Thursday, January 23, 2014

Touch and Turn Us

We are a nation of calloused hearts, stubborn will, and rebellious minds--a sinful people. 
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.." (Is. 53:6) "...Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people with unclean lips..." (Is. 6:5) "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I...For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do...O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7: 15,19,24) 
Oh, it's Jesus...Only Jesus! 
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" (Is. 55:6) "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6) "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice...Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Ps. 51:7,8,10)
Through our Savior we can get true renewal and cleansing to our souls. But don't stop there. Let the love, peace, joy, and revival shine through and touch others that they may experience such grace from above. "Ye are the salt of the earth...Ye are the light of the world...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:13,14,16)

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Cinnamon Roll Review

One of the main reasons why I've only made cinnamon rolls once or twice is, well...they are just too time consuming! As with any other bread, it does take awhile, but cinnamon rolls do take a little more time with the extra rolling, cutting, and glazing. Then with all that work, they just don't last as nearly as long!  
...*subtly licks fingers*...

Still lying in bed this morning, I had the sudden urge to try my hand at them again, thinking there must be an "easy" recipe somewhere online. Everyone is always looking for quick and easy. With a little searching, I found exactly what I was going to try.
And Sally was right!  
Easy.

I enjoyed making these so much. From past baking experiences, I was a little apprehensive when it came time to roll them up, but it worked out perfectly. Sally lays out the recipe directions very plainly for easy following. Even included an overnight rising option and how she let her rolls rise.
I always just let my dough rise near a hot surface, never even thought of putting them IN the oven. 
Duh, Rachel.

 The glaze recipe that Sally used is a coffee glaze and it sounds like it would be delicious! However; as I was wanting more of the traditional glaze, I jumped over to Food Network and used the glaze recipe Paula Deen used for her cinnamon rolls.

Thirty minutes in the oven and this is what I get!
Beautiful, soft cinnamon rolls with a very, very...very excellent taste the whole family loved.
MMMMMMMMMmmm, good!
Thank you Sally for your lovely recipe! It's definitely a keeper.
Please go to http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/05/08/easy-cinnamon-rolls-from-scratch/#comment-190862 for the recipe and make sure to browse through her webpage at all her other mouthwatering goodies!

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(Yes...I really did eat three in one sitting and going back for the leftovers as dessert tonight.)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Chicken Enchiladas

The original recipe is found here, but below is going to give you my slight variations and technique of the recipe.

2 boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 cups cheese
2 tablespoons parsley flakes
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 
15 oz tomato sauce
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 clove of minced garlic
1 jar of La Victoria red taco sauce, mild
About 10 flour tortilla shells
1 cup cheese

Brown and thoroughly cook the chicken in a skillet with about 1/4 cup olive oil. 

Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and add the sour cream and cheese. 

 
Once that is mixed evenly, add the seasonings, tomato sauce, and garlic until hot and bubbly. 


 

Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and roll up to place into a baking dish. (I was able to make 10 enchiladas)




Smother the taco sauce over the shells and cover with 1 cup of cheese.





Cover and bake at 350* until hot and cheese has melted.



And VoilĂ !

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A New Day

Every day is a gift. The sun comes up and the sun goes down. We may not see it through stormy clouds, but it is still there, shining forth its light.

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
~Psalm 118:24~

It's a new day. It's a beautiful day...and we have the choice on how we are going to spend it. We are given one day at a time, so we must choose wisely. 
Our days are unknowingly numbered. 

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
~James 4:14~

It's a continuous process to learn how to make the best of each new day. There are triumphs, there are challenges, and there are failures...
and each outcome is perfect.

It's okay to have a bad day. It's okay to have a slow day. It's okay to not get it all done. It will soon be a new day with a new beginning. The thing that matters is that we continue forward every day and don't let the past put us down. 

A bad day, doesn't equal a bad life!!

Even through the periods that are weeks, months, years long of hard, unorganized chaos..
your new day does not have to start overnight.

Slowly add on a new, simple chore before turning out the lights for a refresher the next morning.
Get those dishes done. 
                         Run a vacuum over the living room. 
                                                                      Clean off the table. 
                                                                                            Sweep the laundry room.



You WILL get a new day.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Loveliest Lovelies

With the hustle and bustle of life, we seldom slow down to enjoy the quiet things around us. The best things come in small packages and it's these small things that make life to be lovely. 

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.




The sound of turning pages from an old Bible, the knowing feeling that you are the reason of someone's happiness, children's voices praying to Jesus, soft music playing in a quiet room.

Simplicity can come with a myriad of emotions. 







Dirt roads, blowing skirts in a warm wind, laughter in the pouring rain, stain-glassed windows glowing with sunlight during a Sunday morning sermon, snow falling softly at night, gumusservi.

Don't let the moments be just ordinary...
                                                                            but extraordinary.
(For more lovelies, see my Pinterest board!)


What are some of your loveliest lovelies?






Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Declutterification Process Has Begun!

Clutter: transitive verb. To fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness (taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary). 

Second drawer in the kitchen...CLUTTERED.


First off, I'd like to know how does one have that many lids for only this many plastic containers?
It's small things like this that are so easily neglected and end up becoming something completely ridiculous and out of control. It seems to be much easier to just throw things in the drawers or make piles on top of the desk. Of course, until its too late. And there is so much clutter that it takes more time to sort through the mess to find something. Then all the work and time spent in doing so often brings discontentment and frustration and any ambition to keep up with other chores soon slowly dissipates.

But, when you get up and decide to take charge of a situation, you find that you are able to conquer more than just the task at hand. 

The same goes for our Spiritual walk. By making it a point to say a prayer each morning before we start our day, there is an energized feeling that the rest of the day will be peacefully beautiful if we just take that time with the Lord.
"I can do all things 
through Christ 
which strengtheneth me." 
~Philippians 4:13

So...deciding that the drawer madness needs to stop, I managed to give almost every container a lid (with extras to spare) and still had a full plastic AND paper bag that went to the dumpster. 
Also, re-purposed that neglected salad spinner to give more room in the other cabinet.

Time to tackle that medicine cabinet next!




What de-cluttering ideas have you found to be refreshingly helpful?


Monday, January 6, 2014

A New Year, A New Experience

First and foremost, I'd like to welcome you to my blog, Idaho Inspirations! I've created a handful of blogs over the years, but only for them to be neglected and pointless. But this time...this time, I've come back with a purpose and determination. I hope you enjoy reading and following along with this blogging journey.

Already ending our first week of 2014, we all are either feeling headstrong or dreadful about the months to follow. Many have already had some "New Years Resolutions" planned out mentally since Christmas or if you're really ambitious, wrote down on paper! Or...you are like me, just now
getting around to think of what am I going to change or accomplish this year. Whatever our feelings are, it's okay. We know Who's hands are holding our path and it will be accomplished perfectly.



As for my list of goals, they include:
 
•Time management!

•An exercise routine to stick with

•Conquer crocheting

•Grow closer to Jesus

•Finish my study course for work

•Become more proficient with my interests and hobbies such as horseback riding, showing, and photography

•Be more content in the present

•Try new things 



Whew...I'm getting kinda excited! 
Tell me! What are your plans??