Gather: Summer Travels Part One to Carmel & "The Restless Sea." Also a Blind Date with a Book GIVEAWAY!

- Encouragement for Every Reason & Season -

The Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach CA

SO MANY OF US ARE itching for a road trip of some sort this time of the year or at the very least a change of scenery. That's what got us on the road last weekend. My husband and I drove 2 hours north from where we live and visited the charming seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was beautiful and refreshing. In the morning we took to the cobbled streets to specialty shops, art galleries, bookstores, bakeries and much more.

Next up was Carmel's scenic 17-Mile Drive along the Pacific Coast and through the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. With 17 stopping points along the way, one in particular stuck in my mind, #4 "The Restless Sea." Its posted marker told us, "The Restless Sea" earns its name as one of the most turbulent sections of coastline in Pebble Beach. Waves are constantly converging and crashing into each other, likely caused by submerged rocks."

The Restless Sea

The "submerged rocks" that cause these turbulent seas reminded me of the things that bring turbulence into our lives. Things that go unnoticed that cause us to fret and stew and lose our way. We get all unhinged when plans change, expectations are unmet, there are misunderstandings and unkind words.  But we are also reminded that those are the very things the Lord uses to refine us. James 1:2-4 points out, "consider it nothing but joy... whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

The Bible has always shown us the way back where we are safely sheltered, where God invites us back to His open arms. God stops at nothing to find us, hold us, guard, guide and keep us. Let that spiritual limp and distracted heart find joy in Him. Trust Him to help you navigate the hard and unexpected. Be refreshed knowing He is working behind what we see and trust His timing this summer.

Bound to Please: Blind Date with a Book GIVEAWAY!

Blind Date With a Book & Puzzle

Don't judge a book by its cover! Pick your next book without a title or author.

BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK! If you’ve never heard of a “blind date with a book” it’s like a regular blind date where you don’t know what you’re getting until you get there, but with books! It's a fun way to discover new authors and genres, making each reading selection a new surprise waiting to unfold. I have several "Blind Date Books" from popular Christian authors packaged and ready to mail out as well as a "Blind Date Puzzle" for my GIVEAWAY, to be in the draw leave a comment below of a FAVORITE TRAVEL SPOT. (Yes, I know it's not blind this way, but I wanted to show you the books and puzzle I'll be sending out.) Click here for ideas and suggestions for a Blind Date with a Book.

I thought you'd all enjoy this recipe from The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits:

Miss Fannie's

Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour

• 4 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 4 Tablespoons shortening

• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

2. Add shortening and cut into dry ingredients with a fork or pastry cutter until dough is pea sized.

3. Add buttermilk and mix until dough is soft.

4. Form biscuits with hands. (May dip hands in a little extra flour is needed to keep dough from sticking.)

5. Place biscuits in greased pan.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes.

7. Makes 16 2" biscuits.

   Serve with butter and jam or pour gravy over biscuits. Enjoy!

   
   

Blind Date with a Puzzle Sneak Peek

Summer Seaside Puzzle

A Home to Keep: DIY! Mini Pocket Journal

Mini Pocket Journal

THIS MINI POCKET JOURNAL is the perfect gift or favor for any special occasion, from weddings and showers to family picnics and retreats. I always try to find a place to write encouraging scriptures and to include a devotional. Click here for instructions and ideas.

Mixing Bowl: Recipes! Grand Prize Winners, Crumbs & Fake Noodles!

Vacuum Cleaner Bars

YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY, named such because they disappear so quickly! Did I mention they are blue ribbon worthy? I was awarded the Grand Prize in the baking contest at our family's annual picnic in April! Each year we pick a theme - desserts, appetizers, chili cook off, you get the idea. This year my sister-in-law suggested sugar free and everyone was so creative!!

Not to say there wasn't sneaky things going on! Things started heating up when unbeknownst to me during the contest someone renamed my award winning recipe from Vacuum Cleaner Bars to Vacuum Cleaner BAGS!! What a crumb! Who would do this? I tried not to get stirred up, I gathered my scrambled thoughts and put my sleuthing hat on. As I scanned the room, everyone looked cool and calm. I wondered, who was the fake noodle. I grilled everyone. I knew I was getting closer to the truth when my sister, Lorna (true blue and honest to the core) looked a little sheepish... Meanwhile my brother, Don, was the only one that didn't come right out and rally for his innocence - that's not to say he confessed outright. It was Lorna I had to wear down. All she could finally utter was, "I gave him the marker". An accessory for sure! Click here for recipes.

Evidence!

Don't forget to leave your comment below to be in the draw for the GIVEAWAY!

No matter where your travels take you be refreshed in Him!

From My Home to Yours, Linda