Monthly Archives: December 2011

Year End RoundUP! Cookbook Giveaway! December 30, 2011

Posted on December 30, 2011 | 3 Comments

Mark 6:30-32

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” ³²So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

From today’s Girlfriends In God devotional with Gwen Smith writes about the need for rest. Jesus tells his disciples “come with me” to get some rest. At the end of December is a great time to rest. Rest in the Lord, rest your body and rest in your spirit. Click HERE and you an read the devotion in it’s entirety. God Bless!

Thanks to everyone who entered the cookbook drawings this month!
My last cookbook giveaway goes to Robyn maxum AND debbie krugler! I decided to giveaway two books instead of just one! happy new year!

Click HERE to see the entry list and HERE to see the winning list. Drawing done by Random.org. If you didn’t win one a Walnut Grove Bed and Breakfast Cookbook — not too worry, I still have a few left for sale. They are $12. Just send me an email through the “Contact” link on this blog. I plan to give away cookbooks again in the future – it was so fun for me!

Whew! Can it be true? Today is my 144th post since the first one on June 4, 2011. I am so thrilled because 144 blog posts later I am as excited about the next one as I was the first one. Often times people ask me why I am doing this — for fun or profit? While it is totally fun for me, there is no profit in it today. However, I have two goals that were met right out of the chute. First and foremost, selfishly, it keeps me in the Word of God, daily. All my life I have desired to spend more time with God, but I just didn’t have time. Creating this blog has helped me immensely, not only in depending on His guidance, but reading and learning His Word so that I can share it. What a blessing that has been to me. That in itself is enough. But the second blessing has been the wider range of food and new recipes I use to feed my family. I am always seeking new and fun recipes and having the blog has helped me to focus on that. The unexpected consequences (and blessings) have been numerous. I have discovered a love of photography I didn’t know I had. I started with a point and shoot camera, a few instructions from my two photographer sons, and away I went. I have a growing desire to learn more, take more pictures, and do better work! Additionally, I have discovered a huge internet group of “foodies” that love to cook, eat, blog, take pictures, share, and some share the love of scripture with me. I have so much fun researching and learning from others.

And last but by far least, I absolutely love receiving comments through this blog, Facebook or email. I love hearing from family, friends, previous classmates, and a growing amount of “new” friends. Thank you to each and everyone of you who are reading this right now. You have blessed me so very much. I look forward to 2012 and all the excitement to pray, cook, and blog! My daily bread, body and soul has quickly become a big part of my life and I thank you for sharing it with me!

Happy New Year with love and blessings,
Catherine

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Posted in Everything Else

Last Cookbook Drawing! Looking Back Moving Forward

Posted on December 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

Today is the last day to sign up for this cookbook giveaway. Just leave a comment on today’s post and you will automatically be entered! Can’t think of a comment, how about — what are you doing this New Year’s Eve? or What is your new year’s resolution? One of mine is that I am going to make every effort to take recycled bags into the grocery store with me! I have 5 or 6 bags in the car with me and I don’t ever remember to take them in to the store until I am in the check-out line. We are a recycling family. We split out our garbage and compost it, we recycle cans, plastic, wood, grass, yard clippings, and yet I can’t remember to take bags into the store with me. Consequently I have a huge bag of plastic bags all the time. While I do reuse them, I certainly don’t need as many as I have. I sure hope I can do this for the next 21 grocery store trips — and make a habit of it! Wish me luck

2011 – 2012

Tomorrow is my last blog post for this year! I started this blog in May after 2 previous unsuccessful attempts. I am thrilled to say it is a habit that has stuck and I love cooking, taking pictures and bloggin’ about it! Looking back as we are moving forward into 2012 here are a couple pictures I particularly like. If you click on the picture it will take you to the recipe when it was posted. Starting with Garlicky Romano Beans
Freshly Canned Tomato Sauce and Tomato Juice

Yellow Cake with Yummy Chocolate Glaze

Alice’s Chicken Salad
Abigail’s Blueberry Scones

Homemade Wheat Bread
And finally, a recipe perfect for a New Year’s Eve appetizer!
Garlic Basil Cheese Puffs

Many Blessings and Happy Cooking!

