One Sacred Tua of many

A SACRED TAU

or symbol

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"Tau (the breast) is the signs of signs, the sign of perfection. Its proper place is therefore the last leaf, representing the macrocosm and the microcosm, the whole creature."

EOS 431

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"HEAVEN AND EARTH

WILL PASS AWAY

BUT MY WORDS

WILL NEVER

PASS AWAY"

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Luke 21, 33

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Today, for lunch, given that I was tired of Pork Roast and veggies, I decided to make SOS. Old soldiers know exactly what SOS refers to; now days it is referred to in a more delicate term...Chips on a Shingle...Lol's! It is even served in nursing homes, but known as Beef and gravy on toast. And they liked it occasionally. I am sure that old soldiers got sick of it and yearned for old fashioned home cooking.

Today I used some corn starch and about a cup and a half of meat, vegetable bits and pieces, and the tomato juice that I cooked the roast in, and made a surprising good gravy or sauce. Over two slices of toast; it was a very nice and flavorful divergent from the usual fair. I have enough left over to use over rice or potatoes or even pasta. I think I will cook a small amount of rice for supper and use the rest of the juices. Nothing wasted and taste good, too.

My oldest brother reminded me of 7 minute cake frosting that our Mother used to make. He sounds very wistful and yearning for the past and his younger days. He is 78 in March and I know he is homesick for New York state.

Anyway, I started looking up the 7 minute frosting recipes via computer and found that most of them used regular granulated sugar. I am pretty sure that she(mother) used powdered sugar and finally found one that seemed like the one she whipped up. I guess there are more, but I saved the one I did find and will try it out before...and if...I post it.

It didn't get down to 10 degrees overnight, but 14 was close enough, with another night just like it in store. Life in a freezer.

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BE NOT HASTY

IN YOUR UTTERANCE

AND LET NOT

YOUR HEART

BE QUICK TO MAKE

A PROMISE

IN GOD'S PRESENCE.

FOR GOD IS IN HEAVEN

AND YOU ARE ON EARTH;

THEREFORE,

LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW.

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ECCLESIASTES 5, vs.1-2

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Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls.

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by Mother Theresa

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END

Good Gravy

My niece called asking how to make good gravy "like Grandma used to make." I am pretty sure her Mother could tell her how to make really good gravy as she is an excellent cook in her own right, a far better cook than I. I also thought that everyone knew how to make good gravy as it is so simple to do. However, as I can attest, simple things can go wrong and it actually took me a few trials to get the hang of making good gravy. Thus, I present an easy white gravy recipe.

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WHITE GRAVY

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4 Tablespoons of butter

4 Tablespoons of flour

Salt and pepper to taste

2-1/2 cups of milk

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Melt butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Blend in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth and bubbly. Stir in the milk. Heat until boiling over medium heat stirring constantly. Stir and boil for 1 minute.

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Now you have simple white gravy or sauce. There are several ways to make gravy. Way back somewhere in one of my postings there is a RED EYE GRAVY recipe that is made from the pan drippings or juices of ham. You can a good gravy/sauce from almost any meat drippings or juice, even fish. You can use flour, corn starch, or arrow root for thickening. Good luck on your Good Gravy.

It is colder than normal for this time of the year. It hasn't been this cold since last February. It is supposed to be 10 degrees overnight with a "high" tomorrow of 30. UG! But...but I do think I am going to get out of the house a little bit tomorrow and taste the fresh air.(Never start a sentence with a "but.")

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UNLESS THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE,

THEY LABOR IN VAIN WHO BUILD IT.

UNLESS THE LORD GUARD THE CITY,

IN VAIN DOES THE GUARD KEEP VIGIL.

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IN VAIN FOR YOU TO RISE EARLY,

OR PUT OFF YOUR REST,

THAT YOU EAT HARD EARNED BREAD,

FOR HE GIVES TO HIS BELOVED IN SLEEP.

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Psalm 126-vs.1-2

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RISK LOVE

-

FEAR NOT TO LOVE

BE SWIFT TO CARE

THE RISK IS GREAT

YOUR STRENGTH

IS PRAYER

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LET JESUS CROSS

ENFLAME YOUR SOUL

LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE

MAKE LOVE YOUR GOAL

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BY DAVID L HATTON

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END

I have been running around the house with my duct tape looking for any drafts to seal. Good old duct tape. It is cold outside with the temps down into the teens again. We had a dusting of snow this morning. It was too cold to melt off and windy as well. I went to get the mail and that is a far as I wanted to go; open the door and grab the mail and run right back in by the fire. Most of the week will be nippy, slippy and iffy, then warm a little for rain, snow or whatever.



Sunday I cooked a pork roast, carrots, celery, a big potato in a tomato juice, in the pressure cooker. I still have enough for a couple of days, but the spud is gone to tatter tummy heaven.

