Oh! The Cobwebs!

April is in full swing and despite the random bursts of frigid weather, which are so common to my area, it would seem that spring has finally decided to "take off it's coat and stay a while." Spring is probably my favorite season. The flowers bloom, the grass turns green, little animals come out from wherever it is that they've been hiding and finally, after all the icey conditioning of winter, all things have become new again! At the first sight of spring, I cannot help but to toss on a flowery skirt and throw the windows open to let a fresh breeze into the home that has become stuffy during the winter months. I also start in on my spring cleaning regimine...

There I was, cleaning the dust off of my ceiling fan, when...all of a sudden...I got convicted...

I was thinking about how much time I spend freshening up my wardrobe, letting a fresh breeze into the stuffy old house and cleaning out the cobwebs, all very important tasks. It was then brought to my attention that I should spend some time and "spring clean" my heart! Often times I will find that something is weighing down my walk with Christ. Maybe it's just a little thing, but it makes my spirit a little heavy and takes a bit of that sweet look from my countenence that says "I am His and He is mine!" That little thing (or things, because many times...MOST times...it is plural) is my faults. My shortcomings, sins and failures. Everyone has them for "as it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10) As I was wiping the dust off that fan, I realized that, just as I re-examine the clothes in my closet, so should I re-examine my heart and my walk with Christ. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith..." (1 Co 13:5) And, as I let in a spring breeze to freshen up the house, so should I refresh my mind and spirit! "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

So, there I was, and here I stand, asking God to show me my shortcomings and the "cobwebs" that I needed to deal with. And I'll just say, when you ask God to show you what you need to work on to become a better servant for Him, He will tell you without hesitation!

Here's my list...(yes, a list. God was exceedingly abundant in His corrections for me :)

Meekness: I do not have a great deal of meekness in me. I want to win the argument and I want to be right. What I need is to be yielding. I need to be gracious and humble.
Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing meekness unto all men.

Accepting Instruction: I need to listen to and consider the advice of others, whether I think I need it or not.
Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Humility: I need it! I want that same humility that was with me on the day I bowed before the King and confessed my need for the Savior to be with me in my every day life.
Micah 6:8 He hath showed the, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

And so, and spring moves into summer and summer into fall, these are the things I'll be working on. I'll continue to clean out the "cobwebs." I'll pray that God continues to reveal his will for my life and point out the areas where I need growth so that I can have "just a closer walk with Thee."

Pretzels: The All-American Snack

I was in the baking sort of mood yesterday and ended up making these salty snacks. I found the recipe in Mary Janes Farm Magazine. My little sister and I had a great time together in the kitchen while making our yummy snack. They were super easy and turned out great!



Success!!



All-American Pretzel Recipe

PREP TIME: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes

COOK TIME: 25 Minutes

MAKES: 6-8 Pretzels

1 1/2 cups warm water (not too hot! You don't want to kill the poor yeast!)

2 1/2 t active dry yeast (or instant)

1 T sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 T salt

1 T baking soda

1 egg

course sea salt

melted butter (the recipe said it's optional, but I say it's a MUST.)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine water with yeast, and sugar and let sit for about 5 minutes or until foamy.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Add to yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until dough forms. With your hands, continue to work in flour mixture until a ball forms.
3. Turn dough out onto a flour-dusted surface, and knead the make a smooth sticky dough.
4. Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let sit in a warm spot (a sunny window sill works best) for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 400F. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the baking soda to it. Stir well.
6. Turn dough onto a floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope. Twist each piece into a pretzel shape and place on a parchment lined, or greased, baking sheet.
7. With a slotted spatula, transfer pretzels into boiling water, 3 at a time, and parboil for 3 minutes, flipping once halfway through.  Drain on a cooling rack, then transfer back to the baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pretzels.
8. Make an egg wash by beating 1 egg with 1 T water. Brush the egg wash generously over each pretzel and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
9. Bake for 25 minutes. Brush immediately with melted butter, if desired. (But, remember what I said. The butter is a must!)
10. Eat! Welcome to butter-coated, salt-sprinkled, soft-pretzel heaven.