Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends this year.  Whether you're travelling or staying home, enjoy your time off!  I will be back with you after the new year with all kinds of new and exciting writing!

I'm hoping to get to spend some time on the cruise ship writing, and I plan on having plenty of time to let things "cook" in my head! 

God Bless you and yours!

Christmas??

It's that crazy time of year again - stores are hectic, parking's a nightmare, people are cranky, and there's never enough time to get everything done.  Merry Christmas everyone, welcome to the season of crazy!  Some of us are getting ready to travel for the holiday while others are preparing things at home and planning family dinner.  I find that I've really lost the magic and joy of Christmas this year.  Do you find this happening at your house?  What sorts of things do you do to keep yourself centered and sane during the holidays?  Here are some ideas I am going to try:

-  Stop and enjoy the magic with your kids.  Does your town do a Christmas light display or does your church put on a Christmas Eve play?  Go to them with your kids and enjoy seeing them through young eyes.  We have a local train display that the girls really enjoy visiting every year, followed by a drive through town to see the lights.  Even though the lights are the same every year the girls enjoy seeing where different displays are set up - it's like visiting old friends every year!  My goal this year is to share the magic with them and step outside of my "mommy shoes" for a little bit.  Usually during these trips I'm worried about getting us there, keeping track of everyone's stuff while we're at the train display, etc., etc., etc.  This year I want to let that go a bit and just have fun.

-  Take the stress out of your preparation.  I have a lot of packing to do before we leave on the 20th of December... A LOT of packing!  But I'm trying not to worry about it and stress over it.  It will get done in time or we will stop at a WalMart on the way and pick up what we forgot.  Do you have family coming to stay with you during the holiday?  Try to make sure you take time while they're with you to relax and enjoy their company.  Don't let your hostess duties rob you of the special time you have to share with your family.  It's perfectly fine if breakfast on Christmas morning is bakery pastries or a box of donuts if it means you get to sit down and open presents with everyone.   


- Chill out about the shopping.  With our Christmas shopping this year I am doing what I can when I can.  I have pretty specific ideas for most people I'm shopping for and I work on those a little bit during my free time.  Online shopping has been a real life saver this year - we found the girls' big item (chairs for downstairs family time) as well as gifts for nieces, nephews, friends and family all in one handy place - Thank you Amazon!  One thing I am trying to do is buy smart.  I'm not buying out of obligation, but trying to put thought into each gift we give.  Even with gifts the girls pick out for family members, we're trying to pick something that will mean something to the recipient.  It takes a little more thought, but means so much more when it's opened! 

- Remember why we're celebrating.  How often do you stop to remember why we're celebrating Christmas in the first place?  If the first time you think of Jesus' birth is the Christmas Eve service at your church, you might want to take some time out and reflect.  This is such a special time of year - a time we have to remember when our Savior came to earth and was born.  God sure considered it to be special!  How many times in the Bible was an event heralded with choirs of angels and a huge star pointing the way?  I can think of only one time... the birth of His one and only son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus really is the reason we celebrate this holiday and we need to remember that.  Maybe tonight is a good night to read the Christmas story with your kids or talk to them about Christmas.  My girls love talking about Jesus' birth anytime, but especially at Christmas time! 

I hope that you will be able to take some time and enjoy the Christmas season with me this year.  I am determined that I will find the magic and joy in Christmas, even if it means I have to shut myself in the house with my Christmas carols and hot coffee!  Let Christ share His joy with you and let His peace rule in your heart this special holiday!

Passionate for Pumpkin

Is anyone else out there really excited it's pumpkin season?  I love pumpkin in bread, muffins, cookies, pies, and even in some soups!  One of my friends made a Turkey pumpkin chili a few years ago and it was really good.  I would love to try making Pumpkin Soup sometime if I come across a good recipe.  Today I would like to devote some time to pumpkin recipes in case the baking bug bites you like it's biting me today! 

My first recipe is one I made for an Oktoberfest celebration we went to last month and everyone loved it.  I had to watch Charles to make sure we had enough to take to the party!  My recipe comes from the "Betty Crocker New Cookbook," one of my personal favorites. 
Pumpkin Bread
1 16oz. can pumpkin                                       1 2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. vegetable oil                                          2 tsp. vanilla
4 large eggs                                                    3 c. all purpose flour or whole wheat flour
2 t. baking soda                                              1 t. salt
1 t. ground cinnamon                                     1/2 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. baking powder                                       1/2 c. coarsely chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 c. raisins (optional)

1.  Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9 x 5 x 3 inches, with shortening.
2.  Mix pumpkin, sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs in large bowl.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Pour into pans.
3.  Bake 8-inch loaves 50 to 60 minutes, 9-inch loaf 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes in pans on wire rack.  Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack.  Cool completely before slicing.  Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.

