Capernwray Hall: New Every Morning

Almost two months ago, now I decided that I needed to follow through on something that has been in my heart for over four years.  I made the decision to apply to Capernwray Hall Bible school for their spring semester for 2017.

Not certain how I would be able to financially cover this, I sent out letters asking friends and family if they could see their way clear to assist me in meeting this goal.

Since that time the Lord has been gracious and has been giving me sign after sign that I am following the path that he has set out for me.  In the time since I sent out my letters, dear friends have given enough financial gifts to have over half of my tuition for the school covered!

Each and ever financial gift has been in many ways unexpected.  When I received the first one (for $35) my immediate response was, "I'm going to Capernwray!" My friends laughed, but for the first time since setting out on this journey, moving towards this dream, I felt that it was actually obtainable.  The fact that people believe in me and want to help me in this way surprises me each and every time.

On Thursday I will be sending in my passport renewal information, so that I can finally send in my application to Capernwray for Spring School 2017.  Each step brings me closer to this dream.  And each step makes me realize just how blessed I am.  How touched by my friends.  How surprised everyday by His love and faithfulness.

This song has been repeating in my head all day:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercy never comes to an end.  They are new every morning.  New every morning. Great is your faithfulness, oh Lord.  Great is your faithfulness."

Thank you, everyone for your belief and trust in me.  I am forever grateful!

Capernwray Hall Bible School: Spring School 2017

A thought.  A dream.  A possibility.  

Waking up inside of a Victorian Gothic manor house, set in the foot hills of the Lake District.  Diving deeper into the Word.  Having Tea every day.  Getting to experience the land that has always held, for me, all the pull of a sirens call.  And now, I can add a name to this call.  I can dial it into one specific place.  Capernwray Hall. 

I first heard about Capernwray Hall Bible School approximately four years ago, when I first came to the camp Fort Wilderness as a volunteer.  Several of their staff had just returned after doing an entire year of study there.  And so, the seed of the dream was planted.  And then watered by my friend Kate.  She happily showed me all of her photographs and told me all about her year. (And has allowed me to use her photographs to help with my journey)

Capernwray Hall is one of the many world wide campuses of bible schools that are part of the Torchbearer's program.  It is a school that immerses you in the Word, and it just happens to be stuck smack dab in the middle of my favorite place.

I have always had a love and passion for England.  I have wanted to go there since I can remember. I have been fascinated by their culture and their television! I am sure that my obsession began with Jane Austen, but now it has extended beyond to the far reaches of my family history.   And so, now, I have decided to try and take that thought, and dream and make it a possibility.  I have decided that I am going to apply for Capernwray Hall Bible School!

I am applying to attend Capernwray Hall's Spring School for the Spring of 2017.  It is an eight week course where we will be studying the New Testament.  My friend, Kate, who first introduced me to Capernwray will be in London during 2017 working with Greater Europe Missions, so I will also have the opportunity to travel and see her!

I have started a campaign to raise some assistance for the cost of the school and the transportation to get there.  If you are interested in learning more about why I want to go to Capernwray or ways that you can help me, please visit my campaign page! http://www.gofundme.com/v5dvvk

Thank you for being willing to travel this road with me!

Dragonfly Dreams Crafts: Spring Cones & Blue Birds!

I never seem to leave Judy's house with more than I came.  Such was the case yesterday.  I was there to figure out a pattern (which I was way over-thinking!) and left with 2 patterns, and the fabric I needed to try the second pattern.
This pattern was for these adorable little guys!  (I am so enjoying making them!)

 

 

These sweet little blue birds have been a lot of fun to make and I am planning all sort of different color combinations.  I will post more pictures of the colors as I come up with combinations!
I have another darker bird I made as well, that I played a little with.  Adding flowers on the wings.

 

 

The pattern I was going to Judy for help with was this one: Spring Cones.

 

 

Here are the other ones I've been working on, and the mixes and matches.

