A lovely city . . . even in the rain

". . . be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5: 18-20

Quintessential Cat

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing

Praise for the morning

Praise for them singing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven

Like the first dewfall on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Spring in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight

Mine is the morning

Born of the one light Eden saw play

Praise with elation, Praise ev'ry morning

God's recreation of the new day

     Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, 1971

Have you ever noticed that Thanksgiving does not have a song to represent it?  Considering it is a national holiday, and no matter your persuasion, most Americans celebrate it.  Wouldn't you think that someone would have written an "Ode to Abundance" by now?

The Fourth of July proudly claims the National Anthem as its favored tune.  The Star Spangled Banner is played at countless parades, ball games and fireworks displays throughout our country.  Then there are the seasonal holidays like Christmas with its plethora of carols.  Why even Halloween has a genre of music with its spooky, haunting notes!

Yes, music has the power to define a day, a season or even an era.  The Big Band swing of the 1940's, the sound of Elvis in the 50's and Rock 'n Roll ruled the day in the 60's & 70's!  This is my kind of music; the sound that entertained the Baby Boom Generation.  Ask any Boomer about "Good Vibrations," "Let it Be" or "Take it to The Limit" and you'll see a smile of nostalgia on their face.

A colleague, Brent Hussong, burned three CD's of hits from the 60's & 70's as a gift to a client for his birthday.  I received a copy and played it multiple times on our trek from Baltimore to Chicago when Dan and I picked up my "Beetle" on the east coast.  It was a flash-from-the-past to listen to The Byrds, The Monkees and The Turtles while cruisin' through the Allegheny's heading to our Midwest prairie.  ". . . making melody with my heart . . ."

Folk singer Cat Stevens captured a sweet sound in the hymn "Morning has Broken."  It's lyrics of praise make it a good entry to any Thanksgiving Play List :)

"Thankfulness is the song of heaven learned on Earth."  Ellen White

One Egg Pancake

For a special morning breakfast, like Black Friday, consider a "One Egger; a light alternative to typical pancakes.  Think "Dutch Baby" made on the stove-top.  It is one of our family classics, handed down from Grandma Marge :)

     1 egg

     1/2 cup milk

     5 tablespoons flour

     1/4 teaspoon baking powder

     Pinch of salt

     1 tablespoon butter

Pour milk into 16 ounce glass measuring cup.

Break egg into measuring cup.  Using wire whisk, beat until blended.

Add flour, baking powder and salt to mixture and beat again until well-blended.

In the meantime, melt butter in a 10" non-stick, open skillet.  Pour mixture into skillet and cook on medium heat until the liquid becomes firm.  Peek on the underside of the pancake by lifting an edge to check to see if it is lightly browned.

Using a pancake turner with an extra-large head, flip the pancake and cook the other side a minute or two until it is lightly browned.  (This part takes a bit of practice as it is really a two-handed action: one hand controls the pan and the other lifts the pancake.)

Carefully slide the pancake onto a large round plate and serve immediately.  Powder sugar, jam, jelly, maple or agave syrup are my favorite toppings depending on the season, mood or what's in the fridge.  Serves one.

Since only one pancake can be made per skillet, I sometimes use two pans to make the process go faster when feeding my hungry crew!

Lord Jesus,

We thank You for the gift of music that lifts our spirits and touches our hearts.  It is so amazing how a certain melody or lyric can evoke such emotion within us.  What a joy to experience the beauty of sound!  So with one voice we lift up our praise to You for the wonder of your creation and the abundance we enjoy.  In Your Mighty Name We Pray.