It's been delightful posting here at my kitchen table most days this month. Thanks for joining me here!
Time to think not only about a new month, but a brand new year. I'll look forward to having you all join me as I set new goals, share my word for the year, talk about recipes, crafts, Bible study and more. See you next year!
For most of the Christmas season, I've been thinking about trying a recipe I found in an older Victoria magazine. It sounded as if it might make a nice kitchen gift.
Yesterday, I finally got around to trying it. We have a New Year's Eve fellowship coming up at church, and I thought we could take these nuts along as one of our contributions to the snack fellowship. (I also plan on making a cheese log, and of course Mr. T will bring along a cookie and fudge tray.)
Here is the recipe:
BARBECUE SPICED PECANS
1 pound pecan halves
4 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon each celery salt, paprika, and dry mustard
A large pinch of cloves
Salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350ยบ.
On a baking sheet, spread the pecan halves into one layer and bake for 10 minutes until lightly brown and crisp.
Transfer the pecans to a large bowl and, while sill hot, toss with the butter.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, add to the pecans, and toss to coat. Let cool. Store airtight up to 2 weeks.
Makes about 4 cups.
Now. I wanted to make only a half pound, so I used only 2 Tbsp. butter. If I had had more maple sugar on hand, I would have used 2 Tbsp. brown sugar. I had 1 Tbsp. of maple sugar so I used 1 T. brown sugar as well. I should add that I used smoked paprika for more of a barbecue flavor.
But I miscalculated when making the sugar and spice mixture and added the entire 1/4 tsp. of each spice (rather than cutting the amount in half as I'd done with the other ingredients), so I ended up adding 2 Tbsp. more brown sugar. It was too late at that point to add more butter.
The pecans came out quite tasty. They are not overly spicy at all, so I might tweak the spices another time. And if I can get it, I will definitely substitute maple sugar for light brown.
All in all, I'd call this recipe a success!
For many years I have sought to plan my weeks more efficiently. Although I don't really use a planner as such, I have found that weekly calendar sheets are a huge help to me. I had tried different weekly planner sheets and had the best success in making my own, as pictured at the top. That way I could really personalize it to include healthy habits, a memory verse and other spiritual goals.
But the older format no longer serves me well and I can't change the info because I no longer have a computer with this type of a word processing program on it.
So I've tried various weekly calendar sheets, the kind you can buy in tear-off pads. With most of them I ended up having to adapt them in various ways, draw extra lines, etc.
But I am here to tell you I am really happy with these weekly planner sheets that I've been using for a few months now.
You can find these at Amazon here. Maybe other places too, I'm not sure. I got the Green Tranquility ones. (Any added tranquility is a good thing!)
The Habit Tracker (seen in the middle of the bottom row) is just great for my categories like walking, prayer, Bible reading, exercise, water, early light, etc. So easy to just jot these in when planning the week and simply X them off as accomplished.
I really like the way this weekly planner sheet is set up. It's easy to look at what the priorities for the week need to be as well as details for each day. I take a few minutes every Sunday afternoon or evening to plan the upcoming week, since the calendar starts on Monday. This is a lot simpler than trying to customize my own; it has absolutely everything I need in a weekly planner page. I've been so pleased with this tool and plan to get more in the coming year. The price is right, too.
Hopefully this might encourage someone else who's looking to get more organized in the New Year!
.png)
I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one. I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage, or praise for what it means to you.
This last week's verses are focused on Peace. If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this (interestingly enough) is the one from December 27.
Still a few Christmasy things going on. I'm working on a gift for a friend and today I washed the fabric I'm using to make a small table runner to include. I had hoped to sew that today, but it didn't happen.
My hubby baked more cookies -- the gingerbread chocolate thumbprints that are a big favorite with many people. So thankful I found this recipe and he tried it!
We did a little after-Christmas shopping at our favorite thrift stores and bought a few tins for kitchen gifts for next year. We were also looking for a votive candle holder of a specific size to use as a component of a gift. We bought several possibilities. Most of them fit, so it's just a matter of deciding which goes best with the rest of the gift.
We were tempted by a beautiful winter jigsaw puzzle and will probably go back to get it during the 20% off senior discount hours on a weekday.
I also listed two vintage Christmas cards on Etsy, and wrote a couple of Christmas thank-you notes. And that has been our day!
