Lord, today I'm grateful that You are faithful and loving, despite our circumstances making us believe otherwise. It's all for the greater good.
Please pray for my sweet friends Cory and Shara...they are in an adoption process, and the baby is coming today! There's still a 10 day waiting period, so Lord, please, we want Your will in this precious families' life. God bless you, Cory and Shara!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Catching Up!
Thanksgiving in June went extremely well. I ended up not doing a whole turkey breast...I made a small (8x8 square) baking dish of dressing, then laid some turkey cutlets on top, doused the whole thing with chicken broth, and put it in the oven. It was really good. Lynn and I both liked it a lot.
My Sunday school class is still faithfully journaling at least twice a month...one Sunday I wasn't there on the day they were supposed to journal, so they coerced me into letting them journal the next week. Actually, I had it planned for them to journal, they just didn't know that! They are doing such a good job with their journals. One young lady even types her journaling at home and brings it with her to embellish in class. She really puts a lot of thought into it. And, surprisingly, they all "get" it. They understand the concept of gratitude, and have taken that and ran with it. I'm very proud of them!
Turkey Day will be here soon, right in the midst of Christmas in July. I've gotten so much done, all of which is chronicled on my Rudolph Day planning blog, Pumpkins and Reindeer. Check it out!!
I don't know yet what I want to do this Turkey Day. I've pretty well got my menu and grocery list done, as part of my CiJ prep and planning, so I won't need to do that. I would like to work on those plates I discussed earlier...if I can find the time (and, more importantly, remember to get the stuff). I'll be back to let you know what I've decided and how I've progressed...and maybe even share a picture!
Cathy
My Sunday school class is still faithfully journaling at least twice a month...one Sunday I wasn't there on the day they were supposed to journal, so they coerced me into letting them journal the next week. Actually, I had it planned for them to journal, they just didn't know that! They are doing such a good job with their journals. One young lady even types her journaling at home and brings it with her to embellish in class. She really puts a lot of thought into it. And, surprisingly, they all "get" it. They understand the concept of gratitude, and have taken that and ran with it. I'm very proud of them!
Turkey Day will be here soon, right in the midst of Christmas in July. I've gotten so much done, all of which is chronicled on my Rudolph Day planning blog, Pumpkins and Reindeer. Check it out!!
I don't know yet what I want to do this Turkey Day. I've pretty well got my menu and grocery list done, as part of my CiJ prep and planning, so I won't need to do that. I would like to work on those plates I discussed earlier...if I can find the time (and, more importantly, remember to get the stuff). I'll be back to let you know what I've decided and how I've progressed...and maybe even share a picture!
Cathy
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Thank you, Ms. Deen!
Although my Granny used to make Gooey Butter Cake, Paula Deen is the one that introduced me to the variations of this rich, flavorful, fat-filled delight! I love the pumpkin version, and I've made it that past two Thanksgivings...and it's been a big hit, both times. I can't wait for Thanksgiving in June so that I can make it again! Check out the Haunted Hamlet for my favorite Halloween version!! This is from Paula's book, Lady and the Son's Just Desserts
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
Cake
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Filling
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.
Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well.
Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't bake it past that point!
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful little cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way-even for piggies like me!
Pumpkin Gooey: This variation has to be at the top of my list, especially around Thanksgiving. For the cake part, I sometimes use a spice cake mix. I have even used a chocolate cake mix, but I think my favorite is the basic yellow cake mix. Follow the original recipe, adding a 15-ounce can of pumpkin pie filling and an extra egg to the cream cheese filling. Bake as usual, remove from oven, and allow to cool. Cut into squares and top each square with a pecan half. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. I promise you'll never want pumpkin pie again!
Those are Paula's comments, but she's right...you won't!!
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
Cake
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Filling
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.
Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well.
Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't bake it past that point!
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful little cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way-even for piggies like me!
