Wednesday morning ponderings . . .

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit will be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
Doctrine & Covenants 84:88

I just love the above scripture. This scripture was given in revelation to Joseph Smith in Kirkland, Ohio back in September of 1832. He was speaking to brethern of the church preparing to go out on Missions, and these are some of the words that the Lord had to say to them. What a beautiful promise . . . but these words are not only applicable to men preparing for missions in the early 1800's . . . these words are for us today, and when I read them, my spirit tells me that they are also for me.



They tell me that if I look to the Lord for inspiration . . .for guidance . . . and for help each day, that He will go before me. That He will guard my left and my right . . . that I will have His spirit in my heart to guide me, and that no matter what happens . . . His angels will gather round me and bear me up, to help me get through anything . . . any situation . . . any problem . . . any pothole or seeming barrier I may come up against! What a wonderful promise!!



I was thinking yesterday again about how very blessed I am, despite all the knocks we have experienced over these past few months. I have a special man in my life who loves and cares for me, despite my sometimes irritating ways. I have been given the added blessing of a lovely little home, that, in many ways, is much nicer than the one we had down South. A home that is ours for as long as we want to rent it, and is not encumbent upon my employment. I may have my aches and pains, but, for the most part, I am healthy, having no really serious problems. I have been given many gifts and talents and I enjoy so very much exploring and developing them. I have a family, with wonderful sons and daughters and grandchildren whom I love so very much and whom love me back. I have pretty special friends, both near and far, whom add a glorious sweetness to my life that cannot be measured.



None of us knows what the future holds. It is different for each of us. For some of us there are very good things just ahead, for others . . . maybe not so good . . . but that is life. It is given to each of us in unique and singular ways . . . each life composed of brilliant, outstanding and joyful moments, amidst a measure of pain and sadness. That is how we grow . . . how we develop, how we learn. A baby cannot learn to walk without falling down a few times . . . and if we are ever to be, or to reach our full potential as human beings on this earth, we have got to take a few knocks along the way as well. Just as our children have us to help them when they are taking those stumbling steps . . . to guide and protect them . . . our Heavenly Father is there to help us on this journey through life . . . We only have to reach out to Him and take His hand along the way.

Just my thoughts today.



I had so much fun sewing over the past couple of days. I made a little Teddy Bear, something that I have not done in years. I used to make quite a few of them.



Meet Miss Mimsey Bear! I think she is quite sweet. I shall be putting her in my Etsy shop a bit later on this morning.

I love green beans. Actually I love most vegetables. My mom never had any problems getting me to eat them when I was a child, well except for tinned peas that is. We found a cricket in a tin of them one time and I never liked them at all after that. I don't mind frozen or fresh peas though. Green beans I could eat every day . . . fresh, tinned, frozen . . . it doesn't really matter which! We have some planted in our garden and I can't wait til we get to eat them!



*Green Beans Almondine*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This probably isn't an authentic way of making Green Beans Almondine, but it is my way of making them! It's quick, easy and quite, quite delicious!

1 pound of green beans, washed and trimmed
2 TBS butter
1 shallot peeled, and minced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup of flaked and toasted almonds
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Drop in the green beans and bring the water back to the boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 4 minutes. Drain well, then refresh with cold water to stop them from cooking any further. Drain again. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, over medium heat, until it begins to foam. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until it is softened. Do not brown. Toss in the bread crumbs and thyme. Cook and stir until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crisp. Toss in the almonds and green beans. Heat through and stir until the beans are quite hot. Season to taste with some salt and pepper and serve immediately.



We're getting completely indulgent today over on The English Kitchen with Bakewell Whoopie Pies! I spent most of the day yesterday developing this recipe and am quite proud of the results! They are fabulous!!! Todd says that they are the best cake he has ever eaten in his life!