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
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
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)
(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
(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.
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.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
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
(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
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Our Thanksgiving 2011
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I cooked, Matt and the kids played, it was just a great day and weekend.
The Menu
Roasted Turkey Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes Gravy
Dinner Rolls Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes Sausage Balls
Pumpkin Pie Molasses Bourbon Pecan Pie
Jello Mold Cranberry Sauce
ROASTED TURKEY: I simply slathered the turkey in butter, S&P and some cajun seasoning, stuffed it with onions, carrots and celery. Put it into a cooking bag and cooked it in my roaster. It took about 3-1/2 hours for a 22lb'r.
STUFFING: I used a mixture of sourdough and cornbread stuffing. Kept it real basic. Cooked 1/2 lb hot sausage, then added the sauteed onion, celery and a little shredded carrot. For the liquid I used stock made from the giblets and veggies. Put it into a buttered baking dish then slathered with gravy. Baked for 30 minutes.
MASHED POTATOES: Basic russet potatoes, cut up and boiled in half stock/half salted water. Mashed with warmed butter, milk and boiling liquid. S&P to taste.
GRAVY: You have to use the broth from giblet stock and/or the turkey dripping to make a good gravy. I made a batch from each, then mixed them together. I did this because I needed gravy for the stuffing before the turkey was done. Made a rouge with onion & butter, then added the stock. S&P to taste. Very basic and very good.
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE: This is an old standard that is one of my favorites. Green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, S&P and some frenched fried onion. This recipe is every where this time of year.
BOURBON GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
3 pounds of raw sweet potatoes, about 4
Kosher salt, to taste
1/2 cup (1 stick) of cold salted butter, divided
1/4 cup of 2 parts corn syrup 1 part molasses
1-1/2 cups of brown sugar, packed and divided
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup of chopped pecans
1/2 cup of bourbon, I used Makers Mark
1/2 cup miniature marshmallow's
Bake the sweet potatoes at 400 degrees F for about 45-50 minutes, or just until fork tender
but not mushy. Can be done in advance; can also boil whole until tender. Butter a 9 x 9 inch
casserole dish; set aside. Once sweet potatoes are cooled, peel, cut into 1/2 inch rounds and
layer into the casserole dish, sprinkling a few light pinches of salt in between the layers.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Melt half of the butter in a skillet, stirring in the syrup mixture
and half of the brown sugar until blended. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice and pecans.
Remove from the heat and stir in the bourbon. Taste and adjust as needed.
Pour the butter and bourbon mixture on top of the sweet potatoes. Cut the remaining butter into
thin slices and spread over the top of the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar
all over the top.
Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees F, basting a few times with a spoon or a baster, for about 25-30
minutes, or until bubbly and thickened. Top with marshmallows, put back in oven till melted and crusty about 5 minutes.
SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS
The sausage balls are a tradition that came from Matt's Nanny. This is an item I'll cooked and pass down to our kids each Thanksgiving.
8-10 ounces sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
2-1/2 cups of buttermilk baking mix
1 pound of hot bulk pork sausage
Pinch of kosher salt
10 turns of the pepper grinder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, optional
1 teaspoon of dried parsley
About 1/3 cup of milk, more or less
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together until well blended, using just
enough milk to bring mixture together. You do not want it to be soupy! Shape into small balls,
about 1" in size. I use a cookie scoop just to make it easier. Place on an ungreased baking
sheet, spaced apart about an inch.
Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until well browned, switching trays around in
the oven halfway through. Remove from oven.
Can be served warm or at room temperature.
Can also make ahead and frozen. Bake directly from the freezer at 350*, about 30
minutes or until well browned and cooked through.
PUMPKIN PIE
My pumpkin pie recipe was the sweetened condensed mil version, it was also make with home made pumpkin puree from this years Jack-O lanterns. Using homemade puree really made this pie, the color and flavor were amazing. If you need a recipe, let me know and I will get you one. I also made my own crust.
The Menu
Roasted Turkey Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes Gravy
Dinner Rolls Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes Sausage Balls
Pumpkin Pie Molasses Bourbon Pecan Pie
Jello Mold Cranberry Sauce
ROASTED TURKEY: I simply slathered the turkey in butter, S&P and some cajun seasoning, stuffed it with onions, carrots and celery. Put it into a cooking bag and cooked it in my roaster. It took about 3-1/2 hours for a 22lb'r.