Pumpkin Gooey: This variation has to be at the top of my list, especially around Thanksgiving. For the cake part, I sometimes use a spice cake mix. I have even used a chocolate cake mix, but I think my favorite is the basic yellow cake mix. Follow the original recipe, adding a 15-ounce can of pumpkin pie filling and an extra egg to the cream cheese filling. Bake as usual, remove from oven, and allow to cool. Cut into squares and top each square with a pecan half. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. I promise you'll never want pumpkin pie again!
Those are Paula's comments, but she's right...you won't!!
Thanksgiving in June!
Happyalice over at Magical Holiday Homementioned that her clever hubby asked her if, since we are all celebrating Christmas in July over there, if that means we'd have Thanksgiving in June! Although he might have been joking (or maybe not!) I've decided that is a FABULOUS idea!! So, we'll be having Thanksgiving in June! It'll be the 4th Thursday in June, which is June 26, Turkey Day!! So we'll do just that...we'll have a turkey breast (cooked in the the crockpot with a package of French Onion Soup mix poured over it, it is so good!), dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, rolls and pumpkin gooey cake. I am already excited about it! Thanks for the idea, Mr. Happyalice! Even though I try to do something similar on Turkey Day, this is the first time that I'm calling it "Thanksgiving in June"! Don't you just LOVE IT??
Thankfully,
Cathy
Thankfully,
Cathy
Monday, June 2, 2008
Autumn in the Country
Here's some tips from Gooseberry Patch's Autumn in the Country cookbook. If you are not familiar with these books, I highly recommend them. They are fabulous for their recipes (mostly country type food, but quick and easy usually!), but they have great tips on the bottom of each page as well.
Here's a few that I've either done or plan to do this year:
*Top decorative urns with plump pumpkins for a quick and easy doorstep welcome. Orange pumpkins are oh, so cheerful, or try white Lumina pumpkins for a ghostly appearance!
*Enjoy a weekend retreat, at home or away! Spend the day in your jammies...savor a leisurely brunch, work puzzles, re-read a favorite book or browse holiday catalogs. What could be cozier?
*Put away summer toss pillows for the season...set out warm & cozy cushions of flannel or fleece
*Go out and greet the sunrise! Wrap warm breakfast breads in a vintage tea towel before tucking into a basket...add a thermos of hot coffee or tea
*Stir caramel topping into a mug of hot cider for an instant warmer-upper
*Carve an extra Jack O'Lantern or two and deliver to elderly neighbors so they can enjoy some Halloween fun...what a neighborly gesture!
*Set mini pumpkins on top of terra cotta pots...line them up the front porch steps for a cheery welcome!
*An oh-so-simple harvest decoration...roll out a wheelbarrow and heap it full of large, colorful squash and pumpkins
*Tuck some aluminum foil wrapped apples or sweet potatoes into campfire coals for a treat. When they're tender, sprinkle with brown sugar or honey...eat right from the foil packet.
And, finally a quote that I just love:
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within. Horace Friess
Carry happiness within!
Cathy
Here's a few that I've either done or plan to do this year:
*Top decorative urns with plump pumpkins for a quick and easy doorstep welcome. Orange pumpkins are oh, so cheerful, or try white Lumina pumpkins for a ghostly appearance!
*Enjoy a weekend retreat, at home or away! Spend the day in your jammies...savor a leisurely brunch, work puzzles, re-read a favorite book or browse holiday catalogs. What could be cozier?
*Put away summer toss pillows for the season...set out warm & cozy cushions of flannel or fleece
*Go out and greet the sunrise! Wrap warm breakfast breads in a vintage tea towel before tucking into a basket...add a thermos of hot coffee or tea
*Stir caramel topping into a mug of hot cider for an instant warmer-upper
*Carve an extra Jack O'Lantern or two and deliver to elderly neighbors so they can enjoy some Halloween fun...what a neighborly gesture!
*Set mini pumpkins on top of terra cotta pots...line them up the front porch steps for a cheery welcome!
