Tis the Season...Slave or Free

It's interesting that one day seems to be celebrated for a "season"...

December is filled with shopping, parties, shopping, crafting, SHOPPING, cooking, Shopping, caroling, SHOPPING, eating, Shopping, plays and maybe even a little more SHOPPING (imagine that).

It's no wonder why so many people get depressed right after Christmas. There has to be a bit of a letdown with all of this leading up to one day (not to mention the credit card bills that start to roll in after all of the shopping).

The thought of being a "slave" to something seems to stick out in my mind of late...

The Bible tells us that we should not be a slave to anything (other than Christ). Yet, have you ever realized how much we allow other things to become our masters?

Any SIN that we allow in our lives becomes our master.

ANY SIN!

Pride, Envy, Hate, Lust, etc.

They are the things that we allow to dictate our behavior, our attitudes, our relationships...the reason that we do the things we do.

Ugh! Not a pretty thought, is it?

It may even be the praise of men...

could it be that sometimes we don't give gifts out of genuine love but instead that we may be thought of well by the one receiving the gift. We spend MORE on a gift because we don't want someone to think we're "cheap" or because we want someone to like us.

Generally, I give gifts out of sincerity. Nothing irks me more than the phrase,
"We'll, you know you have to give them something since they got you a gift."

Really?!?!

I think not- I want to be "real" and act out of heartfelt love and sincerity.

I thought we were giving gifts out of sincere love, to show appreciation and as a sign of affection...not DUTY.

Don't get me wrong, I am no Scrooge. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE to give gifts...I'd be bankrupt if I gave everyone what I would like to...I like to put a lot of thought into what I give. My kids laugh because they never ask for anything (I thank God for children that are not so self-centered and want, want, want) but they always seem to be thrilled with the gifts that they get. I think it's because I don't just get things to shove under the tree but spend a lot of time researching, paying attention to what they like, and then thoughtfully choosing a gift for them.

They don't get tons of gifts either. This year they may get 2 gifts each along with a stocking with some small things and goodies.

But I GUARANTEE they are going to LoVE what they get. (I can hardly wait to see them open them ). For goodness sakes, how awful it would be if they had piles of presents and didn't appreciate anything...unwrapping one thing, tossing it aside and going to the next thing.

I challenge you, dear reader to slow down, think about how you are choosing to celebrate this holiday.

Don't become a slave to the commercialism that seems to have invaded this beautiful season.

Instead find joy in the little things...reflect upon Christ and His ultimate gift.

This time of year is wonderful to stop and REALLY think about the sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can be free from the chains and slavery of sin.

The decorating, the parties, the gift-giving...it's all just fine. But try to think about the reason you do what you...make sure you are living in the freedom Christ has given you if you are HIs Child.

Traditions of Purpose

 

 There are just some things that we have to do.

 

Yes, I know the old line " death and taxes".

 

But for me, I feel the need for more...

                                              like family traditions.

Do you have any?

You should- at least that is this writer's humble opinion.

What do "traditions" really mean to your family?

I don't really care what they are but I think that they give a sense of belonging, security and love. You see, your traditions are unique to your family and the things that you do include those that you're close to.

It may be certain foods you cook for a particular occasion, the way you celebrate special days, the way you decorate, games you play, people you visit...the list can go on and on. Whatever they are, they serve a very special purpose.

For my family, we have ALOT of traditions...

I decorate the house for EVERY season. There are certain decorations that have their special place each year. My girls could put everything out with their eyes closed- they've watched me do it for so long. If I tried to do it any different, the house would be in an uproar! ;)

When it comes time for a birthday, we don't really do parties but celebrate with going out for a breakfast date with mom and dad. That evening, we celebrate as a family with a favorite meal- a special request.

 

 

At Thanksgiving, dinner is always very special. The table is decorated beautifully. We get out the silver, cloth napkins and special dishes. Each child finds a festively wrapped ornament at their place.

These special ornaments will be placed on the tree the next day when all of the Fall decorations are put away and the loads of Christmas decorations are brought out.

 

 

When my children are ready to marry and start families of their own, they will have special ornaments from their childhood as a start for their family collection

A few years ago, when our oldest was in college, we went to visit her for Thanksgiving and packed the china, silver and fall decorations. We cooked the entire meal in the hotel room with crockpots and a microwave.

 

We spread out the tablecloth, decorated the table, lit the candles, placed the ornaments on each child's plate and enjoyed our family Thanksgiving in the hotel room.

 

 

  My kids loved it!

  

 

 

 

These are the kind of things that they will probably repeat with their own families and the traditions will live on.

This is all part of living purposefully.

We should not just stumble through life, trying to make it from day to day living, being subject to whatever comes our way.

