Hummus...Yum!!!

Hey everyone!

So, I never knew that I was going to be a hummus fan. Hummus, you may ask, what is that? Well, according to the dictionary that is conveniently sitting on the table next to me, hummus is a puree of chickpeas and sesame oil, it is normally used as a dip or spread for a sandwich. So, if you are new to the world of hummus, you can now impress your friends by knowing what it is.

But let me tell you, it may not sound that great, but it is oh, so good. I have tried the plain or rather, original hummus. The roasted red pepper is quickly becoming my favorite and the garlic is pretty good too. I'm not a big fan of the spinach version, which surprises me (as I enjoy most spinach dips). I also am not all that thrilled about the artichoke variety. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pizza hummus. It tastes just like pepperoni pizza, but without all the fat and all the other bad for you stuff. There is only one problem with the pizza hummus...it's not sold in any of the stores around my house. So, if you find it, please let me know. I am also interested in knowing if anyone has ever tried to make hummus at home. Maybe it will go on the list of things to try to make myself...will keep you updated :)

Until next time...

Heavenly Strawberry Pie

Hey!

As I write this, I am finishing off the last piece of the best pie I have ever had! I have a friend whose family owns a strawberry farm and she shared this recipe with me. If you haven't tried any of my recipes, now is the day to try one and this is it...You will not regret it! Also, strawberries are in season right now and if you are able to pick your own at a local farm, you should try it. Strawberry picking is one of my favorite things to do during this time of year. (In case you haven't noticed, I have quite a few 'favorite things' during the spring.)

 A good pie always starts with a homemade graham cracker crust. Yummy, buttery goodness...you just can't go wrong with a good homemade crust.

 Especially when you add chocolate to bottom of the pie. Uh...can we say, heaven?!?

 The key to this light and delicious pie is real whipped cream. Make sure you take the time to 'whip it good'!

 More yummy goodness...cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla. How can you go wrong with that combo?

 Oooo...Ahhhh...Almost perfect...The only thing that could make this better is...

FRESH STRAWBERRIES!!! Oh, YES!!!

So, enjoy making this absolutely heavenly pie and happy strawberry pickin'. Until next time...

Heavenly Strawberry Pie

Crust:

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 Tablespoons sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 additonal Tablespoons of butter

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325. Mix the cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press the crumb mixture into a 9 inch round pie pan (there may be some mixture left over, this is perfect for a single serving if you have a small ramekin). Bake the pie crust for about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Melt remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter and chocolate chips in a small saucepan, stirring constantly. Once crust is cooled, spread melted chocolate on top of crust.

Filling:

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until slightly fluffy. Add brown sugar and vanilla to the cream cheese. Mix well. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Do not beat after adding the whipped cream. Pour filling over the pie crust and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

To serve, slice strawberries and pour over the top...The key is to remember that you can never have too many strawberries.

When I make this pie, I make the crust and filling the night before and then right before serving slice up the strawberries. You can also slice strawberries and place on the individual slices of the pie, that way if there are any leftovers (and I'm not making any promises that there would be any) you don't have strawberry juice all over the place. Enjoy!

Happy Resurrection Day!!! (I'm A Day Late, But Wanted To Share This Anyway.)

Dear family and friends,
I am so thankful that the Lord has risen. He has risen indeed!!! He conquered death and is victorious, just as He said He would be. Hallelujah!!!
Last night I attended the Easter production, AD 33. It was excellent and I enjoyed every minute of it! It told the story of mans sin from the very beginning of time all the way to the year AD 33, when God provided redemption for mans sins.
The part of the account when Jesus is being brutally beaten for you and me, the story stops and Satan steps onto the stage. Dark smoke is everywhere and it seems as if there is no hope. Evil seems to be prevailing. Satan turns to Jesus and laughs, he says "So, are any of these people worth this pain and agony?" Jesus says not one word, but simply stands there and continues to get beaten. He has a look on His face that says, "yes, even if it was for just one, that one is worth every moment of agony and worth every bit of pain that I am facing". God's love for me and you was so evident in that moment. He knows that you and I are worth everything to Him. He would do anything for you and me. He would endure the worst that man can do for just you and just me.
This revelation hit me fresh and new this resurrection day. It has left me awed, humbled, and feeling utterly loved and cared for. Is that what resurrection day does for your heart? I hope and pray that you are feeling the Lord's extravagant love for just you. You were worth every moment of agony and every bit of pain He endured. You are so precious to God that He gave His only Son just for you!

