From Hectic to Holy

The current corona virus crisis has a lot of people frazzled and short tempered. Occasionally, that includes me too. I miss my Bible study sisters. I miss going to church services. I miss going out for barbecue on Friday nights. I miss hugging people. I miss a lot of things. I’m sure you do too.

One of my friends emailed me saying she thought she’d get more rest during this “self isolation” period we’re going through, but she’s more tired than ever. Author Chris Hodges in his book The Daniel Dilemma says that “real rest doesn’t come from simply resting; it comes when your soul is connected to God’s power.” He points out how calm Daniel in the Old testament is–along with his chums Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego—even though they were taken captive, separated from their families and lived tumultuous times—the slaves of high- strung pagan kings in palaces full of debauchery.

The subtitle of the book is How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise. I have been reading short sections of the book each day during this Coronaggedon and have found it uplifting and encouraging. I am learning to rest in His Grace and Truth—despite these tumultuous times.  Yes, the author points out that even when we trust in God, will still wrestle with loss, disappointment and doubts and painful emotions, but as he says, “I’d rather have hope in what an all powerful God can do than certainty in what I am limited to do.”

God bless you.

Stay well.

Keep the Faith.

Shirley

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God (Harvest House). She holds an M.A. in literature and has been married to her husband Bill for over forty years. They live in New Mexico where she is prayer chairman for her local Community Bible Study (CBS). Touch base at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook.

                    

Courageous WorldChangers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God is currently on sale from Harvest House. Get free shipping with promo code STAY HOME.

It’s Women’s History Month By Shirley Raye Redmond

Shirley here. Godly women are light and salt in our world. As March is Women’s
History Month, I thought it might be fun to offer a multiple choice quiz
to test your WHQ—women’s history quotient. The answers are provided
at the end of the quiz. Good luck!

(1) Who was the first licensed female watchmaker in the
Netherlands?
(A) Greta Brinker
(B) Corrie Ten Boom
(C) Maria Van Dyke

(2) Who was the first pilot to ever fly for the Missionary Aviation
Fellowship—yes, the pilot was a woman!
(A) Amelia Earheart
(B) Elizabeth Greene
(C) Beryl Markham

(3) Who was the most prolific female hymn writer of all time? Hint:
She was blind from infancy.
(A) Katherine Anne Porter
(B) Fanny Crosby
(C) Katherine Lee Bates

(4) Who opened the first orphanage for African American children
in 1899 near Chicago:
(A) Jane Addams
(B) Amanda Smith
(C) Harriet Beecher Stowe

(5) Pastor Alexander Whitaker taught her to read the Bible and
speak English. When baptized she took the name Rebecca and
married an English widower named John Rolfe. Who was she?
(A) Tucumcari
(B) Pocahontas
(C) Kateri

(6) One of the fastest runners in the world, she won three Olympic
gold medals. Hard to believe she was crippled with polio when
she was a baby. Who was she?
(A) Babe Didrickson
(B)
(C) Wilma Rudolph
(D) Tamika Catchings Smith

(7) As a lighthouse keeper in Rhode Island, she saved more than a
dozen men from drowning during her amazing career. She
received many honors and awards, including a visit from
President Ulyssess Grant who came to thank her personally for
her dedication to the United States Lighthouse Service. Who
was she?
(A) Jane Austen
(B) Ida Lewis
(C) Louisa May Alcott

Answers: The correct answer for each question is letter B. You can
learn more about these amazing women and others like them in my latest
book, Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women
of God.

Women of Fearless Faith

Meet women who have used their God-given talents to live out their faith to the fullest. They come from a variety of backgrounds, eras, and ethnicities, but each one has answered the Lord’s call on their life in bold and innovative ways.

Children of all ages will be inspired by the stories of

• Corrie ten Boom—activist, author, and Holocaust survivor
• Laurie Hernandez—gymnast who won both gold and silver medals in her sport
• Florence Nightingale—health care reformer
• Madeline L’Engle—author of children’s literature
• Mother Teresa—missionary and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

These and the 45 other female spiritual role models featured in this book have made a profound impact on the world around them, and in many cases changed the course of history. Strong, smart, and sometimes outspoken, these women are tremendous examples of God’s love in action.

These inspiring profiles will captivate kids’ imaginations and encourage them to discover their own gifts and how they can use them to glorify God.               

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God (Harvest House). She holds an M.A. in literature and has been married to her husband Bill for over forty years. They live in New Mexico where she is prayer chairman for her local Community Bible Study (CBS). Touch base at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook.

