"V" is for Vespers . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV



Waterfall in the
Fern Garden
Blarney Castle, Ireland
 
 
 

"V" is for Vespers . . . Finding 'a definition' for vespers, one that said what I was thinking was rather difficult. I was surprised, surprised that I wasn't able to find the words to 'define' what I had in my head, but was unable to put into words. I finally found an online thesaurus with some words that fit . . . and a lot more words that didn't fit. These are the ones that fit: a late afternoon or evening worship or prayer service; evening devotions; morning devotions; prayer meeting; public service.



Chapel lesson
Quaker Haven Camp

When I hear someone say vespers; my mind goes to that quite prayerful time in the evenings; the summer evenings when I was a kid down at Church Camp (pre-Quaker days). Vespers was always an ALL camp activity - there might be scripture(s) read, a story or message of some sort given, singing (lots of singing) and quite time to sit and reflect on the day. One of the counselors would have a guitar and we sang softly.

 

 



Interns leading singing
Quaker Haven Camp

Now, as an adult and Quaker, when I'm up at Quaker Haven Camp, as a counselor, we have chapel time and cabin devotions (morning & evening). During chapel time we have scripture(s) read, a story or message, singing (tons of singing). BUT the singing is more screaming . . . LOUDLY . . . accompanied by lots of LOUD electric guitar music, jumping up & down and lots of hand motions. Sometimes the mirrored ball is lit-up and spinning! It hurts my ears. I have lost or nearly lost my voice by the end of the week. I get headaches. It's so LOUD!

 

So, vespers for me, is a quite devotional time - usually shared with others. A devotional time spent outside where I can sit and enjoy the beauty of God's creation . . . catching an amazing sunrise or sunset is an added bonus!
 
Many of you know that I do a lot of work with Scouts, both Girl Scouts and Cub/Boy Scouts, and Scouts have vespers when they're out camping - especially when camping on the weekends. The Boy Scouts most often will close out their evening campfires with the "Scout's Vespers" song (sung to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree"):

 

 "Softly falls the light of day,

As our campfire fades away

Silently, each Scout should ask

have I done my daily task?

Have I kept my honor bright?

Can I guiltless sleep tonight?

O, have I done and have I dared

Everything to be prepared?"

 

Corrymeela Community
Northern Ireland

Several years ago I attended the funeral for my District Executive, Art, and at the end of the 'normal' memorial service, Scouts & Scouters (youth & adults) present were asked to form a circle . . . there were so many that we encircled the entire Sanctuary (and it was a big one) and we were still standing shoulder-to-shoulder. We had an opportunity to share stories about times with Art, much like a Quaker memorial service, after which there was a bit of silence and then all the Scouts & Scouters joined in singing "Scout Vespers." I mentioned this to some of my Girl Scout friends, wondering if Girl Scouts had a similar service - none had heard of any.

 

Quaker Haven Camp

Fast forward a couple of years . . . and a former Cubmaster, Woody, (for a Pack I worked with) died - his wife, Sharon, a Girl Scout leader in my Service Unit. A mutual Girl Scout friend gave me a call and said that Sharon asked her to call me, Sharon wanted a Scout memorial service for Woody . . . and she wanted me to do it! Oh my! Well, I did it, for Sharon and their two children. I was surprised how many Scouts & Scouters were there, both from Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts . . . heavy on the Girl Scouts! Their son stood next to me in the circle, there was a lot of sharing and then I led the group in singing the "Scout's Vespers." We broke the circle and returned to our seats. The Masons went up front with all their ceremonial items and did their memorial. Afterwards, Sharon came up to me and thanked me for doing the Scout memorial for Woody . . . she and the kids were extremely touched . . . and she said it was more moving and meaningful to them than the Masonic ritualistic service. Why, because it was so simplistic and from the heart . . . not reading words from a book.

 

Cork Meeting House
Cork, Ireland

One doesn't need to be at camp to experience vespers, or be in the outdoors . . . I suppose I could say that I experience/participated in Quaker vespers last summer when I attended the Epilogs by Candlelight during Ireland Yearly Meeting and our last night in Dublin, before returning to the States, with a couple of the Friends I had been on the journey with the last two weeks . . . in a hotel room.