Scars

Happy Resurrection Weekend!
This week has been about God's awesome love for us through the greatest sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. But I realized this morning that it is also about His scars. Jesus was raised from the dead, but He still carries the scars of His sacrifice.
Today instead of taking the time to read my post, I would love it if you would check out this devotion from Free Chapel. I think it will really speak to your heart during this resurrection weekend. Blessings until we meet again...

http://www.freechapel.org/daily_devotion/scars/

Wondrous Love

Happy Today!
Last night I was praising the Lord and thinking about His great love for me. At one point during my worship I was even dancing and singing. I love to worship the Lord in so many different ways and through different music. I enjoy Jadon Lavik because he has remade some of the classic hymns into revised and hip versions. Take a listen to the beautiful song about the wonderous love of my King...I think you will enjoy it as much as I do...you may even jump out of your seat and dance before the Lord like King David did. Until next time...

Easter Through The Eyes Of A Child

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be

called children of God! And that is what we are!" -1 John 3:1

Hey friends,
This past Sunday, I went to a small church and watched an Easter pageant presented by the children in that church. It was an experience of laughs at mishaps and wardrobe malfunctions, as well as a few tears at the childlike faith that was displayed. The children sang resurrection songs, they acted out the Easter story and someone even trusted one little boy with nails as he explained the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Tears came to my eyes as the children sang a beautiful song of love to God. To be honest, I don't remember the name of the song, but I do remember the love on each childs face.
During this week, I have taken the time to simply soak in my Father's love. His love is part of the celebration of Easter. God gave His Son as a love offering to you and me. I was reminded while watching those precious children that God simply wants us to come to Him in love and accept His gifts for us. So, during this week take time to simply accept God's love sacrifice then turn around and love on Him in return. Until next time...

Easter = Coconut Cake

Dear family and friends,

Easter means coconut cake, right? Well, coconut cake just happens to be my mom's favorite cake and she just so happened to have a birthday recently. So...I made a new coconut cake recipe. It was given to me by a dear lady that I have worked with in the past and I just got the chance to try it out.

As you can see, it is really good, because this is the only picture I got of the cake...It was eaten as soon as the candles were blown out. Below is the recipe...Enjoy!

Susan's Coconut Cake

Duncan Hines cake mix (+ called for ingredients-buttermilk instead of water)
Large package frozen flaked coconut
Flake cocnut (for outside of cake)
3/4 cup granulated cugar
1 3/4 cup milk

Prepare cake according to package directions, substituting buttermilk for the water. Bake in three 8-9 inch pans. Cool in pans 10-15 minutes and split each cake in half (I skipped this part and three layers worked just fine), making 6 layers.
Bring frozen coconut, sugar, and milk to a boil. Then simmer mixture during the whole time that the cake is baking.
Put one layer on the plate and pour part of the coconut mixture on cake. Continue stacking/adding coconut mixture until final layer is on the top. Do not put any coconut mixture on the outside of the cake.
Make the following seven minute icing and frost cake. Cover icing with the fresh coconut.

Seven Minute Icing

3 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put everything except vanilla in a medium size double boiler and place over boiling water. Use a hand mixer and beat constantly for 7 minutes. Then take off heat and add vanilla. Beat icing until fluffy. Frost the cake and cover with flaked coconut.

Fullness!!!

Dear friends,
I am no theology major and I don't claim to know all there is to know about anything, much less the Bible. But I am learning! That is the fun part of my relationship with the Lord, He is always showing me something new and exciting about Himself and His word.
During this Holy Week, I have been reading about my beloved, Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for you and me. This morning I was reading John 10:10 again. This is not a scripture that is new to me, but God showed me something really cool that I wanted to share with you.

