Delights for the Tummy

It certainly wouldn't be a yummy Christmas arriving soon without all the wonderful cooks in the world! Tasty food expanding our waistlines! (smiling here!) But, truly, we all grew up with some kind of favorite dishes, maybe made in warm, cozy kitchens of our mothers and grandmothers. And then, as we had families of our own, many, many recipes were invented, experimented with (and maybe failed!), but we eventually started our own cookbooks with our favorite recipes.

Sharing Recipes

What a great past time! Some of us, though, may only pretend to be cooks and bakers. Or maybe, never attempt to get dirty in the flour and sugar at all, which is absolutely fine. (Time for a Hahaha! here). So let's start by sharing some really easy food starters. We might even try them out and then add them to our own pages of recipes--the better for our friends and families. Note: most of these recipes are made quick and simple, not necessarily from scratch, but just a lot of fun and yummy for our tummy. Adjust to your own liking.

Old-Time Tastes

Spiced Tea

2 c. orange, powdered drink mix (aka Tang)

1 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 c. instant tea

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 c. sugar

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and store in an airtight container. To serve, use 2 heaping teaspoons to one cup of hot water. If desired, garnish with a lemon or orange slice.

Waldorf Salad

2 c. peeled diced apples (6 medium)

1 TB sugar

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Dash salt

1 c. diced celery

1 c. halved red grapes (optional)

1/2 c. nuts

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. whipping cream

Sprinkle apple cubes with sugar, lemon juice and salt. Add celery, nuts, and grapes. Fold mayonnaise into whipping cream. Gently fold into apple mixture. Chill. Serves 6.

Cherry Delights

1 c. margarine

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. light corn syrup (Karo)

2 egg yolks (save whites for later)

2-1/2 c. flour

2 c. chopped nuts

24 Maraschino cherries (cut in half)

Oven 325 degrees

Mix margarine and sugar. Stir in syrup, egg yolks, and flour. Chill. Roll into 1-inch balls. Dip into slightly beaten egg whites, then in nuts. Place on greased cookie sheet. Place one cherry half into each center. Bake 20 minutes. Makes 4 dozen.

Stay connected to this blog for more Christmas celebration ideas!

Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food." Genesis 1:29

Souls on Fire!

Escaping the holiday "rat race"

One holiday down and we survived! Now what to do with all the leftovers! Solve that and we ski over to the best day of winter with ease. It's really not far off--Christmas is just 28 days away. No need for nail-biting though! Let's just enjoy a small break today before it all begins again. Yes, it's okay to rebel. Instead of punching our way through the post-Black-Friday and Cyber Monday madness at the mall, we can escape and do something invigorating.

Souls On Fire!

There are many, many ways to move about our world; to bring the positives back into our lives. But we'll need to limit it to just a few, and build on that as we run into the new year with all the joy we deserve. One thing is certain: life never stands still. No, not for anyone. If this has been a year of mishaps, misgivings, and missed opportunities, it's time to set our "souls on fire!"   

We can hear our hearts beating as the excitement returns. It will happen only as much as we are willing and able to encourage it. Resistance will render the "beat" unable to perform. It will extinguish the fire. And we will suffer a hardened heart, instead of a loving one. And who wants that!

Five Easy Ways to Get the Beat Going!

Think of the word Grace as an acronym. Grace is simply receiving the gifts of favor and kindness from a loving God who believes us to be deserving of all of His blessings.  

Grateful thoughts - every single day brings more than enough to be thankful for that could fill an ocean. Sunrises, lattes, children's laughter, our health and safety, friends, books, gardens, hugs, pets, music, God's creation, and most important, His promise of heaven for all eternity. (Psalm 105:1)

Refreshing efforts - along with that sunrise, if we get outdoors each day and breathe in and out, our health can't help but to improve in amazing ways. Then we will naturally want to eat healthy and move our bodies, too. Our energy level will soar! Our outlook will change in remarkable ways. (Psalm 147:8)

Abiding attitudes - regaining our happiness is a major feat for ourselves and those around us! We can choose to live in bitterness and an unforgiving environment, but we will never be peaceful. We can't have it both ways. Once mistakes are learned, our unhappy past has no purpose whatsoever. Today is all we are promised. Not tomorrow, not next week nor next year. Today is the present. Live in it! (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Calm temperaments - to regain a sense of who we are meant to be is to find out and practice ways to remain calm and composed. This is easier for some women than others. Only you know you. A common cause of staying upset all the time, full of anxiety, and living in depression is harboring and entertaining worries on a consistent basis. God never wants that for us! (Matthew 6:25-32)

Expressing love - "Let me count the ways!" Nothing will move us faster into God's will than spilling the very best of ourselves into the lives of others. Just a simple smile can do it. Laughter and a hug upon seeing a friend (without complaining about our lives) can fill both of us. Give love. Get love. (2 John 1:6)         

Last Thoughts

If we truly want a better life full of love, laughter, meaning and purpose, it's up to us. There is no one else walking on the face of this earth that will make it happen for us. No one else has the ability to do that. We alone have to decide what we want and how we will change for the better.