What does the word vespers mean to you? Have you attended/participated in vespers? What draws you to attend/participate in vespers?

 

Sunset
Quaker Haven Camp

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



Time for some "V" recipes! I was surprised to find 5 recipes in my mom's recipe box that began with the letter "V." So, here's what I've picked out to share: (Poor Man's) Veal Parmigiana, OK I did mess with the name of this one just a bit, and the second one is Vanilla Cookies another cookie press recipe, but I expect that you could do these as a drop cookie if you don't have a cookie press . . . my mom used the cookie press for quite a few of the Christmas Cookies that she always made.

Veal Parmigiana, Poor Man's

(4 servings)

1 pound ground veal, fat trimmed
½ cup plain low fat yogurt
2 Tablespoons Worchester sauce
1 Tablespoon dried onion flakes OR 3/8 teaspoon Garlic
1 Tablespoon ground paprika
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups sliced mushrooms

Preheat oven to 475˚F.

Combine ingredients, except mushrooms. Shape into four “cutlets.” Arrange on a baking tray, in a single layer; surround with mushrooms.

Bake in preheated oven without turning 8 to 10 minutes each side.

Vanilla Cookies (Cookie Press)

(Makes 4 dozen cookies)

½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten light

1 Tablespoon cream

1 teaspoon vanilla
 ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, sifted   
2 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

 

Preheat oven to 400˚ F.  Ungreased cookie sheets.

 

Cream shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add eggs, cream and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture, mix well. Fill cookie press. Form cookies. Decorate as desired.

 

Bake at 400˚F.  for 8-10 minutes.

 

Use disk of your choice.

 

"U" is for Ukulele . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

"U" is for Ukulele . . . now give me a chance here before you all think I've gone a bit off my rocker here.



My Ukulele

One of my Scouting Friends posted on Friends Committee on Scouting's Facebook page, back in February, that she had started a 'Quaker Ukulele Collective' at her Meeting for the Tweens and Teens Group. Now doesn't that sound like loads of fun???? I thought so! Part of what she posted was a flier, as they were seeking more Ukuleles so that there would be enough for each of the tween/teens to take home to practice on during the week. I so wanted one!!!

I went back and found her original post for some of the details: they meet on Sunday's or First Day, eat donuts, talk about Quakerly topics (queries & testimonies) and about life. The tweens & teens are teaching themselves to play . . . and the adults or "Friendly Adult Visitors" are there as a resource that the tweens & teens can choose to engage with (or not). There are no "teachers" - just ukuleles, a stack of songbooks and a few pictures showing the cords. I liked the one comment "Learning is experiential, with the tweens & teens figuring out cords, trying out different ways to strum, and teaching one another new skills as they figure them out themselves."

OK, seriously now . . . I was sold, I so wanted to get myself a Ukulele and learn to play! I've NEVER played a stringed instrument before - spent a couple of years (in Elementary School) learning to play the piano - I enjoyed it, but my teacher was a High School student and not so good; in 4th or 5th grade we played recorders in music class; in college I was a member of the 'Johnson Complex Marching Kazoo Band' yep,  I played the Kazoo for four years  . . . and I still have that Kazoo - I won't tell you how long ago that was; and I've been a member of the Mooresville Friends Meetings Bell Choir, also referred to as the 'Ding-A-Lings' for about four years now. So, I can read music  . . .

While I was thinking about buying a Ukulele my thought was that maybe I'd be able to play some short little song during the talent show up at Quaker Haven Camp when I was up at Adventure Camp, the week of July 6th. BUT could I teach myself how to play something that would be appropriate in time??

So in early May I just couldn't resist any longer . . . I broke down and went online and purchased a Ukulele! It arrived on my front porch a few days later. I decided to order a 'kit' that included the soprano Ukulele, a gig bag and a tuner. I was all set to go!

I figured out how to use the tuner, to tune it, really quickly and spent the first few days trying to figure out some of the cords and this has been the hardest part for me - my fingers just don't want to get in those twisted configurations! Once I had played around with it for a few days I started to look for some music. I had looked at one of the music stores, but I didn't find any books that I 'liked' enough songs in or that had enough songs in it that I thought I'd be able to play, so I became a bit discouraged. Then I was told that I could find lots of free sheet music for Ukulele's online . . . so I went searching, and it was true! I've downloaded way too many songs, most of which I've found that I can't get my fingers to do the chords, yet. And yes, there were a couple that I would consider playing up at Quaker Haven, in front of the 5th & 6th grade campers.

