Lasting Light Poetry

June 6, 2003

Hello Friends ~ Summer is upon us! I hope this finds you well. Where I live the weather is starting to sizzle. I have some poems, recipes and other nice things to share with you, so let's go. ~

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Deja Vu or Maybe New ~ I wrote "When You Can't Smile" for a dear friend of mine going through some bad times. It is said that prosperity is full of friends, but adversity is something we face alone. I don't agree. There are still caring people in this world and God always cares. ~ How about a carefree day at the beach? Sounds good to me. Let's leave our troubles behind. "Sweet Abandon" was written about just such a day. ~ I enjoy sitting out on my patio and enjoying a warm day. It's good to take time for ourselves and sort out what really matters. "The Answer" is about what really matters to me. There are some lovely paintings for you to enjoy in these pages. Please have a look.

When You Can't Smile
http://lastinglight.com/smile.html
When You Can't Smile

Sweet Abandon
http://lastinglight.com/sweetabandon.html
Sweet Abandon

The Answer
http://lastinglight.com/theanswer.html
The Answer

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Deb & Lynn's Spot

Choices - Deb's newest page
http://weeinspirations.com/choices.html
Choices

Lynn's new website....
Handcrafted recipe card gift bags
http://cuddleebears.com/bags/index.html
Handcrafted recipe card gift bags

Check out the rest of Lynn's website, CuddleeBears.com
http://cuddleebears.com
CuddleeBears.com

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Recipes From The Board ~ I'm happy to bring you some fantastic recipes from Lasting Light Message Board. There are some delicious postings there, and a lot of encouragement. Here are some tasty ideas for you. Let's cook! ~

~~ Banana Split Dessert ~ Posted by Beatrice

18 Graham Crackers - crushed
½ Cup Sugar
¼ Cup melted Butter

Combine the above and press into a 9×13 pan. Save some of the crumb mixture to sprinkle on the top, about ¼ of a cup.

In a bowl:
2 boxes of Instant Vanilla Pudding, add 2 2/3 Cups of Milk, mix well.

Spread pudding over graham cracker mixture then spread 1 - regular can of (drain well) crushed Pineapple on top of the pudding. Next, slice 5 bananas on top of this.

Top with Dream Whip or some other non-dairy whip topping.

Sprinkle remaining graham cracker crumb on top.

Refrigerate for 1½ hours before cutting.
I found that making this dessert the night before works best.

(This looks fantastic for any summer celebration.)

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~~ Pineapple Glazed Pork Chops ~ Posted by Eulice

Begin with the finest pork chops available in your area:
4 - 1 1/4 inch boneless pork chops
1/4 cup pineapple preserves
4 tsp soy sauce
2 cloves of garlic - minced
2 Tbs sesame oil
2 Tbs dry sherry
2 Tbs sweet basil
2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt

In a saucepan, combine preserves, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, sherry, basil, pepper, ginger and paprika. Warm over low heat for 10 minutes careful not to burn the sauce. Allow to cool.

Grill chops over direct medium heat (electric, gas or charcoal heat). Cook until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees (use a instant read bi-therm thermometer), until the juices run clear. Add the glaze during the last few minutes of grilling.

NOTE: If you want more smoke flavor, take some wood chips that have been soaked in water and place them in aluminum foil. Place this packed on or next to the fire so that it begins to smolder producing a nice wood flavor! Enjoy!

(This would be great for company this summer)

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~~ Sausage and Shrimp Jambalya

SHRIMP JAMBALAYA

1/3 Cup Oil
3 medium onions, chopped or sliced very fine
4 to 7 cloves of garlic, chopped or pressed
or garlic powder
2 Cups uncooked rice
1 small can tomato sauce
3 3/4 Cups water
1 teaspoon black pepper (we also use Tony Chacherie's Creole Seasoning)
2 Tblsp salt (or to taste)
2 lbs. Shrimp, peeled
1 pound smoked sausage, cubed

Brown onions in oil until medium brown, adding little bits of water to caramelize. (This takes a while) Turn off heat and add tomato sauce. Turn on heat. Saute the tomato sauce, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Add the shrimp, sausage, salt, pepper, & garlic. Stew for about 10 minutes. Add water & rice. Stir frequently, and when rice begins to show through, lower heat and cover pot. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir and fluff. SHOULD serve 6 to 8, depending how hungry you are, and whether or not you are from down the bayou in Louisiana!! :)

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Note From Karen ~ I have a few things I'd like to say to all my readers. I regret I've had to take down my "add-a-link" site. It was being abused and I had no other alternatives. I am sorry that so many wonderful websites were compromised because of this. Please know I did everything I could to avoid taking that step, but I had no choice. ~ My newsletters haven't been as frequent, but I hope that I will eventually be able to offer a book of my poetry to those of you who might be interested. I will keep you posted and will do all I can to bring this about. Lasting Light Poetry was my dream, and I am gratified so many of you enjoy my website and my work. It has been my goal to offer you the very best I could in the way of art and music as well.

I hope you will continue to visit often because the light is always on at Lasting Light Poetry. Please take time to share my pages with anyone you think might need some encouragement or a smile. I appreciate all of you. Have a wonderful summer. Shine on...........Karen

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Sarah Teasdale is my favorite poet. She was my inspiration to write poetry. I read this poem when I was nine and it remains a favorite. I'd like to share it with you now.

Barter

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up
Holding wonder in a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.

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One more by Sarah ~

A Prayer

When I am dying, let me know
That I loved the blowing snow
Although it stung like whips;
That I loved all lovely things
And I tried to take their stings
With gay unembittered lips;
That I loved with all my strength,
To my soul's full depth and length,
Careless if my heart must break,
That I sang as children sing
Fitting tunes to everything,
Loving life for its own sake.

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Until next time.......remember........encouragement is like air. We all need it. Be well and safe. ~ Karen

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