Looking Forward

Sorting through my mom's belongings, we remembered with joy the things that were so special to her.

I made this little heart from a Family Circle Magazine project way back in 1979.

It was from our Erin on her 1st Valentine's Day.

My mom kept if for over thirty years.

We came across many items that she held dear...

a baby wash cloth from my niece, Toni

figurines from family and friends

trinkets made by grandchildren

a ceramic pumpkin that she kept up year round because my dad's birthday was October 31st

~*~

As sweet and precious all of these item were to her, they are all temporary.

Her decision to trust Jesus as her Savior means an eternity in heaven to enjoy all that He has prepared for her.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

John 14:1-6

~*~

However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,

what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived”

the things God has prepared for those who love him

~*~

I couldn't help but think of this old song as we emptied her home.

This world is not my home I'm just passing through my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore O Lord you know I have no friend like you if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know my savior pardoned me and now I onward go I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor and I can't feel at home in this world anymore O Lord you know I have no friend like you if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally the Saints on every hand are shouting victory their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore and I can't feel at home in this world anymore O Lord you know I have no friend like you if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore ~*~ Jim Reeves was a favorite of my mom. She even requested his songs be played at her funeral. Here is Jim Reeves singing,  THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME Being prepared for eternity is the most important decision we can make James 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes Psalm 39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Another Blessing

I went with Jamie and the three oldest kids for her ultrasound.

Everything looks perfect.

And now we know...

a sweet baby girl 

just 19 weeks 

Her tiny heart beating. Her mouth opening and closing.  Her arm and hand moving toward her mouth.

arrival date ~ end of February

~♥~

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you

Jeremiah 1:5

Williamsburg Inn Chicken & Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings was one of my mother-in-laws signature dishes and was part of her Sunday dinner rotation.

It is a comforting and homey meal and always a favorite of our oldest daughter, Erin.

Mom didn't use a recipe but I have always made it from a cookbook picked up during a long ago trip with the kids to
Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia.

The Williamsburg Cookbook

published by

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Be prepared for washing a lot of dirty pots and pans with this dish.

While preparing, the dumpling dough seemed dry to me and I was tempted to add additional milk but proceeded as per the recipe.  They absorbed a lot of the gravy as they cooked and rose nicely without being heavy or 'glumpy' like other dumpling recipes.

John and Erin like the dumplings. I like the tender chicken in the creamy gravy.

Williamsburg Inn Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:
1 stewing chicken (4-5 lbs), or 2 broiler-fryers (3 pounds each)
1 small onion, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
2 ribs of celery with leaves, chopped
1 tsp. salt
4 T. butter or chicken fat
6 T. flour
1/8 tsp. paprika
1/2 c. light cream
white pepper to taste
Dumplings (recipe below)

Directions:
Simmer the chicken, onion, carrot, celery and salt in enough water to cover until the chicken is done (1 1/2 to 2 hours).

Remove the chicken from the broth. When it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones and dice the chicken.

Strain the stock and, if necessary, add enough water to make 1 quart.
Melt the butter or chicken fat in a heavy sauce pan. Stir in the flour mixed with paprika.

Add the chicken stock gradually, stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes.

Add the chicken, cream and pepper and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Spoon the dumplings on top of the gently bubbling chicken mixture and cover. Cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Serve at once.

 Dumplings

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 T. shortening
3/4 c. milk

Sift the dry ingredients 3 times

Blend in the shortening with a pastry blender or fork

Add the milk and mix well

Dip a teaspoon in cold water and then into the dough. Spoon the dumplings on top of the gently bubbling chicken mixture and cover. Cook for 15 min. without lifting the lid. Serve at once.

Linking to Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum

Plum Oatmeal Crisp

Thank You, Martha, for this delicious

Plum Oatmeal Crisp recipe.

Super yummy!

Plum Oatmeal Crisp

Recipe from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

2 1/2 pounds ripe plums (about 8), cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, oats, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.

In a shallow 2-quart baking dish, toss plums with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon flour; sprinkle with oat topping.

Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until topping is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before serving.