Eyes of My Heart

Why Pumpkin Girl?

So far, the only people to view this blog are my husband, the folks listed on the right and my mother. And, er..you.  Hi. My mother lives a few hundred miles away in my hometown so the blog is one way to let her see pictures of her dear granddaughter. To protect our girl as best I can without hiding her from the web completely, I refer to her as Pumpkin Girl, which has been her nickname since she was just a few days old. My mother, who thinks it is both a terrible and terribly funny name, wants to know why. A love of squash? Of the color orange? Or is it her big cheeks? Her jack-o-lantern grin? Nope.

I call her Pumpkin Girl because of her:       

I love this dog. At the time of PG's birth she

was just over a year old and all puppy. In fact,

I still called her "Puppy Girl". And when I was

talking to PG this "Puppy" would jump on me in

her obnoxious endearing way. I'd get flustered

(remember I was sleep deprived) and I would

accidentally call our daughter Puppy and try to

cover it by saying "Pup..Pumpkin...girl. "

And it stuck!

A chocolate chip cookie without rival...

       

	My husband bought me the Neiman Marcus cookbook when we first got married. It has wonderful recipes, not the least of which is this recipe for the BEST chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted. I love my tried and true Fanny Farmer recipe for quantity but when I want to impress and delight foks, this is it. And by the way, the espresso powder is crucial. NEIMAN MARCUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Directions 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)     2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.     3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.     4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.     Yield:   2 dozen cookies

Finding peace

Lord, make me a channel of your peace....

Why is it so hard to maintain peace? I heard a friend recently refer to it as the "peace zone". She said "if only I could stay there once I find it..."  To be perfectly honest, I felt sorry for her for not "getting it". I guess, I was in a peaceful "place". Well, this morning, I read my Bible, and then had some quiet time with music and reflection. I felt cheerful and sang hymns to my baby daughter and then rehearsed for the Sunday drama. Surely this would ensure a day of peace, right?  Nope. I just left the "peace zone" 15 minutes ago when as the baby cried and the dog tripped me, my husband, frustrated with spilled trash he was loading for the dump, snapped at me for something and I, with a whiplash comeback snapped at him.

Peace. Gone.

True peace is not a "place" we can visit. If it is, we can leave it just as easily. True peace is Christ indwelling in us. True peace is seeing others as He sees them. True peace comes when all our thoughts are focussed on His will. True peace is filled with praise and thankfulness.

For the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace: Romans 8:6

My Lord is the prince of Peace. What happened this morning? Though I read His word, I kept it in MY mind. Though I sang His praises they were still on MY lips. Thoug I prepared to be in His service, I was still in MY body.

Lord Jesus, help me to surrender my whole self to you each day, each moment. Empty me of my own selfish desires and thoughts and fill me with your love, understanding and peace. Transform me into your likeness. Bless you, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

 

oh and p.s....we made up almost immediately. I adore that man.