Tag: crafts

Soul Food For Valentines Day

February 10, 2017 /

I don’t care if you’re married or single or widowed or dating or whatever…in my mind Valentine’s Day is a chance to remind everyone that God’s banner over us is love, that God Himself is our ultimate husband, champion, warrior, shepherd, redeemer…

What better reason to celebrate, right?!

Spoiler alert: Not to be sexist, but if you’re a guy, or if you’re in a season with toddlers and NO TIME even to go to the bathroom, or you hate recipes or being “crafty” you may want to delete this right now. Ok, I’ve warned you…now carry on.

A couple of years ago at Easter, my friend Heather gave me this vase within a vase, filled with multi-colored jelly beans on the outside. I thought it was so cute I decided to adapt the idea for Valentine’s Day. Warning: Unless you choose a candy you don’t like, it’s hard not to eat the decorations 🙁 !

I’ve made star shaped croutons to give away at Christmas before, so I thought I’d try heart shaped ones.

Parmesan Croutons

English Muffin bread

Olive flavored cooking spray (I used butter)

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Place slices of bread on jelly roll pan and put in freezer for 30 minutes. Remove and use small heart cookie-cutter to cut croutons (I found them at Michaels).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat bread stars with cooking spray. Toss bread stars with cheese, salt, and pepper. Bake 10 minutes or til golden. Put in cellophane bag to accompany soup you drop off for a new Mama.

This salad recipe from my friend, Kitty doesn’t call for croutons, but it’s awesome and seems Valentiney 🙂

Salad part (you figure out how much 🙂 ):

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Green onion
  • Either raspberries or strawberries
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Blue Cheese
  • Candied pecans or almonds

Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

1/2 cup raspberry vinegar

1/2 cup salad oil

1 t. salt

1 t. dry mustard

1/2 cup sugar

Blend in blender and add poppy seeds

I’m hosting a couple of gatherings over the next week so I pulled out the bunting I made last year.

 

Soul Food for When You Need a Craft, a Recipe, some Hope, and a Laugh

December 18, 2015 /

With these Soul Food posts I try to share things that have delighted, inspired, or filled me. Hope you enjoy! (If you’re not a crafty baker just skip the first part of this post 🙂 )

I am so over-the-moon blessed to have many amazing, talented, creative friends in my life. And, one of the perks of being in ministry is that everyone brings their best recipes to events and I GET THE RECIPES!

Wednesday night the community of young couples I shepherd, had a girls only Christmas party. So many of these women have the gift of hospitality, leadership, creativity, and FUN (yes, I think that’s an official spiritual gift 🙂 ) My friend Annalise brought this dessert/snack mix (from twosisterscrafting) which we all loved! (warning – it’s a little gooey).

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And years ago a friend introduced me to Christmas Crack (yes, that is an appropriate name for this addictive delight). I’ve had several people ask for the recipe this year so here you go!

Mix in roaster (I like to get the big tin throw-away kind and re-use cuz I don’t have a “real” roaster.:

1 17 oz box Crispix

1 bag Fritos

1 can salted cocktail peanuts

In medium saucepan melt: 1 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup corn syrup (Karo), 1/4 ts. salt.

Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 ts. baking soda. Pour over cereal mixture and stir. Bake at 250 for 45 minutes stirring about every 15 minutes.

Spread out on wax paper to cool. Store in tupperware. And not a calorie in it! 🙂

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Last weekend we had our staff Christmas party. I’m so thankful for all the people who show up and contribute delectable salads, meats, and desserts for this celebration! My friend Laurie came with this peppermint plate she made to put her dessert on. Yes, a tiny bit broke off (or someone took a nibble 🙂 ), but isn’t it amazing? And SO easy!

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Here’s the one I made (read: opened peppermints and popped in the oven) last night.

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You could totally make it with your kiddos if you want! It would make a darling base for a gingerbread house too! Here are the directions.

My favorite You Tube video this week – just  try not to laugh!

And this uplifting Instagram post. “The power of love is bigger than the love of power.” Yes!

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For those who are waiting in this season with a cloud of darkness hovering…

“Stay And Wait” (lyrics)

Who spoke the Earth and sky to form
Who sets the sun and calls the dawn
Who breathed me out of dust to life
With the will to trust or run and hide

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours

Who loved me through my rebel way
Who chose to carry all my shame
Who breaths in me with endless life
The king of glory Jesus Christ

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours

God of wonder and God of grace
Let my soul stand always to praise You
Fix my eyes on Your perfect way
And I’ll never look back

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours

Who lifts the poor and heals the blind
Who trampled death for all mankind
Who stands for all with arms stretched wide
My King forever Jesus Christ

Have a joy-filled weekend before Christmas!

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