Birds of a Feather

Visiting Nassau’s Ardastra Gardens was one of the highlights of our Bahamas vacation. My husband and I laughed as we watched the world famous marching flamingos circle the performance ring. With their long spindly legs and graceful S-shaped necks, the birds obeyed the commands of their “drill sergeant.” Around the ring they marched, puffing out their chests. When the “sergeant” blew his whistle, the birds would do a quick about face and head the other way. They were hilarious. After the show we learned that this particular generation of birds hadn’t been trained at all. Decades ago, the owner of the gardens had trained a few flamingos, as part of an experiment. Now the younger birds mimic the older birds, and so it has continued for generations of the garden’s flamingos. It reminded me of that game follow the leader we used to play as children. Even as adults we still follow leaders, don’t we? Pastors and their wives, mentors, teachers, supervisors at work, and others. Are we choosing to follow people who are worthy to be followed? Keep in mind that others are watching and following us—our children and grandchildren and neighbors, for instance. Are we leading them as we should? Not all leaders do so—consider Adolph Hitler and Mao Zedong, for example. Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  (Matthew 16:24--NIV) Jesus calls us to follow him too. He will not lead us astray. Nor will he suddenly order us to do a spiritual about face. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God (Harvest House). She holds an M.A. in literature and has been married to her husband Bill for over forty years. They live in New Mexico where she is prayer chairman for her local Community Bible Study (CBS). Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook.

Interview with Shirley Raye Redmond

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED, VIPER’S NEST, and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books. Shirley Raye holds an M.A. in literature and teaches part time through the Institute of Children’s Literature. She has been married to her college sweetheart for forty-five years. They live in New Mexico and are blessed with two grown children and four adorable grandchildren.

Backcover copy of Courageous World Changers: Meet women who have used their God-given talents to live out their faith to the fullest. They come from a variety of backgrounds, eras, and ethnicities, but each one has answered the Lord’s call on their life in bold and innovative ways.

Children of all ages will be inspired by the stories of

• Corrie ten Boom—activist, author, and Holocaust survivor
• Laurie Hernandez—gymnast who won both gold and silver medals in her sport
• Florence Nightingale—health care reformer
• Madeline L’Engle—author of children’s literature
• Mother Teresa—missionary and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

These inspiring profiles will captivate kids’ imaginations and encourage them to discover their own gifts and how they can use them to glorify God.  

These and the 45 other female spiritual role models featured in this book have made a profound impact on the world around them, and in many cases changed the course of history. Strong, smart, and sometimes outspoken, these women are tremendous examples of God’s love in action.

Heidi here. Shirley, congratulations on CourageousWorld Changers! Tell us what prompted you to write this book?

I had just finished reading 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxes. The seven Christian women profiled in the book lived their faith boldly, and I was so inspired by their biographies.  I made a comment to my husband how I would love to write a book like this for girls. Shortly after that, my agent contacted me saying Harvest House was looking for such a book for kids. She wanted to know if I’d like to submit a book proposal. So I did. I want girls to see—in the words of Christian convert Pandita Ramabai that, “A life committed to Christ has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, and nothing to regret.”

Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?

I have always wanted to write from the time I was 12-year-old. I had my first newspaper article published when I was still in high school. Ideas come from everywhere. The seed for my first novel, Stone of the Sun (romantic suspense) sprouted while I was watching a re-enactment of the shoot-out at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Pigeon Hero! (Simon & Schuster) came to life after I watched a special about World War II messenger pigeons on the History Channel. I keep a recipe box filled with index cards on which I write down ideas—some fictional and others nonfiction, some for books and some for articles, essays or devotions. I’m never at a loss about what to write next. There are plenty of ideas to chose from.

What do you consider the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career?

Oh, that’s so hard to say. Each “first” has been so exciting: my first article, my first novel, my first children’s book (which later became a Weekly Reader selection), my first writing award, signing with my first literary agent. When Lewis & Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Random House) was chosen to be a Children’s Book of the Month club selection, I was over the moon. The first time I received a hefty 5-figure offer for textbook rights for one of my children’ books, I did a happy dance in the living room—literally. Even receiving my first fan letter was a thrill. Every first has been a blessing to me.

Congratulations on your great publishing success! Time for a fun question: You are alone and stranded on a desert island and can have ONE food product and ONE drink, what would they be?

