REAL LIBERTY....THE FOURTH

COME CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY

Visit this wonderful tribute to our American flag

We'll Start It Off With A Big Bang....From God's Word..

John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you  FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed..."

Romans 6:18, 22 " Being then made FREE  from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness....But now being made
FREE  from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

Galatians 5:1 "Standfast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us  FREE, and be not entangled again with the
 yoke of bondage."

GET THE MESSAGE??

Freedom comes in different packages.....Our nation's freedom was won on the battlefield through many, many wars....

..many young and old men and women gave their lives for something they cherished very much.....THEIR FREEDOM.

Visit this site and read the Gettysburg Address 

There's another battle that has  been raging for ages and ages.....and the battle is not ours but God's.....and  ONE LIFE
 was given on that battlefield called Calvary...He shed His own precious blood for that freedom of ours and it's available
to all who call upon His name.
That freedom fighter was Jesus Christ

He made it so simple for us....and He DID it all for us...we no longer have to fight to win the victory..Isn't that wonderful??
"It is finished the battle is over....It is finished there'll be no more wars.  It is finished  the end of the conflict.  It is finished
and Jesus is Lord."  A precious truth from a great song..

Maybe there are battles raging within your heart and soul, and you find no peace there, nothing that this world can offer will
 ever give it  to you either. ONLY Jesus can satisfy that void and give you the "peace that passes ALL understanding.."

In celebrating this Fourth Of July...remembering how our great nation's freedom was won.  Don't go on alone....wandering
and seeking.  You can have true liberty "within".  Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life to be Your Lord and Savior.  
He's yours for the asking.
Jesus loves you and gave His life for you.  Write me and I'll tell you how you can know and experience real "FIREWORKS
IN YOUR LIFE".   A joy unspeakable and full of glory--something truly worth looking into..
 

Dear Veterans
Those that sacrificed a part of themselves, whether it be physical or mental..YOU have NOT been forgotten!

Listen to a wonderful rendetion of The Star Spangled Banner 

..along with a lovely picture presentation..

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE

My country, 'tis of thee..
Sweet land of liberty...Of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died...Land of the pilgrims' pride.
From every mountainside...Let freedom ring!!!!!
Our fathers' God to Thee..Author of liberty...
To Thee we sing....Long may our land be bright with freedom's  holy light
Protect us by Thy might, Great GOD, OUR KING!"

THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword.
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory..hallelujah!!!
Glory! Glory...hallelujah!!!!
Glory! glory..hallelujah!!! HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON!

In the beauty of the lillies Christ was born across the sea.
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As HE DIED TO MAKE MEN HOLY.. Let us die to make men free.
While  GOD IS MARCHING ON.....
GLORY.......GLORY......HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!
GLORY......GLORY....HALLELUJAH!!!!!
GLORY.....GLORY....HALLELUJAH.......
OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON!!!!!

If the son,therefore, shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed"

Especially for your summer picnics
FOURTH OF JULY MENU AND RECIPES
Georgia's Kitchen and More!!!

Red Skeleton's I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag
You MUST see this....Very touching and sweet..

LOTS OF GREAT LINKS FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY

FOURTH OF JULY SITES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

4TH OF JULY RECIPES 

Want some GREAT red, white, and blue dessert recipes? Stop here for that and even more about the 4th!!

FAITH, FREEDOM AND THE FLAG
A Fourth of July Celebration at Peggie's Place

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U.S.A.!!!!

FATHER'S DAY MENU AND RECIPES

FATHER'S DAY MENU AND RECIPES

Skyline Chili Dip/Appetizer
Potato Cheese  Bacon Soup
Yummy Crummy Baked Steak/Entree
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Buttered Corn/Side
Fudge/Dessert

SKYLINE CHILI DIP/Appetizer

1 - 8 oz. cream cheese
1 - 13 oz. Skyline Chili or any other favorite canned or frozen chili
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 c. chopped onions


Spread cream cheese on bottom of a deep large serving dish and cover with chopped onions. Heat chili separately
 according to box directions. Pour chili over cream cheese and cover with cheese. Right before serving..microwave on high
 for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve and scoop up with tortilla chips.

BACON POTATO CHEESE SOUP
8 slices bacon, fried crisp
1 cup chopped onions
2 cups cubed, peeled potatoes
1 cup water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 3/4 cup milk
4 ounce container of sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

In bacon fat saute onions 2 to 3 minutes. Drain. In a pot with sauteed onions, add potatoes and water. Bring to a boil.
Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir in soup, sour cream and crumbled bacon. Add milk, salt, pepper and 1/2 of
shredded cheese. Heat to serving temperature. Do NOT boil.
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of each bowl of soup.

