Thursday, April 2, 2015

A Grand Party with a Surprise

One year ago today I began my journey
in this beautiful community
of blogging
~
HAPPY FIRST BLOGAVERSARY TO ME!
&
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR STEPHANIE! 


I am celebrating both of these occasions together
because had it not been for the 
inspiration and encouragement of Stephanie,
I would likely not be blogging.
In honor of her I began my journey 
on her birthday one year ago today.
If you would like
you may read my first post here.

~~~***~~~

As my sweet encourager,
Stephanie has lived out (Colossians 4:6)
"Let your speech be with grace,
seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how you ought to answer each one."
Stephanie's words have been Gracious" to me. (Ecclesiastes 10:12) 
She has seasoned me with salt when I have said,
"computers and I have a hard time getting along."
She has assured me that I can do it,
and that she will help me along the way.
Has she helped me? Oh yea!
This post would be for-ever long
if I shared with you the many times
 I have had to call my "help line."
Stephanie works behind the scenes for me ~
many times she has been my personal photographer ~
I'm sure you can tell which photo's have been hers, haha ~
she has been my technical difficulty go to in a pinch.
I couldn't do it without her.
 When I have to call my "help line" in distress, I might add,
she always responds by living out (Isaiah 50:4)
"The Lord God has given me the tongue
of the learned, that I should speak
a word in season to him who is weary."


Stephanie ~ My Dear daughter and friend
is so good to me ~ her mother.
My heart is filled to overflowing
as I watch with a mother's heart the love in action
in Stephanie's life ~ her desire to walk after
her Savior ~ to practice being a Proverbs 31 women
in the role God has given her,
bringing glory and honor to her God.
With great honor from a mother's heart ~
Happy Birthday Stephanie! 

~~~***~~~

In the celebration of Stephanie's Birthday
and my One Year Anniversary 
I am having my very first "Give-Away."
Woohoo!
This is exciting for me as I have waited a whole year!
*So let the party begin*


My favorite color is pink ~ so this special gift
includes many items in that beautiful color.
Sorry if you do not like pink :(
I have also included a tea-cup in honor of Stephanie.


 Many a friendship has begun all through
her delightful Tea-Cup & Mug Exchanges.
Some of you dear followers have become my 
friends through that exchange.
I so appreciate each and every one
of  YOU, graceful followers,
and this is just a small token of my love for you.

~~~***~~~

I love ~ love ~ love ~ surprises!
So in each pink bag I have tucked 
away a surprise for the blessed winner.


I am allowing anyone to participate,
all I ask is that you leave a comment
sharing with me what your favorite Birthday cake is.
I will announce the gracious winner on my next Sunday 
Grace & Reflections for a Women's heart post
which will be on Sunday the 12th.

~~~***~~~

For refreshments today I will be serving up
my Granny's "Dime Cake" with you.
This gorgeous chocolate cake
with fluffy white icing was the cake my Granny 
made with love until she went home to be with her Lord.
Her cake has graced five generations
and has left many lasting memories. 
May you enjoy!


Chocolate Cake
1 cup cake flour ~ sifted at least three times
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
1/4 cup crisco
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (cool)
~
Butter and flour cake pans ~ I use rounds for this cake
Beat all ingredients in a large mixing bowl on low speed,
scraping edges occasionally 3 minutes & pour into pans
Bake at 350 deg. for 30 to 35 minutes 
Or ~ you may just want to use a boxed cake mix. :)


Fluffy White Icing 
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
~
Mix sugar, corn syrup & water in a saucepan.
Cover: heat to rolling boil over medium heat.
Uncover: boil rapidly until candy thermometer registers 242 deg.
As mixture boils, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Pour hot syrup very slowly in thin stream into egg whites,
beating constantly on medium speed.
Add vanilla: beat on high speed until stiff peaks form ~ this part takes awhile
I double this recipe so as to make one beautiful and full looking cake.
 All you have to do is wrap dimes in wax paper 
and place them in between the layers of the cake.
I put the icing on the cake first then place the dimes.
Children absolutely love the fun in this cake
and they will eat every bite looking for the dimes. :)
Enjoy! 