Today has been quiet here. Mr. T and I went out at midday and got gingerbread coffees at the cafe in our local supermarket, then picked up a few essentials that should tide us over until next week.
He has been baking, replenishing his stock of chocolate orange cookies and lemon thumbprints, and also making another batch of Heavenly Delight (chocolate peanut butter) fudge.
I've been puttering around doing this and that, putting some things back to rights after a busy week. I started work on a new crocheted hat for my hubby using a new-to-me pattern. If it works out well, I will probably make more for next year's Christmas gifts.
I froze the remaining Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, wrapping them by twos in plastic wrap and then stashing them all in a large plastic box. We can thaw out two at a time as needed (or, more accurately, wanted).
I also had a lovely chat with my young friend Jennifer which was a blessing to both of us. It was a delight to hear about their Christmas.
We had leftovers for supper, which simplified the day even more.
All in all, a relaxing day after Christmas!
Sending out a hearty "Merry Christmas" to all of our friends!
We had a lovely day of celebrating our Savior's birth. This morning (following our quiet times) we worked on food to take to our daughter's home in the next town. I brought a chicken dish, maple glazed carrots, mulled cranberry orange juice, and a cookie tray. We also had a beef roast, mashed potatoes and herbed rolls. A feast!
The afternoon was filled with gifts, laughter and a game played together.
How I love this precious season! It has been a busy December (and it has seemed to pass far too quickly) yet I have found it relaxed in many ways. I trust that each of you has had a wonderful Advent season and that you had a merry, merry Christmas!
Another day of Christmasy doings! We had maybe 4 to 5 inches of snow overnight and it certainly does make everything look like a Christmas card.
Let's see ... I wrote a few more last minute Christmas cards. They will be late, but I tell myself that it's the staying in touch that counts.
I made a homemade ranch dressing mix that will go in my Ranch House Chicken for tomorrow.
I had a sweet phone visit with my young friend Rebekah who has moved to Minnesota. She is trying so earnestly to make Christmas special for her husband and very young children in a new home!
Then I spent nearly the entire rest of the day wrapping gifts. I try to get a little bit creative so that not everything is obvious. We will see how that works out! The gifts are all wrapped except for a couple of last minute kitchen gifts that will be done tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile Mr. T baked some repeat batches of three kinds of cookies -- Chocolate Spritz, Lemon Spritz, and Christmas tree spritz -- and made another batch of fudge. He also made the chocolate dipped orange slice candies.
Well, a day filled with Christmasy doings!
First, a trip to town (following our quiet time) to purchase two final gifts and the last few necessary groceries.
Then home, to prepare some cookie trays and kitchen gifts.
Next, we headed to the home of relatives to drop off cookies, fudge, apricot cakes, and Christmas granola.
Then it was out to lunch with friends from Missouri at the Bird Dog Cafe, a favorite local spot of ours.
Home again to pack a box to send to faraway loved ones -- really more of a birthday box for a late-December birthday, but also containing plenty of cookies and fudge for the entire family.
Then my hubby's sister stopped by, so she had to sample fudge and cookies and she filled a paper plate "to go".
While Mr. T went to the post office, I called our Nevada daughter for our weekly chat. While we talked, he baked a batch of Whipped Shortbread, the cookies pictured at top.
And that has been our day. A good day!
I honestly feel as if I accomplished very little today, but my hubby says that getting all of the Christmas cards written and on their way is a very big accomplishment indeed. And I know he's right. It was a lot of cards.
It all reminds me of an older poem which I'd found in a used Christmas book and blogged about on my Christmas blog in 2014. Here it is:
I've been posting Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls. The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to get it, though it might not be of a lot more use to you this year. You could save it for next year! Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up. More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more. I think it will be a blessing to you.
I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one. I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage, or praise for what it means to you.
This fourth week's verses are focused on Peace. If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 23.
S= "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
O= Written by the prophet Isaiah, these beautiful words speak eloquently of Christ's birth. No ordinary Child, the government would be upon His shoulder. The fact that this child is given these names of God -- Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace -- prove once again that Jesus is in fact God.
Since the emphasis this week of Advent is on Peace, I wanted to look somewhat more closely at the name Prince of Peace.