John 10:10-"The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance- to the full, till it overflows." (Amplified Version) 

Jesus didn't come JUST to die in order to give you and me salvation. Nope, He came so that we would be able to live a life of fullness. What does that look like? That is what I have been pondering and I think the Lord is showing me what some of that may look like. To live in fullness of Him, is to live beyond ourselves. It is to live from the inside out. Am I making sense? Maybe I'm not, but what I am getting at is this: God wants to continue to live in and through us. He didn't just make the sacrifice to leave us there...He wants us to live fully.
For me fullness in Him is so much more than I ever imagined. It is healing. It is answered prayers. It is walking in obedience. It is having the very character of God. It is having the fruit that only comes through the Spirit. It is being slammed with revelations of who God is. It is living in community with other strong believers. It is indescribable. It is not logical and can't be grasped. And it is not attainable in our means...It is something that God willingly gave us.
All it takes is our willingness in asking for God to not just bring salvation, but fullness to our lives. I am willing to ask for fullness. How about you?

Aftermath

Hey guys,
God gave His Son in a beautiful display of grace for you and me. I will spend this week celebrating God's goodness in grace. Celebrate with me and take a listen to this song by Hillsong...I think you will enjoy it!

Palm Sunday Miracles

Hey and Happy Palm Sunday!
I'll keep it short and sweet today. Today is a day for miracles! Do you believe it? I believe it!
This morning, I listened to Jentezen Franklin share a sermon about the 4 Impossibilities of God. Get this:
1. God cannot lie!
So what he promises, He will do!
2. God cannot change!
He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Today and tomorrow He saves, heals, blesses, and brings miracles just like He has in past.
3. God cannot fail!
Unlike humans, God doesn't have a quit option...He never fails!
4. God cannot do nothing!
That means He will do something in your life. It may not look like what you thought, but He will never stand by and do nothing on your behalf!
During this season of the greatest miracle, Jesus' death and resurrection as payment for mine and your sins, I will stand and declare that God will do miracles! He will do miracles for you and I! Why you may ask?!? Because it is impossible for God to do nothing. Think about it! Just ask Him (and if I can help pray with you, just let me know)!

The Highest Compliment

Happy Today to you!
I recently attended a family wedding. You know what that means...seeing people that you have not seen for quite some time. Before I continue, I need to say that I enjoyed the wedding very much and also enjoyed seeing family.
As self confident as I like to think I am, there are still insecurities that rear their ugly heads when I am getting ready to see someone that I haven't seen in a while. Because of these insecurities, I am so blessed when someone gives me a compliment. Don't you love it when people compliment you? It just gives you a warm fuzzy that nothing can take away, right?
While at the wedding and reception there were compliments about my hair, eyes, dress and even my smile. I loved receiving them all! (What girl wouldn't?) However, the highest compliment came when I got in the car with my family.
On the way home in the car my mom was telling me about two sweet women who came up to her during the reception. These two women knew me when I was just a babe in arms. They were precious women that took care of infants in a church nursery and I was one of those infants. They had beautiful things to say about my family and myself, but what blessed my heart the most was this: Both women said that the joy of Lord shown through me. WOW!!!
As my mom shared this with me, I began to get a bit choked up...I was humbled...I was blessed...I was challenged! First, it humbled me to realize that God can use even me, in all my insecurities, to display His light. Then, I was blessed that someone took the time to speak life over me with such a high compliment. Finally, I was truly challenged because of the times that I know that I haven't been His light to a dark world.
So, I'll leave you with this thought that is my constant thought and goal now...What is the highest compliment that someone can say about you today? Will you be a light today that all the world can clearly see?

Yummy Goodness...With Carrots???

Hey,

I know that carrots are good for you and normally I love carrots, but carrots in baked goods...umm...I really wasn't sure that was a great idea. That was until, I tried this recipe for Carrot Cake for my dad's birthday this month. I'll take you through the baking process and then share the recipe at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!

 The first step was grating the carrots. This is not a job for the faint hearted. Ladies and gentlemen, it takes some serious muscles to grate 5 carrots...you know what I mean? I may be showing my weaknesses, but I had to walk away twice to let my muscles relax. It was hard work!

