Story Time- Tried to Make Chocolate Ice Cream

August 19, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 40 Comments

Sometimes I think I should be banned from even my own kitchen. At times I get an idea that somehow does not turn out the way I thought it would. The idea seems like a good one, but I quickly realize it was a terrible idea.

Case in point is the time I thought I had a way to make a version of sugar free ice cream..

Photo by Layyana Sheridean on Pexels.com

The idea that came to mind was to take low fat cottage cheese and add cocoa powder. My thinking was the cottage cheese contains the milk product but no sugar. I added the cocoa powder for the chocolate.. I eagerly stirred this strange concoction in anticipate of my creation.

Then I did it. I took one spoonful and into my mouth it went. To my horror, it quickly came out of my mouth as the realization that what I thought was an ever so clever idea was actually monstrosity. It tasted nothing like ice cream.

In my defense, there was nothing to warn me the idea wouldn’t work. But then perhaps that in itself should have been telling. No recipe exists for what I was trying to do. 🙂

So okay I am no Master Chef. God seems to have given me other abilities such as teaching. The classroom is a place that ideas I have actually turn out well. Another would be ministry among refugees and immigrants.

The truth of Ephesians 2:10 comes to mind.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Apparently cooking was not something I was created for. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Encouragement from Fellow Bloggers

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 20 Comments

This week some of my fellow bloggers encouraged me regarding two different things. The first might cause concern for some and the other was confirmation of an idea.

Kerna of Kay’s at kernacj.wordpress.com in my comments asked about my jokes. I shared a few and she gave me this comment- Nice. You should compile them, if you haven’t already.

Brenda of becominghistapestry.com left me this comment- Yes, we do leave impressions on those we meet, haha 😂 you are a funny one

Alica of forhispurpose.com left me this comment-Love your jokes, laughter is such a wonderful gift!! She hears my jokes each time she joins blogger chat on Saturday mornings.

Perhaps much to the chagrin, notice how that word has grin in it?- I was encouraged to continue with my brilliant humor 🙂 Some might be thinking what Pippin said to Merry when Treebeard the Ent-tree shepherd- began talking. Pippin told him- Don’t encourage it Merry.

A bit more seriously. I had the idea on Sunday of writing a book of short stories. Tangie of tangietwoods.blog commented on one of my short stories in my other blog encounterswiththeancients.com – “Wow. You are a great writer and should publish a book of short stories if you have not already done so. I will definitely buy a copy.” Her comment felt like confirmation of the idea I had while praying.

What can I say. It is often the case that my life and ministry has me in some fairly deep conversations, but sometimes this guy likes to show up.

I would also like to thank my fellow bloggers who comment they are praying for me for my ministry and regarding my life with chronic illness. Those comments are encouraging.

Genuine interaction whether light hearted or encouragement is what this can be- A Blogging Community.

So after I finish my book Jessica’s Encounters, should I write a joke book next or a book of short stories? hmmm.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

My Breakfast Day After Meds

June 25, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 37 Comments

There is a cereal that uses the slogan breakfast of champions. I cannot eat that cereal because I have Celiacs. A normal breakfast for me is an apple and a cup of Greek yogurt. But I decided to treat myself the day after I take Methotrexate the medication I take for Psoriatic Arthritis.

So what is my breakfast of champions the day after you might ask? Thank you for asking. My breakfast the day after is chocolate ice cream. 🙂

Chocolate ice cream is easy on my stomach, tastes WONDERFUL, and my little way of rewarding myself.

My schedule is clear today, so that means a day of relaxing. I think a coffee shop will be on my agenda later today, My bed is telling a nap might also be on my agenda for the day.

What is on your agenda for today?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- Bacon in a Microwave?

June 24, 2021June 23, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 16 Comments

My life with my microwave is an ongoing adventure. Count me among the people who think the microwave is one of the greatest inventions of all time. This week I had a new adventure with my microwave that I learned something from.

