A cup of tea with Margo

This blog is all about the things in life so many of us need to slow down and enjoy, such as, family, the seasons, food, music, and whatever else causes inspiration. I hope to write as often as I can and it is my desire for you to be able to take a break and enjoy my entries with a cup of tea.

Gathering Leaves RSS

  Sunday, October 02, 2011

The trees will soon be changing color and then losing their leaves to the ground.

There’s just something about those fallen leaves, crackling under foot that feeds my lifelong memories. I can remember so easily gathering them up into piles as a child then jumping into them. It was so much fun.

I also loved picking up leaves by color and using them to make decorations. Each leaf was so different than the next. Maple leaves were the best, full of vibrant colors and rich texture.  I can still see my collection and how proud I was of what I had found.

Often I think gathering leaves is like gathering memories. They’re all scattered about and waiting for us to pick them up and put them in order. We have to make the effort to bend down and make good use of them. Otherwise, they lay lifeless before us without real purpose.

Memories will always tell a story about us if we let them. We know each one by sight and color and the smell. In a heap, they paint a picture of who we are and where we come from. We should always praise God for them.

I, for one, have decided to gather memories like I do the leaves. I’ll enjoy them while they’re here if only for a time.

Without me even wishing them to, they fall and keep coming. Cascading down. Tree by tree, leaf by leaf. Never ceasing to drop until that final season.

They won’t quit until the branches become bare and fruitless, stripped of life... and the cold finally arrives. Winter will set in...it always does.

And, try as I might... I’ll look and find no more leaves to gather.

Margo


A Thanksgiving Prayer RSS

  Wednesday, November 24, 2010
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage us to find time to quietly say a prayer for the things we are thankful for and for those we love. We are surrounded by so much wonderful beauty and blessings in our lives. I know each of us has a story to tell of what God has done for us and the grace He gives us on a daily basis.

Finding time to convey that in a whispered prayer will give your heart joy and allow you an expression of gratitude to God. Remember He loves you so much and longs to be with you in the quiet moments of your life.

Set aside a few moments today to enjoy His presence and linger in His grace.

Psalm 111 says,

Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Margo



What's your Thanksgiving IQ? RSS

  Thursday, November 11, 2010
Most of us think of Thanksgiving as a day of stuffing ourselves with turkey and dressing and sampling every rich dessert in sight (not to mention that afternoon nap and football game). But, how often do we really think about the history behind the holiday and why we give thanks to God in the first place.

I believe we at least should be aware of the basics. For example, did you know…

  • It took the pilgrims over two months to reach the New World in the Mayflower. The people couldn’t even keep themselves warm with a fire due to the risk of setting their wooden boat ablaze. Can you say damp, dark, and wet? 
  • Only half of the 102 pilgrims survived that first winter in the New World in1620 due to the brutal weather. They fared far better the second year in 1621 with the help of Squanto and the Wampanoag Indians. That fall, Govenor William Bradford organized the first Thanksgiving feast to celebrate their bountiful harvest season. 91 Indians were invited.
  • 100 years later, in 1777, the 13 original colonies joined together in thanks for victory over the British at Saratoga . Again, it was just a one time celebration, but it helped lay the foundation for our giving thanks as a nation.
  • Thanksgiving wasn’t an official holiday until 1863. President Lincoln declared it so as a gesture of unity during the Civil War. I believe we should celebrate it today thinking of our rich blessings and what unites us together as Americans. 

Some other fun facts…
  • Ever wonder what was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving? Wild ducks and geese, venison, fish, berries, dried fruit, potatoes, and even lobster, according to historians. Ironically, however, there’s no mention of turkey or even cranberry jelly with those ridges from the can. LOL.
  • The NFL’s first game on Thanksgiving was in 1934. The Lions did it to get people to go to see games. It seems to have worked. 
  • Each Thanksgiving, our President gives a turkey a presidential pardon. Yes, it’s true. They’re pardoned and then retired to a farm for life or Disney Land where they act as their Grand Marshall for their Thanksgiving Day Parade. For real? 

That’s all I have for now. If you have any facts you would like to include, just post it to our Pink House Facebook page.

Blessings to you and remember to give thanks to God for your Harvest this season.

Margo

The Harvest RSS

  Friday, November 05, 2010
I was reading the Bible recently and saw this scripture that I think goes perfectly with the fall season. You’ve probably heard it before.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.

Isn't that a great verse? I believe it’s a wonderful reminder to us, especially during this season of the harvest, to never stop doing good or listening to the voice of God.

So many of us are tempted to ease up in our faith at some point in our lives. We may even grow tired of our daily purpose and doubt the existence of good in the world. It’s only natural.

But, let me encourage you today…don’t grow weary of your life’s purpose. Stand firm in your beliefs and never forget about the goodness of God.

His harvest will come in due season and grace will abound richly in your heart.

Keep doing what’s right in the sight of Him and He will reward you with every kind of blessing for your life.

