Thursday, December 29, 2011

Homemade Yogurt

We use a lot of yogurt. Mostly for smoothies, but we enjoy eating it as well. I generally find good coupon deals on it. But after reading a blog post on how to make homemade yogurt I decided to try it. I think it will turn out being very cost effective.

I've been wanting to try this for awhile. Finally got around to it yesterday.
It was actually very simple.

The crock pot definitely makes it easy to heat the milk.

 Mix in yogurt and thickener. (Next time I will not use a whole package of gelatin).
Insulate and let it sit! Easiest part :)
In the morning, the yogurt was a bit thicker than I expected (due to too much gelatin). I realize now, after the fact, I could have left it like this and not strained it.

I strained and left in refrigerator about an hour or so longer than I needed to. Producing  very thick yogurt.


To smooth it down a little bit I ended up mixing in store-bought yogurt, mixing well in my KitchenAid, and adding a little cream.

Even though I learned not to use as much gelatin, and next time I might just try powdered milk, I'm pretty happy with how my yogurt turned out. With adding yogurt, and cream, I ended up with two, 32oz cartons of thick yogurt! And a very small amount of, gelled whey!

It tasted good! And am looking forward to enjoying it! I even made a blueberry-banana smoothie!
(The good thing about it turning out too thick, is that it doesn't make a difference blended up in a smoothie)! :)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Happy CHRISTmas!!

What I've been meditating and thinking on regarding Christmas!

Favorite Christmas verse:
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.



Christ's Humility and Sacrifice:

The Creator became the created. He sacrificially humbled Himself because of His love for us!

Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him is swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through: the cross be borne for me, for you:
hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary
(2nd verse of What Child is This)

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, all for love's sake becamest poor;
thrones for a manger didst surrender, sapphire- paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who was rich beyond all splendor, all for love's sake becamest poor.
(1st verse of Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor)
Christ Revealed to Mankind:
Because God send Christ to dwell on earth we have access to God and can know Him!

John 1:9-18 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will or the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.' ") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Luke 2:15-17 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see; hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."
(2nd verse of Hark! the Herald Angles Sing)

"...All the truths about You unveiled in Scripture, all the great doctrines, all aspects of the unfolding story of redemption come down to this: that we might know You, the only true God, through Jesus Christ, and walk in obedience to Him for our own eternal joy as a loving community of believers, bringing glory to Your holy name forever..." --John MacArthur, At the Throne of Grace


Christ is the Good News:
The Gospel is given through the birth of Christ.

Luke 2:8-14 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

It came upon a midnight clear, the glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heav'n's all gracious King";
the world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
(1st verse of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear)

Fear not then said the angel, "let nothing you afright;
this day is born a Savior or a pure virgin bright,
to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
(3rd verse of God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen)

O Come Let Us Adore Him:Christ came to give us salvation. Let us fall down and worship Him, being filled with joy, and give Him all the glory!

Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.... When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning:
Jesus to thee be all glory giv'n, Word of the Father,
late in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
(4th verse of O Come, All Ye Faithful)


Merry Christmas!!!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Something different

I've been seeing these cute, crocheted stuffed animals (amigurumi)
on crafting sites recently! I really like them! But more so, I think I liked the idea of the challenge they were to try to make one!

I've recently  joined "Craftsy" http://www.craftsy.com/ . A website with discounted craft supply deals, as well as a site where crafters can post about the projects they have made. It also has classes and workshops! Which is where I got the pattern for this little stuffed Owl.

Now that I have a feel for how to make these cute little toys, I might make a few more.
As for this little owl, I think I'll give away to a my friend's little 10 month old baby.

Christmas time


This year we are staying home for Christmas rather than traveling to Idaho to see family. We are hoping to get to see everybody after the first of the year.

Part of the reason I am so behind on blogging is because I've been busy baking and getting gifts together to ship to family. I sewed 2 gifts (which I'll post about after Christmas ;) ), as well as baked goods, jar gifts, and crocheted dishcloths as well as handmade potholders.

I saved out some of my favorite holiday candies, Almond Roca, for us too,


 Our women's Bible study group did a 'cookie exchange' for our last study for the year. So we've had plenty of sweets to consume here. Which takes awhile with just two of us!
Everything was soo yummy though!

I'm excited for Christmas this year. While I will miss family and traditions I grew up with, I'm excited this year will be a little different, and we can begin our own family traditions!

Favorite Black Friday deal

Obviously this post is very late.

In addition to Christmas gifts I bought online on Black Friday I bought myself a little something.


This is something that has been on my wishlist for awhile.
I found this particular set, 65 piece with chest for 75% off! Pretty good for a $200 value!

I'm really happy about it. And the lovely chest was a bonus!

I'm happy it came in this lovely red color too!

Yay for good deals on Black Friday -- And I was able to get it online! :) Didn't even have to deal with crazy shoppers!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Transition from brain to keyboard

I haven't blogged in almost a month!
I have lots of blog entries in my head, and sort of in the process. But my to-do list is never ending.

I hope to get back to blogging very soon!