If we ever want to share our lives with someone else at some point, it's advisable to take out the “trash” first that buries us in sadness, worry, and bitterness before “cooking up a new recipe!”

“May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence [grace], put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 MSG.

Thanksgiving Day Poetry

Thanksgiving is obviously about family and friends celebrating what they are thankful for in their lives. We have a God in heaven who watches over us. Yes, even in our distress, He is always with us. So today, let’s just take our eyes off ourselves and thank the One who sends angels to guard us. Can you just hear the earth singing?

Psalm 96 from The Message

Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!

Sing to God--worship God!

Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,

Take the news of his glory to the lost,

News of his wonders to one and all!

For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.

His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;

Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.  

God made the heavens--Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees--everyone worship!

Get out the message--God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

Let’s hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.

Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir--

An extravaganza before God as he comes,

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

No Mess, No Fuss Thanksgiving Pies

Some of us have a "sweet tooth" from way back! With a mother and grandmother who were experts in the kitchen every waking moment, what would holidays be without a little homemade sweetness in our life, anyway? But if staying in the kitchen for hours and hours isn't what we call our best time ever, we have the perfect solution for all us non-cooks out there!

Go ahead and collect all the time-saving recipes out there (who says we always have to have pumpkin pies?) because eventually, someday, we may find ourselves with daughters and daughters-in-love to share something with from our own kitchens. It's a fun, food project to do together, especially this time of year.

Easy, No Mess, No Fuss Pies:

5-Minute Creamy Coconut Pie

1 TB sugar

1/2 c. milk

1- 3oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1-1/3 c. flaked coconut

1- 8oz container of pre-made whipped cream

1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional, but delicious)

9-inch graham cracker crust

Beat sugar and milk into cream cheese until smooth. Fold in coconut. Fold in whipped cream and extract. Spoon into crust. Freeze about 4 hours. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before cutting. Store leftovers in freezer.

No-Bake Cherry Cheese Pie

1- 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1- 14oz can Eagle brand, sweetened, condensed* milk

1/3 c. lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 can cherry pie filling

1- 8oz graham cracker crust

Beat cream cheese till light and fluffy. Add condensed milk and blend. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate a minimum of 3-4 hours. Top with chilled cherry pie filling before serving.

*Note: make sure it's not evaporated milk.

Quick Chocolate Pie

1- 4-1/2 oz pkg of chocolate instant pudding

1 c. milk

1- 8oz container of pre-made whipped cream

1/4 c. chopped nuts (optional)

8-inch pie shell

Prepare instant pudding as directed using only 1 cup of milk. Blend in 1 cup of whipped cream and the nuts. Spoon into cooled, baked pie shell. Garnish with rest of whipped cream and nuts, if desired. Chill at least one hour.

Now, go and enjoy all the tastes of the season!

“My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste” Proverbs 24:13 NLT.

Promises That Won’t Let You Down

 

Have you ever seen just half of the length of a rainbow arc? You know the kind: it is not very long, but is exceptionally wide with beautiful colors. Scientists tell us the human eye can see seven of these colors, although at times, we may only perceive five. Our eyes can play tricks on us!  

The rainbow reaches high into the sky to meet the clouds after a rain. But this particular, wide rainbow is swallowed up by them and we can not see the entire arc as it was made. It’s as if the Creator wants us to stop and concentrate just on the beginning of such magnificence! Isn’t He amazing?

Should we take a clue, then, and focus our lives on a colorful, new beginning and not worry about the end--our future? It might be much better if we do. We’ve been given so much in our favor to start over. Yes, it may not feel that way right now and it may be very difficult to imagine we will be better off once we get started in the right direction. But, it’s all about choices to live our fullest and best life. It is possible! If we pay attention and listen carefully, God will tell us His plan for our future.   

  

The Promise Maker

We certainly are not strangers to promises made in our lives. We’ve heard our friends, neighbors, family, and especially our former spouses make promises to us. Sometimes, these words are kept in the best way and with the best intentions. That’s a very good feeling.

There are, of course, the times when we haven’t been able to trust a person. They come up with all sorts of excuses time after time why they couldn’t come through for us. Sure, everyone has moments when life gets in the way, and that’s understandable. It’s the repetition that’s hard to take.

We can be absolutely assured of having all promises kept, when we know the faithful God who is the Maker of Promises. He is serious here:

Five Love Notes

• “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:7 NLT.
• “The Lord will work out his plans for my life--for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever . . . “ Psalm 138:8 NLT.
• “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” Matthew 5:8 NLT.
• “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. . .Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need” Luke 12:29a, 31 NLT.
• “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone” Psalm 91:11-12 NLT.