Jesus is the One Whose rule will bring peace At His birth (and death) He made possible peace between God and man. At His second coming, He will establish His kingdom in peace at the onset of the Millennium. Our world desperately longs for and tries to achieve peace in the middle east, but as believers we realize that lasting peace will not transpire until the end of this age when the Prince returns and bring His peace.
Adrian Rogers notes that Jesus "is the secret of peace—of personal peace, domestic peace, international peace. And, world peace waits upon His coming, but friend, you don’t have to wait ’til Jesus to come for you to have peace. For the Bible says that 'therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1)."
A= I've been reminded that "Wonderful" is a noun and speaks of Christ's Person and His work on my behalf. Because I have accepted His free (but oh-so-costly) gift of salvation, I can see Him at work in my life every day in these magnificent roles.
Counselor -- I can turn to His word every day for guidance and wisdom.
The Mighty God -- He is sovereign and all-powerful. What a difference it makes in my daily life when I acknowledge this!
The Everlasting Father -- God Himself is my Heavenly Father and cares for me in every area of my life.
The Prince of Peace -- As I trust my Heavenly Father and rest in His love, trusting and acknowledging His sovereignty over my life, I will have His peace in my heart. This peace that passes all understanding could only come from the Prince of Peace!
An Our Daily Bread devotional helps with our application: "Christmas is the season of peace. The Old Testament tells the story of how God set the stage to introduce the Prince of Peace. Jesus came to break the cycle of sin and blame by making peace for us with God 'through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20) Instead of blaming us for all the trouble we cause, He bore the blame for all of us ... When we accept forgiveness from God, we lose our desire to withhold it from others. And when we live in peace with God, we are eager to make peace with others. We can both give and receive the gift of peace this Christmas. "
P= "Lord, I praise You for all that You are, as depicted in this beautiful verse. I praise You for Your magnificent work in salvation and for drawing me to where I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Since that has taken place, I can see the realities of this verse in my life every day.
"I thank and praise You for Your Word, in which I can find counsel, guidance, and direction for my life. I praise You that You are the Mighty God, omnipotent and sovereign over all the events of history, working all things together for the good of Your children and for Your glory! I thank You that You are my Heavenly Father, perfect in Your love and care for all of Your children. And I praise You so much so much for Your peace which garrisons my heart as I commit my cares to You. Truly, You are wonderful!
I praise You in Jesus' name, Amen."
And that's the Sunday Scripture for this third Sunday in December!
Just popping in with a quick report from today and last evening. Yesterday afternoon I worked on some kitchen gifts -- little apricot cakes. They are wrapped in plastic and waiting in the freezer to be wrapped more festively.
 |
| Festively wrapped loaves from a previous year |
We did stay at our cottage last night and it was such a delight to be there on a winter evening with the little place decorated for Christmas.
The photos above are older; I must get some updated ones that show our indoor decor and some new colored lights on the outside of the cottage.
I wrote a few Christmas cards and worked on a small crocheted gift while we were there.
Today we had an hour or so to visit with our second oldest granddaughter, here on a short visit from Georgia. She heads back tomorrow. We enjoyed Christmas cookies and tea together and she took a plate of cookies when she left.
I did a bit of Christmas shopping this afternoon -- just a few more gifts to find!
My hubby and I also worked together to make four pans of lasagna to freeze as gifts for friends.
He also took inventory of his cookie supply and noted he needs to make another batch of Whipped Shortbread, Eggnog Logs, and Chocolate Mint Crisps.
I'd hoped to finish the small crochet project this evening, but that didn't happen.
And that was our day!
Yesterday was a day of laundry, housework and catching up from our overnight getaway. The picture above was taken in Kennebunkport, Maine. We detoured there on our way home on Tuesday and took a short walk around this charming town so well decorated for Christmas.
I will post more about our getaway later, hopefully, but I want to share these beach pictures especially for my friend Pam, who had wished to see them.
It's a mild day and promises to be a mild night, so Mr. T wants to stay at our cottage, so that may impact how much I accomplish here. I will check back in tomorrow and report!
I'll be posting Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls. The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download. Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up. More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more. I think it will be a blessing to you.
I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one. I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage, or praise for what it means to you.
This week's verses are focused on Love. If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this (interestingly enough) is the one from December 14.
