Rollkuchen and Watermelon

Today I had a craving for a fried mennonite fritter that my friend's mom used to make and serve with watermelon. It's an easy and delicious combination of a salty fritter and the cool, sweet watermelon. The perfect warm, summer day snack!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
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• Add to

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
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Directions:

1. Beat eggs well
2. Put into a 1 cup measuring cup and fill with milk. (This may end up being more or less than the 3/4 cup listed in the ingredients.) add to remaining ingredients and mix to combine.
3. Roll out the dough to be fairly thin, about 1/8 inch, and cut into strips 2-3 inches by 4-5 inches.
4. Cut a slit longways down the center of each strip 1.5-2 inches long. Pull one end through the slit to make a knot.
5. Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a deep skillet (or use a deep-fat fryer) over medium-high heat, 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6. Cook dough in small batches (about six at a time) in preheated oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm or at room temperature with fresh, chilled watermelon.
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• Note: In order to figure out if oil is hot enough run fingers under the tap and shake off excess water. Flick a few small drips into pan, if they sizzle and pop, it's ready. Be careful, if it's too hot it will start smelling smoky.

Baby's Name!

John and I are expecting our first baby who is due July 2nd 2010. I found out that I was pregnant two months after we got married and just two weeks after my 21st birthday. Talk about the best birthday gift ever! We actually picked out baby names while we were still engaged. We were bored one day and I pulled out my journal which had a list of baby names I've been saving for years.

For a girl, which is what we are having, we came up with Tamahra Faith. The hardest part about the name was actually trying to decide how to spell it. We wanted it to be pronounced Tam-air-ah in contrast to the classic pronunciations, Tam-ar-ah or Tam-er-ah. The spelling we came up with was actually suggested by a friend of ours from the ministry we work for. It's actually the Australian version of the name.

The root of the name is actually the Hebrew name, Tamar meaning "palm tree." It may seem strange that we are naming our daughter after a palm tree but upon further investigation, we discovered that some of the crowning qualities of this particular plant are its beauty, height and durability. Some types are even created to be able to withstand hurricane force storms. So our conclusion to the meaning and relevance of her name is that, in conjunction with her middle name, Faith, it portrays a beautiful woman who is strong and sincere in her faith and walk with God.

I know a name by no means defines who she will become but it's a starting block. If anything it portrays how John and I are growing and will need to grow through the course of this pregnancy and parenthood. This sure is going to be and incredible journey!

Introduction

The name I chose for this blog would generally be equated with abundance and possibly excess. This association is partially justified as I do intend on sharing a bounty of insight, inspiration and ideas (among other things).

The true reason for me picking this title, however, is somewhat random. It's inspired by a particular brand of paper towel. Recently, out of our excessively large collection of paper towel (thanks to the awesomeness of Costco bulk), I came across a roll decorated with butterflies and a phrase that read as follows, "Learn from yesterday, Live for today and Hope for tomorrow." This simple phrase challenged and inspired me and has thus become the inspiration for my blog.

Though humbly conveyed on a roll of Bounty paper towel, this principle is very scripturally sound:

Hebrews 12:11 says, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

Philippians 3:13-14 says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

And Matthew 6:31-34 says, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

I hope you are now as inspired as I, and I know these principles among others are foundational in a satisfied and productive yet none driven lifestyle.