THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: reminder to self

2PETER 1: 5-9

FIRST: take care of yourself
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
SECOND: how to treat others
7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
CONCLUSION:
8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WITHOUT THESE: look at our lives
9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Head In The Clouds

Let me remain in the clouds
I want to live only on the mountain top
Only allow my thoughts to be those of my own
Unclutter my mind from any focus on others
Though my aspirations be at times lofty
May my inspirations come from You alone
Never let me fall to live in the valley of despair
Keep my eyes focused on You, Lord
Grant me the grace to carry on
Give me a song to sing!

Lily Of The Valley

Linda brought this into the antique shoppe (Mercantile) today for a little inspiration. She said that she bought it out on the west coast. It's a simple broach, but if you look closer it's rather unique. The lily of the valley flowers have an interesting addition. Someone not only added pearls but small rhinestones.

If I had a lot more spare time, I'd rush over to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and try to replicate this look. I can just hope that I'll be at the right place at the right time to stumble across the ingredients and cross it off my bucket list! Anyway, it's so fun having an artist friend!

BUSKEN Believes In Happy Endings!

Any company that embraces the thoughts and feelings of its customers with a positive attitude is to be highly commended. Busken set a wonderful example to everyone here in Cincinnati by the hospitality and open mindedness in which they embraced my passionate dissertation directed toward their chocolate eclairs. They invited me to dinner...er... I mean for a tour! The lovely and vibrant "Kathy of Busken" met Cianna, and myself ,along with some others at 7pm tonight and treated us like special guests, giving us the grand tour of Busken and allowing us to taste a cinnamon twist hot off the press. YUM! We met Stan (the man who dreams about pastry) who patiently explained how everything from bread to donuts were made. Stan took to heart the eclair dilemma and now they have upped the filling to do just that-- completey fill the eclair! (Thank you Stan!) We met Manuel, the "cutest", I mean "best" icing man in this corner of the world (so I was told)! It truly was great fun being there.

It's nice to know that even in the midst of our economic woes, that Busken is still going strong and has not had to layoff any of their employees. Perhaps you are thinking I am being a bit idealistic about my experience tonight, but, being realistic, I think we all need a strong cup of idealism and vision for what "could be" these days, don't you? I say, "Hurray for Busken! Cincinnati needs companies like yours!"

SMORES VEGAN STYLE

"Luscious marshmallow atop a graham cracker cookie enrobed in rich organic Belgian dark chocolate. Love at first bite! Sure to please the most discerning sweet tooth." According to foodnetwork program "Unwrapped" these hand made treats will leave you wanting "smore". I think I'll just have to cave on this and order...how many? That dark chocolate looks wonderful! You can find these at www.sweetandsara.com .

LETTER TO BUSKEN: Chocolate Eclairs and Egg Buns

Good Afternoon Katherine, Dan, Suzan, Smiley, Debbie and Brian:

I decided if I’m going to say it just to one person, well…all of you need to hear this! I am posting this on my blog as well. Please visit there to see the rest of the pictures. http://www.myheartcansing.blogspot.com/

I wanted to bring something to your attention, perhaps you already know, perhaps not.

For over 30 years I have been enjoying your chocolate éclairs, but I am disappointed to report to you that the quality of these éclairs is quite inferior to what I have enjoyed in the past.

1. They appear “bigger” and are “bigger”—so much that It’s hard to open one’s mouth high enough to discretely and politely bite into them without undo mishap and pieces falling everywhere. I honestly remember them being smaller—I WOULD GLADLY SETTLE FOR SMALLER IF THE QUALITY WERE BETTER. And I could have sworn (but alas I don’t swear) that the outer shell tasted better and more “eggy” in years gone by too.
2. The Chocolate Icing on the top has “lightened” in color and also “lightened” in the amount of DARK CHOCOLATE/FUDGE TASTE and type of ingredients. TOO SWEET and NOT enough CHOCOLATELY FUDGE TASTE—just tastes “sugary” mostly—sigh!
3. The Filling: Oh well, the quality on this has been lacking for years but I’ve been overlooking it. It’s pudding in there (I say) not “CUSTARD”. My brother out of the blue the other day complained about it to me. We are both “éclair” fans…well hopefully the “are” doesn’t change to “were”. He asked me if I knew where he could find a chocolate elcair with REAL custard filling. I told him, “my kitchen” is the only place I know in Cincinnati.
4. The Filling: as you can see in the pictures that I have attached, the filling stays only at one end and so invariably one is left with a “dry end”—ugh! OH and BY THE WAY…the pictures make the icing appear darker than it really is…sorry for the POOOOOR QUALITY of my camera. Amazing what “quality” brings to the table.
5. The price: For goodness sake charge more if you put the original quality ingredients back in them.
6. The name “ÉCLAIR”-- In the meantime I suggest you retire the name of “éclair”—as for that monstrosity it’s just undignified to continue calling it something that it’s not, kindly stop trying to pass off as an éclair and call this “dadburned” imposter something other than an éclair, for goodness sake.

I just have to say this….do you honestly think that you are fooling people by offering this substitute?

HEALTH AND CHOCOLATE SNOBBERY:

As a connoisseur of good pure CHOCOLATE—it was always so enjoyable not to have an icing that was too sweet and DARKER!
As a person who is looking for a ‘sweet” that COULD BE healthier in the long run, it is sad that this has degenerated from its roots. The Éclair has so much potential.

I’ve said my piece now, so now it’s up to you.

THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS:

Leave things as they are and some other bakery or retail establishment might come up with the real thing and then you will be spaghetti out of luck.

Change your éclair to reclaim its roots –by doing so--impress the chocolate snobs and the health mongers.

If you change it back I wouldn’t be surprised that your business will improve. After all, I am sorry to say, but it does appear that you are a bit desperate for business with the new “skinny” cookie. Good grief! This idea that I give to you is far superior to that lame attempt.

OH WELL, I do continue to enjoy your egg buns—I hope they won’t be changing any time soon, And I did try your Schneken (sp?) and enjoyed that this Christmas as well.

I'm just The "Lone Ranger"!

. . .that's what my mother would always exclaim. And I would be obliged to contemplate what she meant for a few brief moments. You know, obviously, she's "alone"--Dad is already gone, she's living in a "mother-in-law's suite in her son's house--not really alone but yet "alone" on her side of the house, yada, yada. And that was about the extent that the analysis went. Mother had a way of using "double entendres" and along with them, many or most times they always were a bit "funny" or "tongue in cheek". But, today as I pondered her four infamous words, a new understanding clearly unmasked itself to me (well...at least to me anyways...). The "mask" that my mother wore of the Lone Ranger--(like most people do in some form or another) was the way to hide the pain of that "aloneness", yet verbalize it too. She joked about it--the outward expression was heard. Even though there was no advertly open confession of pain; however, this experience belonged to her and this was the manner in which she was able to cope with the heartache. My mother was a gentle woman and the way in which she comported herself and "dealt" with issues in her life---well--who couldn't be proud of this "lady". What a truly wonderful example she was. I miss her dearly. SO, this Thanksgiving I shall intentionally point my thoughts to remembering her positive eccentricities and all her delightful little quirks --and I will cry --and I will laugh. Most of all I will long for the moment when I can be with her again! I don't think she will greet me saying "I'm just the Lone Ranger"-- for I think that where she is-- she is NOT ALONE and for now--that is sufficient enough to make my heart sing!