Showers Of Blessing

Hi, I’m Sue Murphy & you’ve found a place to belong in the Circle of Friends.

My current bible reading has me in 1 Kings 18 where, at God’s command, the prophet Elijah has challenged the prophets of Baal to prove that their god was mightier than Jehovah God.  You might remember that this incident came after a 3 year drought in the land.

Elijah told those other prophets to build an altar & prepare a sacrifice.  Each group would appeal to their deity & the One who consumed the sacrifice with fire would be declared THE ONE TRUE GOD.

The bible tells us that Elijah was the only prophet of God vs 450 of those who were prophets of Baal.  So imagine this scenario-2 altars prepared, two bullocks on the altars, & one group of 450 crying out to their god that their altar be consumed with fire.  Hours upon hours of beseeching yielded no results.

The lone prophet Elijah stands watching this relentless & futile action.  He goes even further in preparing his altar.  It is a foundation of 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel, then the wood, the bullock & finally a huge trench around it. Twelve barrels of precious water from this drought stricken land were then poured over the altar saturating everything & even filling the trench.

Now, stand back & watch the fireworks. Verse 38 of 1 Kings 18 says this….
³⁸ Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

The Lord God saw fit to end the drought at this point.  Elijah said to King Ahab, “Get thee up, eat & drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.”

As soon as I read this passage, I was reminded of the song “Showers of Blessing,” & that sent my thought process to wedding showers & baby showers.

I agree this may seem a little strange to start with a consuming fire & end up at a baby shower, but that is way my mind works.  We DO shower blessings on young brides & mothers in the form of gifts & wisdom from older women who have “been there, done that, & gotten the Tee shirt.”  I am older….not so sure about the wiser part!!

However, I do have a recipe I’d love to share if you have a shower to plan.  It is a cold slushy punch that can be made ahead & frozen.  I freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then store them into zip-lock bags.  My kids enjoyed filling a glass with the cubes & pouring over ginger ale to make an individual glass of slushy goodness.

I’m Sue Murphy, hoping you see Showers of Blessings today!!….& I am Confectionately Yours.

JELLO PUNCH

1 6 serving size pkg. gelatin (any flavor) 

1 (46-oz.) can pineapple juice

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. almond extract

2 qts ginger ale

Make gelatin according to package directions. Add sugar, extract, and pineapple juice.

Pour into ice cube trays or small freezer containers. Freeze until firm. Place cubes in

punch bowl about 30 minutes before serving.

If using larger blocks of frozen punch,

allow 45 minutes. Pour in ginger ale and break up frozen punch with a potato masher.

Serve immediately. Makes about 15 cups punch.

Note: This punch can be made low calorie by using sugar free gelatin, sugar substitute

and diet lemon-lime cola or ginger ale.

Cookie Cutter Christians

I have an affinity for cookie cutters & boy, I hit the mother lode recently at a local thrift store!!

My friend, Tina, had mentioned a new store had opened, & that the prices were really low.  She also asked me if I was I was looking for cookie cutters.  I wasn’t really NEEDING any mind you, but honestly, after she said this, I had a hard time remaining in my seat for the rest of our very pleasant visit!!

  I was delighted to add several to my collection that I didn’t have, & at bargain prices, too.  I love a good deal.

As I was washing my new found treasures, I noted that several of them were similar in shape, but different, too.  There must have been 5 or 6 pumpkins & at least that many hearts.  Many could be considered vintage, perhaps made in the 50’s or 60’s.

I was reminded that as Christians, we are like that hodge-podge of cookie cutters.  All made differently, but with a similar purpose.  We look to Jesus as the ultimate image to liken ourselves, but He brings our individual personalities, gifts, & talents to the table to glorify Him.

It is unlikely that this gray haired Southern lady could witness as effectively to certain folks as could the pony tailed biker dude that installed my kitchen sink.  During his time in my home, I learned that he was gloriously saved from a life of alcoholism & drug abuse, & now ministers to those struggling & searching for God’s truth.

Nor could he speak as effectively to a group of folks to whom God has placed in my life to encourage. 

But we all can point to the One who sees us & accepts us as we are, grateful for salvation in Christ, & loving Him enough to want to become what He would have us be.

Do we want to be cookie cutter Christians, performing a list of do’s & don’ts merely for the sake of appearing righteous?  Man sees the outside, but God looks inward to our thoughts & motives.

I’m sharing today a Cut-Out Oatmeal Cookie recipe.  I will be trying out this recipe using my recently acquired treasures.  

Cut-Out Oatmeal Cookies
Makes about 20 cookies
A small amount of cinnamon and a bit of extra salt brings out the wholesome flavor of the oats. These cookies taste great plain or with the cinnamon icing.

