Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Rhonda Ratliff Steps into Heaven — We will Miss Her Dearly!

Sandra Crosnoe — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:45:55 +0000

Rhonda Ratliff steps into heaven January 2012

Our loss is truly heaven’s gain! I know she is dancing for joy now and free from pain.

Rhonda was a best friend and a most faithful prayer partner for many many years. I guess we met as a result of Susan and Richard White who sent her my way for financial consultation back in the 1990′s although I am not sure of the year and we may actually have first met at the bible study in their home years ago.

Anyway, she did an amazing job of getting her financial affairs in order through some very difficult circumstances and with much prayer and wise actions was able to turn things around and bless many in the process. She lived a life of ministry seeking first the kingdom of heaven and I am very sure there was much rejoicing there upon her recent arrival. I knew she was instantly in the presence of the Lord and free free free. While I mourn with her family on her passing, I am just a bit jealous that she beat me there. I look forward to our reunion in eternity and encourage any reading this and knowing of her time with us to smile and remember how she blessed each one of us the best way that she knew to do so.

I remember her decision to go work with Joyce Meyer’s Ministries and also her decision to return to the Dallas area. Each decision carefully turned over to the Lord and time spent actively seeking His guidance in all matters. She loved her family dearly and cared for her dad through difficult times and his relatively recent passing.

She has supported each one of her friends and many she did not know personally in prayer. Many of us received almost daily devotionals from her and it was always a good reminder to me about putting first things first. When my mom was bedridden, Rhonda would come over and help me with her and just be with us when we both really needed a friend. She was and is the definition of a friend. She was there when needed to encourage and do what she could about matters. The ripples of her good works will go on for eternity and I look forward to seeing her again.

But the most precious thing above all is the knowledge of her deep and abiding love for the Lord. What a sweet sweet spirit just to be with her! With lots of love and warm memories of times spent together~

Blessings,
Sandie

NOTE: Rhonda’s memorial service will be this Monday at 3 PM in the Cindy Nichols Chapel at the First Baptist Church in Denton, Texas. The church is on Malone street and the chapel is on the north side. There will be a gathering after the service at the church.

__________________________

What follows is a letter I received at my earthly father’s passing that applies to Rhonda as well so I share it with you now. People who know the Lord, know where they are going but we only have glimpses of how glorious it will be. Somehow Claire gave me a special glimpse with this letter and I hope it ministers to you in your time of need as well.

__________________________

Preface: This is just one of the special notes received when my earthly father, Ted Franklin Crosnoe, passed on September 18, 1996. It has ministered to me so often and so strongly that I share it with those experiencing the loss of a loved one. Somehow Clare’s letter helps me catch a glimpse of the other side and look forward to the day we will see each other again. I share it with you now in the hopes that it will bless you as it has me. In loving memory of my dad and of your loved one also./sc

Our Lord’s Day, 22 September 1996

Dear Sandie,

Kevin Reed gave us the news that the Lord had delivered your father from “the

body of this death”, and taken him home to glory. I am both glad and sorry to

hear of it. Glad, of course, for your father, for “to die is gain”, and he can now

see God face to face and is delivered from the spiritual battles of this life. I

grieve, though, for you and your mother. It seems now like such a long time until

we shall see our departed loved ones again, though laid in the balance with

eternity I’m sure it must really appear miniscule. But since we are a body and

have need of each other, we feel it keenly when one member is absent, and I

know that you must miss your father greatly.
.

I hope the Lord will remain especially close to you during this time, that you might

be cheered by His presence. I praise Him for your father’s holy life, and that He

gave your father grace to persevere to the end. I was just reading over the

promises in Revelation 2-3, to “him that overcometh”, and they are so thrilling

and marvelous: your father will be given to eat of the tree of life, which is in the

paradise of God; will receive a crown of life; will not be hurt of the second death;

will be given the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written; will

be clothed in white raiment, and Christ will confess his name before his Father

and his angels; will sit with Christ on his throne; and will be made a pillar in the

temple of God, and will go no more out. Surely “eye hath not seen, nor ear

heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath

prepared for them that love him”!
.

Our prayers will be with you and your family.
.

Love in Christ,

Clare Cason

Van Alstyne, Texas

Recipe Treasures – Crosnoe to Caswell

Sandra Crosnoe — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:41:45 +0000

Recipe Treasures — Crosnoe to Caswell

Christmas 2010-2011

Good times, good food, good memories. This book of recipe treasures through the years touches the lives of the Crosnoes, the Caswells, the Periellos and yes even the Boones. The recipes are there as well as the stories and the memories will float back to those who were there. The rest of you will have to create your own! Blessings/sc

Table of Contents

1 title page (Christmas 2010-2011)

2 disclaimer – no copyright page

3 table of contents (no page numbers)

Appetizer:s & Salads

4 Cheese Balls – Sharp

5 Cheese Balls – Blue Cheese

6 Grapefruit/Avocado Salad

7 Pimento Cheese Sandwich/Spread

8 Tomato Aspic

9 Basil Bruschetta Trio

10 Tomato Confit

11 Fennel Dip

12 Hummus with Endive

Vegetable Dishes:

13 Fried Green Tomatoes

14 Frosted Green Beans

15 Potato Salad – Dad & Mom (team effort)

16 Shoepeg Corn Casserole

17 Sweet Potatoes

18 Dillicious Green Beans

19 Chicken Orzo Pasta Soup

20 Chicken Tortilla Soup

Main Dishes:

21 Frito Chili Salad – family affair

22 Meat Loaf

23 Oysters Ernie

24 Smoked Turkey – Greenbergs! (but Dad’s smoked turkeys were good too) marinate note added!

25 Sole Meuniere

26 Prosciutto Roasted Bass with Autumn Vegetables

27 Chicken Piccata

Desserts:

28 Idiot Proof Breads

29 Cherry Pie (Red Ball Cake Story)

30 Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

31 Lemon Snowballs

32 Pineapple Cookies recipes

33 Cinnamon Rolls (formerly titled Sticky Buns) – (story of Caswell traditions)

34 Vira’s Coconut Cream Pie

35 French Silk Pie

36 closing

The entire book is available for free on Scribd (embedded below)

View this document on Scribd

You can download it here >>>

It is available to order in book format on Picaboo for preview here >>>

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

This post will be a top tab on the site so you can find it easily there as Recipe Treasures –

who knows we might even add some new recipes now and again!

Happy New Year 2012: Where the Spirit of the Lord is – there is Liberty!

Sandra Crosnoe — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:10:39 +0000

Where the Spirit of the Lord is – there is Liberty!

May you be where He is and go where He leads.

May you know His Will, His Way, His Word and His Touch as you go.

Special thanks to my good friend Shelli Dawdy for the best Happy New Year graphic of all times!

Gifts that Ripple through Time

Sandra Crosnoe — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:57:13 +0000

Are you looking for something for someone special to give them this year? Do you know how to bless your family and friends?

It is a season of gift giving and there can be a lot of pressure to get just the right gift for each and every one and not to forget anyone either. It can be really hard too because some people already seem to have everything and some people seem to need everything and you do want to bless and give and not offend and not forget. May I suggest you stop and ask the Lord how to bless your family and friends. Then you might actually ask the person who you are struggling with in your mind, how you can bless them. You might even be surprised at the answer.

Sometimes the best gifts are family treasures passed on appropriately. Sometimes they are the gift of time and talents and then there is a touch and a smile and a hug. There is a loving word at the right moment. There are planned events and times together sharing laughter and tears and memory of other special times together with friends and family — special moments that last forever!

I am wanting to give my family some little family treasures. They aren’t gold and silver (most of them) but momentos from my mom and dad that part of the gift is researching the meaning behind the momento and documenting the story for the family. I will share some of them here and show you what I mean over time, but right now I want to tell you about a very special gift that I received from my sister and her husband last night. Years ago when in DC on political affairs and going from meeting to meeting trying to get Congressmen to ‘do the right things’ and build bridges to effective networks, I viewed the Kennedy Center from afar. I always wanted to go there and last night we did. The family had perfect seats for a wonderful musical/dance story full of history and entertainment. We saw “Billy Elliott: The Musical.”

Paula and Tim Caswell (upper left) and Tracy and Byron Caswell (upper right); Ceiling chandelier (center) and Hall of States Flags (lower right)

It was a wonderful evening and the fulfillment of a dream for me!

Thanks to my family for making it possible for me to go and be a part of the adventure with me!

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

My Letter to the Editor on Reforming Health Care Reform — Would you write one too?

Sandra Crosnoe — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:54:33 +0000

Here’s a copy of my letter to the Bartlesville Examiner tonight on the topic of Health Care Reform (aka ObamaCare). Perhaps you could write a letter of your own to your local paper.

A good friend of mine said recently; “The state of Oklahoma is busy implementing the provisions of ’Obama Care’, while appearing to oppose ‘Obama Care’. Must be politics as usual in Oklahoma.”

Now’s the time. The legislative session starts soon – on the first Monday of February – and the legislators are busy preparing their bill requests for 2012.

We need to remove the vital elements that have laid the groundwork for single-provider / single-payer ‘universal health care’ in Oklahoma. That means TERMINATING the OHIET Trust (or violation of free enterprise and privacy – a veritable cartel, if you will), return all federal grants for health insurance exchanges, and get out of the Medicaid program. Medicaid (for low income) is a VOLUNTARY program which is being massively expanded to implement the health care law. Getting Oklahoma out of Medicaid is the only way out of implementing the law. Let’s return to fiscal sanity in Oklahoma please! Oh and shhhhh don’t tell anyone but this would contribute significantly to fixing such problems as exploding debt and illegal immigration.

___________________________________________________________________

November 29, 2011

Bartlesville Examiner

Letter to the Editor regarding Reforming Health Care Reform

In November 2010, Oklahomans said “Yes” by 64% to a provision in the State Constitution which allows citizens to not “participate” in a health care system. Oklahomans made a strong statement saying they were opposed to government-run healthcare and support free-market solutions. The State Legislature passed SB 1373, which established the Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Trust (OHIET), despite the wishes of the people. OHIET can align Oklahoma’s health care system to the federal government’s standards and requirements; link to a national network and insurance programs; collect and share our personal medical data; and is “interopable” with global systems. This type of health care system is doing an “end-run” around liberty, privacy and virtually any need for search warrants.

We need to remove the vital elements that have laid the groundwork for a single-payer health care system in Oklahoma. That means TERMINATING the OHIET, return all federal grants for health insurance exchanges, and get out of the Medicaid program. Medicaid (for low income) is a VOLUNTARY program which is being massively expanded to implement the health care law. Opting out of Medicaid and terminating OHiET is the only way out. Let’s return to fiscal sanity in Oklahoma please! Oh and shhhhh don’t tell anyone but this would contribute significantly to fixing such problems as exploding debt and illegal immigration.

Time is short. Oklahomans need to call their legislators and demand they terminate this trust before all personal liberty and privacy is eliminated.

For Life and Liberty,

Sandra Crosnoe

[phone & email included with submission]

Note: Bartlesville Examiner has a 200 word limit, for a slightly longer version sample letter to editor see OK-SAFE blog here >>>

Finding Gems & Sharing Them

More information is available here >>>

Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving in your Heart — Enter into His Courts with Praise

Sandra Crosnoe — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:51:44 +0000

This is a wonderous holiday. It lacks the commercial spin of some of the other holidays. It is a time for getting together with family and friends and remembering the One who made us; the One we are here to serve with thanksgiving in our hearts. Bless Him and be blessed in the process.

Some scriptures about Thanksgiving for you to proclaim:

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

—Psalm 9:1

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”

—Psalm 50:23

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

—Psalm 92:1

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

—Psalm 97:12

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

—Psalm 100:4

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

—Psalm 105:1-2

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

—Philippians 4:6

More scriptures and references here >>>

This week I received a special historical reminder from Norlyn Raisch (Nebraska) via email which is reprinted below. It refers to one of our first Thanksgivings in 1789 with a proclamation from George Washington and a timely opening comment from Norlyn:

When we pray for our nation this Thanksgiving Day, let our prayer be first that its people return to God; only then can our nation return to the government and freedoms that God blessed us with at it at its founding, wherein we recognized that all men have been endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.. It is only when we understand from whence our rights come that we can have the proper perspective on what are our political responsibilities as believers.

THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor – and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

GO. WASHINGTON.

[More on George Washington available via The Papers of George Washington]

Also published here via OK-SAFE >>>

My political graphic on the holiday is a composite of the flag and the cross here (2010)

Thanksgiving Celebrations are about Thanking God and Celebrating with Family!

My little ‘sermonette’ on the matter of the importance of the holiday is here (2009)

A Thanksgiving Prayer

And so once again I send blessings from my house to yours.

I thank God for both your friendship and for your labor

for Life and Liberty in our land.

Blessings,

Sandie

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Cross-posted with OKGrassroots

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed — Special Thanks to Donna Gustafson

Sandra Crosnoe — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:59:40 +0000

Over the years, I have pondered the little saying:

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

I have come to understand that some ‘friends’ disappear in the crisis. That may be because they were truly unaware, but it may mean that the real friends both know and respond when called for sure, but often even before the call goes out.

Donna Gustafson is the best friend anyone could ever have. We met in the Houston area years ago and became family friends through the years. We have celebrated family blessings and losses from birthdays to special holidays to ministry opportunities. She is gifted in so many ways and blesses so many people that it is a joy and a delight to watch and be a part of and now report to the world here on my little blog. But than many of you know this as well as I do and from your perspective. You know that she loves her family above all and serves them daily and sacrificially too. She is always there for friends and family and ‘critters’ of same! She is always juggling more things for more people than most are aware of. I am blessed to call Donna friend and so are my ‘kids’!

In our Bartlesville Community, Donna is involved with the SPCA. She rescues animals herself and has helped guide our Bartlesville SPCA to it’s role model status. If you want to help with the SPCA let her know and I’ll bet she can plug you into efforts ongoing. Ask Donna how you can help our furry friends today!

Washington County SPCA (Oklahoma)

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Cross Posted with OKGrassroots

A Virtual Bouquet and a Toast from afar — Happy Birthday Paula!

Sandra Crosnoe — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:47:04 +0000

In a world where cats rule, floral arrangements are a hazard all their own, because some are fun to eat and not good for kitty cats and some are just fun to play with and then of course some simply require investigation and ‘tumping’ over in the process. So I decided to create a special virtual birthday bouquet for the best sister in the whole world, mine!

First a little trip down memory lane, she was Paula Bear to our Dad who had little names for each of us. Special names, sweet and unique and always said with love and warmth and a little bit of a twinkle in the voice. She was always miss fashion plate and sometimes changed clothes three times in the morning before school. She was always perfectly put together from head to toe and that includes makeup and jewelry too! She is smart and organized and very creative. She is a speed reader extra-ordinaire. She reads so fast that people think she isn’t really reading just turning the pages (pre Kindle days) but when you quizzed her on content — no problemo. Now the thing that most people won’t know is that she has been known to read while standing on her head. I don’t remember now exactly how she pulled that off but it probably required some creative way to prop the book up while doing so. Growing up we both had Barbie Dolls and clothes, some specially made by Mom from material left over from clothes she made for us, but Paula had the Barbie Doll house and all the accessories too.

She went to Texas Tech, majored in Marketing and worked for IBM for many years. Along the way she met a dashing young military man named Timothy Caswell who became the love of her life and she his. They have one son, Byron and you can read a little more about him here. Paula has a gift of hospitality and can make you feel at home and special whenever you are with her. I will never forget arriving in England (while she and Tim were stationed there years ago) from an overnight flight and being completely exhausted. She drew mw a warm bath and brought me a glass of wine and put me to bed. Just what I needed turning a difficult pass into a memorable moment! She is a gifted event organizer/presenter and a bit of a gourmet cook (all heathy of course). Oh yes and a dancer too — ballet, tap, and toe — and of course ballroom and whatever is the dance of the day.

I cannot mention her birthday this year without remembering her special birthday gift to me earlier this year. She took me and our good friend Donna to Las Vegas for a weekend at the Bellagio Hotel with the dancing fountains, and Cirque du Soliell shows, Mystere’ and Viva Elvis, plus a helicopter ride over the city and spectacular dining at the Jasmine Restaurant and more. A whirl wind trip of a lifetime for sure! We all had a blast.

You can see the photos from the trip Bellagio — Birthday Bash 2011 via Picaboo.

So while I cannot match that trip, I can share the love and the memories and let others know of the delight she brings to every event she touches, trip she makes, and life that she touches. Here is a virtual bouquet and a toast from afar…

Happy Birthday to the best sister in the entire world –

This birthday card was custom made from pictures online here - special thanks for the great photos of chrysanthemums.

Wikipedia says: Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BC.^[2] The plant is renowned as one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese and East Asian art. The plant is particularly significant during the Double Ninth Festival. It is believed that the flower may have been brought to Japan in the 8th century CE, and the Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal. There is a “Festival of Happiness” in Japan that celebrates the flower.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULA!

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Praying for the Lord’s special blessings on you and all that you set your hands to accomplish.

May you see His smile as you walk in His path and bless many in the process.

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

NOTE: Chrysanthemum is the flower of the month for November.

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

One Great Thing about Having a Blog? Being able to Embarrass Your Nephew on His Birthday!

Sandra Crosnoe — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:01:57 +0000

Richard Byron Caswell (1985) in England

Was he cute or what?

Sorry folks hope you aren’t too disappointed, but only the family gets to see the naked baby pics!

He’s all grown up now and married to his sweetheart Tracy and building his first house. He’s a bit of a genius (yes it runs in the family) and has a great sense of humor (yes that does too) and gifted musically (this is where the resemblance drops off) and in sports (and completely disappears here). He’s really rather special, but don’t tell him I told you that. I don’t get to see him often enough. We share a love for computer gadgets and Far Side type Humor and even Dr. Who.

Caswell - Crosnoe Family Tree for our Little Lord Byron

Here’s a little about the family tree and yes Daniel Boone is in there somewhere, but even the family cannot agree exactly where. You see, Boone was my mom’s maiden name. Byron is a true blue Caswell. I have to remind him now and again about his Crosnoe heritage and Boone well that is way off the radar. But he does know how much his grandparents and aunt (ant) on that side of the tree love him. At least I hope he does and remind him now and again with something like this post!

Anyway, squirt, I do hope you have a special day and get everything you want that you don’t already have (a very short list to be sure!). But the best things in life don’t come in a box or even in the mail. So I am sending you a smile mixed with a lot of love and a prayer for His blessings to be upon you this day and always!

Happy Birthday Byron!

Far Side 1985 flashback with Gary Larson

___________________________________________________________________________________

Click this link to see a carousel of Far Side Favorites available via Amazon

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Bartlesville Friends: Simplify your Holiday — Let Liz do some Baking for you!

Sandra Crosnoe — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:49:42 +0000

Thanksgiving Menu 2011

Holiday Baking By Liz

Frittatas

Think quiche without a crust. Will serve 6-8. This is the Italian version of the French Quiche. This dish is eggy, cheesy, and great for the morning. $10 each

Tomato Basil Ham and Cheese Spinach and Mushroom

Pies

One size fits all. (If you are into 9” pies!) All pies are filled with handmade fillings on a buttery, flakey crust. $15 each

Maple Bourbon Pecan Secret Recipe Pumpkin Country Apple

Soup

All soups are available by the half-gallon (2 quarts) or gallon. These are oven roasted to magnify flavours. Makes a great lunch or buffet item.

Curry Pumpkin (not hot) Tomato Basil

½ Gal. $15 Gal: $25

Cranberry Sauce

Whole fresh cranberries with cooked orange juice, orange zest and the right amount of sweet. Ahhhh. . . . perfection for turkey!

One size fits all: $10

Please place all orders by Monday November 21st. Delivery and/or pick up date: Wednesday November 23rd.

Heart set upon something not on the menu?? Let Liz know and she may be able to accommodate.

Email: BUGSYHYDE@aol.com

Phone: (918) 337-8020

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

If you would like a flyer to share with friends in the area please download this file: First Ever Thanksgiving Menu

Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Cross-posted OKGrassroots