Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania

During our Easter trip to Pennsylvania, we visited beautiful historic Valley Forge National Park. "Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times." Source - Valley Forge National Historical Park

It was a perfect day for walking around and taking in the beautiful landscape and historic sites. Our first stop was the Washington Memorial Chapel. This early 20th-century church commemorates George Washington's service to his country, and still hosts an active congregation.

 

 

Beautiful architecture and intricate details fill the church. The remembrance of soldiers, love for God and country and emphasis on prayer is prevalent throughout the chapel.  

I especially love the vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. It reminds of sitting in Art History class, learning about Gothic architecture and cathedrals.

 

I also like the Intricate doors and elaborate hardware. Everything is so grand and fancy.

The most breathtaking magnolia tree I have ever seen, grows next to the chapel. The branches are heavy laden with gorgeous pale pink blossoms.

We posed for a photo next to an old cannon. I can't imagine loading those things!

We saw the train station, which is where George Washington had his headquarters.

Nice little old typewriter. 

George Washington's house was really interesting to see. I was surprised at how "modern" it looked on the inside, having many windows, a couple of bedrooms with connecting doors to each other, a small twisting staircase to an attic, where the house staff stayed. The kitchen was separate from the main part of the house. However, I did not see a bathroom...

These primitive log cabin replicas, are where soldiers lived. Dirt floors, tiny cramped bunk beds stacked 3 high (some 12 to a cabin), a fireplace and a door. I can't believe they lived in these, through the winter, for 6 months! I wouldn't last 6 hours. It makes you really appreciate what they went through for the freedom we are able to enjoy.

I like the quaint little country houses, with their stone bordered yards and steps. What a different way of life they lived.

Lastly, my favorite magnolia blossom photo. I just love these flowers! I didn't realize how big they are or how large the trees can grow. I would love to have one in my yard some day. 

 

When you're in junior high, and you have to learn about American history, it's not very interesting. At least it wasn't for me. You hear stories, learn facts and memorize dates. Maybe for some, fighting in a battle sounds exciting. History never excited me when I was growing up. Now however, I am so interested in learning what people went through, the sacrifices they made, and what life was like. Seeing a historic place like Valley Forge brings it to life and makes you think differently. About people, freedom and America. What's really worth fighting for. What it means to be an American. How blessed we are as a nation. How far we have come from the values this country was founded on.

May we continue to be "One Nation Under God."

Easter, Forsythia and Sunshine

We had an excellent long weekend, celebrating Easter with family in Pennsylvania. My husband's home state hails the motto "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence." We got an inside look at American history and those who fought for our independence at Valley Forge (more to come on that). But first, our annual Easter family photo in front of a sunny backdrop of yellow forsythia bushes.

Isn't the color stunning?

So bright and cheery, proclaiming spring is here!

 I have always liked weeping willow trees. Just swaying in the breeze.

Meanwhile, back in NY, A.K.A. The Empire State, with the motto "Excelsior (Ever Upwards)," these colorful little crocus have been popping up. They're my favorite because they poke their heads out of  earth before anything else, signifying winter is over. It's a pleasant surprise every single year.

Our Easter Sunday was beautiful, very sunny and warm. The sun was so bright, my eyes couldn't stop squinting. It caused me to think how radiant it will be in the presence of the Lord, the One Who died and rose again, victorious over sin and death. The reason we have so much to celebrate!















John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 14:9 "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living."

1 Thessalonians 4:14: " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

He is risen! 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend with your loved ones too.

Mom's Apple Pie

 

There is nothing like my Mom's apple pie. It tastes the best. That's all I can say. I have been saving this recipe since my trip to Arizona when we made a pie together. I wondered if I should share this recipe with the world, because then everyone would be baking delicious apple pies. But I know I'm safe, because my Mom will always have the magic touch.

McCall's Cook Book "The absolutely complete step-by-step cooking and serving guide", is where the recipe comes from. You know a cook book with a tag line like that is going to be good. Every time my Mom got it off the shelf, I knew something delicious was going to be cooking in the kitchen.

Here is the recipe, right off the page (click to enlarge):

 

We used this Betty Crocker crust mix. I know it's not completely from scratch, but it tastes the most like home-made, and you still have to "make" it. If you prefer to make your own dough, go for it.

Make the crust according to the package directions. Add water and mix to form dough.

Split the dough in half. One for the bottom crust, one for the top.

Flour your work surface and get out your rolling pin.

Now it's time to roll out...

Place the bottom crust into a deep dish pie plate.