Beat together until light and fluffy:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

Add and beat to incorporate:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add and mix thoroughly:
- 1 1/2 cups oats, ground fine in a food processor
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350º. Roll dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with your favorite cookie cutters, then transfer cookies onto cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Cinnamon Frosting

To decorate, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in microwave-safe bowl, then stir in 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Frost cookies.  

Note:  This frosting will set up after it dries.  I used a leaf cookie cutter & simply outlined the cookie.  The pretty brown color of the cookie showed through.  Without the frosting, this cookie is not super sweet & is good on own.  It is firm & would work as a substitute for gingerbread when this color of cookie is desired.

Buckeyes

My friend Charisse is a Buckeye by birth.  She was born in Ohio.  I am Buckeye by choice, but we met when I lived in Indiana.  Charisse has a Buckeye tree in her Indiana back yard & one Fall gave me several.  I mistakenly put them in an airtight container & all but one molded.  Yuk!!

One lone buckeye survived.  I keep it on a mantle in the bedroom.  When I see that single buckeye, I am reminded of my friend, & I pray for her.

Folklore tells us the nut is considered a good luck charm, relieves pain of arthritis and rheumatism, & resembles the eye of the buck deer.  Hence, the name.

Charrise was friend to me before my husband died, & stuck with me through the initial grieving & the ongoing life that must continue on.  We share our struggles & blessings. Friends make such a difference in this world!!!  Especially if they love the Lord, too.

When we have Him in common, we can encourage one another, help one another, & especially pray for one another.

I’m so grateful for my Buckeye friends!!  I’d like to share my recipe today for what else?  Buckeyes!!

Those delicious little peanut butter balls dipped in just enough chocolate so that they resemble our state symbol.  My research tells me the actual buckeye can be a little poisonous if not treated with heat, so I guess I will stick with the candy version.

I start by making a peanut butter fudge & allowing it to firm up.  I then scoop the smooth fudge into little balls & freeze them-then comes the dipping part.  I generally use the chocolate flavored confectionery coating found in the baking aisle of the grocery store.

MARSHMALLOW CREAM

FUDGE

1-1/2 sticks butter

3 c. sugar 

2/3 c. evaporated milk

1 (7-oz.) jar marshmallow cream 

1 tsp. vanilla

1 (12-oz.) pkg. peanut butter chips

Chocolate candy coating (found in the baking section of grocery store)

Mix butter, sugar, and evaporated milk in a heavy 2-1/2 qt. pan. Bring to a boil on

medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in

marshmallow cream, then peanut butter chips, vanilla and. Pour into buttered dish to cool.

Recipe make be doubled. 

When completely cool, scoop out teaspoonfuls & roll into balls.  Freeze on parchment covered cookie sheet.  Melt the chocolate coating according to package directions.  Dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate with a fork and place back onto the parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until firm, then remove to little paper cups or a covered container. 

Keep refrigerated.

Salt of the Earth

I was making a double batch of banana bread.  I had already placed the large loaf pan into the oven and was preparing to fill the miniature loaf pans I reserve for gift giving.  

In tasting the batter, I realized something was missing.  It was the smallest ingredient in the recipe, but made a significant difference in the overall product.

Can you guess what the ingredient was?  It was the salt!! 

 

The sugar, oil, flour, bananas, coconut, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, nuts, & leavening in the bread tasted OK in and of themselves, but the addition of the least ingredient, the SALT, enhanced the entire mixture.

 I was reminded how Jesus calls those who trust in Him for their salvation as the ‘salt of the earth.’  We are to be that ingredient in the mix that makes a difference to the overall recipe of Life.

Do we affect people in a positive way because of the One we trust and obey?  We should!! 

Christ also commented that if we who are the ‘Salt of the earth,’ loses our saltiness that is- (our effective witness for Him), what good are we to furthering of His kingdom?

It wasn’t my plan to pull that batter out of the oven and return it to the bowl, but for the best banana bread possible, I just had to add that salt.

Here is my banana bread recipe.  And if you have over ripe bananas and no time to bake, freeze them for up to 3 months.  They will be ready when you are.  Be sure to label and date the bag.

We are called to be ‘salt’!!  Let’s give the world ‘Salt’!!  It will give them thirst for the water of life.

BANANA BREAD
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs 
3 bananas, very ripe, mashed
2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder 
1/3 c. coconut
walnuts or pecans, optional

Cream oil, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and
salt. Mix in buttermilk, bananas, nuts, and coconut. Spray loaf pans with non stick
spray. 

Fill 2/3 full and bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes until loaf tests done. If using
mini loaf pans, cooking time will be approximately 25 minutes. 

Batter will make 7 mini loaves or 2 regular loaves. Insert toothpick into middle of loaf. If it comes out clean, bread is done. This is a very moist loaf that freezes well.

