Sweet Pleasures...


When the Lord God created the earth and all it's living creatures...
He did it for His glory and our enjoyment as well as our use

well...I sure did enjoy finding this sweet baby dove...
sitting quietly under the banana trees...
waiting for mama and papa doves to bring food

it is very rare to find a fledgling dove as they hide so well
I didn't linger too long so the parents wouldn't hesitate to come back quickly



we've got pineapples coming along


the pineapple blooms are growing into fruit...
and soon, they will lose their lovely pinks and purples as they mature into yellow-orange



the zinnias are going full force...
and since most of the flowers are in a favorite pink color of mine...
it behooves me to pick a few for my table on the veranda to enjoy

the roses are giving their beauty under the veranda...


I'll keep them on the bushes and once they pass their prime and wane...


and as the younger rose buds come up...


and delight with the promise of full blooms...


I'll pick the petals from the old roses...


and scatter them in the breeze for the chickens


while the chickens like the rose petals...
they ignore the zinnias...
and I always pay attention to what my chickens will and will not eat
they usually know what's good and what's not


so, I take advantage of this and bring my pretty zinnias...


to my veranda table for the pleasure of enjoying God's creative work


The works of the Lord are great,
sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Psalm 111:2

May your day or night find pleasures in the sweetness of my Lord's grace.

Saturday Island Postcard


Where we like to go for coffee at seaside Mocha Spoke Cafe every now and then


May your day or night find grace in the Lord.

Mission Accomplished Revealed...



The mission has been accomplished
we can now walk up and down the steps of the cottage during a rain downpour...
and not get soaking wet


our main living area is upstairs...
(while the guest bedroom and it's full bath and laundry room are below)
and we did have quite a time during the heavy rainy season staying dry...
going up and down those steps


so, my husband and our hired hand added the roof over the steps...
and what a difference a few days make


I get good exercise on those steps every day...
and it's a good thing my knees are in great shape, thus far

someday, though, there may come a time when a cottage on the ground...
is better suited to two old people...
(that is, should the Lord bring us to old age)

in the meantime...
the exercise does me good...
and I keep dry when it rains



we've been having a good harvest of eggplants
we have a consistent buyer who owns a restaurant...
and they take all we can grow...
minus a few we eat for ourselves



and although the photo quality leaves much to be desired...
as it was taken in the dusk of evening...
this is just to show off what a great "daddy" Pip is being...
he lets the chicks sleep around him and even up on his back
I do not know if Pip is the sire of these chicks...
and I'm quite sure he doesn't either, but...
yeah, Pip, you good Rooster, you
this makes you a keeper


and this reminds me of the Lord Jesus words of those to whom He reveals wonderful things...

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and has revealed them unto babes:
even so, Father;
for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered to me of my Father:
and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father;
and who the Father is, but the Son,
and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Luke 10:21-22

May your day or night reveal the wonderful grace of God.

Saturday Island Postcard


Where cruise ships often come into dock for a day or two


May your day or night cruise gently in God's grace.

Got Zinnias, Lemons, and Such...



Thanks to David...
I've got Zinnias
they didn't take long to grow from the seeds...
and they are deliciously pretty


they've been blooming as of a few days ago


and I got caught in the sprinkles of rain as my camera snapped shots



lemon tree, oh how pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the lemon is possible to eat


and yes, we do have much lemons on our trees
I do not know the true name of these lemons but...
they may be the Bush lemons that are native to Australia
or maybe, the Ponderosa lemons
it seems to me, they are often called, "caribbean" or "west indian" lemons


in any case...
the juice is not so very tart...
and I love to freeze the juice in freezer bags...
as well as zest the rind and freeze for times when the trees aren't bearing



the Moringa trees are crying out for a good downsizing

they have not only grown above 20 feet...


but, their trunks are now several inches in diameter


the Moringa trees are also in full bloom and the birds are loving these trees
these trees are one of my favorites for simply...
picking the leaves and flowers for munching on and making tea
research has shown the Moringa plant to be one of the most nutritious
so, as long as the Lord gives these trees on our homestead...
I will take advantage of their light peppery taste for some needed vitamins and minerals



and after all...
it gives me a good excuse to come out in the mornings and say...
"hello, little finch...
please sing me a pretty song"


Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Philippians 4:7-9

May your day or night find praise in the grace of God.

Gluten-Free Tortillas...

There is no choice in the matter when it comes to my diet and gluten...
I just can't have it
not even one molecule of it
I cannot explain why the Lord saw fit to give me this gluten sickness...
but, He knows why and it is His right to do as He pleases...
whether it's to my liking, or not

however, He did not leave me completely bereft of some things I like to eat...
like tortillas
the Lord has given us more than just a few plants to give us different types of flours
and when I need one for a tortilla...
there are three gluten-free flours easy to find and work with


although I could just use the corn flour alone...
I prefer the texture the tapioca flour and brown rice flour give these gluten-free tortillas
the tapioca gives a more softer, chewier texture and keeps the dough from breaking up
the brown rice gives a hint of nutty flavoring

to make my tortillas, I use...
1/2 cup Maseca corn flour
1/2 cup tapioca/cassava flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup water

mix the flours and salt together very well with a whisk
stir in the water slowly, mixing it into the flour well (I use my hands for this part)
the dough should be soft and pliable without being sticky
knead for about 2 minutes until the dough is smooth

let sit for about 5 minutes to rest...
turn on a skillet to heat up on low medium and brush some oil on it

pull apart pieces of dough the size of a ping pong ball
this should give you about 10 to 12 tortillas
roll each dough ball in your hand...
and roll out gently on some sprinkled gf flour on the counter

it doesn't get me all bent out of shape if the tortilla is not a perfect circle
as long as it holds my filling, that's what matters


use a large spatula to pick up the tortilla and gently place it in the hot skillet


brush a little oil on the top side and let it cook for about 2 minutes


turn over and brush again with a little oil and cook until each side has golden spots...
indicating it is done


you can make any kind of filling that you like
for me, curried onions, mushrooms and black olives make a good combination

I cook one sliced onion with a little oil and curry powder until the onions are soft


then, add the mushrooms and olives and meld them all together until hot


I like both tomato sauce and yogurt as my bases in the tortillas...
and put a little cheese (any kind will do) on top of the sauces


you could say that this dish is a cross between a soft taco and thin crust pizza
in fact, I have put it in the oven to bake for a few minutes...
which give the shells a bit of a crisp


but mostly, I just enjoy picking it up as a soft taco and eating it with thanksgiving...
that God has given me something good to enjoy as a celiac...
without the repercussions of grain gluten


But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment,
let us be therewith content.
1Timothy 6:6-8

May your day or night find food in the grace of Jesus Christ.