Boy Scouts and Everyone's Right to a Choice

The Boy Scouts of America made a choice, yesterday, and that is how the world is supposed to be . . . freedom of choice. Given this, Dr. Taylor Marshall is making a choice and offering an alternative to scouting for boys. Sounds intriguing and I'm interested to see how this goes.

http://www.taylormarshall.com/2013/05/why-im-starting-new-boy-scouts-my.html

Solace in the Midst of Strife . . .

Deep in his slumber, one night a man had a very real, yet surreal dream. He dreamt that he was walking along the beach with God. As he looked up at the sky, he saw all the scenes of his life flash by along with two sets of footprints: one set for himself, and another for God.

After all the scenes had flashed before him, he looked back at those footprints and noticed something quite disturbing: At the most difficult times in his life, he saw only one set of footprints.

This deeply troubled the man, so he turned and said to God: "You said that if I followed you, then you would always walk with me through thick and thin. In looking back, I see that during the most painful times there is only one set of footprints. Why did you leave me when I needed you the most?"

"I love you and would never leave. It was during those times when you suffered the most that I carried you."

Saint Dominic Savio . . . the soul of a young saint.

Saint Dominic Savio (1842-1857) was a young man under the spiritual care of another great saint,  Saint John Bosco. Saint Dominic Savio pursued his studies for the priesthood early in life until he became ill and died at the age of fourteen. I find it amazing that such a young man would determine his path in life so devoutly and persistently.

 

At the age of only twelve, Saint Dominic Savio decided on four rules of life which he vowed to live by in order to eventually attain sainthood.  Everyone that reaches Heaven, is a saint. Some saints, however, make an impression on the world that is known long after their death. Saint Dominic Savio's four rules worked for his spirituality and are wonderful in the simplicity that is available to everyone.

1. I will go to Confession and to Communion often.

2. I will keep holy the feasts days.

3. Jesus will be my best friend.

4. And I would rather die than to commit a sin.

Baked French Toast?

Every time the temperature goes down a bit, I'm encouraged to turn on the oven. Okay, so it has gone from the 100-degree mark this week to all of 90! Although my family enjoys French Toast, I've never thought of baking it in the oven. Seems like a perfect way to get every one's breakfast ready at the same time yet leave work space on top of the stove for doing eggs and bacon. This recipe sounds easy and, ultimately, very good. It is on my list of recipes to try in the very near future. I even have a gluten-free bread recipe to try for my version of it.

Baked French Toast
1 loaf of French Bread
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup (Molasses if you like a 'deeper' taste)
6 large eggs
2 cups milk (you can substitute 1/2 cup of the milk for heavy cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of cloves

Vegetable oil spray a baking dish about 9" x l3" or so. Slice the bread to 3/4-inch thick.

Cook the sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a pot until it is liquid and syrup-like. Pour this mixture into your prepared baking pan. Place the bread in a layer, one deep, over the syrup mixture.

Beat together the eggs, milk (milk and cream), vanilla, and spices. Pour over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Bake the next morning in a 325 degree oven for approximately 20-30 minutes or until hot through, browning on top, and bubbly. Serves 6-8.

With the sugar/butter layer, you might not even need more syrup on it when served!

Benghazi and some facts . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ds1nnJ3t14&feature=youtu.be

Some interesting facts about a travasty of American justice. The journalists and reporters in America have to start reporting the news not what they and the government would like the news to present. Taxpayers shouldn't be told lies and American lifes should be protected. This is very sad.

Sweet Potato Biscuits - Sweet or Savory

This is the basic recipe for some colorful biscuits to grace your luncheon salad or dinner party. What I like about it is that you can also add more sugar to taste along with some spices and have a sweeter version that is good for snacks or breakfast and still keep the healthier properties of the sweet potato.

Sweet Potato Biscuits
1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon softened butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment or use vegetable oil spray to grease.

Beat sweet potatoes, butter, and sugar until well blended. In another bowl, combine the baking soda in the butter milk and then add to the potato mixture. Stir together the salt and flour and add to the mixture. Gently combine to just mix. Roll out to approximately 1/2-inch thickness on floured board.

Using a small cookie cutter, round works best, cut and place biscuits on prepared baking sheets. Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Should yield about 2 dozen biscuits depending the size cookie cutter you used.

For sweeter biscuits, increase the sugar to 1/2 cup and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, dash of cloves, nutmeg, and ginger to taste. Mix as already directed.

Whip together an egg white and tablespoon of sugar and glaze the tops of the biscuits before baking.

Happy Mother's Day Greetings from the Famous!

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
William Makepeace Thackeray

The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly Father.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.
Barbara Kingsolver

A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.
Honore de Balzac

"A mother is not a person to lean upon, but a person to make leaning unnecessary."
Dorothy Canfield Fisher

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
George Washington, U.S. President

"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President

"Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all."
Oliver Wendell Holmes