Purposeful Blogging? and Pasta

Well... so much for Purposeful Blogging! I am still mulling over these things in my mind, encouraging and contributing to a larger Christian community, its just that my teaching pracitcums have taken over most of my "thinking and doing." Today was the first day I felt like I really had everything finishing and its been three weeks since my last prac finished! And I start again next Monday... but what makes this one different is that it is the last... of the whole course! Yay!

Two 'normalish' things I did today is this window of freedom where to write this post (should really be writing in the present tense shouldn't I?) and make pasta with Joshua.

As a bit of Jamie Oliver fan I knew that pasta was my next frontier after bread. Luckily I had bought a pasta machine about 10 years ago because it was on special for about $25 so I was well on my way. Mixed 250g flour and 3 eggs on the bench, just like the Italians do, and then knead the dough till it is smooth and silky... which took about 15 minutes. In the fridge wrapped in cling-film while I sweated 2 chopped leeks in a little olive oil over a low heat. In another pan, little olive oil, I cooked some fresh breadcrumbs with garlic and thyme until golden and crunchy, set aside on kitchen paper (didn't really need it though as I use only about a teaspoon of oil). When the leeks where really soft I turned then off and just set them aside. Back to the pasta... lots of flouring the benches, the pasta, everything! Then just feed the pasta through the thickest setting about 4 times, it gets a bit softer for some reason, and then feed it through the machine with the setting becoming gradually thinner until you have got what you want. Roll it up into a scroll - nothing is sticking of course because of all the flour you have been liberally applying - and then cut as you desire. I wanted it wide so I cut it about 1/2 inch. Into boiling salted water for about 2 minutes. While the pasta was cooking I retrieved the prosciutto from the pan and coarsely chopped it before returning it to the pan. I also added about 1/3 cup of fresh grated parmesan. By now the pasta was cooked and I quickly drained it and then added it to the leek mixture. Toss well and then serve with the crispy breadcrumbs over the top! Total carb fiest but that's what happens on a day of freedom.

Joy the baker has a much better recipe description if you thinking of making it yourself. There is also a link to a youtube tutorial. The same person that made this vodcast also made another using a pasta machine.

I strongly suggest the pasta machine... rolling by hand aka. rolling pin, seems pretty labour intensive and if you keep your eyes out you can get a machine for a fair price. NOTE: if you find one that doesn't have the slicing attachment don't stress, still get it, I don't think I will ever use mine as hand cut looks so much nicer :)

The whole time this is going on... about 3/4 hour... Joshua is just watching and asking questions, "What are you doing Mummy?" and "Joshi help?"... Here is my little chef helping make the pasta.

The Pill is an Abortafacient

Family Bread Recipe - Ours and the Campbells :)

This is the bread recipe I have been using with great success over the past couple of months. It has been made with white and wholemeal wheat flour, and used in traditional loaves, pizza bases (eliminate second rise and just roll it out and use) and also as Indian naan bread (eliminate second rise and just roll it out into wanted size and bake in a 250˚c oven for a couple of minutes on a preheated pizza stone or thick oven tray).

Traditional
1. In a large bowl combine 450mls warm water, 3tsp yeast, 2tsp salt, 1Tb honey and let sit for about 5 minutes in a warm place until frothy.
2. Then add 1Tb oil and 5 cups flour. Bring together in the bowl and then knead for 10 minutes on a lightly floured bench until the gluten has been thoroughly worked. Return dough to the cleaned bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for at least 4 hours or until it has doubled in size.
3. Take the risen dough out of the bowl and squash it back down to original size. Divide dough in half, form into elongated rounds and place into a bread pan lined with baking paper. Allow the dough to rise again, this time within the bread pans, for about an hour or until they are a good size (I don't find that my bread rises much in the oven so however much it has risen at this point is a pretty accurate indicator as to how big the finished product will be).
4. Bake in a hot oven, 200˚c or 390F, until the top of the bread is a medium brown. I always double check that the bread is cooked by tapping the bottom of each loaf - at this point you still have the chance to cook it a bit longer. Allow the bread to cool only until you can comfortably handle it and then serve (warm bread is just delightful!)