Thank you Heavenly Father
for showing me Your direction
with this blog that belongs to You.
Thank you for the beautiful
and gracious followers you have brought
to this, Your blog.
May You be glorified
in all that goes forth from this place.
In Your Holy name I pray,
with thanksgiving.
Amen

Joy!
~ Debbie ~ 

I'm joining the party with
Stephanie at "Roses of Inspiration" 

39 comments:

Nina said...

Dearest Debbie,
Your words filled with love and gratitude to your beautiful daughter, Stephanie, touched me to tears ... Mother's love to her daughter, and daughters love to her mother, is unique and so special!
I'm blessed also with the sweetest mom, and I miss her greatly - and look forward of the precious moments we're able to spent together.
Happy Birthday to your dear Stephanie, and Happy One year Anniversary with She Graces Her Home in God's Beauty ... Thanks to Stephanie, I have found your blog, filled with grace and His peace...
Wishing you a Joyful and Happy Easter,
Debbie!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your blogaversary. AND happy birthday to dear Stephanie. I appreciate you both so very much. Thanks for sharing the precious chocolate cake recipe. My beloved mother would make me a white cake with white icing with lemon filling for my birthday each year. God bless you this Easter.

Melanie said...

Hi, Debbie
What a sweet tribute to your daughter. Stephanie is indeed a treasure, always leaving sweet comments on my blog. Happy Blogiversary to you too. I remember when I first began. I had help from my son in learning how to even turn a computer on!
As for my favorite birthday cake - it has to be the one my mother made for me year after year. It was always an angelfood cake frosted with powdered sugar frosting usually flavored with marachino cherry juice from the jar. The top of the cake was decorated with halved marachino cherries. It was so good. I do love the color pink so I'm hoping that I win! Have a blessed day.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Happy 1st Blog Birthday as I like to call it!!!
I'll visit Stephane's blog and leave a Birthday greeting. Your daughter is a lovely Christian.
My favorite cake is chocolate with
raspberry filling and buttercream frosting! YUM!
Thank you for having a Pink giveaway to celebrate!!
warmly,
deb

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Debbie, your daughter has been such a sweet source of companionship, and even though we found each other as I was exiting this lovely blogging world, she has kept up with me via comments. She is so kind, so beautiful, and YOU are her role-model, I know it. I am pleased to have found you now, and happy blogging! Anita

Sylvia said...

Happy First Anniversay on your blog, Debbie, and Happy Birthday to Stephanie. Both of you have truly been a blessing to me. Every time I read yours or her blog, God has blessed me with new insight to His word that has helped me along my journey in following Him. You are so generous to have such a great give away, everything looks so precious, pink is my favorite color also.
Stephanie has also been so much help to me on learning new things tech wise! She has been a true friend the last 3 years.
I have a sweet tooth so any cake is a favorite, I would have to pick Chocolate with the buttercream icing.
Have a blessed Easter weekend!
Hugs, Sylvia

Sola Scriptura said...

Happy Birthday to your dear Stephanie! And happy blog anniversary to you! I'm not too picky about cake as I'll eat any cake offered to me, but I'd say cheesecake is my favourite :)

Anne Payne said...

Good Morning, Debbie!
Happy One Year Blogging Anniversary~ My has it been that long?! I well remember your first post. Such a sweet tribute to your Stephanie~ Happy Birthday, dear girl!

Wishing you a blessed weekend as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord & Saviour Christ Jesus!

Marilyn Mathis said...

I am totally shocked that you have only been posting for a year. Your blog is so beautiful and you are so faithful to comment on my blog. Your daughter is a great inspiration, not only to you, but to so many who visit her blog, me included. You have created a fantastic blog in a short time. I learn from the things you post. Bless you for being such an inspiration to so many. Hugs!

Camille said...