I also want to share a recipe with you that I am planning on making.  I haven't tried it yet, so please forgive me if it doesn't turn out well!  I was intrigued by this "no evaporated milk" recipe since all three of my daughters and I are lactose intolerant and evaporated milk is pretty rough on our tummies.  They have replaced the evaporated milk with egg nog, which you can buy in lactose-free blends. This recipe comes from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/staceys-i-dont-have-any-evaporated-milk-pumpkin-pie-recipe/index.html

Stacey's "I don't have any evaporated milk!" Pumpkin Pie
1 pre-made pie crust                                       1 small can pumpkin puree
1 1/2 c. egg nog, storebought or homemade  2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar                                                     1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. salt                                                         1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Put the pumpkin, egg nog, eggs, and both sugars into a mixing bowl and mix on low until incorporated.
3.  Add salt, vanilla and cinnamon until just incorporated.
4.  Pour mixture into prepared pie shell and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Note: Because of the egg content in this recipe this pie will set up faster and firmer than traditional pumpkin pies.

I hope that these recipes have given you some inspiration for your holiday baking this year!  I know I'm going to enjoy playing with this Egg Nog Pumpkin Pie recipe for my family!  

What's it Mean to Serve?

Today our country is celebrating Veteran's Day - a day we are supposed to reflect on the great service provided by men and women in the Armed Forces, present and past.  How often do any of us actually stop and remember the purpose of this day?  Not very.  It becomes like any other holiday - a day we sleep in, relax, shop, and eat.  Unless you're a veteran, or someone like me who lives with a veteran.  As I think about Charles' service to this country, as well as that of my dad, grandpa, uncles, brother, cousin, and friends it makes me think.  What does it mean to serve?  What does service mean to me? 

Serving is not the most glamorous job in the world.  Whether you choose to serve through military service, or you choose to serve as a waitperson, housekeeper, sales associate,  babysitter, or parent you're not choosing an easy path.  There is nothing more frustrating (or rewarding) than working with people.  I enjoyed waitressing, but it was not an easy job.  You often get to see the ugly side of normally nice people, simply because they see you as insignificant and unimportant compared to themselves.  Why is this?  Why do we look down our noses at people who have chosen to take a position that makes our lives easier?  Jesus chose a life of service and people looked at him the same way.  He's asked us Christians to follow his example, so Christians should be the best customers and servers out there, right?  I wish.  I'm sad to say that my worst tippers, and often rudest customers were people I knew to be Christians.  We have somehow managed to ignore that facet of Jesus' personality and focus on the "easy" things instead.  What we need to remember is this: service of others is what Jesus is about.  His life was lived in the service of his fellow men, and he expects the very same thing of us.  He expects us to be the first ones available to help during a crisis, and the first ones there to help when a brother or sister is having problems. 

So how do I serve?  What is my role?  I am to serve in any way I can.  Personally this means I lead Bible studies, write, and raise my family to know Christ.  It means I help out when someone is in need and lend an ear when a friend needs me.  It might mean cooking a meal for a new mom or watching someone's kids when they need help.  It means doing something good for someone even when I know it won't be appreciated, and doing it even though I know they won't say thank you or recognize my service in any way.  It means serving because Jesus would, not because it will make me feel good about myself or make me look good to others.  It's not an easy attitude to have, and it's one I have a lot of work to do on, but I'm going to keep plugging away at it.  Imagine what our world would look like if we all decided to serve like Jesus and made it happen.  Our churches would overflow and our world would know what Christians are all about!

Hard Times

We've had a few rough days at our house this week.  This election has been a difficult one and I really expected the American people to make a better choice.  Tuesday night I couldn't sleep due to the sinking feeling deep in my soul.  I've never had this kind of reaction to election results before.  Of course, America has never made such blatant choices against God as a nation before, either;  Legalizing pot for fun, legalizing gay marriage, choosing to let the government control more and more of our lives, and the list goes on.  What is this country coming to?   I continued pondering on the situation yesterday while I was writing my Bible study and came across some great passages in the Bible that helped me find some peace with the situation.  I thought I would share them with you today so that God can share His peace with you as we move forward as Christian Americans in a fallen country.