Of course, now that I have something that works I have decided to try a different recipe :) This one is from Serene from AboveRubies.org and it is a rye and spelt sourdough bread... very exciting! Unfortunately spelt and rye are the most expensive grains to buy here in Australia ($100 for 25kg of spelt and $60 for 20kg of rye). You can use wheat ($35 for 25kg of organic wheat) which is what I intend to do - I might get some rye but the mixture will be predominantly wheat.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window... the wind is throwing the trees this way and that. The clouds are sprinting across the bright blue sky.

I am thinking... about the weekend and am praying I will get over this flu I have :(

I am thankful for... my husband, who has cooked and cleaned over the last couple of days while I have been in bed.

From the kitchen... just dirty dishes unfortunately... I can imagine there is a large pot of piping hot soup though...

I am creating... not much actually - my projects have all been neglected during my flu.

I am going... nowhere in particular... except to fit infront of the heater :)

I am wearing... very very daggy: tracksuit pants and a jumper.

I am reading... The Fruitful Vine by Warren Henderson

I am praying... that everthing would be sorted out regarding my graduate diploma course - it is all a bit up in the air at the moment... please pray that the Lord would be glorified.

I am hearing... the blissful silence of a sleeping little boy.

Around the house... just mess, mess and more mess... not cleaning for a couple of day sure creates a backlog.

One of my favourite things... is reading and listening to Romantic piano music (Romantic as in the 19th century cultural movement: Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, etc.)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... help hubby get ready for work next week, pray about university stuff and finish reading book. OOO, also find a recipe for a lemon slice :)

A special photo to share...

Joshua at the park with Mumm, Daddy, Aunty Margret and Uncle Henry after church :)

Art, Music and Literature - Oh My :)

When we homeschool are son, and any other children the Lord sees fit to bless us with, we want to give them an education that is infused with Art, Music and Literature (specifically poetry and prose). In Australian schools, especially during the primary years, there is little appreciating of art, music and literature - its all making. When I say appreciating I mean understanding something of the elements of art, the principles of design and some the theory of aesthetics. I mean understanding something of tone colour, dynamics and structure of music. I mean understanding iambic pentameter and the beauty of language. Our modern artists are always talking about "self-expression" but is that what a Christian should do? As a Christian we are not to conform to this world but rethink everything from a Godly perspective. So, this is what I have been thinking about recently...

The philosophy of Christian arts, as all things, must be centred on Christ. It must be centred on Christ in both subject and form. The subject and form of Christian arts must be God honouring - what He has created and what He values - Theo-centric. Theo-centric arts bring honour and glory to God. This does not mean that it must mention God’s name, be produced by a Christian, or show a biblical scene to be Theo-centric; but it does require that the art not contradict who God is or what is said in His Word.

Using Galatians 5, ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ the characteristics of Christ-honouring artistic expression shall be put forth;

• Love - from the Greek word Agape, which means brotherly love affection, good will and benevolence.
• Joy - from the Greek word Chara, which means gladness, both received and caused.
• Peace - from the Greek word Elrene, which means harmony, concord and exemption from rage and anger.
• Longsuffering - from the Greek word Makrothumia, which means patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs.
• Gentleness - from the Greek word Chrestotes, which means moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness
• Goodness - from the Greek word Agathosune, meaning uprightness of heart and life, goodness and kindness.
• Faith - from the Greek word Pistis, which means fidelity, faithfulness, and assuredness of God.
• Meekness - from the Greek word Praotes, which means gentleness and mildness yet firm and bold.
• Temperance - from the Greek word Egkrateia, which means self-control, the virtue of one that is not controlled by his carnality but, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is able to choose to sin or not.

