for a veal bone – I’d go for a regular beef bone because I don’t agree with eating veal – a personal choice).
I need to pack up my coffee maker and go! There are mochas to be enjoyed! God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.