Cardamom Sweet Bread

I used to make this bread before I was married, and it always seemed to disappear as soon as it was done baking:). The cardamom gives it a nice flavor; it's good warm, cold or toasted. If you prefer, you can cut back on the sugar by 1/4 cup and leave it off the top for a slightly less sweet bread.

Cardamom Sweet Bread.
Yield: 2 braided loaves

2 1/2 T. active dry yeast

1 1/2 c. warm milk

3/4 c. sugar

3 egg yolks

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 t. cardamom

1/2 t. salt

flour

Dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Add sugar, egg yolks, butter, cardamom and salt. Stir until well blended. Add three cups of flour, and mix until smooth. Add more flour and knead until you have a soft dough. Let rise in a greased bowl for one hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down and divide into six pieces. Take three of the pieces and shape into long rolls, braid into a loaf. Do the same with the remaining dough. Place on greased baking sheets and let rise for 45 minutes. Brush risen loaves with milk and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until done:). Enjoy!

Three Months Ago Today...

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Mr. and Mrs. :) Me with my Godly, amazing, caring, handsome, honest, intelligent, kind, loving, strong, smart, tall, thoughtful, true, wonderful, husband on our wedding day:). God has truly blessed me more then I could ask or think.

TOGETHER AS ONE

See our great God has drawn these two together
Now He will join them two complete as one.
He has given them sweet love for each other,
A new page of life for them has begun!

As they now grow through unknown joys or sorrows,
Our great blessed God grant special grace Divine.
Cause them to look to You before all others,
That Christ’s blessed Life might ever from them shine!

Faithful till death, these two dear ones together,
Caring and sharing your great glorious love;
Always forgiving, all and one another,

For any wrong that either one has done.

Father, and Son, and Spirit blessing ever,
Come and anoint these two who seek Your grace!
Bless them in life, LORD, fruitful and abundant,
As we all now do humbly seek Your face!

Now the time’s come with love’s new joys beginning,
Being brought together, joined by You as one.
May Your kind hand guide safe through all tomorrows,
And bring them safe to Your eternal home.

~Copyright 2010 all rights reserved. Written by my Dad, he sung it along with a good friend of mine at our wedding.

A Psalm for Today

I took this picture when my husband and I visited Mount Vernon. The guides there told us that this tree is original to the estate. The Potomac River is in the background.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.

~Psalm 100

Saskatchewan Winter

Here are a few pictures taken this winter here in Canada:). Most days the temperature hasn't been as low as -40 F, but it still has been quite cold. I love the snow, and I am enjoying winter very much:).

Real cold, forty below zero!

(My wonderful husband:) gets the credit for this photo).

Neat old abandoned buildings on the property

Beautiful frost covered trees

The red barn

"He giveth snow like wool: He scatterth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold?" ~Psalm 147: 16-17

Hello! :)

Just For The Record:)

VERY VERY MUCH:)

God is so Good

My handsome Fiancé:) and I
(This picture was taken around a week before we became engaged).

"I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."

~Psalm 34:1-3

This love that God has given

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things." ~Psalm 72:18

(this picture doesn't do my beautiful engagement ring justice:)

After a courtship lasting around five and a half months, (most of it being long distance as we live more than 2000 miles apart; the phone and email were put to good use:) the most amazing, and wonderful man named Graham asked me to marry him:):):) and I said "yes". That was one month ago today, and my heart is still filled with thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for His leading and great goodness in bringing Graham and I together. I can't believe how blessed I am, and yes, I am very excited and happy:).

Thy Word

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thy Word is like a garden Lord

With flowers bright and fair;
And everyone who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep deep mine;
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in the mighty depths
For every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host,
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find for life's long battle-day
All needful weapons there.

Oh, may I love Thy precious Word;
May I explore the mine;
May I it's fragrant flowers glean;
May light upon me shine.
Oh, may I find my armor there;
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words: Isaac Watts, 1707 Music: Lowell Mason, 1824