2013/01/21

Psalm 116:15

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints."

My dear Grandmother died on Friday, January 18. My time with her in Maine was more than precious. I was able to sit by her bedside and hold her frail hand. Her sister and I clipped hairs from her chin and massaged her with lotion. I dampened washcloths and cooled down her forehead. I kissed her tender face and prayed with her before I left her bedside for the final time.  I didn't tell her goodbye because I know I will see her again in eternity with our Lord and all the saints. My heart was greatly comforted. Though I miss her already my heart is full.

Grammie was looking forward to her death. She knew that with its' passing she would be with Christ the Lord, her husband, Ted, her parents, Lee and Louisa and her grandparents, Christopher and Blanche. Her heart was full of faith and her eyes were lit with hope. She was beautiful. I am so blessed to have been made her granddaughter. She and my Grandfather raised 6 children one of them being my earthly Father.  Though both my grandparents are now gone, their heritage remains. Through their children, numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren the stories of their lives and of their faith will be passed on until time ceases to remember and eternity is nigh.


2013/01/12

My Grammie

Heading to Maine for a quick two night trip to visit my Grandmother. Her life is leaving her as she battles cancer. She suffers greatly from the pain of tumors. Please pray for her comfort. Please pray for God's mercies to me as I travel. My father's family will be there to give me shelter and take me to and fro. God bless the Higgins.

2013/01/02

Traditions

We have grown to love traditions in our home. As the kids have grown some of our traditions have evolved while others have stayed the same. One of our favorite traditions which hasn't changed at all and that has no spiritual significance, is cookie making.  Decorating cookies delights the kids and in a sense is a therapy to them. There's the mixing of the dough. Then there's the rolling of dough, cutting out of the cookies, and baking them. Then the fun of dyeing and mixing the frosting so we can smear the baked cutouts and sugar them. Such fun. From the smallest to the biggest heads are down in concentration. Creating delectable little masterpieces. Such fun.




The recipe we use is one from the More-With-Less cookbook. I'll write down the recipe for you. It's perfectly safe to eat raw too, as there is no egg product.

Oatmeal Cookies with a Purpose:

Purpose: Constructive fun for children
Requirements:
1.Cookie Dough
Cream Together:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
Add:

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup dry milk solids
  • 1/2 cup water
Beat well. Sift together:

  • 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
Fold into creamed mixture and mix well. Divide into small portions and chill.
2. Clean kitchen table.
3. Pie plates and cookie pans.
4. Rolling pins from toy bake sets or small round bottles
5. Animal cookie cutters or christmas cutters
6. Aprons or old towels to protect clothing.
7. Children aged 2 and up.

Extra Requirements:
1. Patience
2. Loving kindness
3. Smiles
4. praise, given out liberally
5. Wisdom to help children share tools
6. pretend dark glasses, so you don't see the mess..

Method:
1. Sprinkle flour on table for each child.
2. Distribute dough.
3. Demonstrate how to roll pieces... or if you've been doing this long enough and the older kids know how, have them demonstrate.
4. Preheat oven to 325.
5. Put on those dark glasses and avoid seeing the trail of flour from table to flour or from table to mouth..
6. Pop pans in oven and bake 10-15 minutes.

Make icing. I use royal icing found on joyofbaking.com

Let the kids decorate their cookies and of course sprinkle with sugar and other pretty, christmasy toppings.

Results:
1. Sparkling eyes
2. Happy Faces
3. Grimy hands
4. Bulging cheeks
5. Sweet voices, saying "Mmmm, Good, yummy in my tummy."
6. Spontaneous hugs from flour-covered arms.
7. A few cookies.