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.