Another painting I love...

This came into the possession of the Metropolitan Museum of Art about three years ago. It's one of Matisse's famous Marguerite portraits and something about all of them, but this one in particular, makes me very happy.

I ran across the jpeg when I was looking for a fig tree picture. I try to say hello to "Marguerite Wearing a Hat" every time a go to the Met (which is frequent).

Problematic for Me: Mark 11:11-22

This was the story in today's vacation Bible School at WECC and it is my least favorite story in the New Testament:

From The Gospel of Mark:

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there… When evening came, they went out of the city.

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

*****

Okay, I love the message about the mountain throwing itself into the sea, but I have always been VERY CONCERNED for the poor fig tree. Even Mark says it wasn't the season for figs! Okay, okay I get it. It is always the season of God anything can happen with faith. I get it. But again, I feel for the fig tree. Clearly Jesus was worked up this day (which climaxed with the trashing of the temple).

My biggest personal problem with figs? They occasionally masquerade in cookies as chocolate chips. But that's just a Tim issue and I'm certainly not going to curse a tree over a disappointing cookie.

It's just a strange story that reminds me that Jesus was, among the divine things, oh so human.

Made a simple dinner...

Nothing complex but so yummy. Johary (at left) was coming over, I had very little time to cook, so I made a simple pasta. I browned some sirloin, did a very rough chop of a small but VERY POTENT white onion, added some minced garlic. I tore up one red and one green pepper and diced a small jalepeno, which I threw in. Added some crushed tomotoes from a can (!) and enough red wine to come to the top of the skillet. When it boiled down some I added a handful of diced crisp bacon. All of this cooked slow for about two hours, then I boiled up some tri-color rotini, baked off some biscuits (Johary loves rolls and croissants and biscuits, etc.) and called it dinner.

It was very satisfying and we had a marvelous time, then there was Haagen Dazs Caramel Cone ice cream for later.

I've said it before, but one of my favorite things is to cook for and feed people I love. I adore it and consider a great blessing.

Yay!

I know, I know...

I've blogged not at all since returning three days ago! But I've been insanely busy (it's Vacation Bible School week), I've been trying to catch up on sleep, Johary is coming over or dinner tonight, blah blah blah.

I shall relate my adventures soon, I promise!

I'm home!

And utterly exhausted. It was a wonderful and deeply fulfilling week. I'll blog about it later. Love to all.

He swims tonight!

I've read 10:14pm, 10:19pm, and heard 10:21pm on the radio...

Whenever, I'll be watching and cheering as Michael Phelps makes a go of swimming into history. He seems like such a decent fella!

You rock, MP!

Countdown: 3 days to NOLA

Pralines!

I always said "pray-leens" with the accent on the "pray". Evidently, in New Orleans, they are "prah-leens", still accenting the first syllable, but more gently. Pray or prah, I love 'em!!!

Pralines

1 quart heavy cream
3 cups sugar
6 cups chopped pecans
juice of 1 lemon

In a heavy saucepan slowly simmer cream and sugar over low heat until the mixture becomes golden brown in color and reaches the soft-ball stage (234 degrees F. on candy thermometer). Add pecans and lemon juice and continue to cook until the soft-ball stage is reached again.
Drop from a large kitchen spoon onto an oiled baking sheet. Spread each cake out with back of spoon to about 1/4 inch thick and 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Let harden, then lift from plate or slab with a spatula.