*An oh-so-simple harvest decoration...roll out a wheelbarrow and heap it full of large, colorful squash and pumpkins
*Tuck some aluminum foil wrapped apples or sweet potatoes into campfire coals for a treat. When they're tender, sprinkle with brown sugar or honey...eat right from the foil packet.
And, finally a quote that I just love:
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within. Horace Friess
Carry happiness within!
Cathy
Monday, May 26, 2008
Turkey Day, wasted!
I didn't get a thing done this past Turkey Day that I'd planned to...life once again got in the way! Oh, well...plenty of time!
I'm still looking for solid autumn colored plates, cups, saucers and bowls...I can just see a fall table set with a dark green or gold tablecloth with green, gold, red, purple and dark blue plates, each one uniquely decorated to reflect the glories of autumn...falling leaves, pumpkins, cornucopias, etc. What fun!!
I have a gorgeous amber colored hurricane globe, etched with sheaves of wheat, that I use on my fall table. I bought it last year at Kirkland's for half price-I only paid about $5 for it, but it's a stunner when filled with fresh cranberries and a pillar candle! Can't wait to use it!!
We journaled again this past Sunday in class, with Memorial Day as our theme. It was fun! They are such creative little girls!
I'll be back with some plans for June!
Later!
Cathy
I'm still looking for solid autumn colored plates, cups, saucers and bowls...I can just see a fall table set with a dark green or gold tablecloth with green, gold, red, purple and dark blue plates, each one uniquely decorated to reflect the glories of autumn...falling leaves, pumpkins, cornucopias, etc. What fun!!
I have a gorgeous amber colored hurricane globe, etched with sheaves of wheat, that I use on my fall table. I bought it last year at Kirkland's for half price-I only paid about $5 for it, but it's a stunner when filled with fresh cranberries and a pillar candle! Can't wait to use it!!
We journaled again this past Sunday in class, with Memorial Day as our theme. It was fun! They are such creative little girls!
I'll be back with some plans for June!
Later!
Cathy
Monday, May 12, 2008
Turkey Day project and challenge!
The gratitude journals are going well. We made the covers last week and made our first journal entries this week for Mother's Day. They are doing great jobs.
I have decided on my Turkey Day project. I am going to hand stamp plates for serving Thanksgiving dinner. I'll be searching out solid autumn colored plates at dollar stores and flea markets, then using glass paint and rubber stamps to embellish them, then sealing them to make them usable for food. I have a book that gives detailed directions. If anyone is interested, just leave me a message and I'll post the instructions. Also, when I get one finished, I'll post a picture. I am pretty sure that Fred's has the solid colored plates for a dollar or so each...I am so excited about this! I'm thinking that I might do napkins to match, since I found out that Sam's carries fabric napkins cheap!!
Now for a little challenge:
Decide on a project for Thanksgiving-a crafty project, a food project, a centerpiece, whatever...and get it done or at least started! Only 6 months to go!!
For a small amount of inspiration, here's the wreath I have on my back kitchen door...I use it all year round, but in the fall I add the pumpkins and leaves!
Who's up for it?
I have decided on my Turkey Day project. I am going to hand stamp plates for serving Thanksgiving dinner. I'll be searching out solid autumn colored plates at dollar stores and flea markets, then using glass paint and rubber stamps to embellish them, then sealing them to make them usable for food. I have a book that gives detailed directions. If anyone is interested, just leave me a message and I'll post the instructions. Also, when I get one finished, I'll post a picture. I am pretty sure that Fred's has the solid colored plates for a dollar or so each...I am so excited about this! I'm thinking that I might do napkins to match, since I found out that Sam's carries fabric napkins cheap!!
Now for a little challenge:
Decide on a project for Thanksgiving-a crafty project, a food project, a centerpiece, whatever...and get it done or at least started! Only 6 months to go!!
For a small amount of inspiration, here's the wreath I have on my back kitchen door...I use it all year round, but in the fall I add the pumpkins and leaves!
Who's up for it?
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