That’s too hard! I love food. But I can’t go very long without iced tea or Dr. Pepper and those little orange cheese crackers that come in a box—I fear I’m addicted to them. J

Well, I must admit I am not a fan of those little orange cheese crackers ~ I'd go with diet pepsi and chocolate (though I could easily survive on cheese, popcorn, and chocolate). But, back to you.....What drew you to these particular fifty women?

Faithful Christian women are salt and light in their communities. They all make a difference. But some have such a vibrant faith that—like a stone tossed into a pond— their influence ripples throughout the world. The fifty women included in this book fall into that category. They were (and are) full of courage because they were (are) persuaded that Jesus is Lord. In the Greek, that’s what faithfulness means—“persuaded.” Faith is not a mushy sentimental feeling. It’s a head thing. The word courage comes from the Old French word corage meaning “heart.”

One cannot have the mental or moral courage to stand up against fear and trials unless one is first fully persuaded there is a reason to do so. In this case, the head rules the heart. How else could Corrie ten Boom survive her ordeal in the Nazi prison camp? If not fully persuaded that Christ was real why would Mahalia Jackson dedicate her singing career to Him? How else could Josephine Butler endure being smeared with dung by an angry mob? Why was Bethany Hamilton brave enough to venture back into the ocean after her shark attack? Their faithfulness should encourage us all.

Thank you for sharing that inspiration for the book. Finally, how do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?

To quote author Madeleine L’Engle, “Jesus was God, who told stories.”  So we follow in His footsteps when we’re creative in this way. With Courageous World Changers, I hope to increase the faith of growing Christians and to inspire hope in the hearts (and minds) of those who struggle. The book contains fifty biographies of amazing, gutsy Christian women. I hope reading about them will encourage others to keep running the good race.

Shirley, thank you for sharing with us! Touch base with Shirley at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook 

Courageous World Changers, book review

Courageous World Changers By Shirley Raye Redmond: Meet women who have used their God-given talents to live out their faith to the fullest. They come from a variety of backgrounds, eras, and ethnicities, but each one has answered the Lord’s call on their life in bold and innovative ways.

Children of all ages will be inspired by the stories of

·         Corrie ten Boom—activist, author, and Holocaust survivor

·         Laurie Hernandez—gymnast who won both gold and silver medals in her sport

·         Florence Nightingale—health care reformer

·         Madeline L’Engle—author of children’s literature

·         Mother Teresa—missionary and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

These and the 45 other female spiritual role models featured in this book have made a profound impact on the world around them, and in many cases changed the course of history. Strong, smart, and sometimes outspoken, these women are tremendous examples of God’s love in action.

These inspiring profiles will captivate kids’ imaginations and encourage them to discover their own gifts and how they can use them to glorify God.

Heidi here. In a day where young girls are being told they can be anything, do anything, don't let their gender rule them, Courageous World Changers by Shirley Raye Redmond is a breath of fresh air. These are women who were courageous with God as their focus.

Though there are some women you will recognize in this book, some are obscure women I've only vaguely heard of. And who doesn't like to learn a little now and again?

I specifically liked the quote from Mahalia Jackson, "Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them." Gabby Douglas' story was inspiring, ending with "All the glory goes to God." Condoleezza Rice, influential political adviser, says "faith and reason are not enemies of one another, that indeed we are called to love the Lord our God with our hearts and our minds."

I received this book free from the publisher and the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Grab your copy of Courageous World Changers by Shirley Raye Redmond today!

Be Angelic Today!

Today, August 22 is National Be an Angel Day. Did you know that? I didn’t. Who comes up with these designations anyway? Apparently, today is one in which we celebrate kind folks who do good deeds.

But a real angel does so much more than that. According to the Noah Webster Dictionary of 1828, the word angel means messenger or one who tells or announces. We can see God’s angels doing a lot of that in Bible—for example, when the angel tells Mary she has found favor with God and will give birth to His son, Jesus.

Angels are their own species—powerful and intelligent creatures, who deliver messages for God and perform tasks for Him, such as destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, protecting the Tree of Life in the center of the Garden of Eden, and preventing Satan from stealing the body of Moses.

While angels are depicted in art as femininely beautiful, they must be rather frightening to behold, for they nearly always start out by saying, “Don’t be afraid,” before they deliver their messages. The singing angels celebrating the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem frightened the shepherds in the fields. But then the quiet, unassuming angel at the tomb following Jesus’ resurrection was mistaken for a gardener.