 

Living a life of purpose is much more than that! I don't do all of these things just for me- I do them for my children. I believe it's important. I want my children to feel loved, to be secure and confident in their place in this world...and traditions are tools to accomplish just that. :)

 

Betty Crocker- Keep Your Place

As Thanksgiving arrives, so does the busy-ness of the season. But, just before things get crazy, we pause to celebrate with our church family. We've begun a new tradition at our church...the Tuesday before Thanksgiving we have a banquet, inviting friends and those we know that may not have the abundance that many of us enjoy.

I enjoy cooking.

Making large meals (or large quantities) does not bother me. I don't feel overwhelmed by making 25+ pounds of mashed potatoes (especially when my Abby cuts up the potatoes for me) ;)

It may be because I have a large family or the fact that I was raised doing this sort of thing, thanks to my grandma who, when Christmas came around, had a spread that would make Golden Corral blush.

Once I was old enough to help, my older sister was married and I became her "right-hand-man" ...I was a cheerful little helper, running down to her basement pantry, bringing up ingredients, reading off recipes, watching my papa drill into coconuts, sipping the fresh coconut milk and then helping to grate the coconut for her glorious coconut cakes.

She took NO shortcuts- everything was the best of the best, all home-made from scratch and had no equal! I don't think people cook like that anymore. We've become servants to "Betty Crocker" "Stouffer's" and "Chef-Boy-Ardee". There's no wonder why many of us, as well as our children have health issues, weight problems and can't cook worth-a-lick! Sad. Very Sad.

Anyway, back to the banquet...

So, we enjoy an enormous bounty with our church family and friends. Our ladies seem to have missed the frozen junk food aisle and must have paid attention to their grandma's cooking lessons because they sure can cook! :)

Half the fun of the banquet is the decorating. I am so blessed to have girls that are creative and not only do they have great ideas, they know how to bring these wonderful ideas to fruition.

I am also blessed to have an amazingly creative friend who has such a servant's heart and always goes above and beyond. Her children work so well with mine (very much like siblings) and they make anything they set their mind to look wonderful.

I didn't get any photos of our adult tables but do have the children's tables to share.

Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake with Ganache

Originally, I had seen this recipe on Barefoot Contessa (The Food Network).  But since then, it has been added to several recipe sites.  Nevertheless, it's amazing!

Ingredients
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 crackers)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the filling:
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee
1 3/4 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the ganache:
1/4 pound semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the crust:

Place the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and cinnamon in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until combined. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, chop the bittersweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the espresso and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.

To make the filling:

Cream the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extracts and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, and the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.

Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door opened wide for 1 1/2 hours. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature, until completely cooled.

For the ganache:

Finely chop the semisweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the cream and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.

Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving. Drizzle the ganache over the top of the cheesecake.

Asian Slaw with Teriyaki Chicken

• 
  
  
  
  This quick, easy and makes a bunch.  I personally like packing it for lunch the next day  :)
  
  
  
  
  
  3/4 cup La Choy Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce, divided
• 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 breasts = 2-1/2 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons  Vegetable Oil
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 pkgs (14 oz each) tri-color coleslaw mix
• 1 can (11 oz each) mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 can (5 oz each) Chow Mein Noodles
  
  
  Directions

  1. Combine 1/4 cup teriyaki marinade and chicken in large recloseable food storage bag; close bag. Turn bag several times to coat chicken. Marinate in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight.
  2. To make peanut dressing, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup teriyaki marinade, oil, vinegar and peanut butter in small bowl until blended; set aside.
  3. Toss together coleslaw mix and oranges in large bowl; set aside.
  4. Preheat grill according to manufacturer's directions. Grill chicken about 7 minutes per side or until no longer pink in centers (165°F); discard remaining marinade and bag.
  5. Toss slaw with peanut dressing; divide equally between 8 plates. Slice each breast and place over slaw. Sprinkle with chow mein noodles.
  
  

Amaretto Apple Streusel Cupcakes

I came across these in a Cooking Light magazine and my love for "anything-almond" drew me to try these delicious looking treats...Oh My!  These are simply amazing! I've made them with regular (non-low fat) ingredients as well as the low-fat ones and it turns out beautifully both ways.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray 
•  all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups) 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened 
• 2 tablespoons amaretto (almond-flavoring)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg 
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream 
• 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk 
• 3/4 cup finely chopped Gala apple
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 
• Streusel:
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, chilled 
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons 2% reduced-fat milk 

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. Place muffin cup liners in 12 muffin cups; coat with cooking spray.
3. 3. Place (about 1 1/2 cups) flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine granulated sugar, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add amaretto, vanilla, and egg to sugar mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Combine sour cream and 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl; stir with a whisk until well blended. Combine apple and 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl; toss well.
4. 4. Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until blended. Fold in apple mixture. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
5. 5. To prepare the streusel, combine 2 tablespoons flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal; stir in almonds. Sprinkle streusel evenly over cupcakes. Bake at 350° for 27 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes on a wire rack, and remove the cupcakes from pan.
6. 6. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar and 4 teaspoons milk in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over cupcakes.

