I am Elinor Dashwood! I guess I should read the book or watch the movie now!

Take the Quiz here!

Persimmon Cookies

Well, Since my last post was about persimmon Cookies, I figured I might as well post a recipe! My Son made some this evening, they were delicious and my house smells like Grandma's house!

INGREDIENTS

* 2 ripe persimmons, pureed
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1/2 cup butter (room tempurature)
* 1 cup raisins
* 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
* 1 tsp. vanilla


DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Dissolve baking soda in persimmon pulp and set aside.
Sift flour, spices and salt together, set aside.
Cream together butter or margarine and sugar until fluffy,
beat in egg and persimmon. Stir in dry ingredients. Stir
in nuts and raisins.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15
minutes.

When life gives you bitter persimmons, make cookies!

My grandma's kitchen was a happy gathering place for me and my cousins. We would spend weekends with her and she was always making something good to eat. One day, I remember seeing bowl of beautiful reddish orange pieces of fruit on the kitchen table. So, with our mouths watering, my cousin and I took a big bite of that shiny delicious looking fruit. To our surprise, that piece of fruit sure did not taste as good as it looked! In fact, we puckered up so fast and made the ugliest faces. Grandma Andy walked into the kitchen and she laughed at the surprised looks on our faces as we bit into the most bitter and nasty tasting piece of fruit we had ever had. I asked what they were, Grandma said they were persimmons and she would be making cookies with them. With disgust on our faces we both knew what the other was thinking. NO WAY! I will not eat one single persimmon cookie!

Well, as they baked we were amazed that such a horrible piece of fruit could omit such a wonderful aroma! So, long story short, knowing Grandma would never give us a yucky cookie, we tasted them. We ate them faster than she could bake them! Wow! Grandma's hands could make anything taste good. Even something that taste so disgustingly bitter.

Sometimes, we can be just like that persimmon. We can be such bitter people that we make others pucker in disgust, with our negativity and glass half empty attitude.

Has something made you bitter? Has your bitterness caused your relationships with others to suffer? or maybe you have not even realized that is the case.

Give it all to God . . . your pain, resentment, anger, disappointments and whatever other feelings you've harbored that have made you bitter. Put yourself in his hands; let him work in your lives so that when others are around you, they will be drawn to God through the sweet aroma that will permeate from your life.

God's hand's can make anything good. He can turn your bitterness to JOY! And when life gives you bitter persimmons, make cookies!

"The Cellout"

"The Cellout" is a production which is happening this Friday, November 21, Through Sunday, November 22, 2008. My kids J and D are both appearing in this wonderful historical depiction of Christians who were executed for their faith during the rein of Roman Emperor Nero. The setting takes place in a cell where the cast members are waiting their turn to be sent out into the arena with the Gladiators. For those of you who know me, please feel free to call me for more information, if you are interested in attending the play. My son J has a lead role and this is his first non-musical drama. He and his sister D are really excited to be in this play.

Is It In You

I tried and tried to post this video, but I just could not figure out how to do it. So, just click on the link, it has a great message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y

I Only Have a Nickel!

As I was cleaning up today I noticed something shiny on the floor, looking closer, I realized it was a nickel. Suddenly, my mind was triggered and took me back to when I was about 9 years old and in the fourth grade. I remember I used to walk home from school now and then with one of my friends. We used to pass by one of those old fashioned hamburger places, you know, the ones with the greasy buns and juicy burgers (yummy!). One day, on the way home from school, my friend and I decided to stop and ask how much the ice-cream cones were. The man told us how much they were, I thanked him and started walking away. He called to me and asked me, "how much money do you have?" I said, I only have a dime. He called me back and said, "oh! I forgot, today the ice-cream is on sale for a dime, what kind would you like?" Well, my friend and I were pleasantly surprised! we both had a dime! so, we both ordered chocolate.

The next time we passed the hamburger place, we stopped and asked if the ice-creams were still dime, we were happy to hear they were! Needless to say, whenever we planned to walk home from school, we made sure we had a dime in our pocket.

One day as we passed the hamburger joint, it was obvious we were not stopping. The man called to us and said, "Hey! no ice-cream today?" I replied, "No, I only have a nickel" The man smiled and said, " Guess what! today the ice-creams are only a nickel!" Wow! today is my lucky day, I thought. So we walked back, and Yes, I ordered chocolate.

As I got older, I realized, the ice-cream cones were probably never a dime or even a nickel. The cost was what I had to offer at the time. This reminds me of how God is with us. We come to God with little to offer, and yet, it is just enough for God to bestow upon us, His FULL measure of MERCY and GRACE.