I practiced, and practiced, and practiced . . . the fingertips of my middle three fingers on my left hand became really sore and I became discouraged when they were so sore that I couldn't practice. I was getting pretty good with one song, so I added a second song in . . . just a couple of weeks before camp! YIKES!!!!!!! What was I thinking?????

I took my Ukulele and music up to camp with me and spent a bit of time practicing in my cabin, during 'Free Time' when my campers were out and about in camp. Tuesday afternoon I got caught by a couple of girls when they came back to the cabin. They sat down and encouraged me to continue practicing a bit longer. They asked if I was going to play in the Talent Show Wednesday night, and I said I was thinking about it . . . they said "Do it!" So, I signed up. How could I resist that???

Wednesday night the eight girls in my cabin and our CIT (Counselor In Training) did a really cute skit that they had made up and practiced. And I got my turn to show off my new talent, too. After I had been introduced I told them that I was "Coming out of the closet." There were a lot of strange looks and gasps . . . then I explained that this was the first time I had played my Ukulele in front of anyone, except for a couple of the girls in my cabin that caught me trying to practice. Laughter rang throughout the Chapel!

 

I played the two songs I had been practicing . . . "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." Being as both of these are really short, I played them each twice. They applauded and my girls cheered for me! I was glad that I had been able to get through both songs without making any mistakes.



A 'selfie'

My next performance . . . well, it was exactly two months later and believe it or not . . . it was also in the Chapel up at Quaker Haven Camp! This time the Talent Show during the USFW (United Society of Friends Women) Fall Retreat. I had figured out how to play several other songs by then, but just before I went up to play I felt strongly lead to play "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art," again . . . so I did.

 

I now have at least nine different chords that I can play, which allows me to play about fifteen or so short songs. I haven't played in any more Talent Shows since last month, although I have been asked to play something at one of our Weekday Religious Education Board Meetings. Hummmmm, maybe I could take it an play a couple of the songs I know while riding on the WRE (Weekday Religious Education) float tomorrow afternoon in the Fall Foliage Festival Parade . . .

 

Kim - see you at FCS (Friends Committee on Scouting) Annual Meeting in March 2015 . . . Ukulele in hand!

 

So . . . does this mean I've joined music ministry now????

 





~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Recipes for "U" are not so easy to come by . . . so Upside Down Cake comes your way with a couple of variations for those that might not care for pineapple. The second one is a variation on one of my favorite cakes, Sugar Cream Cake, but the variation has a name that begins with the letter "U" Ugly Cake!

Upside Down Cake

3 Tablespoons margarine

3 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

1 (15 ounce) can pineapple

1 small box yellow cake mix (Jiffy - single layer size)

Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Grease 9 inch round cake tin.

Melt margarine and brown sugar in pan, add pineapple. Cover with cake mix.

Bake 45 minutes. Let stand 1 minute upside down to drain before removing pan.

Variation: use peaches or cherries instead of pineapple.

Ugly Cake

(also known as 'Sugar Cream Cake')

1 box yellow cake mix + ingredients needed to make cake

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/4 cup margarine
1 pound powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325˚ F. Grease 9x13 inch  glass baking dish (no flour).
 
Mix cake mix according to package directions. Pour into greased baking dish.

Mix cream cheese, margarine and powdered sugar together. Spoon over cake batter.

Bake for 35-40 minutes. Turn out while hot and spread scrapings over cake.

Original Sugar Cream Cake - Mix cake mix with 1/2 cup melted margarine and 2 large eggs together well. Press in bottom of greased baking dish. Mix cream cheese, 2 large eggs and powdered sugar together until smooth. Pour over bottom layer. Bake at 325˚ F for 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

This is super rich, but extremely yummy!!!

"T" is for Truth and Trust . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

"T" is for Truth and Trust . . . originally just 'truth,' but I've felt the need to include 'trust' here as well. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" Matthew 7:12a NIV ('The Golden Rule').