Margo

Tis the Season for Pumpkin Cheese Bread RSS

  Thursday, October 28, 2010

If there’s one thing I look forward to every fall, it’s the taste of pumpkin. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, it doesn’t matter what form it takes, if it’s got pumpkin in it, I love it. There’s something about the sweet, spicy taste that’s perfect for the season.

Here’s some of the best pumpkin bread you’ll ever try. It’s called Pumpkin Cheese Bread. I got it from allrecipes.com. It has cream cheese in the middle of the loaf and an aroma that’s out of this world . Let me know what you think.

What You’ll Need…

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 egg and orange zest; beat until smooth. Set aside. Sift together 1 2/3 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and pumpkin pie spice; set aside.
  3. Place pumpkin, vegetable oil, 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl; beat well. Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture just until combined. Fold in the pecans if desired. Pour 1/2 of the pumpkin batter into the loaf pans. Spoon cream cheese mixture on top of this layer and then pour on the remaining batter.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy,

Margo

Apples in October…What Could Be Better? RSS

  Friday, October 01, 2010

Yes, National Apple Month is here…and knowing how much everybody loves apples, we knew it would be a great time to offer some tasty apple themed meals and desserts at the Pink House for October. 

Look at some of the incredible dishes we’ve dreamed up—

Apple Turkey Burgers with Cranberry Apple Salsa, Apple Turkey Pot Pie, Grilled Chicken with a Crunchy Apple Salsa and Apple Topped Pork Loin.

And, for dessert, you can choose from Caramel Apple Pudding Cake, Toffee Apple Cheesecake, and Apple Cranberry Crisp to Celebration Cake, and Chipotle Apple Pecan Cake. Sound good?  

Remember to make plans now to visit us this month. We love fall and hope you’ll come and celebrate the season with us.

See you soon,

Margo 

Ready for some fall gardening? RSS

  Monday, September 27, 2010

As summer slowly drifts to fall, you may want to get out in the yard and garden and prepare for next spring. Here are some ideas for your fall gardening schedule that will help you plan for next year’s beauty.

  • Begin to water trees and shrubs less to allow hardening off before winter and remove annuals that have seen their better day.
  • Mums, pansies, and flowering Kale and cabbage are excellent decorative flowers to begin planting in late Sept/ Oct. for some cool season color when summer’s flowers are gone.
  • Dig up and divide perennials that are overgrown and crowded or replace any perennials that didn’t quite make it after our brutal summer.
  • Fall is also the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs—giving them a better chance of getting developed and growing stronger roots.
  • As fall arrives, use a good 3-1-2 slow release fertilizer on your lawn and seed or sod any bare spots your lawn has.

Remember also to weed and compost as often as possible and provide a little seed to the birds as they begin their winter migrations. Who knows…some may even stick around your area if they know they have a steady food source.

Just a few suggestions for your fall gardening. May God’s peace rest upon you as you enjoy this wonderful fall season.

Blessings,

Margo

A Poem for Fall RSS

  Monday, September 20, 2010

A Poem for Fall…

I love fall poems. I especially like them when there’s a crispness in the air and I can settle in with a good cup of tea in the morning or evening. September’s cool, as we know, can be a hit or miss in Oklahoma, depending on the stubbornness of summer, but at least you know relief is coming soon. One of my favorite memories of our Oklahoma autumn is that of the Monarch butterflies.  Before my husband went to heaven we would often enjoy them as they migrated during this season. It was something that was very special to us and still is to me today. Another thing I love about this cooler weather is it seems it's the perfect time for reading poems with a cup of tea.

Here’s one I found called September. It’s by Helen Hunt Jackson. You may have heard of her. She was a great poet known for her rhythmical sonnets and powerful images. When you read it, think of the breathtaking sights and sounds of autumn and God’s wonderful miracle in us all—the gift of His life and hope.

I pray blessings on your life this wonderful time of year and hope you’ll remember to enjoy the colors this fall.

SEPTEMBER

The golden-rod is yellow;
  The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
  With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
  Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
  Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
  In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
  Make asters in the brook,

From dewy lanes at morning
  The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
  With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
  September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
  And autumn's best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty
 Which floods the earth and air
 Is unto me the secret
 Which makes September fair.

‘T is a thing which I remember;
  To name it thrills me yet:
 One day of one September
  I never can forget.

Margo


Summer's End... RSS

  Monday, August 30, 2010
I’m writing this blog thinking about the end of summer. It’s not a sad thing really, but I get a little reflective toward the end of a season, summer especially. The sun is dimming down and the coolness of autumn will shortly be here. 

We’ll soon know the comfort of sweaters and the crunching sound of fallen leaves. Or those evenings of watching football and quiet times beside the chimnea. I love fall... but it does make me slow down and think.     

I guess it’s the idea of going through change and what seasons come to symbolize in our lives.  Like I said, I get reflective. But, I know God has a wonderful plan for each season for us. His mercies are new each morning, and His joy and peace will refresh us day by day.

I pray God’s wonderful peace on your life and a fresh wind of change to renew you in all that you do.  

Remember His goodness no matter the season and allow His presence to strengthen your heart daily.

Blessings,

Margo