Strawberry Basil Jam Ingredients: 4 cups chopped Strawberries, 2 cups granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup chopped basil. Method: Place a plate in the freezer, add strawberries and sugar to a saucepan, and cook down on low heat for about 20 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. After 20 minutes, place a little bit on theRead More
Recipe: Pickled Watermelon Rind
Ingredients: Rind from small watermelon (skin removed) 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup water ½ cup sugar 2 Tbsps maple sugar 4 pieces chopped candied ginger 4 teaspoons pink sea salt 1-2 dried Thai chili 1 sprig lemon thyme 1/8-1/4 tsp ground Allspice 1 star anise Method Add all ingredients to a saucepan overRead More
Doing Well and Growing Better
By: M. Charlotte Oliver “Like new born babies crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 Facts of additional and continuous concern are necessary parts of life. I’d say that even attempts to live in BiblicalRead More
Fresh Marinara Sauce
I am sometimes asked why I take the long route in the preparation of my foods. My answer is always because I like to know what’s in my food and of course, what I usually prepare from scratch, often taste so much better. The recipe below should prove my point. Ingredients: 2 lbs. freshRead More
Providential Gifts
By: M. Charlotte Oliver After all significant edits and preparation to submit to major journals, I received the email of the conferral of my degree just yesterday afternoon. However, even with this great news, there’s a bit of sadness in me at this moment. You see, my daughter starts her new journey as a militaryRead More
be Beautiful!
By M. Charlotte Oliver A 4 am drive to the gym, back home at 6:15 am, eats a watermelon and lime-mint salad for breakfast, coupled with grapefruit overnight oats. Yes, the grains are a must. These ways are how I began my day yesterday morning. It is how I plan to sustain this day ahead—theRead More
His Coffee Shop
By M. Charlotte Oliver I awoke this morning with welcoming silence. The noisy car in my neighborhood is still sleeping. All the rain of the past weekend, makes it a prettier car. A cleaner car. But man, I know the noise this car makes. Yikes! It’s beautiful on the outside, but the inside of this car bringsRead More
Inner Melody
By: M. Charlotte Oliver “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5: 19, 20) Last week, a colleague sent me a significant consultancyRead More
God’s Labor is Never Done in Vain
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) Such an endeavor must be always coupled with much prayer. Although steadfastness may come with many challenges, it is always doable. This week, I practiceRead More
Paths of Living Stones
By: M. Charlotte Oliver “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14-King James Version (KJV) This stage of my life…the stage where I do not have to write anything unless I want to, the one where my futureRead More