Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... September, 2008

September 1, 2008 | JustAmy; St.Louie1; MamaBear; Billie

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry.
'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)











Never Forget!





Bad Penny



Amy's personal guardian ~
the ever charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

September 16, 2008

Responding To Criticism

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: 1 Peter 2:4-12

When they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. —1 Peter 2:12

Abraham Lincoln knew what it meant to face criticism. He is quoted as saying, “If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how—the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

Lincoln, against huge opposition, went on to reunite the fractured United States, win the Civil War, and abolish slavery in the US. Had he allowed his critics to defeat him, Lincoln would not have accomplished what he did.

The apostle Peter understood the dangers of unfounded criticism. He wrote, “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Criticism can consume our lives to the point of emotional paralysis, or we can set our hearts to serve God faithfully undeterred by that criticism and put our God on display. When we do that, we won’t need to answer our critics with words—our lives will say all that is needed.

If we keep doing what is right—
And serving Christ each day,
We need not fear what others think
Nor what the critics say. —D. De Haan

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 40–42; Proverbs 27:1-14

[MEG33]

It's a cool 53 here this morning. It's too early for fall here but it
is a nice break.I'm up as I haven't been to sleep..consequences of
sleeping all day yesterday!
Hope You All Have A Good Day.

[jaycee]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the lovely lesson in our Daily Bread this morning. I liked the quote very much from Abraham Lincoln, which sheds light on the Bible verse.

[jaycee]

Lovely Meg. Fallish, yes! Its 61 here this morning but will be hot later.

Enjoy your family while you can as I’m sure you are!

My son leaves for Louisiana today for a month. He will come back briely during that time. He is Quality Control Manager for K & S Communications, who is a sub-contractor for Charter Cable. His group was chosen to go to Louisiana to work. He wants to go but its hard now as he is still in the process of moving into his new residence (if he ever finishes his remodeling on it). Its been a long ordeal and he is the perfectionist in our family! He left about 5:00 this morning and Mom will be worried until he arrives there safe and sound. Moms never stop worrying, do they?

[MEG33]

Just drinking in again the beauty and charm of Nan’s West Virginia, her home and the adorable “Katy”.
“ Talk About Suffering” is so beautiful.

[Billie]

I'll be back in a little while to catch up on the WV 'stuff' I missed, but will post today's opening and holidays first. Good morning!

Nan and Luv, I'll find the link to the profile of Nan & her WV in a bit, too. :)

[Billie]

September 16, 2008

Rocks Rule!

Big ones, little ones
Shiny and bright,
I like my rocks
To reflect the light.

I wear 'em on my fingers,
Let 'em dangle from my ears,
"The more the merrier,"
I say,  "Three Cheers!"

~ Billie '08 ~

[Billie]

In addition to "Collect Rocks Day", today we also celebrate



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World's Best Cinnamon Raisin Bread
(makes 3 loaves)

1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup warm water (must be between 110-115 degrees)
2 (1/4 oz) pkgs active dry yeast
3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup raisins
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbls milk
1 cup white sugar
3 Tbls ground cinnamon
2 Tbls butter, melted (approx)

1. Warm the milk in a small sauce pan on the stove until it just starts to bubble, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Let cool until lukewarm, about 120-125 degrees.
4. Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside until yeast is frothy, about 10 minutes or so (make sure your water is at the correct temperature or the yeast won't activate.) Then mix in eggs, sugar, butter, salt and raisins (stir in the cooled milk slowly so you don't cook the eggs.) Add the flour gradually to make a stiff dough.
5. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until smooth.
6. Place in a large, buttered, mixing bowl and turn to grease the surface of the dough.
7. Cover with a warm, damp cloth and let rise (try placing it in the oven with just the oven light on) Allow to rise until doubled, usually about 1 1/2 hours.
8. Roll out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle 1/2 inch thick.
9. Moisten the dough with 2 tablespoons milk and rub all over the dough with your hands.
10. Mix together 1 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons cinnamon and sprinkle mixture evenly on top of the moistened dough.
11. Roll up tightly (the long way).
12. The roll should be about 3 inches in diameter.
13. Cut into thirds, and tuck under ends and pinch bottom together.
14. Place loaves into well-greased (you can use Crisco or butter for this) 9 x 5 inch pans and lightly grease tops of loaves.
15. Let rise in warm place, uncovered, again for about an hour.
16. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until loaves are lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped.
17. Remove fro, oven and let cool on rack.
18. Take melted butter and spread over tops of loaves.
19. After about 20 minutes, lay loaves on their sides and remove from pans. Can drizzle a glaze of powdered sugar/milk if desired.
20. Allow to cool before slicing.

[LadyPilgrim]

That cinnamon bread looks soooo fine. Yum!!!

[jaycee]

Sounds like a lot of fun today. I will be back to ‘play’ after while. Thank you, Billie.

When I saw that Cinnamon Raisin Bread, my breakfast didn’t satisfy me. I may have to try that recipe!

[jaycee]

I thought the same thing. Told Billie I may have to try that sometime....!

[MEG33]

Rhodochosite Alma Queen 01
Houston Museum Of Natural History.

Found near Alma Colorado
Love your rocks opening, Billie!

[gardengirl]

I adore rocks, and I’m not talking about diamonds! Course, living on the sandy coast of NC, where the only “rocks” are beds of oysters.... LOL

About the Mayflower... Have any of y’all ever seen Columbus’ ships? There’s a replica of The Nina that comes into Beaufort—that’s Bo-fort, not BU-fort!—that thing is unbelievable tiny! There is no way I would go out of Beaufort harbor on that thing, much less across teh Atlantic! And the thought of staying below decks the whole way... Sheesh! Our ancestors were TOUGH!

[Billie]

LUV, I put together most of the W.Va. spotlight at the Finest. Billie could probably find that really quick. you could see some of our lovely state there. Also, if you Google for the Wonderful West Virginia Magazine and check out the gallery, you will be stunned.

Here you go - a couple of links ... the Finest' profile of Nan:

10-03-02 ~ In the Spotlight...Reluctantly

And Nan's and Mama_Bear's cyber tour of West Virginia:

02-06-04 ~ WVNan's West Virginia

[Billie]

That cinnamon bread looks soooo fine. Yum!!!

It does, doesn't it? Looks like pieces of toasted almonds as well as slivered ones on top, but I'm not really sure. I just wanted to find a really mouth-watering photo of Cinamon Raisin Bread, and that one was 'it'! I never make bread except in my bread machine, though it sounds like that particular recipe is awesome. :)

Good to see you here; thanks for coming.

[Billie]

Sounds like a lot of fun today. I will be back to ‘play’ after while. Thank you, Billie.

Thanks, jaycee!

When I saw that Cinnamon Raisin Bread, my breakfast didn’t satisfy me. I may have to try that recipe!

Well, share it with us when you do! :)

[Billie]

Found near Alma Colorado Love your rocks opening, Billie!

Thank you, Meg. And WOW! what a rock THAT is!

You know, I have a few pieces of jewelry that are made by a real 'rockhound' - the settings are unique, but the stones are beautiful, too.

[OESY]

Special rates from Bristol and Southampton, this day only:

"You move, we shake."

.

[jaycee]

Choices, Choices?






What Will It Be?

[OESY]

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