Years ago I was taken aback when a friend declared that s/he didnt attend church because it was full of hypocrits.

Thankfully, I allowed the comment to drop at the time, not exactly of my strong points.

But today, I can admit that s/he is correct.

After all, *I* am a member of a church.

Even more so, now I know that judging a church by its members is not appropriate.  Today's sermon explained how to evaluate a church.  I commend your attention to our series on the Sufficiency of Scripture.

Furthermore, as a child of God, I am called to serve my Savior in and outside the church proper.  It matters not whether I am extrovert or introvert.  See Gene Veith's blog.  Or this First Things article.

I know what to do by searching His Word and measuring all things (and people) according to His Word.  Scripture is sufficient, not only because II Timothy 3: 14-17 tells me so, but because the Triune God is such.

We all know it, whether we admit it or not (Romans 1-2)

Whether I can engage s/he in conversation about this is yet to be seen.

Never thought of myself as a wimp.

But in the spirit of full disclosure (ha), I answer these quips, slightly adjusted from the Friday5.org

More quickly than I should, I judge others.
More carelessly than I should, I speak my mind.
More slowly than I should, I share the Gospel.
More carefully than I should, I withhold compliments.
More patiently than I should, I allow injustice.

That's enough confession for one day (or one Lenten season).

What captivated your attention in today's sermon?

Comtess d'Haussonville                                            by Jean-Auguste-Dominque Ingres
Oil on Canvas, 1845                                                            51 7/8 in x 36 1/4  

"Pleased to meet you" is what I imagine the countess has just said, her reverie interrupted.  Formal introductions will take place in the form of a free lecture on Wednesday, March 3rd, at The Frick.  

Since I cannot attend, I will get to know Louise online by reading more about her; counting the shades of blue in the painting; comparing her smile with other famous smiles; and being charmed by pose (especially the hand on her chin).

Apparently, she wrote five books, two about Lord Byron and one about Robert Emmet.

Do you know the Countess?

What was the last thing you baked?

Here's a picture of my most recent baking accomplishment:  Coconut Cake for Christmas Dinner.

Detailed instructions are forthcoming on my blog.

What television personality gets you most annoyed (hot)?

Categorically speaking, I think I'll go with preachers, mainly the ones who distort the Word. 

It could be the visual is just turning me off because I love listening to good preachers, especially those broadcasting from SermonAudio.com.

When did you last burn yourself?

I last burned myself on Christmas Day, when I accidently touched the metal edging on an old crockpot containing a grits casserole.  No blistering, so it practically doesnt count

What are your feelings about hot sauce?

Hot sauce is for people who dont have taste buds.  I dont think I've bought a bottle in 20 years.

On second thought, here's a link to a movie clip involving hot sauce.  Fireproof is worth watching and re-watching.

What is your favorite blanket like?

I dont think I have a favorite blanket, although I do like to sleep under several.

For sentimental reasons, I'm holding onto a baby quilt made for me by my paternal grandmother.  And I'm the proud owner of a genuine Crazy Quilt, made by a maternal great-grandmother, which I intend to display as a wall hanging (at the right time and place.)

For years, I've enjoyed answering the Friday5 with my college friend, Donna at Quiet Life.  She's such a fine blogger, photographer, mother, and friend.  Wish we lived closer to one another and I could attend her workshop.

Sigh.

This past Friday we had a lovely snowfall in Georgia, enough to make a snowman..... and there were half a dozen or so that I met on my Saturday walk through the neighborhood.

In 1991, my youngsters created this fine fellow.

Sigh.

Once upon a time, I went to a birthday party for the gentleman in the middle of this group of lovely ladies.  At that time he was 70 years old.  I was fifteen.

Today is the birthday of one of the others in the photo.

Can you guess which one?

Added later:

Caroline Grimaldi, on the far left of the photo, is the birthday girl.  I had the pleasure of getting to know her in the summer of 1973, when I spent time with the Faggionato family in Monaco.

Next to Caroline is Helene Faggionato, now Boitel, who is Monaco's consul to Switzerland in Zurich.  She also serves as executive assistant to Dr Rene Priest, who was just named Swiss of the Year (2009), for his work in pediatric cardiac surgery.  Thanks to the internet I was able to watch a clip of the awards ceremony today.

