Wisdom in the Word Wednesday

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 29:2

I wonder do we really stand in awe of Almighty God,

or just wander through our days without a clue

that He is nearby just waiting to love us,

to speak wisdom into our hearts and hold us tight.

It is so easy to wander from the closeness we once knew.

Responsibilities can get in the way.

Life can get in between our hearts and the Lord Jesus.

There is no need for distance, for in a moment our hearts and minds can turn back to that tender place of worship.

It is in the mind where the battle is lost or won.

No matter what tasks fill our day,

keeping our hearts and minds focused on

the object of our affection and adortion

fills us with wonder at who Jesus is

and what He has done for us,

and what He has created.

Yes, in the beggining God created.

We do not worship the creation,

but rather worship the Creator.

We ascribe to the Lord the honor that is due Him,

with a heart and mind of holiness.

My mind may begin worshipping God while

it is on the duties of the morning, but soon thereafter

it is accomplishing the duties while gloriuously

praising God for He is worthy to be praised!

Websters Dictionary
Holiness
HO'LINESS, n. [from holy.] The state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of his essential attributes.
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness?
1. Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart or dispositions; sanctified affections; piety; moral goodness, but not perfect.
We see piety and holiness ridiculed as morose singularities.
2. Sacredness; the state of any thing hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship; applied to churches or temples.
3. That which is separated to the service of God.

Holiness in our lives may be ridculed in this day and age,

but to God holiness in our lives was and is and always will be beautiful to Him.

I prefer to be pleasing to God rather than to the thoughts of men.

Praise Him, praise Him

all ye little children

God is love

God is love.

Praise Him, praise Him

all ye little children

God is love,

God is love!

© Monika Hardy

Tasty Tuesday Recipe

After finding this old family recipe I realized that these cookies are Gluten Free!
Double yum!

Chocolate Peanutbutter No Bakes

Put 2 cups sugar in heavy bottom sauce pan:
add 1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa
Sir over miedium heat and boil for 1 minute
Remove from heat
Quickly stir in:
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter till melted
Quickly Add:
3 cups quick oats
and 1 tablesoon vanilla
and stir till mixed
Immediately spoon onto wax paper lined cookie sheet
by teaspoon full
let cool in fridge for 10 minutes and store in an airtight container

© Monika Hardy

Simple Womans Day Book

For Today...
Outside my window... Gray clouds and a porch that needs staining
I am thinking... What a beautiful place the New Jerusalem will be floating down from heaven bedecked with jewels, sparkling in the light of Jesus
I am thankful that... this beautiful place will be my new home one day soon
From the kitchen... Seedlings in the indoor greenhouse, a revised orange cranberry bread recipe using buttermilk (that turned out much better than the recipe that was given to me) Chocolate Peanut butter No Bakes, and they are Gluten Free! Home baked bread, freshly sprouted clover seeds, and homemade cream cheese.
I am wearing... Sandals, Blue Sundress and a Black sweater as it is cooler this morning.
I am reading... Still in I Chronicles
I am hoping... the weather will cooperate with my plans this week
I am creating... a Painting, and waxing the final cheese rounds I made last week..only 6 months of aging to go. Writings on a few ideas...why do the ideas come in the spring and not in the winter when there is snow all over the ground?
I am praying... for the salvaton of our political leaders
Around the house... the sound of my new song playing on cd almost finished, almost.
One of my favorite things... the early morning hours
A few plans for the rest of the week... staining the front porch and putting up roll up shades to create a greehouse on the front porch. Then mil can help me transplant and water on the porch without too much work in container gardening. Dear Husband was going to move the back fence and build a greenhouse, but we thought this would help mil to be more involved in the gardening, and the shades will help cool the house in the summer.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...


© Monika Hardy

Good Saturday Morning to you,

Good Morning all,
It started out as a sunny beautiful morning, but here it is almost 8 am and we are covered in clouds again. Oh well, not to worry, as I found a post that drew me in with the loveliness of a beautiful homemaking picture, fine recipes complete with pictures, and a special surprise at the end of the post that had me laughing for 3 minutes. It is a must see and read....Baking Away....by Jen. Thanks so much for the recipes and the laughs Jen! ♥ (((Hugs to you))) ♥

© Monika Hardy

Into my life, His joy is...poured

Tropical Radiance


I will trust, in the Lord of Heaven
Ruler of Earth, of the Land and the Sea
The one who calms the storms
Who with His arms holds me

I will trust, beyond what I can see
For I know, that He cares for me
I am His, and He is mine
Oh soul, find comfort, and peace of mind

As I walk, though life be hard
Over my heart, Jesus stands guard
I will trust in the Lord
Into my life, His joy is... poured

I will trust, beyond what I can see
For I know, that He cares for me
I am His, and He is mine
Oh soul, found comfort, and peace of mind
© Monika Hardy

HTML Helps

There is a new link on my Domestically Inclined Links List

Lori over at A Frugally Old-Fashioned Homemaker shared some wonderful info on html helps. It is a link to a site that explains html in an easy to understand manner. I have always wanted to know how to make these cute little ♥ and now I know how!