This is only a tiny sampling. There are about 7,000 promises in the Bible. There’s a challenge for us! But remember, there is no “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. Only His sufficient gift of grace at the beginning. And that’s more than enough for anyone.

“I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth” Genesis 9:13 NLT.

Planning Thanksgiving from a New Perspective

First, a bit of trivia fun!

Can you get any of these correct without hitting Google? (answers at the bottom of this post, but no sneaking a peek!)  

*When was the very first Thanksgiving feast?

*What was served at this first meal?

*What did the Pilgrims eat with?

*How many turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving today?

*What year was the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

New Perspective

Once a year just doesn't seem enough to officially say "Thanks!" for all we receive. Let's hope we do it more often than that! But what if we just can not get up enough energy to think of anything appropriate? Life has given us a hard blow and we are having a difficult time getting up.

Let’s face it--we will be facing a different kind of meal this year. Maybe at someone else's house. Maybe we will not be the chief cook and pastry maker this year as we wanted. We have to figure out a way to graciously share the kids with someone else. We have no one to attend dinner with us. We could go on and on if we allowed ourselves to wallow in our discontent. That is not good medicine for us, though. No one says we have to be the life of the party, but we have an obligation to take care of ourselves. If only for our own sanity.

Begin with a Conversation

Dear God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for surrounding me with your love so we can live together forever in eternity! Amen. --Excerpted from Wendy van Eyck, Crosswalk Contributor

Have fun with it!

Now let's start opening some love gifts made just for us. Begin today and all the way through Christmas, as we think of blessings, list them in our journals and the reason for our gratefulness. Make it joyful; color or draw in the margins.

Thank you, God, for. . .

• Never leaving me.
• An invitation to someone else's home.
• Allowing someone else to cook this year.
• Showing me how to be generous with the kids.
• My health and improved outlook.
• Providing all my needs in the moment.
• Support of friends and family.  
• Peace and joy that grows stronger every day.
• Protection from myself and others.
• The gift of abundance in all things.
• Unanswered prayer when You knew what was best for me.
• Tears that keep my heart from becoming hardened.
• Your forgiveness and mercy.
• Salvation, to spend eternity with You forever.

Your Peace of a Grateful Heart

There are so, so many more ways to give thanks. Find some very personal ones and thank God for being there to take care of it all. And remember, when we give our time, talent and touch to others, we are filled with the peace of a grateful heart. Even what appears negative or devastating in the moment are hidden blessings! All good things come from Him today and every day.  

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT.

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT.

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Answers to trivia:

1. Autumn of 1621

2. No turkey was served at the very first Thanksgiving feast. But deer, duck, geese, oyster, eel and fish were.

3. Spoons and knives used, but not forks as they were not invented yet!

4. 46 million turkeys are eaten every Thanksgiving. Female turkeys (hens) do not gobble. Only males do.

5. 1924 - first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

How to Create Your Best Life

Rarely do we purchase anything these days without it coming with numerous pages of instructions any six-year-old could follow, but not an adult! Everything from desk chairs, programmable coffee makers, and software programs to bicycles, entertainment centers, and children's swing sets can drive us crazy! Even cars come with a 94-page instruction manual that is quickly filed away in the glove box (when was the last time we ever used this for gloves?) It’s enough to drive us crazy!

However, during the coming season, we usually don't need instructions on how to be kind and good to our families and neighbors. In fact, it seems to be quite fashionable to lavish the best of ourselves onto those we care about. We give presents, cook and make special things for our families and friends, and willingly do things for others.

Happiness Doesn't Just Happen

Thanksgiving and Christmas are not always the best of seasons in some cases. We find out that being gracious to others takes extraordinary effort, especially if we have just gone through an unpleasant situation. We just don’t have the energy to deal with relationships! We may run into people we rarely see and would rather avoid, but can not. We find ourselves clenching our teeth.

Showing kindness takes every bit of mental strength we have while convincing ourselves (and our children, by the way) we are growing and moving on with our lives. Goodness, also, is a deliberate action meant for our own well-being, as well as for others. It doesn't just happen though. It requires resisting our un-Christianlike thoughts and attitudes and then having the persistence to do good. Our lives are not going to work if we hide away and just ignore others. We have to begin somewhere to create happiness in our lives. If not now, then when?

Good of You to Ask

Sure, we have questions penetrating our brains. Each of us has different issues, too. So, we'll start off here with a few subjects and then feel free to add your own. Then, the hard part is coming up with our own unique answers that fit our individual lives. But we can do it! Yes, we can!

• What one, small, positive step will make you happier right now?
• What hurtful feeling from your past would you be willing to work through to change?
• Who can you turn to for support and love?
• What beliefs do you now invite into your life?
• How can you cultivate (grow) them?
• How is your relationship with God expanding?

We need momentum to create our best lives. Keep searching for ways to put one foot in front of the other and never look back!

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. . . Galatians 5:22