   YUMMY CRUMMY BAKED STEAK/Entree
2 lean boneless round steaks
Package fine cracker crumbs (or do your own with a rolling pin)
Flour (enough to mix with crumbs)
1 egg
Garlic Salt
Black ground coarse pepper
Vegetable oil

First of all, you want to cut the steaks into smaller serving sizes. In a bowl, mix up egg with a little water to dip the steak
into and in another bowl mix the cracker crumbs, flour, seasonings (just a couple dashes each).
In a large frying pan, put enough oil (about 1/8") to fry the steaks. Dip the steak into egg mixture and then coat real good
on both sides with cracker/flour mixture. Make sure the oil is hot enough and put enough steaks in to fry at the same time.
Brown well on one side and turn and do the other side until nice and brown, not too dark. Take out of pan and drain on
paper towel. Continue frying until all the steaks are done.

Place all the steaks on a cookie sheet and put into an oven already preheated to 350 degrees. Bake for about 45 minutes or
until tender (this may take up to an hour). It's very important to keep checking on them because you don't want the steaks to
 burn or get toooo brown. Cover them LIGHTLY with foil so the tops don't get too dried out. If need be, turn the oven down
 and/or put a teeeny bit of water in the bottom. This will tend to make the crunch go out on the bottom, but this is up to you.

  MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY/Side Dish

 
5# potatoes (pared and cut into cubes)--or as many or fewer as needed
1/4 pound (1 stick) margarine
Milk (as needed)
Salt
Pepper

        Put potatoes in large pot and cover the potatoes with water. Bring to a boil and then turn down to medium until they are
 tender to the touch with a fork (almost falls apart). Turn off heat. Let sit for a few minutes, then drain the potatoes into a
colander inside a large bowl (to save the potato water for gravy).
       Put the potatoes back into the pot and add salt and pepper to taste during the whipping of the potatoes.
 Using an electric mixer, begin breaking up the larger pieces and add margarine and continue to mix and whip until nice
and smooth. You will then determine how much or how litte milk needs to be added at this time. Taste and see if the salt and
pepper is adequate as well.
       Just to be make sure you have a delicious tasting mashed potatoes, put a nice sized spoonful of margarine on top.
 Place the lid on and keep the potatoes on warm til served. Make sure this is not too hot and that the potatoes do NOT stick.
       Before serving them, use a large forked serving spoon and fluff up.
  

 
  GRAVY
In a medium sized mixing bowl, put 1/2 cup of regular flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and a cup of milk. Using a whisk, begin
mixing it together.. it should be rather gooey.. if it's not, add some more milk. In a large frying pan, place whatever drippings
 you have from  turkey or  beef or chicken and bring to a boil (add more water if needed).  Slowly add the flour mixture to
the broth and with the whisk, start stirring and stirring. If there's more flour mixture than broth, then this is the time to use
the potato water (good idea, eh?).. Continue adding and stirring until the gravy is nice and thick and creamy, at which time
you may turn it down to warm.  Add  black pepper and mix and cover and let sit.

FESTIVE FUDGE/Dessert

3 cups (18-ounce) milk chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle® Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Line 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil. Butter foil; set aside.

 In a medium-sized heavy saucepan  use low heat  and  melt chips with Eagle Brand and salt. Remove from heat; stir in nuts
if desired and the vanilla. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator.

HONORING OUR FATHERS...

YOU'RE THE GREATEST...

A Very Special Tribute To You...
"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding." Proverbs 4:1


 

What are  your special memories of your dad??  When you see or hear something in particular....does it ring a bell?
 And does it bring a smile to your face?  Does it make you sit up and take notice?  Because, remember when DAD spoke ---
 that was the FINAL authority.  "Wait til your Dad gets home"   Or "When your father hears that, he's going to be furious." 
 Or.     "That will make Daddy so happy and he'll be so proud of you."  Whatever your remembrance this Father's Day,
 we must remember one thing--God places the Father in a very special place in our homes.  As our own fathers and for
the fathers of our children--They are to be respected, honored and given their rightful place in our lives because they are---
OUR FATHERS!!!

First and foremost there is a Father who DOES care and LOVES us beyond all imagination.  That is, of course, our Heavenly
 Father.  He loves us more than we can even think.    John 3:16 reads "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."  He gave us His very best. 
 His only  Son.
 Romans 5:8   "But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."   The ultimate sacrifice of love.  We have an opportunity to fellowship with the Creator of the Universe and yet He deems to allow us the privilege of coming boldly before His throne and to call him "Daddy"
Romans 8:15, 16   "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."  

Thank you, dear FATHER for allowing us to be your children.