It also gave me codes for symbols when writing in German as it uses Umlauts (diaeresis) above some of the letters. I lost my little cheat sheet of these codes awhile back and am so happy to have found them again.

Lori also has alot of Frugal helpful hints for the home from coupons to recipes. Thanks Lori ♥

There once was a man named David,

Rainbow Over Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, USA

based on Psalm 61

There once was a man named David
with his whole heart did he cry unto God,
pleading that God would listen carefully

His heart was overwhelmed.

“Guide me, bring me, lead me
to the Rock of my soul
the Tower of my refuge
to a place of shelter from the enemy”

In Thee O Lord, as David, do we abide.
It is in Thee that we long to dwell… for eternity.

We will trust, safe from the sorrows of the world,
in Thee, and under the shadow of Your wings.
A place of safety and rest and peace,
comforted from the earthly struggles and spiritual battles.
A place where praise and worship flow from You through us.

You Oh Lord are our portion forever.
In You we receive our inheritance.
A portion of suffering
A portion of temptation,
A portion of persecution,
A portion of poverty,
For the servant is no greater than his Master.
One day a portion of eternal life in Your courts.
While in this earthly realm, and in Your hands of mercy
my days are numbered by You.

Because of Jesus, we as David shall abide before God forever!
Long live the King! Let mercy and truth protect Him!
Praise be unto God for You keep Your promises!
May we never cease to praise you for You Oh Lord
are worthy to be worshipped!

And when my heart is overwhelmed….
Lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I
Lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I
Lead me to the Rock that is Higher than I
For Thou hast been a refuge unto me.

© Monika Hardy

5 Minute Microwave chocolate Cake

I received this recipe in an email from my mom. I haven't tried it and I'm not really a microwave person but it looks so easy I had to share it.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

April 14th...a special day.

Today brings memories of my dad. He was born in Germany on April 14th, 1899. He would have been 108 years old today had he lived past his 71st birthday. He and mom married when he was 60 and she was 21. I remember how he loved to read. In fact he kept all the newspapers he read. One whole side of the outside of the house was filled with stacks of newspapers against the brick wall. When he died he wanted the papers to be donated to the church that I attended... a small Baptist church were I was saved at VBS. Mom was glad to get rid of them...finally. The church was very thankful, as they were earning money by recycling them, back when you were paid to recycle. However some of the newspapers that were in that stack in 1972 were from the early 30's in Chicago and worth a bit of money! To their credit they came back and told mom, but I think she still donated them.

Dad would love to read the paper or books or magazines to me. I remember he bought a whole set of encyclopedias just for me when I was just a baby. When I was older I read the inscription that was written to me. Mom sold them at a garage sale years later, but I still remember how it touched me that dad thought they were so important to have for my education even though I was so young.

Dad also thought it was important for me to have my ears pierced in the nursery before I even came home. He was very attentive to the little things that pertained to my life. He would have mom put me only in dresses when I was little. Mom would have to iron all those ruffles back before clothing came wrinkle free.

I was a quiet little girl according to both mom and dad. I would just sit and play wiht my toys and read my books and the neighbors in the apartment buidling dad owned didn't believe they had a child. They said they never heard me cry. Mom and dad said I was just content to read, and when I got older I was the same. They said often on a Saturday instead of going out to play I would be inside studying or reading. I attribute this to my dad's example. He was always reading and learning.

Dad was born in Germany and then migrated to the U.S.A. in the 20's. He then married my mom in 1959, and had a baby that died before me, and then I was born in 1961. As I grew dad would love to be working out in the front yard pulling the clover out of the lawn, so that he would have a beautiful green lawn. I was out there with him and many times people would ask if I was his grand daughter. I would proudly say NO, he's my dad!

Dad was a Carpenter by trade. My brothers and sister and I would wait by the big picture window for him to drive into the driveway, and jump up and down on the sofa announcing to mom that he was home. I just loved the smell of him when he came home. He smelled of freshly cut wood, and he would have these large pink mints in his pocket for us. Sometimes we would eat them and sometimes we would use them as chalk to write on the driveway while we played with our little dachshund. I remember dad's hands were big and strong, and gentle.