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Seeing God in the "Every Day"

I have asked the Lord for an acute awareness of Him in my everyday life.  He answered that prayer in many ways.  One was the ability to enjoy beautiful and wondrous things in His creation as I went about my daily tasks.

I was baking brownies for an event honoring a close friend when I had a moment cracking eggs that made me marvel about the engineering of that small oval orb.  I did a little research.

Did you know that that egg has 8 different components to it?  The shell is covered with as many as 17,000 tiny pores that air & moisture can pass through but keep out bacteria & dust. 

There is an inner & outer membrane that is surprisingly strong.  These also prevent bacterial invasion & keep the fragile eggshell from shattering into pieces.

An air space forms at the end of the egg when it cools after the chicken lays the egg.  The air cell rests between the inner & outer layer & accounts for that little crater you often see at the end of a hard -boiled egg.  The air cell grows larger as the egg ages.

The egg white contains over 40 different proteins & a separate component of the egg white actually holds the yolk in the center of the egg like little anchors.  They keep the egg yolk from bouncing around inside the egg so it remains intact.  Amazing engineering, I think!!

There is a clear membrane over the yolk, also to protect it from breaking easily.  This is what cooks up when you like your egg “over-easy.”

Finally, the yolk…that delicious yellow center account for much of the nutrition of the egg supplying  iron, vitamin A& D, phosphorus, & riboflavin.  It also contains an emulsifying component called lecithin.  This is what thickens puddings & mayonnaise.

With only 70 calories, the egg is a powerhouse of nutrition & can be cooked in so many ways, we don’t have time to address them in this short segment.    Here is the recipe for my Anytime Breakfast Tacos.  The egg is genius in its design, pointing to the One who created it in the first place.

ANYTIME BREAKFAST TACOS

1 lb. sausage (hot or mild)
6 eggs, beaten
1 (32-oz.) bag frozen hash browns
1 green pepper, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
1 onion, finely chopped
1 pkg. flour tortillas 
Butter or cooking spray
1 jar picante sauce

Brown sausage and drain. Add hash browns, peppers, onions, celery, and eggs. 
Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. 

Top with cheese and return to oven until melted. 

To serve, place tortillas, 4-5, at a time on a plate. Cover with a
damp paper towel and heat for 1 minute in the microwave. 

Place a large spoonful of sausage mixture into the tortilla. Add picante sauce, if desired.

Note: Taco filling may be placed in crockpot on warm or low setting if you are making this for a large group or if folks are eating at different times. 
You may also place warmed tortillas in a separate crockpot covered with a clean damp cloth on top to prevent them from drying out.

Cake Mix Cookies

Sorry for the late post....   I am having trouble finding the written piece that was featured on Monday's segment of Confectionately Yours.  BUT..here's the recipe.

CAKE MIX COOKIES


1 box cake mix  (lemon, chocolate, strawberry, or orange)
1 stick margarine, softened
1 T. water
2 large eggs 
powdered sugar

Mix together. and refrigerate dough for 2 hours. Scoop into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll into powdered sugar and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.


Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Sift powdered sugar on top of warm cookie.


Yield:about 26 cookies
Note: These cookies bake up soft and tender. Leave them in the full 12 minutes for a firmer texture. I tested this recipe using the lemon cake mix. 




My son tasted them and said, "Holy Cow, these are good!!" and he was right!!

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Pleasant Words

Words of Grace

When I was growing up, my mother cooked dinner every night.  At the end of the meal, my father always addressed her and said, “I enjoyed my supper.” 

It was a phrase that all of us kids echoed, but it wasn’t something required of us.  It was simply learning good manners by example. Oddly enough, I found myself saying these same words as an adult when I was visiting my parent’s home.  It just felt natural to do that.

My husband of 31 years, had a phrase that he repeated every day we were together.  He decided early on in our marriage that he couldn’t read my mind, so he would say to me, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

These few words gave me such comfort.  It told me he cared about the load I carried running our household, and he was willing to share that load, but preferred to do what I felt needed to be done.  It meant he cared about my needs, whether it be a cup of tea, or a load of laundry started.

Those words made me feel nurtured then.  Now that I am widowed, they leave a pleasant memory-Sweetness to the soul and health to the body like the scriptures say.

I often find myself repeating those words to my children and my friends, especially when they are struggling.  I guess just knowing someone would like to lighten the load is comforting.

No food is more comforting than homemade bread.  Since I have shared my roll recipe on a previous segment, I will gladly add the honey butter recipe that takes it over the top.  I made the mistake of taking this combo to work so often that showing up without them leads to mutiny by the staff. 

Start with ½ c. softened butter.  Add 3 T. honey and mix in.  Drizzle a little extra honey on the top. Serve at room temp.

Go to May 2012 for the Bread Machine Roll recipe

^{Proverbs 16:24} Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue