a sandy path’s Neighborhood

R.I.P. METHOD . . . Hello, (never home)maker!

Method
Yesterday
1 comment

Hey, everyone! You've likely noticed my absolute stop in posts over the past month. I've decided to change blogs, and please understand I didn't take the action lightly. The new blog is (never home)maker . . . and it's going to flow along the same content areas as METHOD, but be more geared toward quick & easy rather than intricate and involved.

There will be more home stuff, too! So, go check it out, and be sure to follow in your favorite RSS reader :)

(never home)maker:
good eats & design for those with little time.

new header

METHOD isn't going away entirely, though. I'm going to leave her up, as I still refer back to many of my recipes. So don't worry that your favorite peanut butter cookie page will disappear.

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

DISCERNER OF THE HEART

Read Hebrews 3 - 4

...exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:13 NKJV

* * *

Writing to his audience of Jewish Christians, the author of Hebrews reminds them of the penalty of unbelief. The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they did not believe God. “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.

(4:2-3a)

The rest that comes to the children of God in our day is through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our struggle against sin, He is the one who gives us rest. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

* * *

Lord, I come to you today bowing before your throne to find grace to help in my time of need.

* * *

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

lovetheword
Oct 22, 2009
1 comment

HE BECAME A MAN

Read Hebrews 1 -2

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

* * *

The book of Hebrews begins by introducing Jesus, the Son of God, the Creator of the universe - the One who actually knows what happened, because He was there when it all began. But Jesus was not only there at the beginning, He remains as the power who holds it all together. “God’s Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. (1:3a)

There is no other power in the Heavens or on earth superior to Him. The author of Hebrews writes, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor... (2:9a) Jesus voluntarily gave up His exalted position to identify with us and pay the price for our sin. so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (2:14b-15)

* * *

Thank you Lord that you paid the ultimate price for our sin and that we can trust You as the One who sustains all things. Bless our home with Your presence and help us to share the good news that the Creator of the universe has become our Saviour.

* * *

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Titus

lovetheword
Oct 15, 2009
4 comments

[35]

READY FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

Read Titus 2 and 3

Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Titus 3:8b NKJV

* * *

Paul’s letter to Titus instructs him to appoint godly men as elders of the church. These men will have a difficult job ahead of them because there are already disputes among the people. “Remind them,” he writes, “to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

The quest for a gentle peaceable life should begin at home, so he tells Titus to gently instruct the older believers to live consistent Christian lives as examples for the young people. For instance, the older women were to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5)

* * *

Lord, help us to make every effort to be at peace with those in the church and without. May our behavior reflect the graciousness of your mercy toward us. When our hearts are troubled, give us peace and wisdom to know how to respond.

* * *

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12 NKJV

The Time Traveler's Wife (the Film)

Lightchaser
Oct 13, 2009
4 comments

The Time Traveler's Wife

Interminable. Draws a tear in a scene or two, but mostly full of yawns. I did not enjoy either Eric Bana's or Rachel McAdams' acting (although she's looking beautiful).

Really, not the kind of story that bears telling via the film medium. Skip it and spend the money on the book instead.

The Children's Book

Lightchaser
Oct 11, 2009
2 comments

The Children's Book

A.S. Byatt

This is an excessively researched book. I can't say well-researched or not, because Fabianism, Anarchism, the suffragette movement and puppetry in early 20th century Germany are not my areas of expertise, but while A.S. Byatt clearly put a lot of effort into collecting facts and figures for this work, an overload of detail has stolen grace and fluidity from a storyline that could otherwise have been utterly compelling.

This is a book with many characters, and I love it for how crowded it is. I love how characters are differentiated, how they react to events and situations unpredictably. Byatt has succeeded in creating several interesting roles, which inspire a variety of emotions in the reader: Olive Wellwood, an author of children's tales, beautiful, unrealistic, somewhat weak, inspires a fair amount of irritation; her philandering husband Humphrey, father to many women's children, is alternately disgusting and charming; Herbert Methley, advocate of free love, is sly and frightening; Elsie Warren, a young woman who falls prey to Methley, generates empathy for her innocence and admiration for her subsequent independence -- and so on.