Dad got sick with cancer a few years before he died. I remember going to hospitals and waiting for test results. Then we would go visit at the nursing home. Dad got to come home a few times for our birthdays and special occasions, but soon became to weak. He looked so pale and thin the last time I saw him, and the nurses helped him grow a mustache, so I hardly recongnized him. Years later I saw my uncle in Germany and it looked just like my dad!

I wasn't able to go to the funeral as mom thought it would be best that the children not go. I wish I had been able to go to say good bye.

I was only 10 when he died. I remember him to have been a kind gentle hearted man, who loved us so much. I don't know if he was a Christian, but as God would have it, I got saved a few months before he died and I was able to talk to him about Jesus and that I was saved. Mom told me that he refused to see a Catholic Priest for last rights before he died but he wasn't Catholic. I don't know if he belonged to Jesus or not. It was a very lonely time after he died as little girls love their daddy's. I am hoping that one day when I get to heaven, that dad will be there too. A girl can always hope. I miss you dad. It was at this time in my life that I learned to cry out to God and to cling to Jesus.

Today is also the the birthday of a dear friend who is at home with Jesus now and I still miss her very much as well. At least I know for sure that she is in the arms of Jesus. I miss you Sandy. Hope to see you soon at supper :)

© Monika Hardy

Simple Womans Day Book

For Today...

Outside my window... two new fruit trees planted out back

I am thinking... of what a lovely Ressurection Day we celebrated, just would have been better if the Rapture happened the same day. I am also thinking about my dad who would have been 108 years old on April 14th.

I am thankful for... health, home, and family, new grand baby, and Dear Husband safe on his new motorcycle, and the many who came to know Jesus as their Savior this past Ressurection Day!

From the kitchen... Havarti Cheese Crossaints with clover sprouts, Dinner left over bbq ribs from yesterday

I am wearing... Brown skirt, brown blouse, tennis shoes, and apron, with hair tied up because it is getting so long.

I am reading...I Chronicles

I am hoping... for many more children to come to know Jesus

I am creating... a schedule for the summer
I am praying... for my son the tax account...for continued health and strength to finish the season

Around the house... seedlings need transplanting, I want to make time for sewing!!! But we'll see what happens.

One of my favorite things... the smell of a clean house, the smell of coffee brewing, the presence of God, and not in that order. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week... vocal recording, making cheese, visiting with a friend, praying, spending time with family, possibly painting.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

"Good Friday"

Offer unto God thanksgiving;
and pay thy vows unto the most High:
And call upon me in the day of trouble:

I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 50:14-15

On this the day we commemorate "Good Friday" we cannot help but remember the suffering and pain our Savior went through willingly on our account. Not just the painful death on the cross, but leaving the presence of His Father, the only exsisitence He had ever known and came to earth as a baby, to grow and live and die and come to life again, all in obedience to His Father giving His Father the glory for all that was done and said. It is a day the world fills with "fluff" to draw us away from worshipping and adoring the Lover of our soul, our Jesus. Our loving Savoir wants to commune with us and be a light to the world around us.

We can depend on Jesus, and trust Him with all that concerns us, His life being a perfect model for us. As Jesus was encompassed round about by the enemy roaring as lion, Jesus cried out to His heavenly Father, and is now glorifying and praising Him in heaven as well as making intercession for us.

Though we are emcompassed round about by our enemy, we can look up and and cry out to our Father and trust in Him to deliver us from the snares of the enemy, from the trials before us as we know all that befalls us comes through the throne of God. I am not surprised at the earthquakes in diverse places, at wars and rumors of wars, of the youth that control the streets, of the princes that run the countries, and of the women who take control. God said it would be.

But when I cry out to Him for help and He delivers me I also have an opportunity to praise Him from the roof tops and give Him the glory my God is worthy of!

God hears our cries when we are wronged, when we are manipulated, when we are spoken of falsely. But if we put our trust in Him He will correct all the wrongs. I am reminded of Jacob who was accused falsely by Potiphars wife, and God let Jacob remain in prison. Although it didn't look like God was correcting the wrong done against Jacob, God was using the situation to prepare Jacob to do God's will in the future. Do not allow others to stop you from doing the will of God for it is God that we will answer to one day, not other people.

And when God does finally pull you out of the muck and the mire, when He recuses you from dangers and the spiders webs ...Praise Him! Praise Him! For you now have a solid Rock on which to stand, the Rock Christ Jesus! Walk with Jesus, talk with Him, and commune with Him, find peace and comfort, and satisfaction of the soul, as you adore Him and love Him and bow down, before Him, and spend time at His feet in adoration of a loving God who loved you before you even knew Him. Enjoy the place and safety and strength as the world spins around you. I can sit still in His hands knowing that He can and will handle all that concerns me.

