In Musings

Ducks at Glorieta Conference Center find some cold water for a swim in the nearly frozen lake.

Glorieta Sales Manager Mark Heckle setting up the Christmas Village at Glorieta Conference Center.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, I thought I would share with you another of my favorite recipes for making and giving this year.

Glazed Lemon Drop Cookies
Drop Cookies
    * 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
    * 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
    * 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    * 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
    * 1 cup granulated sugar
    * 1 large egg
    * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze
    * 2 cups confectioner's sugar
    * 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
    * 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. Position an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest with a fork.
3. In a large bowl beat butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat until combined.
5. With mixer on low beat in flour mixture.
6. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons, 1 inch apart, onto baking sheets.
7. Bake one baking sheet at a time in the center of the oven until edges are golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. When cool, spread lemon cookies with lemon glaze and let set, about 1 hour.

Lemon Glaze: In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest, and 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until smooth and of a good spreading consistency. Add more lemon juice to thin the glaze and more sugar to thicken it.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and please share your favorites with us.  This recipe makes about 2 dozen Glazed Lemon Cookies.

I've been reading a lot about going "green".  I have been recycling for a while now but haven't implemented the "green" movement much beyond that because...

1.  I hadn't really thought about things like my clothing or make-up harming the environment.

2. Buying organic is expensive.

   However, going green isn't just about reduce, reuse and recycle, it's also about sustainability.  I just didn't think about fabric dyes or cleaning chemicals being harmful to environment much less being absorbed thru my skin.  So here is the plan, some things may take more time than others but when I have a plan I am much more likely to stick to it. 

• Conserve energy
• Reduce waste
• Shop at the local farmers market
• Shop for natural fabrics and dyes
• Buy recycled products
• Buy organic

These are some "green" ideas I an trying, what about you?

I was recently in a Bible Study where they shared these emergency numbers.  I thought it was a great quick reference guide so I thought I would share them with you.

 FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

When...
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS ARE DIRECT.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

I was at a workshop the other day and the presenter was using a power point to go along with her presentation.  I found the slides so distracting that it was difficult to stay focused on what the speaker was talking about.  I began to think about the presentations that I make with power point and wondered if my slides were distracting too.  So I started doing some research on it and found the following information on the use of color and thought I would share it with you.

Individual color responses are based on powerful learned responses as well as innate physical, mental and involuntary emotional references. In other words, there are strong cultural factors to take into account, and at the same time, everyone may respond in a unique and independent way to the colors you choose for your event. What follows is based on culturally dominant color references in the United States.


Orange
• Instills a sense of energy
• Heightens cheerfulness,social interaction
• Encourages movement, gives vigor

Red
• Stimulates appetite
• Associated with impulse, desire, passion
• Promotes vitality and intensity of experience
• Provokes the urge to achieve results and succeed
• Increases blood pressure and pulse rate
• Warms, enriches

Yellow
• Instills happy, carefree feelings
• Restores personal balance
• Supports optimism
• Improves memory and creative expression
• Promotes a positive attitude

Green
• Promotes optimal use of willpower
• Creates a cool, relaxing,soothing feeling
• Establishes balance and harmony, friendly feelings
• Supports concentration and focus
• Reinforces analysis, precision, accuracy

Blue
• Promotes feelings of peace and calm
• Supports increased sensitivity
• Promotes feelings of loyalty, security, contentment
• Reinforces tradition and lasting values
• Lowers blood pressure and pulse rate
• Suggests safety, trust
• Deep blue may be associated with a conservative world-view

Pink
• Strongly associated with femininity
• Suggests a loving, nurturing, soothing environment
• Encourages healing, resting
• Stimulates intellect and clarity of thought

Violet/Purple
• Supports creativity
• Seen as regal, dignified, royal and powerful in some settings; others may yield notions of being mystical, magical, full of surprises or enchanting
• Lighter shades may suggest an irresponsible or immature nature

Gray
• Strongly associated with neutrality and borders
• Suggests solidity, security, objectivity and professionalism
(Warning: Gray is bland and uninspiring when used alone.)

Black
• Creates an authoritative, somber attitude
• Perceived as mysterious, sophisticated, stylish
• Carries overtones of being, contemporary, sturdy and substantial
• When used effectively, may suggest power

Brown
• Suggests a reduced sense of vitality
• Perceived as passive, receptive, sensory
• Suggests desire for family, a home, physical ease, solid roots

White
• Strongly associated with innocence, cleanliness, goodness, simplicity, purity
• In some settings, also may be used to send messages of glamor, sophistication, excellence

Once again it’s that time of year. Time for the annual Southern Baptist Convention. This year we’re in Orlando, FL at one of the world’s largest convention centers. Needless to say, this place is huge and we’re only using a small part of it. Can’t imagine how large the group would have to be to use the whole thing!

We’re going to have a great time this year. If you’re going to be at the convention, please be sure to stop by and see us. If you’re not able to make it…here’s a little sneak peek at what we’re doing this year. Enjoy!