Family Inspiration - 19 DEC

The Lord doesn't always remove the sources of stress in our lives ... but He's always there and cares for us.  We can feel His arms around us on the darkest nights.

He takes care of his people like a shepherd.  He gathers them like lambs in his arms and carries them close to him. 
Isaiah 40:11

Molasses Cookies

These cookies were surprisingly yummy.  I'm not a big molasses fan, and I made these for my Dad ....(Sssshhh don't tell him, I mailed them to him for Christmas) but I had to try them before I sent them.  And I couldn't believe how good they were.  So even if you aren't a big fan of molasses you may want to give them a try.  They remind me of a spicy sugar cookie.
(This recipe is adapted from a recipe from Joyofbaking.com, I'm using their picture because I forgot to take one before I packed them up)

2 cups AP flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/3 cup unsulphured molasses

1 large egg

1 tbsp vanilla

garnish: 1 cup white sugar

With an electric mixer beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.  Add the oil, molasses, egg and vanilla, beat until incorporated.  In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients.  Add flour mixture to butter/sugar mixture and beat until well incorporated.  Cover and chill the batter about 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350*, Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place 1 cup of sugar in a bowl.

When dough has chilled, roll into 2-3" balls.  I used an ice cream scoop to make my balls.  Roll the balls of dough into the sugar, coating them thoroughly.  Place 4 per sheet.  Flatten cookies slightly with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.  Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies have crinkles yet are barely dry. They will look a little underdone.  Remove from oven and cool.  Makes 14 large cookies.

Family Inspiration - 13 DEC

Those children who have learned to conquer their problems are more secure than those who have never faced them.  Our task as parents, therefore, is not to eliminate every challenge for our children; it is to serve as a confident ally to help them through them.
(Hide or Seek, P. 79)

He... wonderfully comforts and strengthen us.
2 Corinthians 1:3

Sinus Problems? .... This may help.

In our home, we all suffer from allergies and how bad it gets depends on the season, the weather, if the heats running or how dry the air is.  I'm not big on pharmaceuticals, I prefer a holistic treatments, then if that doesn't work I'll have to find another method of relief.  And for sinus problems I've found an over the counter medication that has worked really well for Matt and I.

Our first method of relief is the neti pot.  If you haven't tried one, you should.  Yes it's a little scary at first, but once you get the hang of it, it does wonders for your sinus.  You use a saline solution of 16 oz. water to 1/4 tsp salt.  Make sure the water is room temperature, you don't want to use it too cold or hot.

If you have sinus pressure and the neti pot just doesn't do it for you, I've found the solution.  Have you heard of Advil Congestion Relief? ...  So have I, but it's expensive ... $9 for 18 tablets

At Walmart you can purchase the exact same thing for so much less. 
The Advil product is a combination of Ibuprofen 200mg and Suphedrine PE 10mg.  (I read all labels carefully.)
You can purchase separately in the Equate brand, Suphedrine 36 tablets for $3 and Ibuprofen 200 tablets for $4.  Take one of each to equal the Advil Congestion Relief.  That's a great savings!!  I hope this helps some of you.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

These are so yummy! I made them for a party last weekend and they were a big hit.

18 pecan shortbread cookies, crushed to 2-1/4 cups
1/4 cup butter, melted (divided)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup broken pecans
1/2 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate morsels

In small bowl stir together crushed cookies, flour and 2 tablespoons of the butter.  Press into bottom of ungreased 11x7x1-1/2 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350* for 10 minutes.

For filling, in medium bowl stir together eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, the remaining butter and vanilla.  Stir in pecans and chocolate morsels.  Evenly spread over hot crust.  Bake at 350* about 20 minutes or until filling is set.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack before cutting.

Family Inspiration - 5 DEC

Parents are accountable before God to meet their responsibilities to their children, and He is vitally concerned about their welfare.
(Parenting Isn't For Cowards, p. 81)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19