You can prepare the apples before making the crust, or start them now. Peel and core 2 pounds of granny smith apples (enough to make 6 cups thinly sliced).

 

Slice and put them in a large bowl.

Mix together:
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
4 Tablespoons of flour

 

Add sugar mixture to the bowl of sliced apples and mix to coat well. 

Pour apple mixture into your pie plate with bottom crust.

Mound the apples higher in the middle and add 2 Tablespoons of sliced butter on top.

Carefully roll out your top crust, lay it over the apples, and crimp the edges closed. 

 

Cut a few steam vents in the top of the pie and brush the top with an egg, for that beautiful golden color.

Here is is, in all it's apple-pie-goodness. Ooooooh......aaaaaaahhhhh. Let it cool for a while to make cutting easier. I highly recommend serving it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

What's more American or delicious than home-made apple pie? Thanks Mom, for making countless delicious apple pies, and teaching me how!

In the beginning God created

I would like to share something I encountered this week. This post discusses a deep root of my faith. I believe in God. I believe that God created the entire Universe. Including the Earth and all of its life, by speaking it into existence.

The first verse, of the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:1 says exactly how it happened, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis goes on to list in detail, that God created light, day and night, heaven and earth, grass, stars, every living animal, whales, caterpillars, cattle and beasts...and the list goes on.

Then God created man. Humankind. An entity entirely unlike any other part of creation. Not comparable to any animal. Not derived from any animal. Mankind in the image and likeness of God Himself. Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness".

This fact, this truth, this answer to the question "Why are we here?" is the foundation upon which I live my life. It's what I believe. There is not a single doubt in my mind that this is the truth.

Phew. I had to say that. If this is the only place that my voice is heard or my words are read, let my words speak the truth.

I don't know exactly when Mr. Darwin's theory of Evolution became accepted as widespread fact. I would like to recall exactly what a theory is: a speculative plan, a conjecture, guess, a proposed explanation of observed phenomena (as stated in my Webster's dictionary that I've had since 4th grade). It's not rocket science to me, but why guess and speculate about something that is already spelled out and accounted for in the Bible? "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1

This theory of a big bang beginning and the evolution of species has infiltrated science books, classrooms and scientific studies for years. I had the privilege of attending various Christian schools throughout almost all my years of education. For the teachers and professors that proclaimed the truth of creation as stated in the Bible, I stand and applaud you. Sadly, even at a Christian college, I found professors who believed and taught a strange mixture of creation-evolution science.

This week, I attended two different professional work related lectures. One focused on innovation and business practices. The other on branding and design. Both referenced pieces of evolution, as if it were everyday fact. Rooms filled with mature professionals, listening to ideas that we evolved from monkeys. That our brains took years to develop into what they are now. That life started millions and millions of years ago. That our relatives are reptiles. As I sat in my seat, I felt like I was living on a different planet. Doesn't anyone believe in God? Does anyone believe that God created us? Does anyone that owns a Bible actually read the account of creation?

Pretend you are an artist. Say one day, you invent the most astonishing product known to man. You also design breathtaking packaging with visual and structural perfection. You create the most incredible branding campaign that takes the entire world by storm, including a mind-blowing logo, tag line, jingle, website, print, television and radio ads. Everywhere you turn, people around the globe see images of the product that you made. That you created. However, you don't get credit for any of it. Your brainchild, that you designed with your ideas and your own hands, never gets attributed to you. Instead, someone starts a story that your invention just "appeared" one day. No thought involved. No purposeful design. No artist behind the art. It was essentially "magic." This story spreads like wildfire and people believe it! 

Would you be mad? All your planning, all your hard work and all the joy that went into your creation, and no one believes that you made it?

I know this lame example pales in comparison to the spectacular wonder of God's creation. But do you get it? Doesn't it burn you when you don't get credit for something you did? This analogy struck me as I was driving home from the one of the lectures. God is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

I want to give God full credit and praise for his miraculous creation. I'm not afraid to say it. I think one of the worst things an artist can do, is take credit they don't deserve, deny an artist the credit they are due, or worse, pass something off as their own when it doesn't belong to them.


Why did I write this? Because I'm tired of the theory of evolution being proclaimed and believed. I'm tired of Creation, by an Awesome and Intelligent God, being dismissed as a fairy tale. Read Genesis for yourself. Open the Bible to the first page. Most of all, I want you to know that there is a real, personal, living God. The God Who loves you and created you. You are not here by any accident.

John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

I welcome your thoughts and comments.