Happy Birthday to your Stephanie! And...happy blog-a-versary, Debbie! :) Your post is a beautiful tribute to your daughter...I am sure she is just as blessed by you as you are by her. Thank you for hosting a give-away...so much fun! My favourite birthday cake is probably cheesecake...but, carrot cake with cream cheese icing is a close second...oh, and chocolate...flourless chocolate cake should be there somewhere, too! Hmmm...obviously, I am not easy to please. Hugs to you both! With Love, Camille

Blue Jeans And Teacups said...

Happy happy! to you both! hmmm, I really like Italian Cream cake. Sam's Club usually sells it, but my dad's Carrot cake is wonderful. I also gravitate towards dense chocolate, so I guess it depends on my mood! Hugs to you both!! Heather Elizabeth
BlueJeansAndTeacups@gmail.com

Debby Ray said...

Well, let me start out by wishing you the most happiest Blogaversary, my sweet friend! I didn't realize you started your blog on Stephanie's birthday! And I do hope she is enjoying her special day! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to you two...your precious hearts encourage SO many of us. If I was going to tell you what my birthday favorite cake was, I would have to say strawberry. Any way, shape or form of it! Your chocolate cake recipe had me drooling though...and this is such a lovely giveaway, Debbie. Have a blessed Easter Sunday!

Home Meadows said...

Congratulations on your one year blogging anniversary and happy birthday to your daughter. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. My favorite birthday cake is white cake, with white icing with a raspberry filling; yum! (your grandmother's cake looks delicious; chocolate is my husband's favorite) :-) Have a blessed day, Heather

Connie said...

Hi Debbie, I am happy to meet you and to have found your charming blog. What a lovely and thoughtful post. I'm sure that it touches your daughter's heart. Have a lovely day and a very Happy Easter.
Your newest follower,
Connie :)

Ida said...

Happy Blogaversary! I am so glad that I found your blog and your lovely daughter Stephanie's blog as well. You are both very special ladies and I so enjoy visiting your blogs each and every time I stop by.
Hmmm my favorite birthday cake, I'm going to have to go with a white cake with fluffy icing and lemon filling.
Have a wonderful day & what a nice little giveaway.

Kelly-Anne said...

Dearest Debbie! Oh! A very, very happy blog anniversary to you and your beautiful blog!
It is a delight stopping by and I am so glad to have discovered you!
You share such beautiful Godly wisdom and truth and I am so thankful for it!
I am sure your day was filled with much celebrating...
And the happiest of birthdays to dear Stephanie! The world of blogging is so much the sweeter for her, and 'The Enchanting Rose' is one of my favourite places to visit!
I pray this next year of blogging for you is richly blessed!
Now, let me thank you for hosting such a special giveaway!!
I would dearly love to be entered...:)
I am not too sure of my favourite birthday cake...this year I had a black forest cake and my! Was it good! I think I will go with that, with a traditional South African milktart a close second!
Many blessings and much love to you!
Kelly-Anne

Jill said...

A very Happy Blog-iversary to you and wonderful wishes to Stephanie on her Birthday

Dee said...

Congrats on one year of blogging and Happy Birthday to Stephanie!This was such a touching post. It's so beautiful to see the love you have for your daughter and the love Stephanie has for you as well. You are both very blessed.

Well, my favorite type of cake is cheesecake, chocolate cake is the runner up, but I've never turned down any type of cake. Thanks for entering me and have a wonderful rest of the day... :)

Anonymous said...

Happy first blog bloggiversary, Debbie :) It's so exciting! This giveaway sounds lovely- my favorite birthday cake is a Chocolate Fudge Strawberry Shortcake :) It really is so yummy and pretty, too! I've had it for my birthday twice already, and I think it's one that I'd like to keep as a tradition! Many blessings to you today, and as you continue on your blogging journey! I look forward to following along in the future! Love to you!

NanaDiana said...

Debbie- Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter, Stephanie. I don't dare call her Steph cuz I know you told her to go by her full name when she went to school! lol You see the secrets we bloggers know? lol

I won't sign up for your giveaway, Debbie. Not because I don't LOVE it-but because I have won several giveaways in the last few months. I just opened one today...so...let someone else have the joy of a win.