Psalm 119:25-32

25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

 

Do any of you have a weary soul right now?  Are you laid low in the dust?  It's time for us to lay ourselves at His feet.  He will strengthen us!  There is great freedom to be had in giving your heart to Christ.  Just imagine for a moment - if you've filled your heart with God and His precious word how much room is left for despair?  He is ready and willing to fill those spaces for each one of us, and there is such comfort waiting for us when we make that decision!  

 

Matthew 5:1-12

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

I think this is a good time for us to remember the Beatitudes.  You might notice that nowhere does it say "Blessed are the happy people with no problems..."  This doesn't mean we can't receive God's blessings when things are going well.  It means we are going to encounter difficulty living here in the world and we have a Savior who is here for us when we do.  Are you mourning?  Let Him comfort you.  Are you hungry for His righteousness?  Let Him feed you and fill you up.  Are you being treated badly by people around you?  Rejoice in it!  You're walking a path that many have before you and you're storing reward in Heaven for yourself. 

Passages like this one put my situation in perspective.  Think about the world early Christians lived in.  Instead of Sunday afternoon football, people would go watch Sunday afternoon Christian vs. Lion battles, and those contests were rigged - the Christians never won those "games!"  They, too, lived in a fallen world surrounded by people who rejected God and were slaves to their base natures.  But, they didn't quit and neither can we. 

 

It's time for Christians to take back our country and it's going to be hard.  I saw an interesting segment on Hannity last night.  He was talking with a guest about why Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan didn't win, and they made a really good point.  One side was offering the "easy" solution - let the government take care of it for you.  Let the government pay you instead of getting a job, let the government regulate your food so you'll quit getting fat, let the government tell you what medical care you're allowed to have, and the list goes on.  You don't have to take responsibility because the government's going to do it for you.  On the other side you had guys with big ideas, but they all required work from each one of us.  They had answers to fix the economy, but those answers required change - change in entitlements, change in programs, etc.  It wasn't going to be easy, but they could have fixed the damage that's been done to our economy and healthcare system.  Sean Hannity likened their stance to the parent that makes you take responsibility for your actions - very necessary, but not near as appealing to the masses who have become dependent on the government for their survival.

 

We, as Christians, need to decide where we're going to put our faith.  Are you going to put your faith in God, the Creator and Savior of all?  His way isn't the easy one, either, but it's full of more benefit than you'll ever find here on Earth!

 

 

Where's My Inspiration?

It's a cold and cloudy day here in Maryland and I am low on energy.  I've been pretty productive today - got some laundry done, cleaned the basement, cleaned the living room and bathroom, but I'm done.  The weather makes me achy and I'd much rather go back to bed for a few hours.  Instead I get to straighten up my kitchen, bake bread, and start soup for dinner before taking the girls out for trick-or-treating tonight.  I promise I'm not complaining - a few days ago I thought that I'd be doing all of this without power!  I am so thankful that we came through Hurricane Sandy with a little roof damage and leakage and power on!  Last year after Hurricane Irene paid us a visit we went almost a week without power.  So, as I sit here struggling with a topic, where's my inspiration? 

Some days the words come pouring out of me at a rate that's almost scary.  I might work on a Bible study lesson, a book idea, blog posting, and an article in the same day.  I love those days!  Even though the housework might lag a bit, I feel productive and fulfilled.  Days like today where the menial stuff gets done, but my creative juices are a bit dry bug me.  I feel irritable and annoyed that I can't get the words right.  This is not a day to sit down with my new book idea and play - all my efforts would end up in the garbage. 

What do you do when you lack inspiration?  Do you have a tried-and-true method that pulls you out of the mess and gets your brain working again?  I have to find a way to end the funk when I'm stuck - usually reading some of my Bible reading plan will help, as well as sitting down and forcing the issue.  I can always work on my blog if my book's not cooperating, or start researching for my next Bible study lesson without actually writing the text out yet.  How often do I actually do that?  Unfortunately not as often as I should.  I'm much more likely to let myself get distracted with other things: reading a good book, checking Facebook, playing games on the tablet, and so many other things. 

