Serenity

I hate turmoil.  I don’t think anyone could enjoy for any extended period of time chaos and disorder.

I experienced this feeling often when my husband died unexpectedly at age 52.  I had so many decisions to make, so much responsibility to take on alone, and frankly, I experienced hurt like I never have before in my life.  I also had my kids to think of.  They were hurting, too, and I couldn’t make the situation better, but I knew how I handled daily life would lead the way for them to carry on.

I ran to the Savior like I have never done before.  My quiet time seemed to be the only thing I could control in my life at that point, and God’s Grace and peace was evident to me. 

One day, I researched the Serenity Prayer on my computer.  You know the one…

God Grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

These are wise and comforting words….BUT they are not the entire prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930’s.  I found the meat of this prayer in the verses that I never knew existed.

The Serenity Prayer
	God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr In loving memory of Fr Bertram Griffin -- 1932-2000 Requiescat in Pace
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3, 5-6

I am trusting God daily to direct my path, I rejoice in the victories and joys along the way, and revel in the attempt to be reasonably happy in this life, knowing I will for sure be supremely happy with Jesus in the next.

I think I might just call this my Recipe for Living.  The Serenity Prayer.... I hope it encourages your heart as it did mine.

I am Sue Murphy…and I 

Confectionately  Yours

Scottish Shortbread & Seasoning

I love to wander at will through antique store and thrift shops.  I recently found a treasure for only $5.  It was a heavy cast iron pan with alphabet letters.  The letters had corresponding things incorporated into them like A is for Apple, B is for Bird, C is for Cat…you get the idea.

This pan looked brand new.  In fact, it was unseasoned.  This means it needed a series of anointing’s with oil and some baking with low heat in the oven to bring it to its full potential.  You see, a seasoned iron skillet or pan turns black and the things cooked or baked in them won’t stick.  The surface will look a bit slick and there will be no rust on it.

Cast iron cooking implements are generally not washed vigorously.  My mother has a skillet used exclusively for cornbread that the bread just pops out with abandon.  That skillet is wiped down after each use, and is re-oiled lightly if needed, then placed in a warm oven for a short time if some re-seasoning needed.

A skillet left to itself will eventually rust and be rendered unusable for its intended purpose.   But with a little elbow grease, some vegetable oil, and applied heat, a cast iron piece is renewed.

I’m reminded that Christians, too, need seasoning.  As new believers we are anointed by the Holy Spirit, but if we do not renew our spirits with daily prayer and reading of the Word, we get rusty in our faith.

Well-seasoned believers can generally allow little irritations or wounding words from others to NOT deter them from their service to the Lord.  Sometimes the Lord Himself applies a little heat to our lives to bring us back to Him for a Holy Spirit renewing and remind us that He is control.

I’m still working on my new cookie mold. It’s not quite ready yet.  I have plans for an alphabet cookie tea party with my favorite 2 yr old named Ava.  Twenty six little shortbread cookies and a lesson that ‘A is for Apple’ is in our future. 

That shortbread can be made ahead of time and frozen, baked or unbaked. Go to the Nov 16, 2011 post for the recipe.

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Taco Soup

TACO SOUP
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained 
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
 onions -1/2 medium
Green peppers, to taste (about 1/4 cup)
Ranch dressing mix-1 envelope
1 (16-oz.) can whole kernel corn
3 (16-oz.) cans pinto beans, undrained
3 (16-oz.) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
5 cups water
grated cheddar cheese, for garnish, if desired

In a large pot,brown ground beef with onions and peppers. 

Drain well. Add the rest of the ingredients, breaking up stewed tomatoes into small pieces.

Simmer for 20-30 minutes. To serve, top with cheese if desired. Makes 2 1/2 quarts soup.

Note: I am always on the lookout for easy recipes that reheat and freeze well. This soup fits the bill and is even better the next day.

Merry Christmas Red Velvet Cake

Hi WEEC Listeners,

Even though today's segment was a repeat from last year, I'm not going to make you hunt for it. :-) May this holiday season be one of great peace & joy in the Lord.  I am grateful to share some of the recipes I have collected over the years.

God Bless, & Merry Christmas

RED VELVET CAKE

(My Christmas and Valentine cake)

3 c. cake flour, sifted

 2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda 
1-1/2 tsp. cocoa
1 c. buttermilk 
1/2 c. butter
4 eggs 
1 c. vegetable oil
2 (1-oz.) bottle red food color 
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. white vinegar

Cream butter, oil, and sugar together until very light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and blend well.

Stir in red food color and vinegar; mix well. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk.

Bake in 3 greased and floured 8" cake pans in preheated 350° for around 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Allow to sit in pans for 10 minutes, then remove, and cool completely on cake racks.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 
1 c. chopped nuts, toasted
1 lb. powdered sugar

Toast nuts in 350° oven for about 5-10 minutes until lightly browned, stirring often. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese until very smooth. Add butter and cream well. Beat in powdered sugar, then vanilla. Add nuts, if desired, then frost cake or press nuts onto side of frosted cake.

If using this frosting for a decorated cake, decrease the butter by half. This will make the frosting stiffer and it will pipe well. Store cake in fridge or freezer.

Note: When my kids were small, I would make a "birthday cake for Jesus" at Christmastime to remind us all of the 'reason for the season.' This cake is so pretty and you can change the food coloring for different holidays or your favorite sports team party. Room temp butter and cream cheese plus thorough creaming will prevent a lumpy frosting.