Blessings to you. I have loved getting to know you this year. xo Diana

Kim said...

Happy Anniversary, Debbie....and happy birthday to your daughter, Stephanie! So happy to have discovered your lovely blog only recently. Each time I visit your little corner of the world it is a delight to drink in your visual feast and meditate on your lovely thoughts of godly wisdom! As for my favourite birthday cake...'tis a bit tricky to choose, but if I had to, I would choose chocolate frosted chocolate cake with cream and fresh strawberries. As for the colour pink....'tis such a pretty hue!!

Conniecrafter said...

Happy Blogaversary!! You have raised a very warm and godly woman, just what the Lord asks of us as mothers. So great that she has been an encouragement to you. Hope she is enjoying her time away.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Happy Blogaversary! What a wonderful giveaway you are doing! And the cake recipe looks scrumptious. My most favorite birthday cake is 3 layer carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. My Mom Jane (my spiritual Mom) makes it for me every year. It is very special.

Celestina Marie said...

Dearest Debbie,
Congrats on your blog anniversary and a very Happy Birthday to dear Stephanie. I just love her and see your spirit within her. As her mother you have raised her so well and she is a blessing to all.
Your giveaway is beautiful and very generous. I would love to enter and my favorite birthday cake is white on white cake with pink roses. LOL Now that I have to watch gluten, I bake a gluten free variety and love it just as well with my own butter-creme icing.

Thank you Debbie for your friendship over the last year. Your posts have been so encouraging. You and Stephanie have been such a blessing to me and I thank God for the journey blogging has given me.

Wishing you continued fun blogging
and enjoying the process.
Make God Bless you with Great JOY!
Love to you my friend, CM

Vicky Hunt said...

First, let me just say Happy Blogiversary! I can't believe it has been a year...:) I was so excited when you started your blog. I just knew I would love my visitis her as much as I enjoy my visits with Stephanie. You two ladies are just beautiful...on the inside and out! I always leave inspired or encouraged and I thanbk you for that. Now, as for my favorite cake, I don't know that I can pick just one...lol! For years it was a cake we call Pea Picking cake...funny name and I have no idea where the name came from, but it is so tasty. The cake has mandarin oranges in it. The frosting is cool whip, vanilla pudding mix, and crushed pineapple...yum! The cake is refrigerated and so tasty. I used to request it from Mama every year. My favorite now is probably the cake my best friend Jeana ususally makes me. It is a white cake, with homemade buttercream frosting, layered with a strawberry filling, and chocolate covered strawberries on top and drizzled in chocolate. It is absolutely heavenly. Thank you for hosting such a sweet and lovely giveaway! What a fun idea to hide surprises in the bags. Have a blessed and beautiful Friday Debbie.

Hugs, Vicky

doodles n daydreams said...

Oh, congratulations on your one year blogaversary :) a milestone indeed. That first year really is one of learning, learning, learning - and meeting some great people.
I'd love to go in your giveaway, my favourite colour is pink. I just like cake but if I had to pick one it would have to be a chocolate one, probably a nice rich chocolate mud cake.
Seeing as I am in a different part of the world to you I understand if you prefer not to include me - not a problem.

Diana

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hi Debbie,
Happy 1st Year Blog Anniversary and Happy Birthday to Stephanie. How exciting and wonderful to have Stepahnie teach you about blogging as that is how I learned to blog too from my daughter! I'm so glad and thankful I have met you both through blogging!
My favorite cake is just like the cake you are sharing chocolate cake with white frosting.
Have a Happy Easter.
Hugs, Julie xo

Stephanie said...

Dearest Mom, I am truly humbled and honored by this beautiful post. I don't think a simple "Thank You" is sufficient to express the gratitude I have for you, your love, and your kind, uplifting words.

It is my joy to help you with blogging and I am ever so thankful you took the leap of faith to start up a blog one year ago - I KNEW you would bless many women because you bless my daily :) You have the gift of edifying and encouraging others and it's a pleasure to see you using your gift to touch women around the world. Thank YOU for starting this blog and for sharing God's wisdom with us... I always learn so much from you.

