The Dr. Seuss Burger

Did you catch our California Dreamin' Burger last week? Well, we have another delicious burger to delight your taste buds and imagination. This one we affectionately call The Doctor Seuss, you know- Green Eggs and Ham? Tender beef patty on a soft bun topped with a delicious fried egg cooked to perfection.  Top that with a slice of nitrate-free ham, fried onions, melted Colby Jack cheese and jalapeno peppers.

Ingredients: 

Fried Egg
Sliced Ham
Sauteed Onions
Jalapenos
Ground Beef
Colby Jack Cheese
Hamburger Buns
Ground Beef
Himalayan Pink Salt
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Mayonaise

Related Article: All American Burger

Directions:

Slice onions into rings and saute in olive oil until done. Cook patties in large skillet, sprinkle with salt, onion powder, garlic powder and cook until done. Melt cheese over hamburger pattie. Heat slice of ham in the pan (you can just toss it in the burger pan). Spread mayonnaise on bun, follow that with a burger pattie, then the ham, onions, and jalapenos.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Failure Is Never Final

Seven little letters that cause so much fear. Failure. One word that has the power to make or break us, to cause us to hold back and wait on the sidelines. 

Fear of failure, it keeps us firmly planted in the bleachers, shackled and quivering. It keeps us down and out sure that we are worthless no good wrecks. Our past raises its ugly head and shouts at us to sit down, that we are too broken, we've made too many bad choices, too many mistakes to ever be worth anything.

Truth is, we are all going to and have made bad decisions. We've raced ahead instead of seeking His will. We've fallen and stumbled, slipped and slid like it's our first-time ice skating. The question is how are we going to recover. Are we going to claim that grace and let it bridge the gap? Or are we going to let the Devil knock us down on our booties and stay down?

Related Article: Kissing Fear Goodbye And Making A Splash

Thank God, He doesn't see us through the lens of our past, our history- but through the lens of your heart.  Our sin separates us from God, but His grace a gift completely underserved washes in like the tide of the ocean and bridges the insurmountable gap.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ESV

Grace is free to us, but costly to God, while we were still sinners Christ died for us so that our failure to be like Christ will never be final.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

Related Article: I'm Done Being Afraid

When we accept that gift, we want to do anything and everything to please Him. It makes us turn away from sin and seeking to only please ourselves. It pulls us like a magnet to His heart, and He takes our sin, our brokenness our ugly filth as far the east is from the west. He will turn your broken nightmare into a beautiful story.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalms 40:2-3 ESV

Click here to purchase this photo on your choice of products.

Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Wilhelmshöhe Palace Museum Kassel Germany

 Wilhelmshöhe Palace Museum in Kassel Germany

In the 12th Century, this was a home of a castle used as a monastery.  After the landgrave Philip I came to power (1504-1567) he made this a home.  A new replacement castle was built in place of the 12th-century castle in 1606 and not completed until 1610.  After the French / Prussian War, the Prussian king offered the losing Emperor Napoleon II a place to stay here at the castle.

During WWII the center portion of the castle was almost completely destroyed by the Allied Forces.  Reconstruction of the castle began in 1968 to rebuild the damaged building as an art museum so the new portion is not like the original to make it a better space to display the works of art.  This museum has a large collection of the Masters.

Related Post: Traveling Alone - My 3rd Week In Germany  

I felt that artifacts wise the castle in Marburg had more interesting things but the paintings this museum has are truly awesome.  The time we spent in the museum was worth it. There were some amazing and really old artifacts - swords, helmets, statues and 3 floors of paintings dating back to the 1600's. They also have the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings in the world. I believe there were at least 12 different paintings. A lot of them depicted Biblical scenes. Standing among these old paintings were breathtaking. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to stand and look at so many paintings by some of the world's greatest painters.

Related Post: Saint Marien's Church - Marburg Germany 

You can contact the palace museum here
34379 Calden
tel: +49 (0)567465-78
fax: 0123-456

Take the tour with us! Check out our video of Wilhelmshöhe Palace Museum:

Stay tuned for next part of this trip, the castle Löwenburg.

Mr. Cottage

End Of Log.