(the picture above is not of my actual microwave. Do you really think my kitchen would look that good? lol)

I love bacon. Bacon and eggs in the morning? Count me in 🙂

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

One problem- I don’t like to wash dishes especially pans. There are other things in life that require my attention such as blogging, hanging out in coffee shops etc.

So this week I had an idea. I put some bacon in a bowl and cooked the bacon in my microwave. I used popcorn setting twice to make sure it was cooked enough to eat. It did not get crispy, but it was edible.

The one problem you might ask? The grease splattering in my microwave created a mess. Now I have to clean my microwave. My original goal of not having to clean something was thwarted. I hope my microwave is not upset with me. 🙂

I am beginning to think that when it comes to truth in the verse Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

that culinary skills are not part of God’s handiwork for me. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Survived the Doctor :)

June 3, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 32 Comments

Yes, I survived the doctor yesterday. He was friendly, easy to talk to, and informative. Just waiting for him to have liver function tests come back before starting a prescription.

I wondered if the x-ray tech thought I could do yoga. lol

For example, for some x-rays, the x-ray tech wanted me to have my toes pointed inward. While doing so for several x-rays, I wondered why I had to do yoga poses. lol

I may have told some jokes to the nurses. At the nurses station as I was leaving, I told the nurse I was talking to that sometimes I have to stop driving because the tires on my car get dizzy. She thought I was serious at first but the other nurses laughing told her it was a joke.

As the four vials of blood were being drawn, I wondered if they were for tests or for a vampire. lol

The best part was the conversation with my friend on the way there and back. We discussed our Life Group from church, shared humorous stories, and talked about life. It was good to get to know my brother in Christ better.

So pending liver function tests, a new med will be on my list. I survived the doctor. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Having Fun in a Coffee Shop

May 27, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 13 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I was in one of my favorite coffee shops- surprised? I may have had a little fun making the employees laugh.

A few examples:

When the phone was ringing, the manager asked where the phone was. I was very helpful when I told her it was in the building somewhere.

When the guy who makes the gluten free panini sandwiches walked by, I asked when they changed the serving time to 11 to 2 from 11 to 2:30 while pointing to the countertop sign. He stopped and looked and then cracked up realizing I had faked him out.

While two young women were working at the counter, I asked them what exfoliating was. They explained it. I shared my observation that it would be cheaper to just us SOS pads- steel wool pads with soap in them.

When I went for a refill, I shared there was a tornado watch for Mc Cook a small city in my state. One of the workers asked me where McCook is. My answer- it is between here and Colorado.

Speaking of where things are, we do not need to worry about where heaven is or how to get there. There is no map and we can’t use GPS. But we do not need to worry about that because we can know the way. That is because the way is a person- Jesus. When asked about the way to heaven, Jesus answered in John 14:

“I am the way, the truth and the life.”

I will be meeting a friend there this afternoon. Perhaps more fun will be had.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Sometimes My Face Says It All

May 25, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 18 Comments

For the first time since last summer, I got my haircut at a hair place. I tried cutting it myself last some months ago but did such a bad job that one of my students fixed it for me with scissors during class. lol

On Saturday I also stopped at a convenience store to get a few things. Our mask mandate is done where I live, but I noticed the guy in front of me was not only wearing a mask but also plastic gloves. That was totally understandable as I realize some still feel the need or may still need to for various reasons. It was what he bought that got my attention. He bought cigarettes. I thought to myself-“if you are worried about COVID why aren’t you worried about the effects of smoking.”

When I got home Saturday, I had info in the mail from the Rheumatology Clinic I will go to. I sat down and checked on my insurance and looked at what I have spent for doctors so far this year. I won’t say the amount, but my reaction says it all.

Sometimes my face says it all. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- My Epic Failure Yesterday

May 6, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 19 Comments

A few of my fellow teachers and I have a countdown for how many more mornings of needing an alarm clock. We do this before each break like Christmas Break, Spring Break, and of course before summer. They are a bit jealous my countdown is shorter due to my morning class ending four days before their classes end for the year.

