SHABBAT SHALOM ~Cozy

Oy vey – it has been a busy day.

As 4:30 P.M. got closer, I was more than ready to embrace the shalom of Shabbat 😉

I haven’t been home much on Fridays … usually on the road as soon as the sleepy cobwebs clear from my eyes and thoughts – and home just in time to light the candles and pour the wine. But with Fall/Winter early nightfall, I’ll be {in} for the next couple of months.

This morning, I did laundry, and decided to bake bread: that hasn’t happened for a long time ... (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/honey-whole-wheat-bread-recipe-makes-2.html) ... I like to bake my bread on laundry day because I can set it on the warm dryer top, for a nice fluffy rise 😊

I also tried a new flavored coffee; I bought it for the chocolate and caramel pictured on the package: it’s s.t.r.o.n.g.

STRONG flavored coffee. Busy day today; I need the 'buck-up' kick. LOL

In between the loads of laundry, and the bread making steps, I noticed that the light pink Christmas Cactus I bought the other day has blossomed. I like Christmas Cactuses – I’d like to find another apricot one; they are so pretty. I had one when we lived on Merritt Drive, but it died (I had it hung on the window frame: it froze to death) during the 2008 cold-snap-blizzard; and I haven’t seen another one on the market since ☹

My wolf, Precious, wading thru snow by the plum tree; Blizzard - December 21st, 2008.

Pink Christmas Cactus blooming & my gifted Spider Plant is thriving very nicely.

Enjoying the warmth of my little cozy nest this Friday; I was walking through the rooms listening to the quiet sounds of the washer/dryer, and smelling the delicious sweet scent of the baking bread – and the old 1973 gospel song, “Sweet Honey in The Rock” shot through my thoughts. And I felt blessed by everywhere my eyes lit upon.

I am blessed with ALL of it. Thank You, Elohim.

I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy my home since becoming a widow the winter of 2018; but I am starting to do that now 😊

Like I have said many times in Shabbat posts – I observe the Shabbat Rest differently than most: I am a laid-back person, living a laid-back lifestyle. I don’t get fancy with Shabbat observances: I make time for the 24-hour rest period (meaning I shut the world’s madness out for 24-hours: it ceases to exit for me). I light a candle (an actual Shabbat candle, or just a scented candle; mood dictates which). I drink 3-ounces of red wine on Friday Eve … and 3-ounces of white wine at Shabbat close, Saturday eve.

Dry, with a smokey aftertaste.

That’s it.

Pretty simple.

These simple pleasures fit the bill for Widow Shabbat observances 😉

I honor Elohei every second of every day, all year long – since 1966, so I don’t feel the need to go all religious to claim my share of the Shabbat relaxation and spiritual revitalization.

For me, the 24-hour Shabbat Rest is all about welcoming ministering angels into my home, as I fix my heart on my Husband Yeshua’s love towards me.

And I make my little queendom nest as cozy as possible, before sundown’s magic hour of Shabbat Shalom sets in 😊

HONEY-WHOLE WHEAT BREAD Recipe ~Makes 2 loaves

I’ve had this recipe a long time … but this is the first time I’ve made it 😉

It’s a simple recipe, with few ingredients.

I make my bread on laundry day, and set it to rise atop the warm dryer.

Honey-Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

2 packages active dry Yeast * ½ cup warm Water (105 – 115-degees using a candy thermometer) * 1/3 cup Honey * ¼ cup Shortening * 1 tablesoon Salt * 1¾ cups warm Water * 3 cups Whole Wheat Flour * 3 – 4 cups all-purpose Unbleached Flour * margarine or butter, softened

Ingredients.

Dissolve yeast in ½ cup warm water in a large mixing bowl. Stir in honey, shortening, salt, 1¾ cups warm water, and whole wheat flour: beat until smooth. Mix in enough all-purpose flour to make dough easy to handle.

Yeast, honey & shortening.

Whole wheat flour added ...

Mixing all ingredients.

Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic – about 10 minutes.

Kneading the dough ...

Place in a greased bowl, and turn greased side up; cover and let rise in a warm place until double – about 1 hour. (Dough is ready if an indentation remains when touched).

Setting dough to 1st Rise.

Rising under a basket atop the dryer, on Laundry Day; covered with towels to keep the warmth ...

There's the indentation; a very nice rise.

Punch dough down, and divide into halves. Flatten each half with hands or a rolling pin into a rectangle: 18” x 9”. Fold crosswise into thirds, overlapping the 2 sides. Roll up tightly, beginning at one of the open ends. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge firmly to seal. Press each end with flat of hand to seal – fold ends under loaf.

Punching the dough down ...

Dividing the dough evenly.

A rough estimation of 18-inches in length.

The tri-fold ...

I'm pretty rough with beating the bubbles out of the dough. LOL

Rolled and sealed loaf; ready for the greased pan.

Place loaves, seam side down, in 2 greased 9” x 5” x 3” or 8½” x 4½” x 2½” baking pans. Brush with margarine or butter – let rise in a warm place until double – about 1 hour.

Placed atop the dryer again, for the 2nd Rise. Recover with towel-shrouded overturned laundry basket.

 A good rise.

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Bake loaves until they are a deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped – 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

Sprayed with butter-flavored cooking oil for a nice crust browning ...

Covered with foil the last 25 minutes so top crust doesn't burn.

Perfect!

Buttered to soften crust - and set on sides, on a wire rack, to cool. Covered while cooling.

Wire rack indentations make for nice, even slices.

It smells SO YUMMY! And it's a balanced moistness, too.

Brooke Ligertwood – ‘Honey In The Rock’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4dIoOdLSOA)

8 ct. slices wrapped in plastic wrap & foil, for the freezer. Whole Loaf; halved for my use; recycled wrapper.

HOPE IS A BYWORD IN POST-AMERICA

The apparent outcome  of the midterm elections renders yet another verdict of "no confidence" in the probity of our political leaders. It is very disheartening.

The illusion that the "voting system" as a viable and trustworthy means of determining the will of the people is now gone (what barak hussain obama started in 2009  with his first coup has become the status quo in the obiden coup = aka 3rd obama coup ) ... I no longer trust the government - ANY BRANCH OF IT - to do what is right. 

As a Christian, I can "let the princes of this world have their hour", and rest assured KNOWING that "the hour is coming when God will rebuke them to their face" ... Soon and very soon, THE STONE will indeed smite the image and become a great mountain that will fill the earth! (Dan. 2:34-35).

There is nothing new about worldly politics of deception and fraud, of course, though it is now the norm of the postmodern "culture" of the United States. All people of conscience and spirituality should mourn  these days and pray  for repentance (2 Chron. 7:14).

On the other hand, THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME, and we have all the more reason to hope that the hour of the return of the LORD draws near (and there are definite signs that say "very soon"). If you listen closely, you will hear the herald of Messiah approaching!

Shalom chaverim 😊