So technically, if we truly want to be angelic, we should share a message about God’s truth and love with someone today. My guess is most people will do something less strenuous: bake a batch of cookies for a shut-in, watch the neighbor’s children for a couple of hours, clean up litter in the park or fill a random parking meter.

What angelic task will you perform today?

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED, VIPER’S NEST, and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books, including LEWIS & CLARK: A PRAIRIE DOG FOR THE PRESIDENT (Random House), which was a Children’s Book of the Month Club selection. Her book, Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Women of God will be released by Harvest House in January. Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook 

Are You a Servant or a Servaholic?

Do you have a servant’s heart?

Don’t be too quick to answer YES! Consider this: Do you become resentful or impatient when asked to perform a service for others? Do you feel that any of the required tasks are beneath your dignity? Are you reluctant to perform small favors for those outside of your church family? Will you want credit or recognition for each task you perform? If so you may be more of a servaholic than a servant-leader.

God’s Word calls us right into the tension between self-love and self-denial. Jesus assumes that we love and care for ourselves to some degree (Matthew 22:39) but he also calls us to radically die to our own desires (Matthew 16:24).

How are we to navigate this paradox? To what degree should we care for ourselves—and why is it important to do so? Can we live out Jesus’ call to self-denial while also living a healthy, balanced life? The tension between self-love and self-denial is not easy to sort out. How do you care for yourself—body and soul—in God-honoring ways? What do you see as the right balance between self-love and self-denial?

The bottom line in servant leadership isn’t how far we advance ourselves, but how far we advance others. We must do the things that God would have us do. This can only be achieved INTENTIONALLY.

Serve joyfully, not out of compulsion or for a desire to be significant in the eyes of others. Serve as Jesus would have you serve.   

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, as well as two dozen children’s books, including LEWIS & CLARK: A PRAIRIE DOG FOR THE PRESIDENT (Random House), which was a Children’s Book of the Month Club selection. Her book, Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Women of God will be released by Harvest House in January. Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook

Climb Every Mountain

By Shirley Raye Redmond

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Bandoola, a powerful Burmese elephant, climbed 5000 feet along the narrow ledge of a sandstone cliff face covered with dense vegetation. With grit and determination, the great tusker and his oozie or elephant handler, led 198 people (including sixty-four women and children and four British army
officers), forty-five elephants and eight calves more than one hundred miles from Burma into India in an daring attempt to escape invading Japanese troops during World War II.

So great was the strain that the elephants’ leg muscles shook for nearly an hour after their ordeal. Upon their safe arrival in India, Lt. Colonel John Williams, the officer in charge, offered up a prayer of thanksgiving. The nineteen-day trek had been grueling for animals and humans alike. Williams well knew that Bandoola and the other tuskers were used to hauling lumber for building bridges and military outposts, but were not accustomed to climbing mountains or carrying cargo. When he asked Po Toke, who’d raised Bandoola from a baby calf, what he’d told the elephant to get him to achieve the near miraculous feat, the oozie simply answered, “Must climb, Bandoola.”

The trust between Bandoola and Po Toke was so strong, the situation so dire, that man and beast strove together to lead the others on the dangerous journey to freedom. Although I’ve never faced such a journey as Bandoola’s, I have occasionally endured hardships that left me shaken and exhausted. Perhaps you have too. Thankfully, we have a trustworthy Savior who walks with us each step of the way, no matter how tough those steps may be.


Prayer Starter: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd who will lead me safely through life’s difficult mountain passes and the lowest valleys. Strengthen my resolve to trust in you.

I’m giving away a copy of Guideposts new inspiring devotional, ALL GOD’S CREATURES. Several of my own devotionals are included in this volume. If you’d like to participate, leave a comment. I will pick a name at random later in the week and the lucky recipient will receive a hard cover, signed copy of the book.

Thunder Dog: Book Review by Shirley Raye Redmond

Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust

By Michael Hingson and Susan Flory
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
256 pages

Book Review By Shirley Raye Redmond

Everyone loves a good dog story about a canine hero. Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Old Yeller, and the list goes on. Now you can add the name Roselle to that list. This incredible Seeing Eye dog—part golden retriever and part Labrador—calmly led her blind owner and one of his colleagues down 78 floors in one of the towers of the World Trade Center that eventually collapsed after a hijacked airplane crashed into it on September 11, 2001.

If you’re looking for a great story to inspire you in the New Year, this is it. It’s a story of faith and trust. You’ll also learn a lot about the intensive training that goes into producing a service dog like Roselle. This is a must-read for every dog lover.


Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED, VIPER’S NEST, and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books, including the true story of THE DOG THAT DUG FOR DINOSAURS (Simon & Schuster). Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook

The Art of Beatrix Potter

By Shirley Raye Redmond

The beloved children’s author and illustrator of such time honored classics as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, has often been portrayed as shy and withdrawn. They say she was sweet natured, but lonely, with no close friends. So she turned to animals for companionship, all the while hating her London home, which was ruled by her overbearing parents.

But the truth of the matter is that her parents were no more overbearing than any other Victorian parents of their day. Although Beatrix was not outgoing, she was quite close with her younger brother and her grandparents. It’s true she preferred the country to the city. Each summer her father rented a home in the country so the family could spend time outdoors, taking long walks and puttering in the garden.

Yes, she loved animals, but did you know that occasionally when her pets died, she boiled their carcasses in a pot to strip away the meat and gristle so she could study their bones and sketch them? By the time she was eighteen, she’d made up her mind to be a painter. Her parents were not pleased. However, when her brother Bertram, eventually began earning his living as an artist, Mr. and Mrs. Potter were proud and thrilled. Bertram tried to introduce his talented sister to important art critics, but they were not interested in her paintings.

Beatrix was in her mid-thirties when she started writing “picture letters” to children of her acquaintance. No one would publish those either. Few people know that Miss Potter self-published The Tale of Peter Rabbit, draining her savings account to pay for 250 copies. At 47, she married William Heelis, a shy country solicitor and got what she wanted at last—she had her character Pigling Bland say it: “I wish I could have a little garden and grow potatoes.”

And those art critics? They’d be surprised, no doubt, to see Beatrix’s collection of exquisite mushroom and other fungi paintings on display today in the British Museum.

Beatrix’s favorite story of the ones she’d written was The Tailor of Gloucester, inspired by entries she’d discovered in her grandmother’s journal about clothing and customs of the day. My favorite is Squirrel Nutkin.

Do you have a favorite Potter tale?
 

*****

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED, VIPER’S NEST, and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books, including LEWIS & CLARK: A PRAIRIE DOG FOR THE PRESIDENT (Random House), which was a Children’s Book of the Month Club selection. Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook

The Pickle Project with Shirley Raye Redmond

Today, Wednesday, November 14 is Pickle Day. Everyone in my family has a different favorite. I’ll bet you do too. My son loves sweet gherkins. My daughter prefers zesty garlic dill, and my hubby likes pickled okra.

Personally, I’ve always loved my Aunt Peggy’s pickles better than any I’ve ever tried. They are a pleasant bluish green color and taste both sweet and sour. Over the years I’ve begged for her recipe. Each time I asked, Aunt Peggy said she couldn’t remember how she made them or where her
cookbook was. I should have been more persistent because now Aunt Peggy is elderly and living in a nursing home. She doesn’t’ remember making her delicious pickles at all.

Not long ago, I made it my mission to peruse cookbooks and cooking blogs to try to find a recipe that would produce pickles like Aunt Peggy used to make. I asked my friends who were canning queens for their sweet and sour pickle recipes. The pursuit led to a lot of pickle making. I even became rather adventuresome, learning to pickle watermelon rind, pears and even peppers.

At a roadside stand on a recent road trip through Georgia, I noticed brightly colored pickles for sale—orange, red, green, yellow and even purple. Kool-Aid pickles, the sales woman told me. I didn’t buy a jar because I would be flying home to New Mexico and knew I wouldn’t be allowed to carry them on the plane.

At my first opportunity, I went online to google a recipe for Kool-Aid pickles. I had a hunch that as those bluish green ones looked so much like Aunt Peggy’s, I hoped they might taste like hers too. The Taste of Home website posted a recipe calling for one 32-ounce jar of whole dill pickles, undrained, and two-thirds cup of sugar, and one envelope of unsweetened Kool-Aid mix in a any flavor. I chose lime.

Following the recipe, I drained the pickles, reserving the juice to mix with the sugar and the Kool-Aid. I sliced the pickles into “pennies” and returned them to the jar. Then I poured the juice mixture back into the jar and kept them refrigerated for a week before allowing myself to taste them.

And guess what? They taste just like Aunt Peggy’s pickles! I was in heaven! Then I became more adventurous and tried the same thing using cherry Kool-Aid. Between now and Christmas I may become a pickle princess, experimenting with blue raspberry and orange.

Do you have a favorite pickle? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel. 