 Shhh...the secret ingredient for this cake is Orange juice. You can't really taste the orange juice, it just helps to balance all the flavors. Orange juice is a must for the cream cheese icing also.

 No pinches of cinnamon here, this recipe calls for some serious spice with two teaspoons of cinnamon.

 The batter all mixed together before being put into the waiting pans for baking.

 Oops! Almost forgot the walnuts. Chopped walnuts add yummy goodness to almost anything. I love this recipe because you can add nuts and raisins or leave them out according to your tastes.

 One final mix before putting the batter in the pans...I guess you can tell that I didn't add raisins (NOT a big fan of raisins, but don't tell my grandmother that...she still thinks I ate those raisins that she always put on the celery and peanut butter :)

 Cooling cakes...while I waited I made the cream cheese icing with a hint of orange juice added in. YUM!!!

Does that make you want to dig in or what? I can't wait until we sing happy birthday and get to cut into it. I hope you get brave enough to try it too...It will be worth the bravery, I promise!

Carrot Cake with Fresh Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package plain yellow cake mix

1 small package vanilla instant pudding mix

2/3 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 cups grated carrots (about 5 medium carrots)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

-Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans.

-Place the cake mix, pudding mix, orange juice, oil, eggs and cinnamon in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Blend for about 2 minutes. The batter should look thick and well blended.

-Gently fold in the carrots, raisins, and walnuts. Divide the batter between the two pans.

-Bake the cakes for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let the cakes cool.

-Meanwhile, prepare the Fresh Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.

Fresh Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1-8oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1 stick of butter, at room temperature

3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

-Place the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer until well combined.

-Add the confectioners' sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after eac addition.

-Add the orange juice and beat until the frosting is fluffy, about 1 minute.

-If you want, gentle fold in the walnuts.

-Frost the cake and enjoy!

Another Lesson from the Deer

WOW!!! That is about all I can say after what happened this afternoon.
I was sitting on the porch enjoying an afternoon chat with my mom and sister. The sun was out and we were enjoying a quiet reprieve from the daily things that keep us so busy. The birds were singing and there was a slight breeze. It couldn't get much better...At least that's what I thought.
My mom became very quiet and turned to me, as if to say, listen. I heard it! As we were listening, we could hear rustling in the woods in front of the house. Then...we saw it...a beautiful doe. She was looking for an afternoon snack. She poked her nose around for some time and my mom, sister and I continued our conversation in low tones.
My mom became quiet yet again and I looked where the doe had been. There were three more deer. One looked to be a teenage fawn, another doe and possibly a button buck. They jumped the fence, separating the woods from the driveway, and then they headed toward the house for a nibble or two on the rose bush.
We watched these beautiful animals for about 45 minutes. They were peaceful and enjoyed their meal. However, if you watched carefully, you would see that their ears were always alert to hear anything that sounded like danger. At different points during the time that we were watching, the original doe and the button buck would lift their heads and flick their ears.
After observing them for a time, I went inside to grab my camera and take a few pictures of them. (I mean they were so close, and I knew that I would be able to get some great pictures.) When I went back outside, I crept down the walkway to get a better picture. As I did, all the deer froze, flicked their ears and leaped into the woods. Either I or the noise from the road frightened them and they flipped their white tails in the air and avoided what they thought was danger.
After my mom and sister left, I stayed on the porch and pondered (you know how I love to ponder) what I had just seen. I was amazed that God gave the deer the ability to be at peace but also alert to danger. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks...He gave me the same ability. I can be at peace and rest in Him, but also be alert to the plans and schemes of the enemy. Actually, Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest." If I am resting in God's peace, He will fight for me.
All I can say is: WOW!!!

A Scone...A What?

Friends,

Let me invite you into the kitchen for another adventure in baking. In case you are not familar with a scone, a scone is a harder, drier biscuit like baked good. For a quick history lesson...you might be interested to know that scones were probably created in Scotland. When they were first made though, the ingredients were slightly different than the ones pictures below. Scones were originally an unleaven bread made with oats and put on the griddle (much like our stoves today).