I think the answer for most of us is finding a good balance.  I can't write 24/7.  It's not practical - I have a very busy, active family that needs my attention a good chunk of the time, and a home that demands attention from me on a regular basis.  I can, however, make the time that I have to write count instead of hemming and hawing and distracting myself with other things.  I also have to remember to sit down and pray about it - how do I expect to share any of God's words if I don't ask Him to help? I always find it funny when I finally remember to pray about it because the words and ideas start coming... most of the time!  There are some days I think His message to me is, "Stop already - it's not the right day for writing!"  I'm just a bit slow on the uptake and don't get it right away. 

I encourage you to keep trying even when the inspiration well is drying up.  Say a quick prayer and see what God has in store for you today!

Dinner for a Few Dimes

I love fall and winter!  I love nothing more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee while the snow (or rain) is falling outside.  All the great flavors come out during this time of the year, too: pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggnogg, etc.  It's also the time of year for soup, chili, and fresh bread.  Yum!  Is it any wonder we tend to put on a few pounds during cold months?  We have so many carbs and sugary treats to choose from!  It's very easy to get caught up in the fun of the season and lose track of the budget while shopping for all these tasty items.  It got me to thinking about some of my favorite, budget-friendly winter meals.

Put On a Pot 'o Beans
I put a pot of mixed beans on yesterday morning before we left for church.  The plan was to have it for lunch, which didn't happen.  I thought 4 hours on high in the crock pot would have done it (yes, I pre-soaked Saturday night), but they were still little rocks when we got home.  We ended up having them for dinner instead, and they were delicious!  I took a simple bag of mixed beans (the bean soup blend), sliced onions, and ham chunks from the freezer and threw it in the crockpot.  Budget-wise, you don't get much cheaper.  The bag of beans was less than $2, and the ham was left-over from a spiral I bought months ago.  I always save the bone and odd chunks that don't get sliced when we get a ham, and then take out pieces as I need them.  The downside to this meal is you do have to plan ahead a little bit, but it can all be done in a day if you choose the "Quick Soak" method over overnight soaking for the beans.  One bag fed six people - 4 adults and 3 kids - so if you have more people in your family you'll probably need another bag of beans. 

Homemade Soup
Charles LOVES soup.  I think he would be fine if I made soup once a week.  Unfortunately for him, I don't.  But, as fall rolls around I do get to hankering for some tasty soup and I go recipe hunting.  There are tons of resources available these days for finding recipes: websites, friends, mobile apps, or even cookbooks!  My process usually starts with an ingredient - I have chicken and need a soup that works around that and doesn't require a trip to the store.  Budget-wise it's always easier if I can avoid extra trips!  One of the best soup recipes I have found in the last year is for Chicken Tortellini Soup.  I found it on Betty Crocker's website when I was looking for something to do with leftover Turkey.  One thing I should admit to now is I rarely follow a recipe as it is written - I'm a big substituter.  As I was looking at this recipe I figured my leftover turkey would go perfectly in this soup.  I happened to have some tortellini in the freezer, and the rest is history.  It was a family hit - no leftovers for us that night!  I will include it here in case you would like to give it a try with your family: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chicken-tortellini-soup/9b4cfb75-f88b-4c88-93a3-a0f9ecde2519
If you don't have a recipe, or just want to experiment, vegetable beef (or chicken, pork, or turkey) is so easy!  As long as you have canned or frozen veggies and some meat, you have the base for a soup.  Charles' mom and dad will often cook up a roast in lots of broth, then add a ton of veggies and let it cook the whole day.  They will then eat on that same soup the whole week.  I like to bake up a loaf of homemade bread to go with mine, but it's good just with crackers, too! 

Chili 'n Cornbread
Chili is a staple in most homes in the US, I think.  It's different everywhere you go, but everyone has a chili recipe that they love.  Chili is another thing that I like to tweak depending on the ingredients I have available.  I've been known to use ground beef, ground turkey, leftover chicken, or leftover sloppy joe meat to make my chili, as well as a variety of beans.  Some nights we have kidney beans only, others it's black beans or pintos, and others it's a combination of all of them.  Chili is a pretty forgiving medium, too.  If you need more "sauce" add some canned tomatoes, pizza sauce, or salsa if you like spice!  I wish I had a great chili recipe to share with you here, but mine is different every time.  Pop a batch of cornbread in the oven and you have a nice, hot tasty dinner on a cold, rainy night!

Mostly, I just try to have fun with whatever I'm fixing.  When winter hits I don't mind having the oven on in the house and it's time for cooking!  Have fun with it - try new things and don't be afraid to mess stuff up.  We've all made the meals that no one wants to eat.  We just have to learn from our mistakes and keep trying!