 

Now, the only way you can be an effective, loving father is to have a relationship with the Heavenly Father and that comes
through His Son Jesus Christ. If you're a father today and you're reading this page saying  "Well, I'm a good dad".  
"I don't need any of that wimpy, pansy God stuff".   "Who does SHE think SHE is telling me I need religion?"
Well, first of all,   it's not me that's doing the telling.   It is God Himself  who tells us we are in need of a Saviour. 
ALL OF US!!   That is why He sent His Son.
Please, Dad, read these verses and really think about it and know there is a wonderful reward in this life and eternally
when we trust this great and awesome God of the Bible.

 

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:10  "There is none righteous..no not one."
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth His love toward us  in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us....."
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised
 him from the dead..thou shalt be saved."
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Shall be saved."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son..that whosoever believeth in Him, should not
perish but have everlasting life."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock..If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and
sup with him and he with me."
 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal
life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
IT'S THAT SIMPLE

If you've made this life changing decision...please drop me a line and let me know..and I'll get you in touch with some very
good Bible material that can help you learn and grow in His marvelous grace...Lord bless you!

 

Sit back relax---take your shoes off and stay a while.

THE SAWHOOK KIDS REMEMBER DAD---

The very unique and unusual inventions including the "bikemobile",
the toggle switches in the old car that ran everything, the "gas chamber" shower stall...
Dad's memorable bedtime story about "Tony And The Jungle" (scared them to death)
The original games---"Human Log Rolling" -- "The Chair Maze" -- "The Repeat The Number Game"--"The Water Game"
Special phrases and words like "No jelly beans for you--hoooo".
Learning manners at the kitchen table  (especially passing the salt and pepper)
The look and the shake of the head that Dad gave when 'another' car had to be repaired or he had to make a 'middle of the
night' rescue.

BUT MOST OF ALL WHAT WENDY, LISA, MARK, TIM, JON, BECKY AND DAN REMEMBER IS----

A Dad that loved them and was there for them and who took the time to lead them to a personal saving
 knowledge of the Lord Jesus.  A Dad that prayed individually with them every night (asking especially that the Lord would
 send them a mate just right for them).  A Dad who played countless games of basketball (even when there was something
else he wanted to do).  A Dad who would wrestle on the living room floor--a Dad who would go out EVERY Friday night
for Family Night and get special treats for everyone (including Mom) and most of all a Dad who loved the Lord Jesus and
 prayed daily in the field behind the house as the moon shone late above and preached God's Word with conviction.

THANK YOU, DAD.  WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Wonderful Links For Children.. For DAD!!

DLTK'S Father's Day Crafts For Kids
Wonderful printable poem for daddy, too!

Billy Bear's Happy Father's Day
Wonderful cards, awards, promise cards and more.

FamilyCorner.com Father's Day Page
Of many Father's Day page links

Family Fun
Homemade Father's Day Gift

 

A Very Special Memory..

My dear precious daddy, Michael Oczypok, was born August 28, 1915...His mother and father settled in Ambridge, Pennsylvania where they raised four boys.  

The way my mom and dad met was really unique and strange.  The churches always met on Memorial Day at the cemetery to pay honor to those who had died defending our country.  The choirs would sing at those memorials and that was where my Dad and Mom made their first acquaintance.  Love at first sight!!!  Dad made many trips from Ambridge to Lyndora in those days just to see his sweet Annie..  

Dad and Mom ran away to Quantico, Virginia nearby where my father was stationed in the Marine Corps.  To hear my mom tell the story... it was quite romantic.  It was so sweet.  They kept the wedding a surprise from my grandparents (I think my dad was scared to death). But eventually they did tell them and Grama and Grandpa had a wonderful celebration for them and the family.

 With that marriage came five children, of which I'm the youngest.   There's brother, Chuck,  and sisters Patty, Nancy and Sonia.  All are still very very special to me and we're very close although the miles separate us.  

Dad, Ozzie,  as he was nicknamed, was a "Jack of all trades".  There was nothing Dad couldn't do.  If he couldn't do it, he'd invent a new way to do it.  He had such an amazing, mechanical mind and could outdo any engineer at drafting and planning.
 

One of his most wonderful creations was the World War II Memorial that he designed in our little town of Lyndora, Pennsylvania.  Everytime we come home for a visit and drive past, the kids will hear me say.. "There's the memorial your Grandpa designed."

Dad fished, bowled, golfed, hunted, gardened, built anything and everything you can think of.  Like I said, if he couldn't do it, he'd invent a way to do it.  What a mind... always thinking.....always planning. 

And he loved his girls... When Mom was pregnant.. Dad would say he wanted little girls with curly hair!! Well, sorry, Dad.. we're all as straight as a pin. Ha..Ha.

Well..somewhere along the way, Dad got cancer.. he went through a  barrage of treatments.. and the Lord saw fit to give us 7 more wonderful years with him.

The year I was pregnant with my seventh child.. my husband sent me home with Mom and Dad for some R & R. (I think he knew I needed it).   It was the most wonderful visit I ever had with them.   Dad would have my coffee and juice on the table every  morning waiting for me.  And when we would go out to the store shopping, he would bring both pairs of boots for Mom and me to wear.  

One day we went for a ride and Dad went in to the corner store and bought a lottery ticket.  He said, "Honey, if I win this lottery, I'm gonna buy you a house with four bathrooms..hee.hee.hee..".  (With his precious little giggle).

Well,  time goes on, and it was Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary.  We had planned a surprise for them, but Dad wanted to throw a BIG party.  He wanted all his girls there so he could dance with them.
Cancer...once again claimed my dear dad..and he was only able to attend his big party in a wheel chair in an immense amount of pain.   Oh how he wanted to dance with his girls.   We gathered around him in the wheel chair and slowly turned him around to the music. 
His eyes filled with tears.  It was not what he wanted, but he appeased us.

 Not long after, Dad was admitted to the Veteran's hospital where he spent the last 10 months of his life, with his dear wife, Anne by his side every day but one (when she had a cold.)

Within that time, Dad sought for answers for his eternal state... not sure that the Lord could ever really love him or ever forgive him for his sins.   Through much prayer and love and sharing..he told my sister, Patty, "I know the Lord has forgiven me." 

Praise God.. he accepted the forgiveness that Jesus had paid for on the cross many years before.

There was a peace in my Dad in those last days.. and on one of my visits from Ohio, he whispered to me. "Please sing me the Lord's Prayer".

So I did.  And on May 16, 1986... Jesus said.... "Come home, Mike!!".

Thanks, Dad...for all those great times.. thank you for letting me curl your hair with curlers while you pretended to sleep on Saturday mornings.... thanks for calling me your "Little Princess" and your "Little Pumpkin".
I miss you, sweet Dad.. But I'll see ya later...

Send Dad an e-card

How about a surprise dinner for that special Dad or hubby in your life..For a wonderful taste treat for Dad.  I'll be putting up a blog page for the Father's Day Menu and Recipes soon.

So Dads...What Are Your Favorite Hobbies??
Is it SPORTS?
  Or how about FISHING?
Or maybe it's HUNTING?
Oh, I know you love CAMPING?
It could even be HANDY MAN EXTRAORDINAIRE!

  Well, you know what, Dad?    Whatever you are or whatever you do, YOU'RE A FATHER.  With a wonderful privilege and
 honor of being the most important man in your child's life.  And no matter how many of these you get over the years.
 

Each and every year it will mean the world to you because YOU  are THE

That God wants you to be 

SO HAVE A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Write me a note and tell me what being a father means to you.

SOME MORE FATHER'S DAY LINKS

Peggie's Place Father's Day Page
Annie's Home Page Father's Day Page
Happy Father's Day with Barbara

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS (GEORGIA STYLE)

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(Georgia's spaghetti sauce with meatballs simmering)

3# ground beef (preferably chuck)
1# pasta - your choice (spaghetti, rigatoni,  shells)
Large (29 oz.) can tomato puree
Large (29 oz.) can tomato sauce
12 oz. can tomato paste
2 T. garlic salt
1 tsp. coarse black pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil   (Or a combination Italian seasoning may be used)
8 oz. can parmesan cheese

Cook pasta during this process and set aside and keep drained pasta until needed. In a large (6 - 8 quart) stockpot, empty all tomato sauces and pastes. Rinse out the cans of puree and sauce with water (about half way)..with the tomato paste can....rinse out with 3 cans of water  getting all the paste still inside. Mix all sauces until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons garlic salt, the black pepper, and the oregano and basil. (When adding the oregano and basil, put into the palm of your hand and rub between palms This releases the flavors.) Also add about 1/2 of the parmesan cheese into the sauce and stir...Cook on medium heat about 2 hours, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. 

 While the sauce is slightly bubbling and boiling, roll ground beef into meatballs (whatever size you like) and drop them  "RAW" into the sauce. 

DO NOT STIR AT ALL YET! This will cause the meatballs to crumble. Wait for at least 30 minutes and stir very, very carefully. 

Turn your heat to low and cover with lid and allow to simmer at least 2 more hours (stirring occasionally). Remove lid and cook 1 to 2 more hours and allow to thicken. (This will help you decide as you look at the sauce, if you want it thicker). At this point, you may want to taste the sauce to see if you want or need any more garlic salt or even more parmesan (this is one of the secrets of its unique flavor). 

 Pour sauce over the already cooked and cooled  pasta and place the meatballs on top and lightly toss, mixing the sauce throughout. Keep this on warm on your stove top with lid on (or in warm oven)  and let sit at least another 30 minutes  because the sauce needs to soak into the pasta. Sprinkle  with parmesan cheese and serve with warm garlic, parmesan bread.

Bellisimo!!