I got on line to look at the grocery ads. They are not too great this week. I can get 20 lbs. of potatoes for $4.98 a lb. and that comes out to about, or close to $00.41 cents a lb. Also, cake mixes are 2 for a dollar. I do want to get more potatoes, but I'm not in any hurry to brave the cold.



I got cloths washed and dried today and mostly folded and put away. I didn't get sheets done 'though. I'll get them done tomorrow. It isn't like I plan on going out in the cold tomorrow and I do have other sheets...don'ch know. That is about the sum total of Sunday and today.

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THE PEOPLE WALKING

IN DARKNESS

HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT;

ON THOSE LIVING

IN THE LAND OF DARKNESS,

A LIGHT HAS DAWNED.

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Isiah 9:2

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THE DIVINE NAME

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"I AM WHO I AM"

The preferred meanings of the name Yahweh are: "He causes to be" or "He who manifests His existence by mighty acts on behalf of His People."

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WHEN SKIES ARE GRAY

When dark storm clouds

obscure the sun

and hope is looking dim,

Place all your loving trust

in God

and ride the storm with him.

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He will never forsake your trust,

He's with you all the time.

He'll light the way

to rainbowed skies

And hopes and dreams sublime.

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by Catherine Jensson Irwin

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END

I do love fried potatoes and onions, maybe because my Mother made them so well...at least I thought so. I like them brown and crispy; almost burned, but not quite. I make a pretty good pan of fried potatoes and onions, but never as good as my Mother did. There is something about a mother's hand in the kitchen.

So, potatoes and onions were my lunch today, with a couple small hamburgers. I don't buy or eat hamburger very often anymore, but I had a craving for hamburger. Now, my craving is sated and I am a happy carnivore once again.

This afternoon I dug my electric keyboard out of the deep recesses of the closet and set it up. It will play Christmas music without any help from me. I just have to push a button and it plays. I know...that is a lazy way of making music. When I bought the keyboard I wanted to learn to play it, but I was working and didn't have the time. Now I have the time, but have lost interest in learning.

We haven't got snow yet and that is just fine with me, although the sky has been gray and dreary; it did flow north by northeast. However, the temperatures are going to flow, too...downward. Tomorrow night and Monday morning it is supposed to be in the low teens...like 4 teen and 3 teen. That's cold.

As I stayed in where it is nice and warm, I just have very little to write about. Its been a slow go day.

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TRUST IN GOD

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REMEMBER THE SUN WON'T ALWAYS SHINE

THERE'LL BE THUNDER CLOUDS AND RAIN

DREARY DAYS AND STORMY SKIES

VICISSITUDES AND PAIN

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AND WHEN YOUR PROBLEMS MOUNT AND GROW

AND YOU CAN SEE NO END

TURN TO GOD AND TRUST HIM

HE WILL BE YOUR FRIEND

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TALK TO GOD, HE'LL LISTEN

WHEN YOUR FUTURE LOOKS SO DIM

THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN FOR YOU

WHEN YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM.

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BY RUTH MOYER GILMOUR

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CAST YOUR CARE

UPON THE LORD

AND HE WILL SUPPORT YOU

NEVER WILL HE PERMIT

THE JUST MAN

TO BE DISTURBED.

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Psalm 54, vs. 23-24

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END

TP and coin wrappers

When I was out shopping at Wal-Mart I saw two different shoppers that had their carts loaded to the top with bathroom tissue. The ad that came out the other day had TP on "sale" for about $14.00 and change, for a 24 package roll. That is expensive TP, but I imagine they thought they had bargains, and maybe they did. I just don't want to pay that much for something that is just going to get flushed away. I will assume they were something of the "prepper" ilk and are stocking up on bathroom tissue. For that, I say good.

Speaking of being a prepper and/or stocking up, my penny jar is running over. I asked for penny wrappers at the bank and they said they didn't have any. My change jar is filling up, too. They did have wrappers for (silver)those.
It has warmed up a wee bit, getting ready for snow. There will be some snow north and east of here, and maybe a light showing of snow here. The weather man says to look out next week as it is supposed to drop out into into the 'teens-you know...winter is showing her frosty face.
Tomorrow, Saturday, is probably a good day to do some odd jobs and washing cloths. I may look around to see if I can find anymore "fresh air" ventilation points and work some magic with good old duct tape. What would the world do without duct tape?

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STREUSEL PUDDING COFFEE CAKE

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2 cups Bisquick

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup oil

2/3 cup milk

1 package instant pudding

(3-3/4 oz.)

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Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9x9x2" baking pan. Mix all ingredients except topping. Beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Spread into pan. Sprinkle with topping(see below). Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

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Streusel topping

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Mix 1/3 cup Bisquick

1 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 t. cinnamon

1 T. firm better or marg.

until crumbly.

