7 tablespoons unsalted butter melted but no longer warm to the touch. 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g) 1/4 cup dark brown sugar. (50g) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. 2 Tablespoons unsulphured molasses. 1 egg 2 Tablespoons whole milk… Continue reading Diamond Mike’s Award-Winning Gingersnap Cookies
Category: Life Adventures
To whom are we praying?
Less than a few hours of oxygen remain on the small submersible that imprisons five passengers in the freezing North Atlantic. Millions of people are praying. Millions of people also believe in the power of prayer. Surely this concentration of thought will lean toward a positive result. Surely with our focused intention our prayers will… Continue reading To whom are we praying?
Should We Lean On Our Own Understanding?
I have been thinking about the following Bible verse, “Do not lean on your own understanding.” I like to think the author and the scribe of these words said and wrote them with love and good intention. Thinking deeper, the tone of this verse suggests that humans are so inept they cannot reason for themselves. … Continue reading Should We Lean On Our Own Understanding?
The Brentlinger Diamond
Lorraine Brentlinger was born January 7, 1919. Her mother, Elsie, died one week later most likely from complications of childbirth, but this is non-verifiable. Elsie’s husband, Roy Brentlinger, was born August 15, 1894. He became a chief dispatcher of Norfolk Southern Railroad and was a Deacon of the church. During the same year that his… Continue reading The Brentlinger Diamond
You are a Living Masterpiece
Downtown Los Angeles was scorching hot as I strolled onto a busy street corner filled with impatient jewelers and diamond merchants. A handsome young man vied for my attention with a brochure in an outstretched arm. “Thank you,” I said, accepting his offering. I glanced down and it said, “Join Our Christian Fellowship.” I… Continue reading You are a Living Masterpiece
Pascal’s Wager
Even in my mom’s loving voice I understood her tactic when she asked me, “Would you rather believe in God and find out you were right, or not believe in Him and find out you were wrong?” “Wouldn’t you rather believe in God just in case he is real?” Even at seventeen years old I… Continue reading Pascal’s Wager
The Shadow of the Eclipse
August 21, 2017. I am in Riverton, Wyoming. I have never been here before, but from the encouragement of a friend, I am now standing in the middle of a near-barren desert ranch at 11am in the warm Wyoming sun. I have already spent two nights with my wife, Carmen, in a cozy tent awaiting… Continue reading The Shadow of the Eclipse
The Tombstone
This may be a startling picture but my sister and I wanted to capture an image to show others how all things are possible in the matrix of our lives. Although the matching of our DNA proved we were siblings, there were other factors that were necessary for our reunion: We never gave up. We… Continue reading The Tombstone
Look at Me. I am Beautiful
If something touches me emotionally I am quick to stop what I’m doing to absorb the positive vibrations in which I am enriched. Pulling into my business park I was greeted by this glorious jacaranda. I couldn’t ignore her as she waved at me with her clusters of purple flowers, saying, “Look at me. I… Continue reading Look at Me. I am Beautiful
What was the Lesson?
Our growing family used to attend Geneva Presbyterian in Laguna Hills. It was close to our home and we felt comfortable with the friendly environment that helped answer the mysteries of life that we sought. During that time the church sponsored a dinner program that brought young kids and families together. I volunteered as part… Continue reading What was the Lesson?
Mothers Womb Necklace
I love to find purpose in all aspects of life. I also love to add meaning in the detail of my designs. I frequently use the Moon Over Mountains trademark in my jewelry. It is an “O” (the moon), rising above an “M’” (the mountains.) The word mom is hallowed to me. Mom is also an… Continue reading Mothers Womb Necklace
The Smashed Window
When you are a diamond merchant everyone thinks you walk around with bags of priceless gems. Of course that’s not true, but gem dealers and bankers are always the ones targeted by robbers. That’s why we carry silent hold-up alarms and look both ways before we cross the street. If we return to our parked… Continue reading The Smashed Window
Humbled and Empowered
I posted two anonymous blurry photos of a woman and a man. This is to show that many adoptees have no idea who their biological parents are or who they look like. My birth mother was raised in a Christian family. She was non-Jewish. My birth father was a Syrian Jew born in Aleppo who came… Continue reading Humbled and Empowered
Your Truth May Not Be Another’s Truth
I joined another large Facebook group. I learned the bigger the group the bigger the lion’s den. Sometimes I feel vulnerable, thinking a lion might attack me at any moment. I shared my Living Promises, which are brief guidelines to fully live our potential, which include joy, thankfulness, and forgiveness. Some agreed. Some were confused.… Continue reading Your Truth May Not Be Another’s Truth
What Holy Book Do You Read?
Rather than judging someone by their appearance, it is much more rewarding to find my reflection in others. From my car window in downtown Los Angeles I saw this unidentified man strolling down the morning street before the city started to bustle. His blanket contrasted beautifully with the grayness of the old buildings. I wondered what was… Continue reading What Holy Book Do You Read?