I may only have a nickel, but my Father is a King! a Mansion Builder... and I live rich in His BLESSINGS, His MERCY and GRACE.

Oh! by the way, I'd better go back and pick up that nickel!

Just Dump It!

I find that there are some food items I like to have in my pantry at all times. This way when I need to make a last minute quick dessert to take to someones house, I won't have to rush off to the store or have to go buy ready made desserts that can either be expensive or not very tasty. Also, if someone calls to drop buy my house without much notice I can throw together a dessert that is convenient. So here is a recipe for one of my emergency desserts is that is quick and easy. The name of the dessert will be obvious after you read the directions! Check it out!

Dump Cake

All you need is:
2 cans of cherry pie filling mix ( I like Comstock the best)
1 can of drained pineapple
1 box of white cake mix (I use more that 3/4's of the cake mix, it is up to you)
walnuts 1 cup
1 stick of margarine
square cake pan

1) Rub a little margarine or oil on bottom of cake pan
2) Dump one can of cherry pie filling mix in cake pan
3)Dump one can of drained pineapple on cherry pie filling
4)Dump 2nd can of cherry pie filling on top5)
Dump box of cake mix (DRY) over the whole thing as a crust
6)pour one stick melted butter over the white cake mix evenly
7)sprinkle nuts on top if desired
Bake a 350 for about 40 minutes until crust browns.That is it!!!

Turkey Day Recipe & Tips

Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I thought I might post a couple of Thanksgiving tips and a yummy recipe. The yam recipe is a recipe I got from one of my friends and it is delicioso!

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. cooked sweet potatoes

Topping:
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2c. flour
1/4 c. margarine or butter, melted
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. margarine or butter, melted
1 1/2 t. vanilla
Mix sweet potatoes, sugar, beaten eggs, 1/4 c. margarine, milk and vanilla together well; put into greased shallow baking dish. (Base)--Mix together brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans and 1/3 c. margarine. Sprinkle over potatoes. (Topping)--Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!!

Here are a couple of tips:

Stuffing your turkey:

Put stuffing in cheese cloth, enough to fit in the turkey. Twist the end of the cheese cloth and put it in the turkey cavity. When your turkey is done, just pull out the cheese cloth that is filled with the stuffing and put in a bowl! it is quick and easy and you won't have to dig your stuffing out by the spoonfuls!

Baking your turkey:

After you place your turkey in the plastic turkey bag, place the turkey breast down in the baking pan. This keeps the turkey breast from becoming dry instead it will be nice and juicy!

That's it for now,
Have wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kinda fun meme

I found this on my friends blog (Two kids a Gear Head and Me) so I decided to play! If you want to play...
Bold the things you have done and not afraid to admit!
Just as I have done.

1.Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (that is how I met my husband/he was in the band I joined)
4. Visited Hawaii ( And Jamaica)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea On the beach anyway...
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (almost 2x’s, one girl changed her mind the day we were supposed to pick up the baby/ 2nd one fell through, family came out of the wood work at the last minute)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (My husband has)
18. Grown your own vegetables(and fruit!)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France No, but…( Have seen Monet’s work in person, AWESOME!)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (When I married my Husband!)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community (my cousin raised in Mennonite community just like the amish life)
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (E-Ticket Ride!)
47. Had your portrait painted (By an artist in Italy, Alfredo Tucci)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (My husband has)
58. Taken a martial arts class ( One day, I couldn’t roll straight and got dizzy so I quit!)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Barbie’s and Skipper)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (My husband has)
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square (My husband has)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book No, But I wrote and recorded a song that was played on the radio
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (5x’s/once was in front of Pres. Reagans casket)
85. Read the entire Bible (over a long period!)
86. Visited the White House (My Husband has)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (watched my dad kill a goat we ate :o( and we had pigs we ate)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (NO, But worked in emergency room with patients)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Dr, James Dobson!, Mr. T( He has the softest hands! like a babies behind!), Carrie Underwood (she just walked by me & Smiled) Trace Adkins, Billy Bob Thorton, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bently, Luke Bryan, Stayed in Dwight Yocums Trailor, Elliot Yamin, Raven & her real dad, Rondell Sharidan (Raven’s tv dad) Kyle Massey (Raven’s tv brother) Leon Patillo from Santana, Berry McGuire ( had dinner with Berry), The Archers, 2nd chapter of acts, DC Talk’s Michael Tate- Kevin Max (both on different occasion) Bobby Golsboro, Katey Sagal (Peg Bundy) Phil Keaggy, Fred Willard, Mike Morroff
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one :o(
94. Had a baby (two!)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee