How to make raw brownies? How about crepes? (Recipes included)

Sunday, August 10, 2025

We talk about practical faith at the IES Bandung Gathering. That includes honoring other people, respecting those in authority, and obeying the government. (See 1 Peter 2:11-17 below.) People share lively takeaways afterward. Titik is back and has outdone herself on the hall flowers.

Close up, the detail of the leaves, roses, and mums are lovely.

We eat at #HomeGround, with spicy Szechwan beef and rice for me and chicken for W. I walk back, noticing electrical boxes dangling from the trees along the street. (That can't be good!)

The hoya vine on the Porch is flowering again, scenting the entry. The little (6"/15cm) pot half-filled with soil seems unlikely to support the lush growth but it blooms off and on all year.

W and I stay on the Porch for a few hours, reading and wrapping up post-Gathering Sunday chores.

Monday

We walk all 3 dogs on a leash, with Anton occasionally jumping over Juno's back toward cats. W drapes the leash behind his legs so Anton is pulled back if he tugs - his choice.

The beautifully woven standard from the weekend's wedding has been pulled down. Now it's just strips of grass that will be burned with whatever else is lying along the street.

We take some calls and work while the morning is young. W and our grandkids enjoy the gaming aspects (and competitive nature) of the Duolingo language app. I just want the information. W has a streak of +1300 unbroken days while I'm at 1100. We have completely different experiences. He uses his computer and is learning quickly. Because he likes music and background noise, he constantly plays Indonesian jazz radio. He hears more language. Meanwhile, I crave silence to refresh my sanity.

The pine cones from last week's hike are starting to dry and open.

I write next Sunday's talk, toss the ball for Anton, and start writing the introduction to my book. After 2 hours, my focus is kaput. Meanwhile, W leads a hybrid study = online and in person.

On some trip, I bought an Indian cuisine packet (spinach paneer). I mix it with azuki beans. Along with okra and mushrooms, it's a healthy lunch.

Tuesday

Juno comes to be petted after her morning wriggle in the garden. What a mess - though the mud flakes off and she'll be dry within an hour.

During a few meetings online, I throw the ball for Anton to run off some of his energy. It works. When we walk the neighborhood, Anton ignores 5 cats without jumping at them. Wow. That's never happened so is worth noting in my journal. ha.

Look at this pretty clump that is fruiting along the neighbor's driveway.

Fruit and flowers are constantly in season.

I taste the Raw "Brownies" I made last night: no eggs, gluten, or dairy. Pretty good! Here's how to make it for yourself:

• Soak in hot water for 15 minutes: 1 1/2 c raw or roasted walnuts and 1 1/2 c dates. (Can adjust the size with 1 part walnuts; 1 part dates = as long as you have at least 1 c. of each.)
• Drain off the water. Add 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, 1-2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt.
• Blend in a blender until fairly smooth.
• Press into a lined pan or roll into balls. (I lined a 5"X7" teflon saucepan and pressed the mixture flat into it.)
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

110 people have signed up for movie night tomorrow. Only 70 can fit comfortably in the house and Porch. I shop for salads and prepare sauces for movie night (tomorrow). PakG drives me "straight down the hill" to the supermarket and back.

Team meeting is online today. After that, we check on the project. It's coming along ... the roofline is almost done. I get an idea of the trajectory of the sun for transplanting our garden in a few months. Much of the ground is in deep shade under tall pines.

Back home, I think about lighting and imagine the hallway: 4 sockets in a row. What do we already have ... besides the white IKEA paper globes that cover every naked bulb in our place?

Hmmm? Didn't we get bulb covers on a trip years ago to a handmade paper factory in Chang Mai? Yes - there are 4 small ones for the hall plus a larger cover for another room. Good enough!

For supper, I feel like eating crepes. It takes a few minutes to whip them up and a few more for W and me to enjoy them with orange marmalade and whipping cream. Want the recipe? I usually heat 2-3 little saucepans (6-8") at once, so it's a quick process.

SIMPLE CREPES

Mix together: 

• 1 c flour
• 1 tsp each baking powder, vanilla (optional), and sugar (optional)*
• pinch of salt

Beat together:

• 1 T melted butter
• 1.5 c milk
• 1-2 eggs

Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until the batter is minimally lumpy. (HINT: A pourable measuring cup will make it easy to add batter to the pan.)

Swirl oil/butter around a hot pan, dumping excess fat from the pan into a glass measuring cup. (Reuse that hot butter/oil between crepes to re-grease the pan.)

Pour 2-3 T batter into one end of the oiled hot pan. Tilt the pan to cover the bottom with a very thin layer of batter.

Cook for up to 2 minutes. When the batter is dry on top, the crepe can be tipped out of the pan onto a serving plate. No need to bake it on both sides.

*If you skip the sugar and vanilla, it's ideal for savory fillings.

W and I have read the Sunday talk so I confirm events on the weekly calendar: women's study (hopefully), movie night, a hike, a family-style supper and travel night, and a potluck on the weekend. Sounds like a lot of cooking, eating, and people, doesn't it?

Read more:
*Put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your hearts to the Lord. Joshua 24:23

*Paul said, “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:20-21

*Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority; whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to the governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong adn to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:11-17

Moravian Prayer: God, when we stray, guide us back to your loving embrace. Grant us the courage to repent, the strength to seek forgiveness, and the humility to return to your divine presence. This we pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.