Sunday, April 22, 2018

The Beauty of Friendship ~

"Christian women are called to build lasting friendships
that will endure throughout life and extend into eternity."
~ Excerpt from; The Women's study Bible ~

~ * * ♡ ♡ * * ~

As we allow God's love to fill our own lives 
that love will spill over and touch the lives of others.
This past week I had the joy of  celebrating the birthday of two very special friends;
the desire of my heart was to give of myself,
after all...the Lord loves a cheerful giver, doesn't He?
I decided to create something for them with my own hands, 
something that I wouldn't normally do in the field of baking.
Oh, I love to bake, but when it comes to decorating, not so much.
In the "Women's World" magazine there was the sweetest, prettiest cupcake recipe 
that I just had to try and accomplish!
"There are so many little things we can do for others that are so small
many people forget about them. But these aren't small things.
They show our love for Christ."
~ Mother Teresa ~
* I will share the recipe with you at the end of this post *

~ * * ♡ ♡ * * ~

As I spent the afternoon creating these adorable cupcakes for my friends,
I couldn't help but ponder on those friendships found in the Scriptures.
There is the friendship of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16&17)
By the way ~ did you know that the meaning of the name Ruth is "friendship"?
Ruth became Naomi's forever friend.
Their friendship was a deep, lasting friendship that embodied God's love.
There was the friendship of Elizabeth and Mary. (Luke 1:39-56)
Elizabeth was a Spiritual mentor.
We are to build one another up and encourage to be godly.
"A friend loves at all times"
*Proverbs 17:17*
When Mary went to visit with her cousin Elizabeth,
 it must have been a joyful time between the two women
as Elizabeth shared hospitality and wise advice to Mary.
There is comfort in a godly friend who brings encouragement to our lives.
Elizabeth shared herself liberally, didn't she?
And then, there is the friendship between David and Johnathon,
a friendship we are quite familiar with in the Scriptures. (1Samuel 18:1-3)
"Then Johnathon and David made a covenant, 
because he loved him as his own soul."
Johnathon made a covenant of friendship with David,
a friendship filled with loyalty, affection and self-sacrifice.
"The soul of Johnathon was knit to the soul of David,
and Johnathon loved him as his own soul."
What a beautiful commitment in their friendship.
Friendships that last are built on the attributes of  
grace, benevolence, compassion, loving kindness and bound together by LOVE.

~ * * ♡ ♡ * * ~

Year's ago I found this and wrote it out keeping it as a reminder on friendships.
* ♡ *
*Model For Friendships*
True Friends ~
Love each other selflessly 
Protect one another
Are honest with each other
Are there in times of trouble
Provide a safe place to honestly express yourself & still be loved
Want God's will for each other
Do not compete with each other
Are loyal to the end
Keep their promises
Build each other Spiritually
* ♡ *
These two dear friends that I shared their birthdays with this past week
are both one in Spirit with me. We were connected from the beginning,
and  became fast friends after we met.
The one dear friend, I met in church as we worked along side of one another
looking after our Senior Fellowship Gatherings.
The other dear friend was the daughter of one of my hospice patients 
and I knew that I wanted to be her friend the instant we introduced ourselves.
They are precious friends sent from God above,
both enriching my life to the glory of God.
May we all, in our friendships, show forth the reflection of Christ's beauty
through a generous loving heart making the most of every opportunity. 

~ * * ♡ ♡ * * ~

From this point on it will be the recipe I promised I would share.
Due to sharing the recipe this will end up being a very long post!!
Sorry!😘
I'm just going to share how to make the cherry blossoms with marshmallows,
you can choose what flavour of cake you want 
as the photo shows clearly how to frost.
  
* Cherry Blossom Cupcakes *


2 cups mini marshmallows 
1 cup white candy melts
1 can each pink & pearl Wilton Color Mist food color spray
2 Tbs. yellow sprinkles (tiny balls)
3 Tbs. bright pink tinted frosting
~~~
For flower petals, you will need wax paper to cut & arrange them on.
With scissors, crosswise snip each mini marshmallow into thirds.
For flowers, place candy melts in a plastic food storage bag; seal bag.
*I used 1 cup of candy *
Microwave candy, massaging bag every 5 seconds until melted & smooth.
Snip small (tiny) hole in one corner of the bag.
Pipe 6 (1/2" wide) dots of candy about 1 1/2"apart on the wax paper.
Arrange small end of each 5 marshmallow slices, overlapping as needed,
into each candy dot creating your flower.
These will set without having to place them in the fridge.
~~~
Coat the flowers lightly with the pink spray to cover completely.
Lightly coat the flowers with the pearl spray to add sparkle.
With your bright pink tinted frosting you will place the 3 Tbs.
in a plastic sandwich bag. Press out excess air from bag & seal.
Snip a very tiny hole in one corner of the bag.
For stamen, pipe short lines of frosting radiating
 from the center of each flower.
Sprinkle with some of the yellow sprinkles.
~~~
Just a few inside tips of things I learned as I went along.
While arranging your marshmallow petals into the flower
you will find them to be sticky,
 so place a damp cloth nearby and gently wet your finger tips.
DO NOT lick your fingers like I did before realizing it!😛
No, I did not keep and use those flowers!
I found it easier turning the wax paper slowly as I created each flower
rather than reaching around in a circle.


While you are putting the round sprinkles in the center of your flower
you will want to do each cupcake right after you add the pink icing
before it dries.
Also, those tiny round balls like to roll off the stamen.
My dear husband made me a tiny funnel out of paper and I gently rolled the sprinkles
down the funnel into the center of the flower.
Enjoy!


Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~





25 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a loving post and delightful cupcakes. They look so springlike.

Love you Debbie ~ FlowerLady

Elizabethd said...

Too beautiful to eat!

Pom Pom said...

Gorgeous cupcakes! You are a loving friend, Debbie!

e l i z a b e t h ♡ said...

What a lovely post! I loved all the reflections you shared on friendship, especially looking at the friendships different people shared in the Bible...so rich and lifegiving!

Those cupcakes look absolutely delightful...you did a fabulous job! I love just how springy and cheery they look! They sure bring a smile to the face ♥

Wishing you a beautiful week! Joyful blessings to you ♥

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I loved your beautiful thoughts on friendship, Debbie, and the verses and quotes that shared. You did a labor of love for your special friends, I must say! I know they were thrilled with your thoughtfulness. The cupcakes are magnificent and perfect for Springtime.....lovely, lovely! Cissy and I must try them sometime. Wasn't that seeet of your hubby to make a little funnel? Thank you for sharing with us, sweet friend. xx

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oops...I meant sweet of your hubby!

Ashley said...

Mrs. Harris,

I am so encouraged every time I read your posts. This was was beautiful as you talked about friends. I love that definition of a friend you shared. :)
Those cupcakes are so pretty! Those flowers and leaves look real. Thank you for sharing the recipe...it would be a fun one to make with my sisters. :)
I hope you week is a good and godly one. :)

Love,
Ashley

Joyful said...

I enjoyed your post. I can see why you would want to make the cupcakes for your dear friends. They are absolutely gorgeous and so spring like. They remind me of all the cherry blossoms that came out this year. Enjoy your blessed time with your friends. xx

Cheryl said...

Your cupcakes are so beautiful...and a touch of spring. I want to try making them to take to an assisted living home that I visit each week.

I have been so blessed looking back on your posts.

Joyfully,
Cheryl

Ruth Hiebert said...

What a lovely post! Strange as it may sound, but I am not sure if I ever heard that Ruth means friendship.I have heard it being pearl.I love pearls and roses, the June flower of the month.Your friends are so blessed to have you in their lives.On second thought,I think the pearl is associated with June as well.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts.

Stephanie said...

As always, a lovely post! Your thoughts on friendship were truly a joy to read and I could "feel" your love for your friends pouring forth from the words you shared. I was both blessed and encouraged. Simply beautiful!

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Monday! Love you

hobbyloes said...

What a sweet post, friendship is very important and especially a Christian frienship.
Your cupcakes are beautiful, so kind of you that you do that for your friends.
Hugs♥

Sylvia said...

You are a dear friend, Debbie, those are beautiful cupcakes, I am afraid I wouldn't have the patience to make them. It was a work of love for your friends. They are too pretty to eat.

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Debbie - having experienced you as a "blog friend" from afar, I can only imagine what it must be like to experience your friendship face to face (hoping someday we will be able to meet). What a beautiful gesture for your two fortunate friends. I love the Model for Friendship - that pretty much covers it all! And those cupcakes -- WOW!! You really nailed it - and thanks for the tips you came up with.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Those are so lovely...and what a lot of work..but you did it with such love...I know your friends felt so blessed and honored to be given such a treat. Thank you for sharing this with us today. This was encouraging in that we need to remember to show love to one another, especially those who may be going through a difficult time. It is always a blessing when others show they care.

Marilyn Mathis said...

Such a sweet post. I am glad that you again have a little time to share your inspirational thoughts with us. The cupcakes are delightful, so like the beautiful lady who made them! Hugs.

Amelia said...

Hello Dear Debbie! : )

I enjoyed your thoughts on friendship, it's so true. True Friendship does not compete. That is so true, it's always grieved my heart when acquaintances compete in having friends and not including others or competition in any other way.

The Mother Teresa quote is wonderful, if we will just do small things with love right? : )

Wow Debbie, you are amazing making those beautiful flowers! What art! Art from the heart. That's you! *big smile*

I know your friends must have loved the cupcakes! They probably would not want to eat them but preserve them somehow for a beautiful decoration! It is reminiscent of the old time sugar Easter eggs decorated on the outside with icing flowers with a diorama on the inside?

Loved your sweet post Debbie. A true bright spot!

Love, Amelia

Alessandra said...

Your cupcakes look delightful!! Love Your reflections on friendship
Hugs

Sandra said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

What a perfect way to bless your friends, by the work of your hands! The cupcakes are perfect. This is a beautiful post about loving friends.

Margie said...

What a sweet gift (pun intended)! I'm sure that your friends enjoyed their beautiful birthday cupcakes.

Creations By Cindy said...

Enjoyed this post so much Debbie. Oh I love the story of Ruth and Naomi. I love those things about Friendship and will copy those for myself. What darling cupcakes. I know your friends truly loved them and appreciated the fact that you made them. I hope that you are doing well Debbie. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Debbie, this is such a lovely post. Reminding me of all the treasured friendships I've had throughout my life, including a Ruth and Naomi one. Your cupcakes are beyond beautiful!

Linda Walker said...

Debbie,
Hello! Loved your sweet post about friendship! So blessed to call you my friend!!! I did not know that cake decorating was one of your many talents! These are so pretty!!! I used to love decorating cakes....I took classes in it many years ago...such fun plus you get to eat all your mistakes!!! haha!

hoping all is well...I sent you a long overdue email this morning! So nice to visit you this afternoon. I am making my way down my bloglist to catch up on some reading! Happy weekend! xxx

Decor To Adore said...

I recently joined a small women's bible study group and it has been such a blessing. I can't wait to try to make your sweet treats to take along. Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

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