Note:

If you don't want to use the amaretto, replace it with 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

Lorraine Fina Stevenski, Clearwater, Florida, Cooking Light 
OCTOBER 2009

Cream of Wheat and Silly Songs

Ever wonder what your kids will remember from their childhood?

I don't mean things like brush your teeth after every meal, close the door when you go to the bathroom (mother's of boys...Heaven help us) and don't talk with food in your mouth.

I mean memories.

Sure they will remember the big stuff, like moving into a new house, the death of a family pet and a family vacation.

But what about the little stuff? What kind of things are going to stand out in their minds, so much so that they reminisce and tell their children or grandchildren about it? What about their life gives them security, makes them feel loved or even makes them laugh when no one else is around?

I can look back and remember the way my dad smelled when he walked in from work every evening. He worked at the Post Office and chewed Trident Gum (the blue kind). You may not realize this but the Post Office has a distinct smell..maybe it's the glue on the stamps ;) -I don't know but whatever it is, my dad smelled like it. Whenever I go in to mail a package, I think of my dad. It warms my heart and makes me miss him all at the same time. He died when I was only 17 and I still miss him just as much as I ever did. (It amazes me how you can miss someone so much even after 20 years of them being gone)

I remember holding my moms hot, black coffee every morning on the way to the babysitter (my great-aunt who had lots of dogs and fed me tuna sandwiches with carrot sticks EVERY day). I remember having horrible ear infections and my mom snuggling with me on her lap to try to ease my pain.

I remember spending the night at my grandparents' and all the little things that made me feel special and so very loved...like spending the day with them, grocery shopping at Kroger and grandma saying, "If you see something you want, just get it, Doll." I remember how my grandma would put about an inch of water in the tub (seriously one inch) and help me scrub up and then let me wear her pajamas. After my bath, we'd sit on their carport watching the cars go by, playing with their little dog and just talking until dark. In the morning, we'd eat Cream of Wheat and drink ice cold Tang out of her colorful frosted glasses.

 

 

I can close my eyes and remember my papa getting out his guitar and singing for me. He would sing silly songs and his eyes would get really big which made me laugh. Grandma would smile and just shake her head.

I wonder... What kind of memories MY kids will have.

What will stick out in their mind?

Will they remember their Mama's silliness...

Their daddy singing funny songs...

I wonder if I am giving them good memories, godly examples and something to pass on to their children.

Parenting on Purpose-A Series in the Making

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." -JR Miller

A Date With My Fellas

Every now and then, I have a special day with one or two of my children.

Today, it was time to take my boys out for a " Mommy and Boys Date".

They are simply a joy and so appreciative... I'm a strong believer in developing the character of gratefulness in your children.

There's not much more that grates on my nerves more than spoiled, whiney, bratty, ungrateful children.

I don't think it is something that just happens but you must intentionally develop this...INTENTIONAL parenting...yes, a rare concept, I know.

Perhaps it is something that you have to mature into, I don't know.

But, I do know this- it is something that I strive towards.

...And am trying to teach to my daughters so that when it's their turn to have children, they will get THIS concept early on.

...and now, back to this date night...

I didn't go out and blow $60 on my boys and make it a natural expectation of a "special day".

For goodness sakes- even if I could, I don't think that would be profitable for them!

No, I splurged a whole $5 on a Little Caesars pizza and dug out 2 year old gift cards they had from a birthday and we "lived it up" like nobody's business! It was cheap, sweet and I guarantee it was memorable for them.

It doesn't take money to make your child feel special, it just takes some intentional parenting! ;)

...and ultimately my goal is to tie those heart strings

and bind their hearts to mine.

Apples, Woodsmoke and Sunshine



My Sister

As tradition goes, we spent another beautiful Autumn day at the Apple Festival at Graves Mountain Lodge. While some may go for the apples, yummy treats, bluegrass, hayrides, crafts and such, we go for some other reasons...

The Girls Chatting with Papa

Memaw with the Girls

Kenna

We go to spend time with the grandparents, enjoy the beautiful mountainside and get PLENTY of pictures.  
 After-all, every family day is a photo shoot- just ask my kids! ;)



Elaina

The weather was grand!

The sun was shining, the leaves gave up their gorgeous colors for all to marvel and...thanks to memaw,

we came stocked with overflowing picnic baskets.



Brittany and Joshy being silly

We found a beautiful spot by the lake for our picnic and enjoyed the bounty.

Once lunch was over, we went out to explore...



Papa took the boys out walking around the lake and all of us girls explored the old houses and canning sheds.



My Abby



Kenna



Once we had taken all the pictures that could be endured, we set out for the festival grounds.



 

 

 

 

There was bluegrass in the background, the smell of woodsmoke cooking up fresh apples, turning them into dark, rich apple butter and children running from hay bale mazes and pony rides.



Apple Butter- The Old Fashioned Way

 

 

Overall, we had a wonderful day and enjoyed enough memories to last for years to come. 

My Mom