 

Children are, or should be, taught to always tell the truth by their parents, grandparents, teachers and other adults in their lives. On the other hand, children trust that their parents and other adults in their lives will tell them the truth and to take care of them. But telling the truth and trusting isn't just for children OR while we're children . . . these are life lessons that we all need to follow each and every day.

 

In thinking about truth the Quaker Testimony of Integrity comes to mind. Believing that one must be truthful in their words and deeds to everyone, all the time, including being truthful to ourselves and to God. Friends have had the reputation for being honest and fair in dealing with others, avoiding direct lies or misleading others and avoiding the use of words that are technically truthful. One application of this is in court - where Friends will 'affirm' to tell the truth rather than 'swearing' to tell the truth.

 

If one is truthful, then one would/should also be considered trustworthy . . . BUT if one is caught in or known to tell lies, whether about others or themselves, they then become untrustworthy. If you tell just one small lie or untruth, others will begin to question everything that you've said or say.

 

I could now insert several stories here about times when those around me have not told the truth about a situation, another individual or group or about me - yeah, that's happened more times than I care to think about. Those stories along with others about those I can't/don't trust . . . most due to the fact that they've been untruthful to/around me and others who have at some point proven themselves untrustworthy to me. But what good would that do? Not much, at least not here. I've let that all go.

In the last five weeks I have attended three weddings, and it was the brides in each case that I knew. The first was that of my oldest daughter on August 31st; the second was the next weekend on September 6th, the bride being the youngest daughter of a Girl Scout friend that I've know for over 14 years; and the third was my sister-in-laws, yesterday afternoon. This morning, as I drove to Meeting for Worship, the thought came to me that we must be truthful and trustworthy in all of our relationships, including our marriages . . . without truth and trust they are sure to fail.

 

There are many reasons/excuses given for not telling the truth none of which make good. I can look back on some of the larger lies; yes I'm going to use that word here, told about me to other individuals or groups. The person or group who told the lie/lies about me did it because they felt threatened by me, yeah threatened by me . . . and they all did it for personal gain. Really quite sad when you stop to think about it.

 

Not telling the truth about something or someone doesn't seem like a big deal to some, but it always hurts someone . . . and sometimes that hurt goes deep and is difficult to get past.

 

Matthew 7:1-5, in my Bible, is under the heading of 'Judging Others.' and says: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly how to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

 

Truth and trust are choices that we make each and every day of our lives. Being untruthful for whatever reason is wrong, including for self-gain.

What choices are you facing today? What factors make those choices difficult? How is God asking you to trust Him today? Will you obey Him? What do you want your reputation to be?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Time now for some "T" recipes! First Tater Tot Casserole - a real hit with my family and a recipe that I've modified a bit. The second one is Texas Peanut Butter Sheet Cake . . . I just love peanut butter! Trying to figure out how to modify this one . . . need to add some chocolate to it! OK, so you have a complete dinner here!

 

Tater Tot Casserole
(serves 6)

1 pound ground beef

2 cups instant rice (before cooking)
1 Tablespoon onion flakes

1 can cream of chicken soup (or any creamed soup)

8 ounces shredded cheese - mild cheddar or casserole cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (15 ounce) can French style green beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
salt & pepper to taste

32 ounces frozen tater tots

 

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.

 

Brown ground beef and onion; drain. Cook rice according to package directions stir in soup, sour cream, salt & pepper.

Spread half of the rice mixture on bottom of the baking dish. Crumble ground beef on top; top with corn. Layer remaining rice mixture on top and top with green beans. Sprinkle cheese over top. Spread layer of tater tots on top of cheese - beginning around outer edge of dish, line tater tots end to end; keep repeating rounds of tater tots until entire top of casserole is covered.
 

Bake 20 minutes.

 

 

Texas Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

1 cup water

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk

Peanut Butter Icing:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

1 (16-oz.) pkg. powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside. Combine butter, water and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add to flour mixture and mix well; set aside. Combine eggs, vanilla and buttermilk; add to peanut butter mixture.

Spread batter in a greased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 28 minutes or until cake springs back when gently touched. Spread Peanut Butter Icing over warm cake and garnish, if desired.

Peanut Butter Icing: Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until spreading consistency.