Grandfather (maternal) to Helene is the birthday boy and I cannot remember his name right now.

Anne Faggionato is next, in the polka dot dress.  She owns an art gallery in London which recently exhibited some of Wayne Thiebaud's work.

Finally, on the far right, is yours truly.  One of the last photos of me with long hair.  I cut it short in time for school, which is evidenced by my recent FB profile picture (cheerleader one).

Over the years I have enjoyed sending Christmas cards and/or letters; and now can produce a nice scrapbook of such - both ones sent and those received.  Re-reading them is part of my decorating.  This year's epistle is still in production.... if you know what I mean

This family *portrait* is from 1992, a time when I was still sewing.  Looking at this picture makes me want to re-establish a sewing station. Plus I have some quilted fabric (holly pattern) that would make a striking tree skirt.  I probably even have enough for an apron!

Handcrafted gifts are precious.

What's going on in your workshop?

Alice Low's classic poem describing the cherished tradition of giving and receiving books as gifts is conjures up fond memories, providing all kinds of fodder for conversation.  Say, who is that relative of yours who charmed or annoyed you with b.o.o.k.s.??  Or which books did you receive and then give away.  Nay, which do you still own and prize?

I, myself, could be the referenced aunt. 

Alice Low (1926 - ) is a noted anthologist and the author of many books for children.

Enjoy her verse!

When Christmas shopping time
draws nigh.
And I am faced with gifts to buy,
I think about one relative
Who always had one gift to give.
And every year her present came.
And every year it was the same.
While other gifts were round and fat,
(Their secrets hidden) hers was flat.
Rectangular, the corners square,
I knew exactly what was there.
I'd pass it by without a look---
My aunt had sent another book!
I'd only open it to write
A "thank you" that was too polite,
But every year when Christmas went
I'd read the book my aunt had sent,
And looking back, I realize
Each gift was treasure in disguise.
So now it's time to write her here
A thank-you note that is sincere.

So---thanks for Alice and Sara Crewe,
For Christopher Robin and Piglet and Pooh,
For Little Nell and William Tell
And Peter and Wendy and Tinker Bell.

Thanks for Tom and Jim and Huck,
For Robinson Crusoe and Dab-Dab the duck,
For Meg and Jo and Johnny Crow
And Papa Geppeto's Pinocchio

For Mary Poppins and Rat and Toad
King Arthur and Dorothy's Yellow Brick Road,
For Kipling's Kim and tales from Grimm,
And Ferdinand, Babar and Tiny Tim.

I loved them all, I'm glad I met them.
They're with me still, I won't forget them.
So I'll give books on Christmas Day
Though I know what all my nieces say--
I know it from the way they write
A "thank-you" that is too polite.

One of the earliest receipts (1960) for me was indeed from an aunt/uncle who were with the U.S. State Department and lived abroad.  Hence, Elizabeth Coatsworth's The Children Come Running.  But I re-discovered Low's poem in The Family Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury given to my children by my brother and S-I-L, the proverbial donors.

How are you using your leftovers?   Here's one of my favorites!

5 Tbs butter
1/3 Cup flour
2 Cups broth
1 Cup milk

Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet.  Add flour, using a whisk to blend, and cook until light brown.  Add broth.  Cook, stirring often, until thickened.  Add milk.  Cook three minutes longer, stirring constantly.  Season with salt and white pepper, as needed.  Divide in half and set aside.

6 oz cooked spaghetti
2 Cups chopped turkey
1/2 Cup sliced mushrooms
grated parmesan

Prepare final casserole by tossing the spaghetti with half the cream sauce, and the other half with the meat and mushrooms.  Into a 9x12 baking dish alternately layer the two.  Top with grated parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serve with steamed green veggie like spinach or broccoli. 

Honey Crisp Apples have been my favorite this Fall.  Apple experts at the University of Minnesota discovered the variety by cross-pollinating two exceptional varieties: the Macoun and the Honeygold.   They received their patent in 1990.