Praise Him, Praise Him, with a new song, that many will see and fear and trust in the Lord God!

What a glorious day to spend at the feet of Jesus,

Until we meet face to face!

© Monika Hardy

Frosted Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate Brownies

Mix together in a bowl:

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Mix in second bowl:

2 beaten eggs

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon vanilla

Add wet ingredients to dry and mix gently

Pour into 11x9 baking pan

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes

Let cool while making frosting

Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix thouroughly

Add 1/4 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup evaporated milk

Beat with a mixer and add enough evaporated milk to bring

frosting to desired consistency (I make it thick)

Spread on cooled brownies and cover with plastic wrap and let cool in fridge

Cut into squares and wrap in plastice wrap and store in covered tupperware.

Keeps nicely for lunches or individual servings.

Unless Great Grandma finds the chocolate then it goes quick :)

Orange Cranberry Bread

Orange Cranberry Bread

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen chopped cranberries

Zest from one lemon

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup chopped oranges fresh or canned

1 Egg

1/4 cup Olive Oil

Stir dry ingredients together

Add fruit

Stir in wet ingredients

Place in oiled bread pan

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes

or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Simple Woman's Day Book

Outside my window... Absolutely no snow left on our property for the first time this year! It actually finally melted away yesterday...April 5th

I am thinking... What a wonderful place heaven will be.

From the kitchen... Freshly made whole grain bread with poppy seeds, sunflower seeds and millet, and homegrown spicy clover sprouts for sandwhiches.

I am wearing... Sandals, and sundress

I am reading...The computer Bible again as my new glasses went in for repairs...ugh

I am thankful for...little green starts peeking our in my seedling greenhouse and the beautiful sunshine, God has blessed us with!

I am hoping... To play with my grand daughters this week again

I am creating... cheese glorious cheese! It's gelling on the stove as I type

I am hearing... the clock tickling

Around the house...Monday is laundry day, there is the front yard to rake, more seedling to start, and sunlight pouring in through the windows!

One of my favorite things... A cup of tea and Charles Dickens movie

A few plans for the rest of the week... Ironing, Thrift store shopping, paperwork, enjoying the sunshine early this week as it is to snow again for the rest of the week!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

Sunday Evening...

What a glorious weekend this has been! I'd like to announce that the last patch of snow on our lawns has finally melted! It took till April 5th this year. Yes, it has been a long winter. I am finally feeling better after a few weeks of this bad cold, and mil seems to have a milder form as I took her to the doctor for antibiotics at the first sign of it.

Dear Husband and I spent itme in the back yard cleaning the layers of dust and gravel from the winter months. I got the lawn raked and cut back some rose bushes and trees, while he planted to bare root fruit trees. We got one apple tree and one nectarine tree, yeah! He also took a load to the dump. Mil wasn't up to going to church early yet, so we stayed home together and watched online while dear husband rode in to church. Technology is great when we can use it to stay connected to church when we are unable to go.

I also had a wonderful afternoon and baked two beautiful loaves of bread, started my spicy clover seeds for sandwhiches, and put a batch of milk on the stove to turn into cheese tomorrow morning. I was also able to to get caught up on much laundry since we've been under the weather. It is so rewarding to have all these things done. I can't even imagine all the things that God will have for us to do when we get to heaven. Working around the mansions, picking leaves off the trees, worshipping and adoring the lover of our souls, asking millions of questions....

Why did You make misquitos Lord?

Why is the sky blue?

Why did You let me stay on earth so long when all this was waiting for me?

Can I touch Your hand?

Are you ok now, after I broke Your heart so many times?

How can You love me sooo much?

Why did You make my feet so big?

Why did You make me so tall?

Ok so maybe you will have your own quesions, won't it be great when we all get together at supper, and then work together for eternity? What lovely Family Dinners those will be, what lovely family times those will be...why not start now?

Come Quickly Lord, your Bride is waiting!

And the winner is....

I would have liked to have posted the winner of the Spring Give away a few days ago, but Mother in Law got sick and I had to take her to the doctor. So I've been a bit busy. It also seems strange to be awarding a SPRING Giveaway when there is lots of fresh new snow blanketing the town, however the time has come to announce the winner!

And the winner of the Spring Apron Giveaway is....

Miss Mary at

Today's Journey

Please take a moment to visit Miss Mary as she walks along Today's Journey.

Many thanks to the rest of you who signed up for the giveaway, may God Bless you!