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This may be a good time to buy sugar. The price is "down." You just don't' get a five lb. bag anymore. The price of gas is up and down, too. You can't bank on anything or budget anything, anymore.

I firmly believe that we are in a 9-10 year war, not to bring freedom to an oppressed people, but to control the resources of Afghanistan. Our government says we are protecting ourselves from the bad guys while taking away the freedom and rights of Americans. It is in the best interest of our Corporate Government to keep a good little war going. Our Corporate Government is greasing the gears of their war machines with the blood of valiant American soldiers.

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To recognize the currency of a ruler(king or president, state or country) is to recognize his authority. We are to have respect for authority or civil "rulers." Thus;

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RENDER, THEREFORE

TO CAESAR

THE THINGS

THAT ARE CAESAR'S

AND TO GOD

ALL THINGS

THAT ARE GOD'S

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Matthew 22, part of vs. 22

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WHY DO NATIONS RAGE

AND THE PEOPLE

UTTER FOLLY?

THE KINGS OF THE

EARTH RISE UP

AND THE PRINCES

CONSPIRE TOGETHER

AGAINST THE LORD

AND AGAINST HIS

ANOINTED.

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Psalm 2, vs. 1-2

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END

Shopping again

I was lucky and got free containers at the Deli in the grocery store. I have the lids, too. They need to be cleaned out as they all had food in them. I'll be happy to do that as I have been wanting some saleable containers for a while. I can store my flour, cornmeal and sugar in them and they will be safe form mice or insects.
I also bought another large 24 package of bathroom tissue. The rolls are skimpy, but for less than $00.21 cents a roll it is still a fairly good buy at $4.98 and a filled stamp card. I got a two qt. bottle of milk for $1.68 and a stamp card, and tow cans of tomato juice for $00.98 cents and two more cards. I have a couple cards left so I may go back and get more milk to put into the freezer. This makes me a happy shopper.

I had intended to go to a couple more stores, but it was cold and I went to Shoney's for lunch instead. I love and had some hot chocolate. Whoever their cook is makes some really good meatloaf. I have had meatloaf "out" before, but most of the time it is of very little meat and lots of fillers and without merit.
Most of my "fresh air vents" are sealed with plastic and good old duct tape. Believe me, there are lots of "fresh air vents" in this old house. I am comfortable though. The kitchen is 70 degrees right now and when I am cooking it gets warmer, sometimes too warm. I cook more during cold weather, unless I am out.
The Senate did "pass" the bill that would make you a criminal if you grow your own garden for food for your own table. That way the government would own you, body and soul. They called it a food safety act. Somehow the Senate made some kind of procedural error and it didn't totally go through, but you can bet they will correct their "mistake" and run it through again. Do you relish becoming a garden variety criminal for raising an onion...your own food in your own backyard? I don't really know how such a law can be enforced unless they make a new "garden police force" and issue garden tickets like traffic tickets. Let me know how that grabs ya...a new source of income for local and state governments.

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LOOK AT THE BIRDS:

THEY DO NOT PLANT SEED,

GATHER A HARVEST

AND PUT IT IN BARNS;

YET YOUR FATHER

IN HEAVEN

TAKES CARE OF THEM;

AREN'T YOU WORTH

MUCH MORE THAN BIRDS?

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Mathew 6, 26

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To anyone that may read this short blog; It would be nice to know that someone IS actually reading or showing any interest in it.

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End

END

Here is another Celtic Cross. I like the design of Celtic Crosses. They are simple, yet intricate.Sometime in the future I want to try to make a Celtic Cross.

The temperature is 27 degrees and headed for 21 degrees F. It is cold, but the wind has let up. We have had about six inches of rain thus far and occasional flurries.

There are only 24 days left until Christmas as I write this. Where did the time go?

I got my crown today and it feels pretty good. Does that make me "Queen for a Day?" It should. I paid out just about $1.100.00 dollars today and still owe just over 500.00 bucks. I pretty well emptied out my account. That's OK; I have food in the pantry and in the freezer, the utilities are paid and there is a little gas in the van. I will skim by. I am warm and dry, and better off than many, so I count my blessings. My van insurance isn't due until January. It is good to be a "prepper" and have faith.

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THE IDOLS OF THE NATION

ARE SILVER AND GOLD

THE HANDIWORK OF MEN.

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Psalm 134, vs. 15

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YOGURT PIE

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1 (8 oz.) lite Cool Whip

3 (8 oz.) container of Yogurt

any flavor.

1 (3 oz.) instant vanilla pudding

1 prepared Graham Cracker

pie crust.

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Blend Cool Whip, yogurt, pudding until smooth.

Pour into crust.

Chill overnight.

Yum.

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END

P. S. This is easy. Stu should like it. LOL's