The Children's Book follows the life and times of several creative, talented, offbeat adults in the late 19th century, and studies the impact of their choices on their children and the paths the new generation chooses for itself. In terms of plot, it is a success, though I personally feel it extends too far into the 20th century and there was not much need to include a wartime dimension. But it is so heavy and ponderous in the telling that the pleasure in reading seems to leach out about halfway through, especially after a painfully detailed and uninteresting description of the "Grand Exposition Universelle" at Paris, where Byatt insists on painting a verbal picture of every statue, every tent, every puppet and other conceivable artistic work displayed there.

But if you can manage to tolerate/skip the boring bits, the 600-page read is worth it for the richness of the characters. Anselm Stern, the German puppetteer; Julian Cain, intelligent, weak, confused about his sexuality; Dorothy Wellwood, who fights the prejudices of her times to become a doctor; Benedict Fludd, a wild, deranged artistic genius -- and many, many more. Be warned that it will take time and effort to make it through the whole book, though, and that the prose is patchy and sometimes even yucky (a young boy masturbating is described as "working himself into... a soaring wet ecstasy") but Byatt manages to achieve a compelling study of human nature, even if the free history lesson is quite unwanted.

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Timothy

DIFFICULT TIMES

[34]

Read 2 Timothy 3-4

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come 2 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

* * *

Paul tells Timothy that his own ministry is about to come to a close. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he gives us some insight into what will happen prior to our Lord’s return: “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good..., lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. " (3:2-5)

In other words, the world will become an increasingly perilous place in the last days. In the face of this, what is Paul’s challenge? "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2) Even though people will not want to hear the truth, Timothy is to preach it anyway.

* * *

Lord, forgive me when I have been hesitant to answer those who deny the truth of Your Word. Give me courage to speak rather than remain silent when the name of Jesus is blasphemed. Grant me also the wisdom to know when I should remain silent and simply live the message.

* * *

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

the office/guest room

Method
Oct 6, 2009
1 comment

DSC_0610

What has me doing somersaults on the front lawn? A room redo, perhaps! No recipes today. No, I spent this weekend spreading baked brie on walls instead of eating it. Wait . . . what? Here it is, folks. The walls of our office have been pink since probably 1962. I was uploading some photos Saturday morning and said . . . ENOUGH! A quick trip to Lowes and a couple hundred dollars later ($277 to be exact), a less-pretty and more posh place to call our office/guest room was born.

(And baked brie is the color name, if you were still wondering.)

Here's the office before, in all it's pink-ness:

before (office/guest room)

A little paint shot to show how much different wall color makes:

before (pink walls)

One more before:

before (office/guest room)

And now a couple afters (still need to take more, but you get the idea).

MUCH, MUCH better!!!

office/guest room

after (office/guest room)

Paint (Olympic "baked brie" color-matched and mixed for Valspar paint) = $23.00
New ceiling fan = $79.00
Couch = free (snagged from other room & it's a sleeper! put the other on the street to find a new home.)
Rug = free (snagged from bedroom, but -- we bought another one for $20 to replace it)
Pillows = $45.00 (Home Goods <3)
Round mirror = $20.00 (another HG purchase)
Framed prints = $70.00 (includes two frames and two prints)
Curtains = $20.00 (each panel was only $10 at Target!)

TOTAL = $277.00

no-knead pumpkin loaf

Method
Oct 2, 2009
1 comment

pumpkin loaf

My first experience baking no-knead bread was a great success! I chose to include the following flavors in my loaf -- pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, rosemary, and walnut. It's a hefty little thing . . . and I think it tastes best toasted and generously topped with this on-the-fly sweet pumpkin butter I whipped up.

Happy Friday, and enjoy the recipe :)

sweet pumpkin butter

NO-KNEAD PUMPKIN LOAF

What you'll need . . .