As you can see, today we don't use oats...we use flour and leavening. The scones I made included dried cranberries. You can add lots of things to scones...Almonds, anyone? Blueberries? How about some chocolate chips? (Is your mouth watering yet?)

One of my favorite parts of baking scones is cutting the butter into the flour mixture. Normally you use a pastry cutter, but I didn't have one those today. So, a potato masher was my substitute...It worked out well :)

They look slightly like pizza slices, don't they? Scones come in all shapes and sizes.

They are beautiful and oh, so good out of the oven. I love that they aren't too sweet, so I don't feel guilty eating more than one...maybe three...or four :)
Here is a great starter recipe...add your favorite star ingredient and enjoy!

Buttermilk Scones
-Combine:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
-Cut 6 Tablespoons of chilled butter into the flour mixture.
-In a separate bowl combine:
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
-Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Stir well (I use a big wooden spoon to mix).
-Add any additional yummy things that you would like: chocolate chips, almonds, cranberries, blueberries, etc. (add about 2/3 cup or however much looks good to you).
-Flour your hands. Pat dough into a 1" circle. Cut into 8 wedges and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet.
-Bake at 325 for about 20 mintues or until the top is slightly browned. Cool on rack.
Makes 8 big scones.

The Quit Option # 5

Hey friends,
I believe that this will be the last of The Quit Option blogs, unless God wants to keep it going. I know that there are things that are always trying to discourage us. There are prayers that don't seem to be answered. There are relationships that don't ever seem to be mended. There are problems that don't ever seem to be resolved. There are people you care about that don't seem to be changed. There are purposes that still seem to be hidden from our sight. There are things that will always be there to wound us. Here is the thing though, God wants us to live in victory, not defeat. Did you get it? This is so important!
For many years, I have missed this simple fact. I have lived in defeat. I have taken the quit option more times than I would like to admit. It is not a fun place to be at all. Slowly, God is awakening me to victory. His victory. The victory that can ONLY come through Him. He sends the Holy Spirit to help us gain that victory. In all honesty, there isn't much that I can do to get this victory. It is something that can only be given by the Lord. My part was to simply be willing to be awakened to His victory. Once I let go, God was able to bring victory. May He forever be glorified through me!
I share this tidbit of my life with you because God is showing me what mighty things He can do when we allow Him to give us victory. I wish and pray this for everyone I know. I want this awakening to happen in your life, so that the Lord my be glorified.
In the Quit Option blogs, I have shared the life stories of several people throughout history. The have done great things. However, here is the thing that I want you to take away today: We are not limited by what the Lord HAS done. He wants to do GREATER things through you and me...in this generation...on this day...in this hour. Will you partner with me in saying that you are His girl or guy? Just imagine what we can all do together when we allow God to make us fully awake. AWAKEN!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Zq_oQTuq8&hd=1

Is It An Elephant? Or a Purple People Eater? I'll Leave It To Your Imagination.

Hello to you,

One of my favorite past times during the spring is cloud watching...well, that might not be completely true. Rather, I really like trying to figure out what a cloud looks like. Is it a horse? Or maybe it is the face of some famous person...the possibilities are endless.

The only problem is that you need clouds in order to cloud watch...

While soaking up some sun and spending some time with my beloved Jesus, I was thrilled when this big cloud rolled in. What does it look like to you?

These are actually my favorite type of cloud. I believe these are altocumulus clouds. (Who knew that weather and climate class would be used in real life?) 

Now for a bit more information from my weather and climate class: Clouds are really just water vapors or ice crystals. So, while pondering the shapes of the clouds, I was reminded of a verse in James:

"How do you know what will happen tomorrow?

For your life is like a vapor-

it's here a little while, then it's gone." 4:14

Not to be all doom and gloom, but I needed to be reminded that this life is short. I asked myself if I was doing everything that I can to bring glory to my heavenly Father on this day, because I am not promised tomorrow. So, enjoy the clouds...enjoy today and live it to the glory of God!

Maybe that cloud is really a sailboat...who knows?!?