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Posted in Appetizers, Bread and Rolls, Breakfast and Brunch, Cake, CHOCOLATE!, Dessert, Pickles, Canning and Freezing, Side Dishes, Vegetables

Tagged appetizer, Bread, Chocolate, Dessert, glaze, green beans, Scones

Looking Back As We Move Forward

Posted on December 28, 2011 | 2 Comments

1 John 4:8-10

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^[a] into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^[b] our sins. (New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Looking Back At 2011 As We Move Forward Into 2012

It seems that the last week of each year is often spent looking back at happenings during that year as well as looking forward to our hopes and dreams, and resolutions(!) for the new year. Over the next couple days I plan to do just that! I have a darling little Christmas tree in the corner of my combo dining room/kitchen. I wanted to share some pictures of this tree earlier in December but I had too many recipes that took precedence.
I went to a program in the fall of 2010 and a decorator showed how to take kitchen utensils and cooking related items and decorate a tree. I went right home, dug through all my kitchen “stuff” pulled out duplicates and cutesy items and decorated a small thin tree. I LOVE this little tree.
I topped the tree with an Angel made by my Grandmother Paulsen many years ago. It fits just perfect.

This little coffee pot actually came from the era of my childhood! Next fall I will post these again just in case any of you want to decorate such a tree for your kitchen or dining room next room.

Now for a little “looking forward” — the ladies at www.ourbestbites.com
just posted this great idea for a New Year’s tree. Sara took all the Christmas ornament off the tree and replaced it with balloons filled with money, wishes for 2012, and funny jokes. On New Year’s Eve she and her family will POP! the balloons ringing in the New Year. For all the details take a look at www.ourbestbites.com. I am definitely going to do this next year!

Now just a reminder — don’t forget to leave a comment on today’s post to be entered into the drawing on Friday for my last cookbook to giveaway this year! Shall we talk about resolutions? How about sharing one of your new year’s resolution? In the meantime I will sign off until tomorrow with a recipe I made for the first time this year and is now one of my very favorite: Topsy Turvy Apple Pie! I saw a picture of this on my friend Helen’s Facebook page and I just couldn’t find the recipe and get it made quick enough. As a matter of fact, I am planning on convincing my mom to make one today! Many Blessings and Happy Cooking!

(Click on the picture and it will take you to the recipe post)

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Posted in Dessert, Pie

Tagged Apple Pie, christmas tree, decorating, kitchen tree

Fried Sweet Potatoes

Posted on December 27, 2011 | 2 Comments

When You Feel Robbed of Your Private Time

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm. Psalm 37:23

Have you ever heard, “in the South they fry EVERYTHING?” Well, I don’t think that is particularly true, after all, I have never seen a dill pickle fried, oh, wait a minute, yes I have. Well, then I have never seen a snicker’s bar fried, oh … yes I have. Okay, okay, there must be something we don’t fry — oh, forget it. Ya know, in the south we don’t just fry turkeys for Christmas but Sweet Potatoes too! At our house we eat a lot of sweet potatoes, and they just don’t get much better than this.

BEFORE

AFTER

Before you say “frying is too fattening” take a look at this recipe. Only about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter will cook a big batch of potatoes. A little cinnamon sprinkled in the beginning and a little brown sugar in the end …. they are irresistible! And just in case you missed it, eating such healthy potatoes definitely means you can end the meal with … Walnut Fudge Pie?

Kitchen blessings and happy cooking!

Southern Fried Sweet Potatoes

Print recipe

Serves	4
Prep time	15 minutes
Cook time	15 minutes
Total time	30 minutes

Eating healthy sweet potatoes doesn't have to be bland. These potatoes are fried in a light amount of oil, keeping them healthy and light! The brown sugar and cinnamon blends for a light caramel glazing.

Ingredients

4 medium Sweet Potatoes
2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Butter
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar

Directions

1	Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice into 1/4" thick rounds.
2	Over medium heat, heat olive oil, butter and cinnamon in a large fry pan. Add sweet potatoes layering flat if possible.
3	Watch potatoes as they can burn easily. Fry until potatoes are cooked and well-browned. Sprinkle with brown sugar and toss a couple times while still frying. Remove from stove and serve immediately.