I am blessed to be your daughter and I thank the Lord He gave you to me :) I love you!

The giveaway is simply lovely and I know the winner will be richly blessed by your gifts. I will not enter since you "spoil" me with gifts already, but I will share what my favorite cake is... Granny's Dime Cake, of course! :) I love how the tradition has been passed along. I missed having it this year...

Vee said...

This post makes me smile. Stephanie is a sweetheart and, when her mother says she is, I know she really is. Happy Blogiversary! Here's to many more!

Vee said...

Oops. forgot the part about "favorite birthday cake." My favorite birthday cake is blueberry pie. ; >

White Lace and Promises said...

Thank you Debbie for your prayers while I've hardly known how to pray. Your Stephanie is an encouragment to so many. I'm sure it's because she had such an example in her mom. My tea cup and mug are just precious. I've not even stopped to say thank you and share. I've got to do that next. Thanks for the reminder.

Mrs. Smith said...

Happy birthday to sweet Stephanie, and congratulations to you on your first year of blogging!

Thank you so much for sharing with us your family recipe! That makes it so special and it looks amazing!

I have a thing for traditional yellow cake with buttercream frosting. I craved it like crazy when I was expecting my middle child and my husband would buy me birthday cakes from Winn Dixie's deli week after week. :)

Roberta said...

Hello Debbie,
Happy Blogaversary and a blessed happy Easter !!
Thank you for sharing the receipt of the chocolate cake! My favorite cake is Apple pie!
Un baiser

M.K. said...

Hi, Debbie! How sweet of you to honor your daughter AND do a giveaway! I hope she has a lovely birthday. Your blog is a blessing. I LOVE hearing the music as I type and read here. My favorite birthday cake? Hmm. I adore ice cream cakes. But my favorite is the chocolate cake my mother makes. We call it the "Miss Alberta Cake" in honor of the lady whose recipe it was. So moist. And my husband says it has "disappearing icing" -- the seafoam icing that gradually melts into the cake, making it moister (not dryer) as it sits for a day or two. I do miss her cake.

Danni N said...

Happy Blogaversary! It does my heart good to see the wonderful relationship you and Stephanie have. Daughters become even more special when they are also our friends!

My favorite birthday cake has to be cheesecake. If a traditional cake is insisted upon, my choice is far and away going to be carrot cake (with no nuts, since I am allergic to them!). If someone takes the time to make me a cake, however, I'll take anything they make!

Mindy said...

Happy One Year of blogging! I have appreciated your heartfelt and sweet posts since day 1. I also love the beautiful relationship you and Stephanie have - such love and respect for each other. Your chocolate cake looks yummy. I love that fluffy frosting, has always been a favorite. My very favorite Birthday cake is angel food with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Fortunately for me July 2nd is full of ripe berries : )

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh my, dear Debbie, Happy one year of blogging! What a loving, special tribute you shared of your sweet Stephanie, whom we all love! Someone is going to receive a very wonderful giveaway from you. Hmmmm what's my favorite birthday cake?? I do love Texas Sheet Cake. However, your Dime Cake looks so scrumptious and I'd love to make it.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh precious Debbie, what a beautiful anniversary (and birthday) post today! Congratulations on your first year blogging! What a blessing to have read this beautiful tribute to Stephanie and how God has been so gracious to you both! You are both such a blessing to me, and I always love visiting your to see beautiful images, wonderful poems and prose, and especially the Word of God! May God continue to bless you and Stephanie as you shine His light as mother and daughter to the blogging world! Praise God and many hugs and love!

Katy said...

Hello! I found your blog through Camille's blog. :) I was just reading down through your posts (sorry you didn't get to see the penguins at the zoo!) and came across your giveaway! How wonderfully sweet of you! :) I'd love to put my name in the draw!

Although I stay away from sugar, my favorite birthday cake is icecream cake! Yum! :)

Warmly,
Katy

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