Fun spring fabrics!

Deciding on the combinations.

 

So, Judy, thank you for encouraging me and for being open to helping me as I learn!  I look forward to many more little birds, and for sewing parties at your place!

Country Diary of a Lady: Snow in March & Orchids

It is March. And while I am ready for spring, the weather is not ready to cooperate with me on this matter as of yet.  This morning, it was snowing.

Yesterday, the sun was shining and the snow had been melting somewhat.  The sunshine felt warm.  I packed up the rest of the winter decor in my living room, and hung origami butterflies around my windows.  

My Amaryllis blooming has helped a little with the type of cabin fever that brews at this time of the year. I have two beautiful open blooms at the moment, and a third is opening while the fourth on the first blossom stalk is  a little behind.  Then, I have a second bud stalk well developed.

So, what do I do when I need my "green" fix?  I go and visit Forth Floral in downtown Rhinelander, WI.  The fourth generation florists and greenhouse.

At the moment, they are putting on their yearly Orchid Event.  So, while it was snowing and blowing outside, I paused and took a deep breath of the scent of green and growing things mixed with the sweet scents of orchids.

A tall papyrus plant silhouetted against the exterior of the greenhouse, highlighting the wintry weather outside.

Here is a small selection of the beautiful orchids that they had on display.  Many are actually from local gardeners, and are loaned to Forth Floral for the show.

There were other flowers there as well.  Many Amaryllis still blooming, as well as some gorgeous tulips!

 This amaryllis is similar in coloring to the one that I possess (which I purchased from Forth Floral last year).  This year, my pinks are much more delicate.

 Some absolutely gorgeous ruffled tulips (parrot tulips?) Loved their coloring!

 Also, some lovely double tulips in a soft pink.

And some classic red and white tulips.

 There were these beauties as well.  I'm not certain what family they belong to.  The leaves on the orange and yellow one reminded me more of a bromiliad than an orchid, but I do not know.

 Either way, I thought that they were especially lovely!

So, I am managing to survive this wintry day in March.  I have the return of the Finches as well as the knowledge that the horses have begun to shed their winter coats to keep me moving forward!

Spring will come!

Tea & Embroidery: Chocolate Cardamom Cake with Spiced Whipped Cream!

I love Cardamom!  I still remember my first introduction to this citrusy spice. I was in high school, working at a restaurant as a dishwasher. http://www.209main.com And Wave, the chef, made a Orange Spice Pound Cake with a Cardamom Crème Anglaise.  I loved it so much that I asked him for the recipe.

Since then, I have used Cardamom in several different ways.  So, today, I wanted to try this particular recipe that I came across on the blog: http://www.ciderandrye.com

 

You can find this particular recipe at: http://ciderandrye.com/blog/2014/2/12/chocolate-cardamom-cake?rq=cardamom%20chocolate

 

 

I love chocolate, and I love cardamom.  Sounds like a win, win situation!

And it used wonderfully decadent 70% dark chocolate! The only thing that I changed from the original recipe (besides using Namaste's Perfect Flour Blend instead of All Purpose Flour) is I added one more egg.  With the particular gluten free flour, I have found that it requires added moisture.

 

I rigged a double boiler out of a small pot of water and a stainless steel bowl.

I used my new mini-bundt cake pan, rather than an 8" round.

Unfortunately, I forgot to tap out some of the bubbles!

To top these little guys, I followed her suggestion for a dusting of powdered sugar and then a spiced whipped cream.  Below are the ingredients that I added to the whipped cream: Cardamom, Maple Syrup & the zest of a Blood Orange.



 Maple syrup to taste, when the cream was almost to the stiffness you want, then add the zest and a few pinches of cardamom.

 Delicious! I garnished with a few Blood Orange sections.

Enjoy with a cup of black tea sweetened with honey and milk. 

 So beautiful!

And they turned out beautifully inside, too!