Who do you sound like?

Jesus’ disciples were called disciples because they went everywhere with him for 3 years.  In Mark 8, Jesus’ disciples are spending days just walking from one location to another:  25 miles from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi.  For you Pennsylvanians, that's like traipsing back and forth from Gettysburg to Chambersburg on foot.  They saw him feed 4,000 people, react to nasty Pharisees, teach and love. They lived with him.  They saw how he reacted to every situation.  They listened to his teachings.  They would have picked up his mannerisms and way of talking.  You know how we pick up little phrases from each other?  I still say, "Oh SNAP!" because I picked it up from my kids.  They say that phrase is SO 2009 (or some era previous to 2011-- I can't keep up).  But I keep saying it out of habit.  Can you imagine having automatic Jesus-style-reactions and Jesus-in-jokes just from spending so much time with him?! 

This is what I need to do as his disciple!  I need to walk with Jesus so closely and with such attention that I pick up his mannerisms.  So that I would respond like he does...  that I would begin to think like he does... to love like he does...to look at life and people like he does.  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.“ (Mark 8:34)  Follow him.  That’s what I need to do.  Not just glance at him now and then.  But walk where he walks.  Listen to every word he says.  Focus on watching him.  Examine how he reacts to people & situations and then emulate him.  The great thing is, that I have His power and spirit helping me to do this!  I am not on my own.  Praise God!   

We do tend to sound like the people we spend the most time with.  Wouldn't it be great to say something, and have someone respond, "Oh wow!  You sound just like Jesus!" 

Marshmallows?

Why Square Pink Marshmallows, you may wonder?  Quite a few names I thought of were already taken (you don’t even want to know what they were).  My grandmother used to make marshmallows as a confectionary treat for her 22 grandchildren and the many friends and neighbors who came to visit.   The ones she made were always pink, cut up in squares, and rolled in confectioner’s sugar.  They were so good.   I was always amazed that anyone could actually make marshmallows in their own kitchen.  So I named my blog after them because I hope you will find my writings to be as interesting, fun and quirky as homemade square pink marshmallows.

I plan to write about spiritual topics, book reviews, interesting tidbits, nostalgic reminiscences and other items of interest to me.  Of course, I am hoping these things will also interest you!  Please, read on…

By the way: after I named the blog, I decided I really should try to make the marshmallows so I’d have a picture to put with the blog. 

GRANDMA BREIGHNER’S MARSHMALLOWS

2 c. sugar

1 ½ c. water, divided

2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin (like Knox)

2 tsp. vanilla

red food coloring

confectioners sugar.

Mix sugar and ¾ c. water.  Boil to 230 degrees (use a candy thermometer).  Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, dissolve gelatin in remaining ¾ c. water.  Stir in vanilla to gelatin mixture.  Stir in enough red coloring to make pink candy.  After boiled mixture gets to 230 degrees, remove from heat and stir into gelatin mixture.  Beat with electric mixture on low speed, then slowly increase speed as mixture thickens (if you beat it too fast too soon, you risk extremely hot liquid splashing out!).  Beat until stiff.  Takes a lot of beating.  Dust a 9 x 13” pan heavily with confectioner’s sugar.  Spread  mixture into pan and allow to cool completely until set.  Cut into squares, remove from pan and roll squares in confectioners sugar (or shake in a bag containing confectioners sugar) to coat.  Place on rack to “dry”.  Store in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

 My Grandma spelled this “Marshmellows” and noted on the recipe that they were a favorite of my Pappy.  Cute, huh?  I suppose you could make them any color, but I don’t think Grandma ever did!  I’ll stick with pink too.  But I might just try adding peppermint extract sometime.  Grandma wouldn’t mind.

Ok.  The consistency is a little weird.  I'll try them out on
my Book Club tonight and see what they think.

P.S.  This blog is not going to be all about cooking and is not just for women.  Don’t be fooled by the prissy title.  Or this first post.