Far East {inspired} Pasta

Well, 2 posts in one day.

 don't expect it to happen very often. 

*SMILES* 

 I call this "Far East {inspired} Pasta" because I am not entirely sure if you could actually label it "Chinese" or "Japanese" or anything, really. It has asian flavors: teriyaki & soy sauce, but could be used with Thai flavors or even Americanized with BBQ sauce. And, when it's made with just vegetables, it is made almost too quickly for pictures (but, really, I didn't think about posting it 'til it was done). 

Recipe:
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 bag frozen mixed 'stir fry' veggies
1 tsp cooking oil
1/2 c favorite teriyaki sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce + 1/4 c cold water
1 Tbsp corn starch
1/2 - 3/4 c starchy water reserved from the pasta
1 egg

~  cook pasta according to package directions, but about 1 min. short of the 'al dente' cooking time, reserve 1/2 c of the water before draining  ~  put the pasta back in its pot

~  heat oil in skillet, dump in frozen veggies

~  allow veggies to cook until completely thawed & then crack the egg in the middle and stir till scrambled

~  add teriyaki sauce and soy sauce, turn heat to low at this point

~  mix corn starch & cold water to make a slurry

~  add pasta water, then add the slurry

~  pour veggies and sauce over the pasta and allow to sit over low heat for 5 min to thicken the sauce

~  serve!

garnish with toasted sesame seeds, add meat if you desire, change asian flavors for BBQ sauce or Italian dressing... or not.

I often neglect thinking about supper until it is quite late in the afternoon so these type suppers abound. Really, though, the only thing missing that would have been added had I thought about it earlier is some beef- which needs thawing first. 

Right now, I am praising the Lord that my husband even has a job. And we don't have to live on beans and rice-nothing against beans or rice, we have them frequently, too. But variety is the spice of life, right?

Also, I am enjoying the relative quiet and sweet chatter of sisters playing nicely. together. and I love knowing they will eat this. willingly.

 God is only good.

this morning.

seeing this out the window

indulging in the flavor

 reading devotional thoughts by my pastor

a song.

Here are the words to the first verse of the song I sang on Sunday in our church. I listen to if often during the day (I have a CD where it is beautifully performed by BJU singers & orchestra). 

Beneath the Cross

Beneath the cross of Jesus, 

I find a place to stand

And wonder at such mercy 

That calls me as I am;

For hands that should discard me 

Hold wounds which tell me, "Come."

Beneath the cross of Jesus, 

My unworthy soul is won.

While I have heard this song many times since acquiring this CD, Sunday morning- as I was singing- the words hit me afresh... 

      just how often do I 'wonder at such mercy..."? 

      Jesus calls me-ME- from where I am... 

    His hands, hands that should shun and push me aside, have wounds- living wounds, not scars- 

that tell me to come to Him. 

a new creation

source

This is what I am.

Not because of anything I have done. 
Quite contrary.

It is only because of what Christ has done for me, in me- sometimes even as I resist. So sad. Why do I do that?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new crature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  

II Corinthians 5:17

As Christians, we are new creatures.

But the old man is still there, lurking.

I must remember each day that who I am should be determined by who I know (Jesus) and not what I feel (fleshly desires). And whatever I model each day is what my children will learn that day, and what my husband will remember about the day as he lays his head down to sleep. And don't forget the people we meet each week who may know nothing of Christianity, save what they see in our life.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  Galatians 6:15

There is nothing I can do of myself that will manifest this new creation. Only through God's strength can my life show this newness. Going to church, having a facade of pleasantness, being helpful... are nothing.

nothing, without His light shining through.

My prayer for this day... is that I (we) would remember that I AM A NEW CREATION. And I should not resemble what once was. Teach me, O Lord, the way of they statues; and I shall keep it unto the end. Psalm 119:33

having quiet time

While perusing the blog world this afternoon, I came across this post. I think it could be helpful to more than myself, so I am linking to it. I have not read everything this lady says, but this post was good.

Morning Quiet Time with Little Ones

Leave a comment and let me know how you have morning quiet time with small children. I often find it challenging. And now that the 2 younger ones are rarely napping- or even staying in bed, that time is pretty much out of the question also.