S= "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod, the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
"Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:1-2)
O= The Gospel of Matthew, as C.I. Scofield explains, "was written originally for the Jews" and "presents Christ as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. Because He is portrayed as King, His genealogy is traced to King David; and the place of His birth, Bethlehem, the home of David, is emphasized.
Verse 2 is considered the key verse in the book of Matthew. It emphasizes Jesus as King -- and King of the Jews, at that. It's interesting to me, also, that these wise men, obviously Gentiles, came "to worship" this King.
As one scholar noted, "They had come to bow down in adoration and reverence to the King of kings. How is it that these Gentiles recognized what His own people refused to accept?"
A= Is Jesus King of my life? Am I acknowledging Him as sovereign over every aspect? I think of the hymn which begins, "King of my life I crown Thee now; Thine shall the glory be". Is that my mindset? It should be!
Someone has written, "Jesus is King of our lives, so we must serve Him all of our lives."
P= "Lord, I thank You for the amazing way in which Your Word fits together, the way in which You inspired the various writers to share information that would target different aspects of the Bible for specific purposes. It's also a blessing to see how accurately prophecy has been fulfilled.
I praise You for the privilege of owning multiple copies of the Bible in my own language.
And Lord, You know the desire of my heart that I would have You to be King of my life. Thine shall the glory be!
In Jesus' name, Amen."
That's the very simple Sunday Scripture for this week!
Today has been a busy day -- our annual tradition with four of our local grandkids. It has evolved over the years but now is essentially a three-part day: (Photos are all from previous years.)
1. Breakfast at our house, using Christmas dishes. This year's menu was breakfast sliders, hash brown casserole, cinnamon apples, eggnog coffeecake, and hot spiced cider.
2. Hours of crafting fun with all kinds of materials. Ornaments were made, also gift tags, a charming Christmas tree, an amazing reindeer, and a Santa dragging a pack made of walnut shells. I failed to get photos, but hopefully their mom will.
I also worked a bit on a small crocheted gift project. Tonight my hubby and I cleaned up the kitchen and I prepped a main dish for tomorrow's fellowship meal at church.
And that was our day!
Today is another busy day with lots of Christmasy plans, preparations, and events happening.
After our quiet times this morning we headed straight to the grocery store. I think that this trip has caught us up to date on components for cookies and kitchen gifts. I haven't calculated how many pounds of butter we've bought this season, and it's probably just as well not to know.
After putting the groceries away, I made a schedule for the rest of my day, and my hubby went to the kitchen and started making cookie dough for a new kind he wants to try: Maple Thumbprints. We'll see how they come out. If we like them I'll link to the recipe.
Then I added a ribbon and tag to my gift for tonight's Ladies of Grace Christmas party.
After lunch I plan to put together breakfast sliders for tomorrow's breakfast with four of our grandkids. This breakfast is a tradition every December and is followed by crafting and possibly candy making. In the afternoon we'll head out for ice cream sundaes at a favorite destination.
The breakfast menu will include the sliders (with sausage, eggs, and cheese), a hash brown casserole, cinnamon apples (I'm trying a crockpot recipe this year that's different from my usual skillet but sounds scrumptious!) and a simple coffeecake. (Not sure yet if I'll bake that tonight, or in the morning.)
There is likely to be a plate of Christmas cookies to snack on during their crafting endeavors. I don't have specific crafts planned; I'll just get out the totes and boxes of Christmas craft materials and the kids will take it from there with their endless creativity. I may even get to make an ornament or two myself!
I'm hoping to do a little more Christmas decorating and possibly some cleaning this afternoon.
I'll be bringing lasagna and a cookie plate for tonight's party, which is always a lovely time.
It looks like my hubby will be wrapping up his cookie baking soon. It will be nice to have that all done!
Today has been busy with all kinds of things, including a dental appointment for me and putting snow tires on our car for Mr. T.
In addition, he baked the apricot-filled Sacher torte cookies and the lemon spritz cookies shown above.
I made a lasagna for our Ladies of Grace Christmas party which is tomorrow night. It's an easy make-ahead, so I prepared it today and will bake it just before the event.
I also made a hash brown casserole for a breakfast we'll be doing on Saturday with some of the grandkids. Very helpful to have that done ahead. I will try to do more components for that meal tomorrow.
Another Christmasy thing I did was to wrap my gift for tomorrow night's gift exchange.
And worked on posts for my Christmas blog ... that may be about it for today.
Lots of Christmasy happenings here today!
Mr. T baked and frosted another batch of Eggnog Logs. He also baked a batch of Lemon Shortbread Thumbprints and made a batch of Special Holiday Fudge.
I finally got around to baking Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen. They involved a lot of work but are beautiful and delicious. There was an option to make them a peppermint mocha flavor so I did that.
I listed a few more Christmas cards in my Etsy shop and worked on more posts for my Christmas blog.
We got the lights on our Christmas tree and then between us we mostly got it decorated. There are a few more things I want to add, and a few more decorations to go up in the house, but mostly we are in good shape for our annual grandkids breakfast and craft time which will be Saturday.
It snowed all day, which was another Christmasy thing, and I had Christmas music playing as we worked on our various projects.
My hubby baked a second batch of the Gingerbread Coffee Cake Cookies because he had streusel topping left from yesterday's batch and wanted to use it up.
He also baked a pan of the Cranberry Cheesecake bars.
I was going to try a new chocolate candy cane cookie recipe and even softened the butter for it, but it was after 2:30 by the time I could have started, and that just wasn't happening. Tomorrow!
He is currently working on putting up the Christmas tree, and he restrung the lights on our little outdoor fir tree to make them look better.
I had soooo many computer tasks to attend to; things to order, customer service people to communicate with, emails to send on my hubby's behalf. I had an Etsy order to prepare and send. I did send several Christmas cards to friends, and a birthday card to a Nevada granddaughter.
Tonight I need to compose some more Christmas emails to missionaries. We may get a start on decorating the tree, but we'll see what happens! Tomorrow is supposed to be snowy, so we will be happy to stay in and enjoy our Christmas preparations.
So yesterday afternoon we were able to go to the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert, titled North Pole Playlist. Our granddaughter and several of our friends play in this orchestra and the Christmas concert is always a fun one.
Today my hubby has been baking cookies and stringing up outdoor lights. I think he also is thinking of bringing in the Christmas tree this afternoon too, but we will see!
He is currently working on Christmas tree spritz
and earlier finished Gingerbread Coffee Cake Cookies.
I'm planning to post Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls. The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download. Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up. More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more. I think it will be a blessing to you.
I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one. I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage, or praise for what it means to you.
This first week's verses are focused on Hope. If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 1.
S= "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38)
O= This is Mary's response to the angel Gabriel as he came to her and explained that she would become the mother of the Messiah. Though she didn't (and couldn't possibly) comprehend all that was to entail, she responded with "behold, the handmaid of the Lord" -- basically saying "I am God's servant."
And then she added, "Be it unto me according to thy word" -- or, "let it happen as you have said." What an amazing statement for an unwed teenage girl to make!
David Jeremiah comments, "This is the glory and wonder of Christmas, that God could plant not only into the womb of this woman the Son of God, but He could plant in her heart the faith to believe the message that she received from the angel. Her response has always overwhelmed me with a sense of absolute submission that ought to be in the heart of every child of God. Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word'..”
A= I have the entire Bible. I may not understand all of God's plan for my life, but I know it's a plan for good and not for evil. Therefore, how much more do I need to obey God unquestioningly. I need to see myself consistently as God's servant, and to accept His plan for my life -- without question or complaint.
David Roper wrote, "What is God asking you to do? It may be something magnificent, or something ordinary. It may be to respond actively to a command of Scripture, or to submit patiently to present suffering."
“What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the holiest thing that could happen to us,” commented the 18th-century writer Jean-Pierre de Caussade.
"Are you able to accept each moment with grace and submission? Can you respond to the Lord as Mary said to the angel, 'Let it be to me according to your word'?" -- David Roper
P= Lord, I thank You so much that you have provided the example of Mary for us to observe. We see her trusting response to the angel's news and are so rebuked by it. So many times we want to question what You are doing. Mary had questions too, yet once the angel provided reassurance she had this response of unhesitating acceptance.
"I pray that You will help me to be Your trusting, obedient servant, as Mary was.
I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen."
And there is the very simple (yet profound) Sunday Scripture for this first Sunday in December!
Graphic from CrossCards.com I came upon some quotes I had tucked into my prayer journal and thought they would be very helpful to anyon...