8 Things To Plant Together | Companion Planting Part 1

Spring is just around the corner, and nature is holding its breath to burst into new life. Here at the Cottage, our fruit trees are already beginning to bloom, and spring planting is just a few weeks away! I don't know about you but this is my favorite time of year, I love the planting, watering and dreaming and honestly that work that goes into gardening.

Some of my earliest memories are working in the garden with mom dad and even grandma. To say the green thumb runs in my family is a bit of an understatement, don't believe me? Take the Garden Tour!

Related Article: Making and Using Raised Beds With Trellises

With each spring the decision of where to plant what comes up, it can be a bit like a bus full of little kids. Who doesn't like who? Who likes the same fertilizer, sunlight, and soil etc. So we thought we would help you out a bit!

1. Carrots
2. Beans 
3. Corn (this can be used as a windbreaker for bush beans)
4. Cucumbers 
5. Egg Plant
6. Peas 
7. Radish 
8. Strawberries

Related Article: Re-Grow Your Lettuce and Other Veggies

Not only do the plants get along, they can also help you make the most of the space you have. Stay tuned for part 2 of this series and happy gardening!

Traveling Alone - My 3rd Week In Germany

Guten Morgen, 

Well, here I am, finishing up my 3rd week here in Germany. 

I thought that I would talk about my time in Germany generally.  I have enjoyed my stay here and the people that we are working with have all been so kind and seem excited to work with us and to show us how everything works. The mentors are going to be leaving Germany and coming to America for six months and they are so excited to experience the United States and wondering what it is like here.  
Related Post: Saint Marien's Church - Marburg Germany   

These first three weeks have been so interesting and culture has been so rich with history. Most of my time has been in training but I have tried to make hay while the sun shines as they say in the southern U.S. and make a good use of my time and learn about this amazing place while the opportunity is here. I have made a couple of friends that I have been traveling with locally and that has been nice - but it is interesting how you miss what you had when you no longer have it. The things you don't realize that you may have taken for granted when it is there day in and day out. As beautiful as everything is, this trip is starting to get harder. The longer that I am away, the more alone that I feel.  I have come to realize that I truly don't like being this far away from my wife and daughters.  That couples and families were not meant to be apart. 

My wife and I rarely do things alone.  It is not because we have to do them together but because we love doing them together.  Even if it is just walking down the street I love having her by my side.  I love talking about what we see or what we want or need to do that day or that week or weekend. I love making plans with her, the feel of her hand in mine as we walk down the street and just knowing that she is there. That is one of the biggest things that I miss. 

Related Post: Marburg Germany and the Marburg Castle 

It is amazing to walk these ancient cobblestone streets filled with people and feel alone. To wish you were holding the hand of the one that you love but your hand is empty.  To see these amazing sites and have no one to share them with, and to realize how much she and your daughters would love to experience what you are seeing. 
. 

We have been Facebook chatting and making video calls and that helps, trust me.  But there is just something about being there in the flesh. The food has been good, and I have met new people and never usually eat alone, and yet, there is something about gathering around the dinner table with your family.  The camaraderie of the intimate conversation around the table. Yes, I sit at a table for 3 meals and we talk about many things, but there is something about the personal exchange of a family at mealtime. 

Related Post: Saint Elizabeth's Church | Visiting Marburg Germany Part 1 

So, my first three weeks have been interesting and I have learned a lot both about my job and the country and town. Next week I will be learning more PLC programming and ABB Robots and I am excited about that.

  I thought I would give you a list of the top 10 things I miss.

Being this far my loved ones has shown me what I truly have waiting for me in 10 weeks and can't wait for this trip to be over so I can hug all 4 of them when I get there.

Mr. Cottage

End Of Log.

Read my next article here: Wilhelmshöhe Palace Museum Kassel Germany 

California Dreamin' Burger

This burger brings us to the west coast of the United States and it brings with it memories of the briny breezes that caress the majestic palms and the surf spray fills the air.  Join us for an amazingly healthy juicy turkey burger served on a crisp organic lettuce leaf.  This is really the best turkey burger we have ever tasted.

Recipe:

1 Pound Ground Turkey
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
Mrs. Dash lemon pepper to taste
1 Pastured Egg
1 Small Onion Diced
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
1 Tablespoons Organic Olive Oil
More Olive Oil (to cook burgers in)
Avocado
1 Teaspoon Nutritional Yeast
1 Teaspoon of Parsley
1 Teaspoon Coconut Aminos
1 Teaspoon Fish Sauce

Related Article: All American Burger

For Topping:

Sliced Organic Tomato
Organic Lettuce (something with a large leaf to hold your burger)
Bell pepper sliced thin
Safflower Mayonnaise
Feta Cheese
Organic Catsup

Directions:

Chop onions and saute until tender in olive oil add minced garlic and cook until done.
Add this to your ground turkey.  Add egg and spices and mix.  It will be really moist.  Put olive oil in your pan and heat.  We cooked on medium low on our stove but they vary.  Don't cook too high or fast so they don't dry out. Make patties and place in the pan with the warmed oil.  Let sit until they firm up and carefully flip.  Cook about 7 minutes or so on each side.

Wash and pat dry lettuce leaf and place it in a bowl or plate.  With a spatula remove cooked patties from the pan and place on the lettuce leaf.  Top with avocado, slice, bell pepper slice, tomato slice and sprinkle with feta cheese. If you would like to use condiments you can add whatever you like at this point. We like to mash some avocado and add a spoonful of mayonnaise to this and some salt and make an avocado mayonnaise for the burger.

Related Article: Jalapeno Cheese Hamburger Buns

We hope you enjoy this! Let us know what you think below in the comments.

This would also be amazing on a bun!

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Saint Marien's Church Marburg Germany

Saint Marien's Church 

Marburg Germany

So as we parted company in my article last week we were leaving Marburg Castle high on a hill in Marburg Germany.  My team was walking down the steep stairs on the other side of the castle down the hill.  While we were walking we passed the church whose steeple that I had taken the photograph of in the sunrise shot that morning. It was so beautiful we had to stop.  This church goes by several names. It is the Lutheran's Parrish Church of St. Marien's Church, St. Mary's Church and The Church Between The Castle and the Market. 

St. Marien's was consecrated to the "dear woman Beatae Mariae on May 1, 1297.  It was built after St. Elizabeths but since at that time the city limits were different St. Elizabeth's church was not considered in Marburg so that made St. Marien's Church the oldest church in Marburg Germany. She was the first construction by the Teutonic Order. After the reformation, she became the Hessian Cathedral Church, the University Church (Marburg University), Court Church and the grave of the landgraves.  

The first bell for the bell tower was poured by some unknown artisan in 1362.  It is in the tone of B1 and is the oldest instrument still ringing according to my research. The next bell was the largest one and that was poured in 1669 by Johannes Schirnbein there in Marburg. During WWII the Nazi's 

required the "donation" of all of the church bells to be melted down and used in the war effort. They were sent to a Glockenfriedhof which is a collection place for the bells. Bells from the 16th and 17th century and from the middle ages were not spared. The largest bell was required and they lowered it down through the tower and out of the church where it was sent to the Glockenfriedhof in Hamburg - Veddel. Bells were separated into several catagories including the historically valuable.  Even those that were considered historically important were destroyed.  This particular bell was spared and returned to its place in the tower. Two other bells were added one in 1925 the second largest bell and one in 1951 which is the smallest bell. 

Related Post: 8 Days In Germany 

It is said that 45, 000 bells were taken in Germany alone and 35,000 in other occupied territories.

When we entered the sanctuary and walked up the aisle past the pews and up to the altar.  The light streaming through the stained glass was beautiful. It made you catch your breath and want to hold it in such an amazing place

While we were there taking in all of the history that surrounded us a gentleman slipped out of the sanctuary quietly and exited the room.  We stood in awe of this magnificent edifice in reverent silence.  Suddenly the silence shattered when the pipe organ stirred to life and filled the sacred space with music that danced and swirled around us. We could only imagine this place, filled with worshipers through the centuries raising their voices in praise.   

Pipe organ built in 1722 by Johann Nikolaus Schafer

Initially, we all jumped at the shock of the music piercing the silence but when we recovered my female colleague grabbed her phone and recorded it on her phone and at this time I am trying to get a copy of it to share with you.

 This amazing organ was built in 1722 by Johann Nikolaus Schafer.  In 1722 in America Benjamin Franklin is a teenager and writing under the pseudonym Silence Dogood secretly publishing his articles in his brother's newspaper where he works as an intern years before our revolution. 

Up in the choir loft on the northern wall is the tomb for Lous (Ludwig) IV landgrave of Hesse and Marburg. It was started in 1590.  Ludwig was the son of Phillip I of Hesse and Christine, daughter of the Duke of Saxony. They are both buried in Martins Kirche (Church) in Kassel Germany. Ludwig was the husband of Elizabeth (St. Elizabeth as mentioned in the article about St. Elizabeth's church.  

Related Article: Marburg Germany and the Marburg Castle 

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His father and mother's marriage was not a happy one. He didn't want to get a divorce because it was thought to be wrong and sinful so he married his 17-year-old mistress without divorcing his first wife because he thought bigamy was a lesser sin than divorce. He went on to have 9 children with his second wife.

This was a fantastic opportunity to experience the rich history of this town and church.  I would have loved to be here during a worship service and be able to experience it but this will have to be good enough.  I am so thankful that we were able to see and experience all of this.

Next week we will head to the town of Marburg further down the hill and walk its historic cobblestone streets.

Mr. Cottage

End Of Log.

Read my next article: Traveling Alone - My 3rd Week In Germany 

A Note Yet Unsung Book Review

Hello, friends, here again with a new book by one of our favorite authors to share with you and it is a true treasure. We had the opportunity to read "A Note Yet Unsung" by Tamera Alexander. Be prepared to be swept away and soar on the wings of the master's that came before us.

Despite being trained as a master violinist, Rebekah Carrington is refused admittance int the Nashville Philharmonic by a young conductor Nathaniel Whitcomb who bowed to the public opinion. Now with a reluctant muse and pains in his head, he needs her help to finish his symphony. But will he be able to win back her trust after he's crushed her dreams?

You can almost hear the resounding notes echoing across the halls of time as we follow these amazing characters in all of their strengths and frailties. A beautiful story- great characters and a wonderful plot. I think you will love this story as much as I did.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Received this book from the publisher for our honest review.

Marburg Germany and the Marburg Castle

Marburg Germany and the Marburg Castle or the “Marburger Schloss”

Marburg is an ancient university town.  The town is magical with its cobblestone streets and amazing architecture that is something out of novels. We walked to the train station from our hotel while it was still dark and got on the train.  It was not long before we pulled into the Marburg station.  It was early still so there was not much open yet. We walked up the ancient cobblestone roads up toward the center of town. The sky was still darkened as we looked up to the hills we saw in the distance a castle. It was the Marburger Schloss or Marburg Castle and boy was she a sight to see.

The schloss or castle was built in the 11th century as a fort, it became the first residence of landgravate of Hesse.  The place is amazing to visit.  If you joined us for our tour of St. Elizabeth’s church we talked about Elizabeth’s life and the life of her husband the landgrave. 

This was where they lived and then his brother was the new landgrave when he died. Their daughter Sophie of Brabant was successful of winning the Landgraviate of Hessen for her son Henry and it was connected to Thuringia along with Kassel (we will go there soon) from that time until 1540.

We headed in that direction not knowing how exactly to get there.  The town is settled on the slope of a mountain and situated on the banks of the river Lahn.  Walking the streets there reminded me of my time in San Francisco, California while I was in the Navy as we were walking because of the slope of the hill.  It seemed every road was straight up.

Sitting along the road we were walking along we were treated with beautiful old homes along the way.  It was cold, in the 20 degrees F. area so we were all bundled up in our heavy coats, hats and snow boots.

 We were searching for a pathway up to the castle.  We found two ways up, one to our right up a road and another possibility was to the left of us on a path that led from a parking lot up a hill toward the castle.  Someone in our group decided that the straight road up was the best and shortest (note: I must say at this point that this was not my decision).  

We took lots of photographs as we journeyed up the hill.  The pathway led to steps and a trail that led to what I am assuming was the fortification wall or the moat’s wall and a dead end. Since none of us were prepared to storm the castle and climb the wall we retreated back down the pathway from where we came. When we reached the bottom we found a gentleman that was walking his dog and he happened to speak English (which was very good for us since our German is sadly ineffective for more that finding a bathroom and maybe finding food).  

He told us to take the road to the left and then to take the first left to follow it to the top and then the castle entrance will also be on the left. We headed up the road that wound steeply up the hill and brought us along the back side of the castle. There were so many large beautiful houses that were very old but I don’t think they were as old as the castle.  

The castle was bigger than I expected it to be. The walls are all intact, and only some of the moat was there. Marburg was the center of the uprising in 1806 and again in 1810 against French and so the castle fortifications were partially destroyed then.  

We took 20 minutes walking around the castle taking all kinds of photographs.  We stood and watched the sun rise up over this amazing town and it took your breath away.  I was able to take some shots of the sunrise behind the steeple of a second church down below us. It was so beautiful.

While we were waiting for the castle to open we found a sign for tours around the city that started at 9:45 AM and since the castle opened at ten and the bus would drop us back off at the castle, we thought that we should take the tour and then later come back and tour the castle. We waited and waited and waited way past 10 AM and realized the bus was not going to come so we headed back over to the castle

We went up and paid our 5 euros to tour the castle. You had to enter an elevator to begin and I went into the back and leaned against the rail along the back wall of the elevator.  When it came to a stop I started to exit the elevator and there was a huge crash behind me. We all jumped a foot and spun around. I guess the screw came out of the rail and it fell off.  We about had a heart attack and left the elevator quickly but got a good laugh about it when we knew we were ok and the elevator was not going to go careening down on us.

We found out that the castle was one as I said before of the landgraves but later served as a prison and is now the archives.

Several hours later, when we finished our tour we took another route down from the castle grounds which had stairs all the way back down the hill.  About half way down the stairs we found another ancient church and we just had to stop and tour that church as well.  That I will cover in my next post. 

Check out the video of the rest of the museum.

See you next week for another adventure!

Blessings!

End Of Log.

Baked Penne Pasta

We love Italian food at the Cottage, one of our favorite dishes is Baked Ziti. This is so easy to make, and absolutely delicious! 

Related Article: Bread Sticks

1 Container of Penne Pasta
Parmesan Cheese
Cheddar & Colby Cheese
Auntie Betty's Pasta Sauce
Parsley

Related Article: Garlic Knots

Cook pasta according to package, strain, and place in a casserole dish. Cover with sauce, then cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Serve with parmesan cheese and parsley.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

The Long Way Around

God took the Israelites the long way. He didn't take them on the "super-God short cut". The easy peasy way- the Autobahn at high speed. He didn't put them on a jet and say have a nice comfy flight. No- he knew their hearts. He knew the people intimately, personally and he knew their hearts. He saw the rough craggy places that needed to be shaved away, he saw the weak places that would falter and fail.

He knew they would not have the heart to go into battle and the shortcut, well that required battle- it would mean war. He knew they weren't ready for that, weren't ready to face the giants that awaited so he took them the long way 'round. He put them through boot camp- well the 40-year-plan. They had to earn blisters and then calluses before they were ready to get where they were going.

40 years of God leading them through the dry places, serving them His M.R.E.'s, teaching them to lean on him, and waiting for them to be ready. They had to go through training before they could enjoy what he gave them. They had to go the long way, the scenic route, the back road, the non-direct path.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 Abraham is a perfect example of the back roads, of God leading down the in-direct-paths. God led him away from everything and everyone he knew, his neighbors probably whispered that he was crazy but he went. He followed God from place to place, but the story isn't about his destination. It's the places along his "road trip" the experiences that the bible tells.

God has a history of taking people the non-direct route, the way that doesn't make sense- to teach a lesson before you reach the destination. Almost as if it's not so much the place but the journey there that matters. It's on the trip that you learn to rely upon, to lean on Him. It's on the exhausting hikes and endless curves in the road that you grow closer to Him and learn to hear His voice. It's in hanging onto Him that He files away a little more of the world to make room for Himself.


Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

How To Make Valentine Envelope Cookies

Looking for a last-minute romantic treat? Look no further than these adorable and tasty cookies. These are really easy and fun to make whether it's for work or school or to top off Dinner you are going to love these!