STUFFING: I used a mixture of sourdough and cornbread stuffing. Kept it real basic. Cooked 1/2 lb hot sausage, then added the sauteed onion, celery and a little shredded carrot. For the liquid I used stock made from the giblets and veggies. Put it into a buttered baking dish then slathered with gravy. Baked for 30 minutes.
MASHED POTATOES: Basic russet potatoes, cut up and boiled in half stock/half salted water. Mashed with warmed butter, milk and boiling liquid. S&P to taste.
GRAVY: You have to use the broth from giblet stock and/or the turkey dripping to make a good gravy. I made a batch from each, then mixed them together. I did this because I needed gravy for the stuffing before the turkey was done. Made a rouge with onion & butter, then added the stock. S&P to taste. Very basic and very good.
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE: This is an old standard that is one of my favorites. Green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, S&P and some frenched fried onion. This recipe is every where this time of year.
BOURBON GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
3 pounds of raw sweet potatoes, about 4
Kosher salt, to taste
1/2 cup (1 stick) of cold salted butter, divided
1/4 cup of 2 parts corn syrup 1 part molasses
1-1/2 cups of brown sugar, packed and divided
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup of chopped pecans
1/2 cup of bourbon, I used Makers Mark
1/2 cup miniature marshmallow's
Bake the sweet potatoes at 400 degrees F for about 45-50 minutes, or just until fork tender
but not mushy. Can be done in advance; can also boil whole until tender. Butter a 9 x 9 inch
casserole dish; set aside. Once sweet potatoes are cooled, peel, cut into 1/2 inch rounds and
layer into the casserole dish, sprinkling a few light pinches of salt in between the layers.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Melt half of the butter in a skillet, stirring in the syrup mixture
and half of the brown sugar until blended. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice and pecans.
Remove from the heat and stir in the bourbon. Taste and adjust as needed.
Pour the butter and bourbon mixture on top of the sweet potatoes. Cut the remaining butter into
thin slices and spread over the top of the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar
all over the top.
Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees F, basting a few times with a spoon or a baster, for about 25-30
minutes, or until bubbly and thickened. Top with marshmallows, put back in oven till melted and crusty about 5 minutes.
SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS
The sausage balls are a tradition that came from Matt's Nanny. This is an item I'll cooked and pass down to our kids each Thanksgiving.
8-10 ounces sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
2-1/2 cups of buttermilk baking mix
1 pound of hot bulk pork sausage
Pinch of kosher salt
10 turns of the pepper grinder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, optional
1 teaspoon of dried parsley
About 1/3 cup of milk, more or less
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together until well blended, using just
enough milk to bring mixture together. You do not want it to be soupy! Shape into small balls,
about 1" in size. I use a cookie scoop just to make it easier. Place on an ungreased baking
sheet, spaced apart about an inch.
Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until well browned, switching trays around in
the oven halfway through. Remove from oven.
Can be served warm or at room temperature.
Can also make ahead and frozen. Bake directly from the freezer at 350*, about 30
minutes or until well browned and cooked through.
PUMPKIN PIE
My pumpkin pie recipe was the sweetened condensed mil version, it was also make with home made pumpkin puree from this years Jack-O lanterns. Using homemade puree really made this pie, the color and flavor were amazing. If you need a recipe, let me know and I will get you one. I also made my own crust.
MOLASSES-BOURBON PECAN PIE
1 cup molasses
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
3 tbsp bourbon, I used Makers Mark
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp vanilla
pinch of kosher salt
2-1/2 cups broken pecans
1 9 inch pie crust
Preheat oven to 350*
Mix all ingredients except pecans. Evenly spread pecans in unbaked pie shell, pour filling over pecans.
Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until firm around the edges and slightly loose in the center. Cool before serving.
JELLO MOLD
This is a tradition carried on from my Nana. She always made jello on the holidays and it was my favorite part of the meal. I made a 3 layer mold, lime with mixed fruit, cherry with cool whip, and orange with mandarin oranges.
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