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (plain, this isn't a sweet or spiced pumpkin bread)
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon tepid water (or a bit more depending)
1/4 teaspoon dry active yeast
1-1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups bread flour
1 cup wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw crushed walnuts
1 generous tablespoon rosemary (I used dried, but am sure fresh would work wonderfully)

pumpkin loaf

Method . . .

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours and yeast. Then add in the salt.
Make an impression with your fist inside the dry ingredients and then plop in the pumpkin puree and water.
Mix together -- this should be relatively easy . . . and if it isn't, add a bit more tepid water. I ended up using my hands because it was just easier for me . . . however, keep in mind, the dough will be very, very, VERY sticky.
Cover the bowl with a piece of oiled plastic wrap and put in a warm place to rise for anywhere between 12 and 18 hours. (I went to work after mixing mine . . . and only waited 12 hours, but I've always heard it's best to wait even longer.)
After that time has passed, generously flour a work surface and use a spatula to scrape your bubbly dough onto it.
Flour your hands and pat down the loaf into a square shape. Then fold each of the sides in toward the middle and flip over -- seam-side down -- and gently shape into a round loaf.
Put some cornmeal down on a baking sheet . . . and transfer the loaf to it to rise for another 2 hours (again, cover with a towel or oiled plastic wrap). Make sure to get the cornmeal on there, or you'll find your loaf sticking to the pan.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Also place a pie plate on the bottom rack -- half full of water. I also used a pizza stone to bake my bread. So if you have one, also place the pizza stone in the oven as it preheats. (If not, you're fine -- you'll just use the sheet the dough is currently rising upon.)
With a knife, slice a 1/2 inch deep cut into the top of your loaf.
Place your loaf in the oven (middle rack) to bake by either placing it on the pizza stone or simply sliding in the baking sheet. You'll want to bake it for about 25 minutes . . . then check to see how it's doing . . . then baking for approx. another 25 more -- until the crust is golden brown. If your crust starts burning, you may wish to cover it with a piece of tin-foil while you continue baking.

pumpkin loaf

SWEET PUMPKIN BUTTER

What you'll need . . .

3 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance)
1-1/2 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon honey

Method . . .

Put all ingredients into the bowl of an electric mixer.
Set mixer to high speed and cream together all ingredients.
Need more butter? This recipe makes enough for like half the loaf . . . so just make it again :)

C'mon! You know you want to SUBSCRIBE to Method. ;)

quick & curried sweet potato latkes

Method
Sep 30, 2009
3 comments

curried sweet potato latkes

First, I must apologize for the absolutely terrible photos of these (honestly, really, believe me) delicious latkes. Seems the days are growing much shorter, darker, and I'm not exactly a fan of using my flash. Anyway, you'll have to take my word on it -- these little potato pancakes cook up quickly and are oh-so satisfying -- especially on a night when you can't agree with your husband on what to eat for dinner.

We served ours with some caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar. However, when it came down to it . . . I liked mine best with ketchup!

curried sweet potato latkes

QUICK & CURRIED SWEET POTATO LATKES

What you'll need . . .

1 large sweet potato (the equiv. of 1 pound), peeled and coarsely grated
1/2 cup wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Pinch of salt and pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup soy milk or regular milk
Sesame or olive oil (for frying)

Method . . .

Set grated sweet potato aside in a small bowl.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cayenne, curry, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add the eggs and soymilk and mix until just incorporated. You want to arrive at a stiff batter. You may wish to add more soy milk --- however, don't let things get runny.
Once the wet ingredients are incorporated into the dry, add the grated sweet potatoes.
In a medium pan over medium-high heat, heat oil (about 1/4 inch) until it is very hot, but not smoking. You may need to adjust the temperature as you move along. You want it very hot, but you don't want your batter to immediately burn. Experiment. It isn't as hard as it sounds, trust me :)
Spoon heaping tablespoon amounts of batter into the hot oil. I found it was easiest to do no more than three latkes at once. Flatten after putting into the oil and cook on each side until golden brown.
Remove latkes to a plate topped with paper towels (to remove excess oil). Repeat, adding more oil if necessary.
Enjoy with ketchup, or in another pan, make onions or other veggies to garnish.