What You Will Need:

Rectangle Shaped Cookies
Edible Markers
Melting Wafers
Heart Sprinkles

Ingredients

1 Cup Organic Grassfed Butter,
1 Cup Organic Sugar
1 Large Organic Free-range Egg
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Salt
2 Cups Organic all purpose flour

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed for 1 minute. On medium speed, beat in the egg, vanilla, the other extract of your choice, baking powder and salt. Add flour to the mix 1 cup at a time, beating until combined after each cup that you add. 5. Divide your dough into two balls. Lightly flour your rolling pin so it will not stick. Roll your dough to about 1/4" on a piece of parchment paper and cut small rectangles. Line cookie sheets with clean parchment. Place cookies on parchment and bake at 350 F. for 7 minutes. Remove parchment from pan and allow cookies to cool. Once completely cool melt wafers and dip cookies, set back on parchment to dry. When the wafers harden draw on the cookies with the edible markers. Dip a sprinkle heart in the melted wafers and place on top of the cookie.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Still Life Book Review

Last week I had the great pleasure of reading Dani Pettrey's new book Still Life. Ms. Pettrey is one of my very favorite authors so to say I was excited to read this one is a big understatement *Squeal* Yeah, yeah tone it down, trust me you'll be as big a fan after a few books- or just one. 

This book had me on the edge of my seat from page one, it's a fast-paced mystery that is truly nerve-wracking. The only thing I can think to compare it to is a very clean version of Criminal Minds (never actually seen the show by the way so don't get freaked out). Terrorists, art theft, a mysterious killer, a stalker and second chances it has it all.

 This action-packed book is truly a delightful read! The characters are quirky and lovable and the story line is worth every one of the nails you bite off (and people wonder why my nails are so short) and ever hour of sleep you lose! 

If you love thrillers and murder mysteries (if you do we'll be the best of friends) you are going to love this one as much as I did! Also, check out my favorite series by Dani Pettrey Alaskan Courage your nails will hate you but you will enjoy every second!

We received this book free from the publisher, but all opinions are our own.

 To see more of our book reviews check out the Review Tab at the top of this page. 

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Valentine Heart Pasta And Shrimp

Looking for a great dish to serve this valentines day? Look no further! This delicious pasta dish will have you singing "That's Amore'" as the delicious aroma fills your kitchen. Turn on some soft romantic music and let's get cooking. 

Ingredients:

Shrimp
Heart Shaped Pasta
2 Tablespoons Grass-fed Butter
2 Organic Flour
1 Cup Organic Milk

Direction:

Cook pasta and shrimp until done, combine and set aside. Melt butter in a medium saucepan, add flour and stir until combined. Add milk and stir until thick. Pour over pasta shrimp mixture and toss gently.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra but help to support the Rosevine Cottage Girls so we can continue bringing you recipes, travel posts, garden and farm posts and so much more. 

Storm Proof

Life is perfect, your soaring with the world at your feet. Sure there are the occasional storm clouds but with some cute galoshes and a poke-a-dot umbrella, you got through it just fine. And then out of nowhere, your sunny day turns into an all out typhoon, the wind tears away your umbrella the mud inches up on your galoshes sucking you deeper and deeper. 

The test results come back, it's cancer. The company you work for is downsizing, and your job is no longer necessary. The promotion you were in line for, gets handed to someone else. You step into the bathroom stall, and loud voice -voices you recognize echo through the room- spews garbage like a leaking sewer about you, never mind that it isn't true. Not a word, it spreads anyway. A knock at your door at midnight, an officer on your doorstep.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2-4

Related Post: What Does His Voice Sound Like

Nowhere in the bible does it say the "fire" the "storm" the "accusations" will not come. Nowhere does it say that people won't lie about you, trash you behind your back or betray you when you become a Christian. Being a Christian doesn't promise a "get out of pain-free card", but it does promise that we will never face it alone. It promises that when the typhoon strikes out of nowhere we will stand. The attacks will not prevail. The Enemy will. not. win.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

It doesn't say that the devil will never try to break us -because the truth is he will day in and day out.

Related Post: Life Can Be Hard

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth--the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelations 12:10B

But that we will prevail, we will come out stronger and we will be the victor. That no matter how dark tonight is, hope will rise like the dawn. This battle has already been won, your savior already struck the victory blow now all you have to do is ride out the wake.

Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5B

God doesn't use just the strong, the unmovable towers. He calls the weak, the battered and bruised and then He shines through so they become like a lighthouse in the midst of the hurricane so that others weathering the same storm will see the light and know they are not alone. It's in our weakness that He shows his strength.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9