With these definitions in mind, and a greater understanding of a Christian worldview, students should be encouraged to view, listen, and create all pieces of artistic expression where the characteristics of the work (elements, principals and communications) inspire you to think on and act in a God honouring way i.e. according to the ‘Fruits of the Spirit’. Showing students, within age appropriate constructs, what art is not Christ honouring can greatly aid and assist in them clearly being able to discern what they should let into their lives and also what they should emulate. The difference between the “sin expressive” art of the secular world and the “restrained glorifying” art of the Christian world as defined above is the basis of a Christian music, drama and visual arts philosophy.

When appreciating a piece of art, music or literature think about these things. It is a difficult area for many Christians, immersed in a sinful world, yet with prayerful consideration I believe that the Lord will guide those with a hungry heart.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window... the clouds are coming over - not rain clouds just the type that hide the sun :(

I am thinking... about a birthday present I am sewing... Will I get it finished in time?

I am thankful for... for my beautiful little boy - we were listening to Handel's Messiah and he sang along with the Hallelujah chorus without any encouragement :)

From the kitchen... bread, lemon butter, and pizza sauce - big cooking day.

I am creating... this post and a special project (post pictures when I finish it).

I am going... to hang the washing out - even though its clouding over.

I am wearing... very daggy: tracksuit pants, black cardigan and black singlet top.

I am reading... The Excellent Wife book - again :)

I am praying... that I would trust God in the little things as well as the big.

I am hearing... Kevin Swanson on Generations, talking about instilling the character trait of modesty in your daughters (link bellow).

Around the house... messy kitchen, Himalayan size mountains of laundry and sewing...

One of my favourite things... is practising music on my flute (I'd really like to get my 6th grade performance AMEB in the next couple of years so I can teach from home).

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... hope to get some sewing and practice done in between chores. Also want to help bubby with reading and counting (dirty/clean - up/down - etc.)

A special photo to share...

Joshua in a special playhouse sewn by Grandma - held up by a card table :)

Kevin Swanson's Generations Radio Program
Fathers Who Still Care about Their Daughter's Modesty The Problem of Distracted, Disengaged Fathers

If more fathers wanted to protect their daughters' purity and insisted on modesty in heart and dress, would clothing styles be any different than they are today? Would their fifteen year old daughters pose for Vanity Fair magazine, or stand up for their Christian faith in a bikini on national television?

Seldom discussed in Christian media, but highly significant in all of this is the problem of disconnected, disinterested, and distracted fathers. Kevin Swanson interviews James and Stacy McDonald on the subject of modesty, with a special focus on dad's role in protecting the purity and modesty of his daughters.

Purposeful Blogging

It is so easy to loose sight of your true purpose for doing something. I started blogging just over a year ago and I don't feel I have accomplished much of what I set out to do. So now, as I am finished for the time being with teaching pracs, I have the opportunity to look at how I can be more purposeful in my blogging (inspired by Meredith).

Why do I blog?
I think one reason is to chronicle my families experiences. Another is so I can participate in a larger Christian community - I have come across very few Christian women in Australia that desire to be wives and mothers above all else and being able to talk/write about things is of great encouragement to me. Relative to this point is my contributions to this community and dialogue between Christian women, and this is where things get specific...

How have I contributed to this community?
What can I do from now on to positively and effectively contribute?

I have to admit that going back and reading some of my posts reveal that I have an erratic and somewhat tempestuous personality. Something I need to work on... but it also showed me that in order to be "fit for the Master's use" I need to plan and consider what I write a bit more... be purposeful.

# So to chronicle life I am going to write the "Simple Woman's Day Journal".
# To participate in the "community" I am going to read and comment on at least one blog per week
# To encourage others I am going to write about my Bible studies and also suggest articles and websites to read.

Hopefully this review will help me to be a blessing to those that are so gracious as to visit here.