SEPTEMBER 2021

Living under the fears of this world will harm us both physically and spiritually. The world is now and always has been filled with things of which we are fearful, and right now it seems even more so. We fear for our loved ones, our health, our financial issues, our country, and on and on it goes. We even fear the "what-ifs" when most of the things we fear will actually never happen. What can we do to overcome the grip fear has over us?

I have been touched lately by so many people's prayer requests and the hurting and confusion going on all around. It is a time of great fear in our world. I felt a real need to encourage and uplift people this month. God will help us if we ask, and with His aid we can overcome. We can choose fear or fearlessness.

1. We can choose to focus on God and His help.
2. We can choose to memorize His Words of action against fear and overcome it.
3. We can choose to replace fear with hope.

We can come to know God is in control, and He has us in His care. He knows the future. Nothing surprises Him. He has the power to change hearts and change circumstances, and to even turn bad into good for us. Following are some sciptures to memorize to help fight against fear:

• "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10
• "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3
• "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7

The above picture is of an antique ice cream freezer bucket.  I got mine from my parent's barn and love the blue color. In days gone by these were used to make home made ice cream, and they had a hand-turned crank that fit onto the top. The crank has long gone; however, the bucket itself is beautiful. Above you see it used as a flower container.  I use mine in the summer outside with a fern sitting in it.  

The colors of oranges, browns, beiges, and blues are so pretty together for the autumn arrangement.  Look around your home and storage building, and think outside the box. Taking something once used for another purpose and finding a new use for it is great fun.  There are sites we can explore on the internet to find new uses for items, as well as books and magazines on the subject. I have a book titled Tattered Treasures which shows many uses for "old" precious items. 

In  September we still have some hot weather in the South; however, there are days when autumn seems to be showing itself. I love to decorate for the fall of the year. In the autumn we gather in, loving to be inside our homes, cook comfort foods more, and get ready for the winter days ahead. Since we are staying at home more in these days, let's try and make them even more inviting, peaceful, and happy for the ones we love. 

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." 

-Jane Austen

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Home is the nicest word there is."

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love."

-Billy Graham

"Love the ones you love well."

-Sandra Mansfield Wright

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The month of September is apple harvest time in many states.  Above is a picture of an easy apple centerpiece to use down the middle of your table possibly, or to place anywhere in your home.  Just hollow out the core of the apples and insert a small tea light candle  - easy, quick, and very festive.  Applies are also pretty tucked into a bouquet of flowers for an autumn harvest look.  You might need to use a flower pick to stick into the bottom of the apple so it can sit securely without falling out of the arrangement. 

Below are some apple recipes you might enjoy during the month.

APPLE DUMPLINGS

2 Granny Smith Apples

1 Can Crescent Roills

2 Sticks Butter

1 1/2 Cups Sugar

1 Tsp. cinnamon

1 - 12 oz. Can Mountain Dew

Preheat over to 350. Peel and core apples and cut  into 4 wedges each. Unroll crescent rolls. Wrap each apple wedge into roll starting with large side of the triangle. Set aside.

Melt butter. Dissolve sugar and cinnamon into butter. Pour 1/2 butter mixture into 11x13 baking pan. Place crescent rolls on top of mixture. Pour remaining mixture over rolls. Pour a whole can of Mountain Dew over entire dish (1 cup orange juice may be used to substitute for Mountain Dew). Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR UNTIL DONE. Best served warm. 

APPLE CRISP

5 or  6 medium size apples (yellow delicious are good to use)

1 cup self-rising flour

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup butter

1 cup brown or white sugar (either will work)

Peal and core apples. Slice and fill baking dish. Mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Work butter into dry ingredients until mixture is like course meal. Pour mixture on top of apples covering completely. Pour about 1 cup of water over this. You may have to spoon water onto some areas to cover all dry areas with water. Bake at 350 oven for approximately 30 minutes (until top is a golden brown). Best served warm and great with vanilla ice cream. 

You may e-mail me at sandykwright@yahoo.co