 Happy Pickle Day!

******

An award-winning writer and frequent conference speaker, Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of three inspirational novels, PRUDENCE PURSUED, VIPER’S NEST, and AMANDA’S BEAU, as well as two dozen children’s books, including LEWIS & CLARK: A PRAIRIE DOG FOR THE PRESIDENT (Random House), which was a Children’s Book of the Month Club selection. Touch bases at shirleyrayeredmond.com or Facebook.

Mac and Cheese Candy Canes? Fun with Shirley Raye Redmond

Blogger Shirley Raye Redmond

Mac-and-Cheese Candy Canes?

Put the Trick in Trick-or-Treat!

I think gift catalogs are fun, don’t you? In fact, I am a catalog queen.

My mail carrier told me so. One Christmas, he gave me a card, thanking me for ordering from so many catalogs as it provides him with job security.

Funny man.

I am always perusing catalog pages looking for something silly or unusual for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. One of my favorites is Bas Bleu (French for Blue Stocking). If you’re a booklover and are not familiar with this specialty catalog, you’re missing out. It boasts books and gifts that I’ve not seen for sale anywhere else, like literary fortune cookies—just the item to serve at your next book club meeting. There are wonderful note cards, puzzles, mugs, and the cutest Christmas ornaments—all with book themes of course.

Another one of my favorite sellers of silly gifts is Archie McPhee. You can find everything from Edgar Allan Poe candy to Shakespeare gum. They even sell mac-n-cheese flavored candy canes. Yep, mac-in-cheese. They have coal flavored and clam favored, if you prefer. Bacon and dill pickle too.
These make hilarious “gag” gifts and put the “merry” in Merry Christmas. My grandkids now look forward to whatever off-the-wall presents they might receive from me.

Do you have a favorite catalog you enjoy shopping from? C’mon, tell me!

Do You Talk Like a Pirate?

Blogger: Shirley Raye Redmond

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day. There are various explanations for the origin of the day, but I do know schools in my county actually encourage the students to observe the day by dressing in baggy shirts, donning eye patches and growling “Arrghh” or “Shiver me timbers.”

I don’t get it. After all, pirates weren’t good guys, were they? Pirates were the gangs of their day—killing, raping, pillaging. I suppose time, distance, Disney and Hollywood have made these human predators more romantic than they actually were.

After a quick scan of nautical idioms, I realized that we talk like pirates and seamen in general more than we may realize. When we refer to someone being a “loose cannon” or a “son of a gun,” we are using seaman’s slang. We may find ourselves “high and dry” or “three sheets to the wind.”

Have you ever been told to “get onboard” or “been in the same boat” with someone else? Have you ever had to “break the ice” or “batten down the hatches?” Some sailing slang is just plain odd. On more than one occasion, I’ve read in novels where sailors refer to the common storm petrel as “Mother Carey’s chickens.” I had to look that one up. It turns out that these birds exhibit a certain kind of behavior before a storm approaches.

Thankful for the warning, seaman long ago called this sea bird Mater Cara or “Beloved Mother,” a Latin term referring to the Virgin Mary. Even the name petrel is derived from the name of the disciple Peter, who walked upon the water toward Jesus one stormy night. Over time, the name morphed into Mother Carey.

So today, clear the decks and give a wide berth to anyone who orders you to walk the plank!

Peach Pie Day

Blogger: Shirley Raye Redmond

Every August 24 is Peach Pie Day, and what better way to observe it than by baking a peach pie. That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But have you ever considered how many kinds of peach pie there are? Skimming through a few cookbooks, I was a little surprised at all the variations on the
theme. In one Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, I found six different recipes. Six! French crunch peach pie, pizza peach pie, peach caramel pie, brown sugar peach pie, deep dish orange and peach pie and finally, golden peach pie made with lots of nutmeg.

I’m sure you have a favorite recipe, but here’s the one I like best:

Old-Fashioned Peach Custard Pie.

You will need the following ingredients:
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
4 large or 5 small very ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
5 tablespoons flour, divided
3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Prep the Pie
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix 3 tablespoons of the flour and all the brown sugar. Sprinkle in the
bottom of the pie shell. Arrange the sliced peaches on top of the
flour/sugar mixture.
3. Combine the milk and egg, and pour over the peaches. Combine the
remaining 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and
sprinkle evenly over the peaches and milk mixture.
4. Bake for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle of the pie
comes out clean.

And there you have it—Happy Peach Pie Day to you!