Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Bread

3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

~ ~ ~

1 cup honey

1 cup applesauce

4 eggs

2/3 cup cold water

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups zucchini (if using frozen zucchini, use 4 cups, thawed and drained)

Grease and flour three 8.5x4.5” bread pans. Mix together dry ingredients in large bowl. Add wet ingredients and mix. Divide evenly between pans. Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

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May the Mind of Christ, my Savior

Lyrics by Kate B. Wilkinson (1859-1928)

May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 

live in me from day to day, 

by his love and power controlling 

all I do and say. 

All photographs by Amanda T.

May the word of God dwell richly 

in my heart from hour to hour, 

so that all may see I triumph 

only through his power. 

May the peace of God, my Father, 

rule my life in everything, 

that I may be calm to comfort 

sick and sorrowing. 

May the love of Jesus fill me 

as the waters fill the sea. 

Him exalting, self abasing: 

this is victory. 

May I run the race before me, 

strong and brave to face the foe, 

looking only unto Jesus 

as I onward go. 

Topic for September 2011: Sibling Relationships

Our photography/art challenge for September's topic button had one entry, by Aldona Barron:

As we launch our study on Sibling Relationships in September, we would love to hear your thoughts. What is it like to be a sister - a Godly sister? Has God shown you ways to improve your relationship with your siblings? Do you have a funny story, a tip, a poem, a quote, or advice? Please email me at rubieslikeruth@gmail.com by August 31, 2011.

<br /><a href="http://rubieslikeruth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" style="width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjqI2bB1PkFH8qUL5dSA9SkWVVohsYR22RmGEKhQnJlJ9M0s31lcQJLz0M31LxheBOMPmJol3-RDiI52kdIiQPOMhYv1cjoW4ju1tAiWsZPZfIaMJDLAU8f5vA_jgH2kMANBbR5MLKnA/s128/Button.jpg" /></a><br />

Recipe: Corn Bread

3/4 cup flour (unbleached or wheat)

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cups corn meal

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg (if you double, use three)

3 Tbsp. oil

1 cup milk

Heat oven to 425°. Place pan (8” or 9” square or round) with grease in oven (to make your grease simmering hot). Mix dry ingredients well. Add eggs, oil, and milk and stir with a few rapid strokes. Place batter in hot pan. Bake 20-25 minutes until the top is lightly browned.

~~~

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The Ministry of Letter-Writing

By Guest Writer, Amanda T.

Letter writing is an old art that is still continued by a select few young ladies. Girls write (or email) for amusement, to keep up friendships, for communication, and to get a reply. All of these are fun reasons to write, but I like to think of writing as a ministry as well. We see a vivid example of ministering by letters in the New Testament. Paul wrote many letters to different churches and men, challenging them in their walk with God and sharing truth.

Our notes can bring a smile to one’s face and brighten their day. A word of encouragement can help a sister in her walk with God. A question can challenge one to stay faithful. Most importantly, a letter can simply show the love of Christ.

In my love for letter-writing, God has shown me a few ways that I can minister with letters:

     1. Pray that God will give me some way to encourage my pen-pal

     2. Write not just to those who are “fun” to write to, but those who will need the encouragement

     3. Pray for the person to whom I am writing

     4. Include a verse with which God has been challenging me

     5. Humbly share an area in which God has been growing me

     6. Ask them about a specific area of their walk with God (prayer, Bible reading, memorizing)

     7. Ask if there is a specific area that I can pray for them

There are many ways we can minister to a friend in letters – sometimes we simply need to ask God to show us what He would have us to do and be tender towards His leading.

The next time you go to write a letter or type an email, let me challenge you to make it worthwhile. Do not just “chat,” but leave your friend with something that ministers to her heart.

Am I a Reflection of Calvary Love?

An excerpt from “If” by Amy Carmichael

Photo by Amanda T.

If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting “Who made thee to differ? And what has thou that thou hast not received?” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child’s misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself half-carelessly taking lapses for granted, “Oh, that’s what they always do,” “Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind work, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

Photo by Ana Renee

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Recipe: No-Bakes {Cookies or Bars}

By Guest Writer, Amanda T.

Photo by Amanda T.

This is our all-time favorite family recipe! Once you get comfortable with the recipe, it's easy to whip up a batch in fifteen minutes or less.

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup (or 1/2 stick) butter

1/2 cup milk

4 Tbsp. cocoa powder

~*~

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 cups oats (we prefer old-fashioned, but quick-cooking works as well)

-Lightly grease or butter a 9x13” baking dish and set aside (If you wish to make individual cookies, prepare a sheet of wax paper instead).

-Combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat.

-Add peanut butter, vanilla, and oats and stir until completely mixed in.

-Pour immediately into prepared pan or spoon into cookies on wax paper.

~~~

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Pictures, Please!

The poll is over . . . the topic for September 2011 is Sibling Relationships!


Our challenge is now to find a picture to use for the blog button and I am asking for your help. We would like at least three entries for everyone to "judge" and choose for the button of Sibling Relationships. If you enjoy photography (or if you have a friend who does), please consider this challenge! 


Since we do not have much time, all entries are due by AUGUST 13, 2011.


Guidelines:
     ~It must be an original photo or drawing
     ~Be sure that the subject(s) of the photograph is willing for you to share their picture
     ~Be sure that the subject is wearing modest apparel (we will not post pictures of girls in shorts, tank-tops, or tight-fitting clothes)
     ~Be sure that the picture is edifying


Submit to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com (remember: it has to be by August 13)


I am looking forward to seeing a sample of your lovely photography!

Recipe: Pasta Salad

Pasta is a fun dish to to play with. There are many, many experiments that can be done with pasta as the base. Here is one of the recipes I have tried.

You Will Need:
       1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
       1 pound of Garden Rotini pasta
       1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
       Italian Dressing (optional)
       Salt and Pepper (and other seasonings if you'd like)
       Oil


You Will Need To:
        ~Prepare pasta as directed on package and set aside.
        ~Heat oil in saucepan and lightly brown chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cut chicken in chunks and continue to brown.
        ~Combine chicken, pasta, cream of mushroom soup, and Italian dressing.
        ~Enjoy!

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Poll Closed! {Photo Challenge}

Our poll for September's topic is officially closed! I realize that I put a lot of choices up there, but things have narrowed down to a tie: Courtship and Sibling Relationships. It is a tough choice because both topics are great, so . . . another poll is up! Vote this week for September's topic! 


Something else for you to consider: we will need a photo for September's button. Instead of browsing for an online picture, I thought that it would be fun to have you participate. So begin thinking - as soon as we have finalized September's topic (on August 8), we will open a photography/art challenge for our button.


I am looking forward to it all!