Photo by u0412u043bu0430u0434u0438u043cu0438u0440 u0413u043bu0430u0434u043au043eu0432 on Pexels.com

When I have a day off from my morning class, I call it a no alarm clock day. When the alarm clock wakes me up on school days, it is a love/hate moment for me. I love teaching my morning class, so I begrudgingly get out of bed wishing I could sleep some more. I can’t throw my alarm clock out of frustration because I use my iPad for my alarm clock.

So about yesterday and my Epic Failure. I set aforementioned alarm clock for 6:30 in the morning. Much to my chagrin, I woke up at 6 in the morning meaning I woke up before my alarm clock could perform its unwelcome intrusion upon my slumber. I realize this may cause you to worry about my welfare, but let me reassure you that I did survive my Epic Failure.

It helped that I had time for a most welcome event called an afternoon nap. Naps are wonderful and I believe can be a spiritual endeavor. Jesus took naps. He slept in the boat in the midst of a storm. I really need to get the shirt that says0 ‘Jesus took naps. Be Like Jesus.’ 😉

How do you feel about alarm clocks?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

My Love/Hate Relationship with Trees

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 10 Comments

“I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree.”= from Joyce Kilmer’s famous poem about trees

, Confession time- I have a love/hate relationship with trees. Obviously the poet Joyce Kilmer didn’t have allergies.

Trees give us oxygen and clean our air. Trees give us shade in the summer time. Trees give us delicious treats like apples, oranges, and bananas. Trees provide a home for the birds who sing in the morning.

How could anyone have a love/hate relationship with trees?

Simple- I am allergic to tree pollen. The time of year when everyone else is excited to see flowers bloom on certain trees, I hope for a big thunderstorm to blow those blossoms off. For two months each spring, I wish lived in a place where trees do not bud new leaves all at once as they come back to life.

Yes, each April and May, I HATE trees because they mean taking allergy pills and using allergy sprays. They mean sitting inside out of the pollen and checking pollen counts each day. Right now, I hate trees for making me miserable. Yes, I am complaining, but I think I needed to write this to unblock my mind and free me up from hating a beautiful part of God’s creation.

But then June comes and the trees aren’t budding anymore and it seems all of the sudden, no tree pollen. Then I love trees. I can go to the park or out for a walk and have no allergy symptoms. As the summer gets hotter I love the shade trees provide.

In the fall the leaves change color and the skyline of the city comes alive with vivid colors of red, yellow, orange, and gold. Then I love trees for their beauty.

So I guess trees teach me something about living in this world and in this life. This life is a mixed bag of blessings and struggles. What blesses one person can make trouble for another person. So I guess I will just have to accept that for ten months of the year, I will continue to love trees and not blame them for the two months of misery

I just hope The Tree of Life in heaven does not emit tree pollen but of course there I won’t have allergies 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- My Successful Recipe

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 ~ jesusluvsall ~ 32 Comments

Yes in the past I have shared stories of my failed attempts in the kitchen. It is true that my cooking skills often fall short and the outcome is not quite edible. Case in point is my frustration with gluten free frozen pizzas and their inability to tell me when they are done resulting in somewhat overcooked pizza.

My news today may send shock waves through the blogosphere. I came up with a recipe that is delicious and impossible to overcook. Perhaps you are on the edge of your seat anticipating what the recipe might be, so with no further delay here goes.

Chocolate ice cream is a fav of mine. I am also a big fan of Greek yogurt that has fruit with my fav being black cherry Greek yogurt. A few weeks ago a thought came to me. I love chocolate ice cream with mix ins at ice cream places such strawberry ice cream mixed in. So the idea came to me to mix in some black cherry Greek yogurt with chocolate ice cream. The result was a taste sensation of EPIC proportions.

I am sure you are overwhelmed by my master chef level creativity. No need to thank me for this recipe. Enjoy it anytime you like. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless..