Perfect Pastry Every Time~

Hello sweet and gracious friends ~
This post that I am going to share with you
is somewhat out of the norm for me, especially a tutorial.
I was corresponding with one of my dear and gracious followers one day,
 when I shared with her that I was going to teach my young grandsons 
(who were spending time with Pa and Gamma at the time) how to make a pie.
She wrote back and asked if I would do a post on 
how to make pastry as she needed some help.
To be honest with you ~
I was quite surprised to hear this lovely lady say that "she needed help."
So...after much thought I decided why not?
First, please let me say ~
I know many of you out there do not need this tutorial,
and I'm in no way patting myself on the back
wanting it to look like I am the "expert" at making pastry, because I'm not. :)
Had it not been for my dear and precious mother-in-law Betty,
I may have never learned this simple love of mine.

The pastry recipe I use and will share with you

is the one my mother-in-law used.

Betty found this recipe in the Toronto Star many years ago

as winning  1st prize from a restaurant located in Toronto Ontario Canada.

******

~ PASTRY ~

5 1/2 cups (cake & pastry) flour (sifted)
~ Using cake & pastry flour is the best way to insure tender and flaky crust ~

 sprinkle of salt

1 teaspoon sugar 

2 1/4 cups crisco shortening (heavy on the 1/4 cup)

1 egg

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup milk (shy on reaching a cup)

~ I know that may sound strange, but you will see why as we go along ~ 

Sift together the flour, salt and sugar into your bowl.

Add the crisco, remembering to heap on the 1/4 cup. (pictured below)

I have used other shortenings including natural good for you stuff

and was disappointed with the results.

Cut up the shortening with the pastry blender

until the size of peas are formed. (pictured below)

In your measuring cup ~

beat with a fork the egg then add the lemon juice.

Now fill the cup with milk reaching 1 cup level.

Gradually work the liquid into the flour mixture with a fork

until it all sticks together and is ready for rolling.

My mother-in-law used a white dress sock on her wood rolling pin.

I used to use my grandmothers beautiful wood rolling pin for years

until a dear friend gifted me with my pretty pink silicone rolling pin.

It took me a few years to use that silicone rolling pin as it seemed strange to me,

but once I took the plunge, I never used my grandmothers again.

Grandma Maxie's rolling pin graces my home

in all it's beauty after many years of  rolling. 
It's now used for decoration.

******

I use a cloth tea towel to roll my pastry out on.
By the way ~ This tea towel is used ONLY  for this purpose.

Sprinkle with a medium dusting of flour 

then wipe some flour on the rolling pin.
~ Try not to use too much flour as it can make your pastry dry and tough ~

I use about a 3" diameter ball of pastry and gently

make it into a round ready to roll out. (Pictured below)

Gently roll the pastry in a circular motion from the inside to the outer
 until it reaches the edges of the cloth.

(Pictured below)

Cold hands make the best pastry ~

So if you have warm hands run them under cold water.

Gently handle your pastry.

Gentle is key :)

~ I like to mist my pie dish with cooking spray ~

Take your pastry and gently fold it in half.

Pick up the pastry at the folded end and place it right down the center of the pie dish.

Gently open up the pastry and with your fingers press the pastry into the creases of the dish.

Do not press firmly, just enough to seal it.

Take a pair of kitchen scissors and cut off the extra pastry

leaving about an inch and a half remaining.

Now you will gently roll the edges under
lining the pastry up with the edge of the dish as shown below on the right.

~ I purposely allowed my pastry to have splits

in order to show you that you can fix those problems

and still have a beautiful looking crust ~

By doing so ~

take some of the cut offs and seal a piece gently 

over the area where there are cracks, or open spaces.

Once you roll the pastry under you will then

hide the mess and it vanishes. *Walla*

I wasn't able to get the full picture for you in the pinching process

as I needed both hands to do the work

and I was my own photographer. Ha!

Pictured below you will see the angle of my finger,

it is sideways so as not to puncture a hole in the pastry with my nail.

Dip your forefinger on one hand and your forefinger and thumb on the other hand in flour.
~ I place a small pile of flour to use for this process ~
So here goes...
place your forefinger sideways on the inside of the pastry dish,
pinch gently with your other forefinger and thumb
going all around the dish.
Now, you will go around again on those pinched edges
and pinch just a little bit harder creating the finished pinched look.
~ Pictured below ~

When I was a baby God graced me with chubby cheeks.

Well...We all know that those chubby cheeks call out 

to those dear older ladies who love to "PINCH"!

They didn't really pinch to hurt us chubby cheeked babies,

they just couldn't resist the beauty of our fat. ;)

So...Don't pinch your pastry to hurt it,

pinch gently as if you are pinching some chubby cheeks.

I truly believe that working with pastry you 

need to have a gentle touch.

The dough is not expected to do the working of the hands,

but only to yield itself up to the working.

******

This makes me think of  how the Potter (God) takes the clay (us)

as we lay passive and submissive in His hands

and begins to mold and fashion it according to His own will.

He proceeds to make it into the vessel He has proposed.

He turns it upon the wheel, planes it and smooths it,

dries it in the sun, bakes it in the oven,

and finally turns it out of His workshop ~

a vessel to His honor and fit for His use.

Having, therefore, taken the step of faith by which

we have put ourselves wholly and absolutely into His hands,

we must expect Him to begin to work, and God's works

are perfect in every stage of our growth.
(2 Timothy 2:21b)

******

I chose to make a single crust pie 

so I could share with you a tip on keeping your crust from shrinkage.

You can place alluminum foil in the dish and fill it with dry beans, or,

you can use these wonderful pastry pearls.

~ Pie crust chain weights ~

When using these I still puncture my pastry a few times with a fork.

I bake my single crust pie shell for 10 to 12 minutes at 450 degrees.

This recipe will make three double crusted pies or six single pie shells.

I freeze the remainder in a single 3" diameter size lightly floured

and placed in a zip lock baggie.

Shape it into the round as if you were ready to roll it out

before placing into the baggie.

My husband loves cream pies,

 so on this day he enjoyed a chocolate ~ coconut ~ almond cream pie.

If you are making a double crusted pie

the process is the same.

Just place the top crust over your mixture

and proceed from the point of cutting away the extra pastry,

rolling it under then pinching it together.

ENJOY!

Be Beautiful!

~ Debbie ~

Tea with Love

Hello treasured friends!

~

If you are cold, tea will warm you;

if you are too heated, it will cool you;

if you are depressed, it will cheer you;

if you are exhausted, it will calm you.

~  William Gladstone ~

~

 Let us love one another in ways

 that would bring comfort to the heart and soul.

This past weekend I was blessed

to share a cup of tea and fellowship

with my Dear mother.

Since the day dad went home to be with the Lord,

I have wanted to graciously and tenderly

look after the needs of my mother more than ever.

It has to be quite difficult

continuing on with out your soul-mate of 58 years.

 It wasn't really in the cup of tea,

but in the spirit of the sweet little tea party

that I wanted to grace my dear mother with

that brought such joy to the both of our hearts.

It was a beautiful, actually perfect day for our tea party,

as the sun was shining brightly causing the dainty little pansies

in the flower boxes surrounding us

to smile upon our time together.

It was lovely!

The daintiness and yet elegance of a china teacup

focuses one to be gentle,

to think warmly

and to feel close.

 ~ Carol & Malcolm Cohen ~

~

This is what I had hoped for my mother,

as we sat around the table in sweet love and conversation

 knowing her heart must be sad...

and her life lonesome... 

 ** ~ ~ ~ **

"Whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things."

( Philippians 4:8 )

These things made up our beautiful conversation

as mom and I shared around a cup of tea.

It was sweet memories of  good, pure and lovely

days gone by,

 yet looking ahead to what new roads the Lord had for us

as a wife who lost her husband,

and a daughter who lost her dad. 

 

One of mom's favorite desserts is bread pudding,

and so along with a delicious quiche

I baked Robyn's Blueberry Maple Bread Pudding
Robyn is a dear sweet lady, whom shares the most
wonderful and good for you recipes over at
Simply Fresh Dinners.
You will definitely want to go over and meet her.
I followed Robyn's recipe exactly as she made it,
except I added a 1/2 cup of fresh chopped peaches. 
Cream was enjoyed by one of us :)
and I'm not telling who.

** ~ ~ ~ **

Here is the quiche recipe should you want to give it a try.
~
~ Best Quiche ~
Lightly butter quiche pan then grate a sweet potato (2 if small) 
and press potato into quiche pan to make a crust on bottom & sides.
~ You may use white potatoes or pastry as well ~
Melt 2 tablespoons butter, a dash of salt, chives and place in butter.
Use a pastry brush and brush butter over the potatoes.
Bake at 400 deg. for 15-20 min. or until crispy.
Use vegetables of your choice 
I like to saute' my vegetables first as it adds more flavor.
~ You can use any meat of your choice as well ~
Lay the vegetables on top of the crispy potatoes until they are covered.
Sprinkle grated cheese (your choice) over the vegetables.
~ Goat cheese does well in this recipe ~
Beat 6 eggs 1/4 cup milk, 1teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1teaspoon powdered garlic, 1teaspoon snipped chives
and pour this over the cheese.
Bake at 375deg. for 35 to 45 min. or until light brown on top
and firm when the pan is moved.
Enjoy!

~


Our Gracious Heavenly Father. 
We know that You will grant us peace
and serenity as we look to You
during those times in our lives
when it seems hard to endure.
You are the One and Only who can carry
us through every moment
of every day.
Thank you for surrounding us
with the warm fragrance of Your unfailing love.
Amen. 

Be Gracious
~ Debbie ~

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" 

Christmas Memories ~ From One Generation to Another ~

"One generation shall praise thy works to another,

and shall declare thy mighty acts."

(Psalm 145:4)

Christmas Blessings ~ From our home to yours!

~ Our family ~
Why look at that! Our photo hog (Frosty) has made his appearance here on my blog too!

This past month I have had the joy

and pleasure of sharing

with you some of the sweet memories I have

that were made through the love of other women.

Titus 2 instructs the "older women

to teach the younger."

 I was blessed to have had women in my life

who showered their love and grace on me

in all areas of being a women.

These women, from my dear great granny

to my grandmothers, to my mother, 

as well as my mother-in-law,

 beautifully taught me how to be a women

who brings honor to her God.

~~~***~~~

The desire of my heart as a mother was 

to grace my daughters lives with all that

was poured into my own life.

As a very young child my granny

left an impression on my life,

such an impression,

that I grew up never forgetting her beautiful ways

and yet, I was only 10 when she passed away.

Granny's beauty was passed down

to her daughter ~ my mother ~ myself ~ my daughters,

and now my four precious grandsons.

My grandsons will not grow up to be

a "Proverbs 31 women"

but they can be taught how to look for one.

There are areas in the "home"

where even boys can be taught.

One of those areas is in the kitchen,

and both of my daughters are teaching

their young men to enjoy

the joys of cooking

without forgetting the clean up that goes along with it. :)

~~~***~~~

 God has richly blessed my husband and I

with two very beautiful daughters

to love on ~ to teach ~ and to train ~
into women of godly character. 
God's perfect will is that every girl
would give her heart and life completely
and unreservedly to Him
with the first gentle knocking 
at her hearts door.
As she chooses to walk close by His side
He will prepare her for the great tasks
that will lie ahead in the realm of womanhood.
My prayer has been that God would
mold and shape for Himself
vessels whose beauty would 
grow more lovely with each passing day of their lives
giving God the glory.

Now they are grown  women

with homes and family's of their own.

and so I have the joy of learning from them.
Though I am the "older" women,
I can still glean much from them, and I do.

It doesn't get any sweeter than that!

~~~***~~~

Speaking of "sweeter" 

Both of our girls are as true a Harris as one gets!

As I mentioned in my post of my mother-in-law

she had sweets tucked away in her kitchen

to die for!

There was never a shortage of delightful treats

in the Harris' home.

Both Dawn & Stephanie, have grown up to enjoy the kitchen

and have put it to good use. 

~ Our daughter Dawn ~

When my girls were young

we made candy cane cookies during the Christmas holidays.

Now my oldest daughter, Dawn, has continued

making these delightful cookies every Christmas

since she married.

They have become her "signature" cookies.

~~~***~~~

Candy Cane Cookies
These are like a short bread cookie

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (sifted 3 times)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red food color

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy (candy canes)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Mix powdered sugar, butter, shortening

egg, almond extract & vanilla.

Stir in sifted flour & salt.

*You may have noticed that when using flour

in these recipes I have mentioned to sift

the flour 3 times, it is because my granny

taught the importance of sifting.*

Divide dough into halves.

Tint 1 half with the red food color.

For each candy cane, shape 1 teaspoon dough

from each part into 4-inch rope.

Roll back & forth on a lightly floured board.

*I use my pastry cloth*

Place the strips side by side, press together tightly & twist.

Place cookie on cookie sheet

*I like to use parchment paper*

curve the top of the cookie down to form handle of candy cane.

Bake at 375 Degrees about 9 min.

Mix crushed candy & sugar & immediately sprinkle over cookies.

Remove from cookie sheet & cool. 
*Dawn says the first batch is always eaten by her alone!*

Enjoy!

~~~***~~~ 

~ Our Daughter Stephanie ~

Stephanie doesn't necessarily  have a "signature" treat
that she makes over the Christmas holidays.
She loves to make desserts
and has some delightful, 
most delicious recipes that she has shared with us
over at her beautiful blog
The Enchanting Rose 
But over the last few years she has been
taking after her grandmother Deeann
and has enjoyed the sweeter side by
making fudge for her dear hubby.
Fudge was another candy that was
enjoyed by all and made with love by mom.
This fudge with it's creamy texture
 will simply melt in your mouth!
~~~***~~~
Simple Fudge
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 5-ounce can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter
2 cups tiny marshmallows
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces or chopped bittersweet chocolate
*Stephanie uses semisweet chocolate chips*
1/2 cup chopped nuts
*Stephanie does not use nuts*
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
*Stephanie believes vanilla from Mexico is the best* 

1. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil
extending the foil over the edges of the pan.
Butter the foil: set pan aside.
2. Butter the side of a 2-quart heave saucepan.
In saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, & butter.
Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils
(about 10 Minutes).
Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking, stirring constantly,
for 6 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.
Add marshmallows, chocolate pieces, nut (if using) & vanilla;
stir until marshmallows and chocolate melt
and the mixture is combined.
Beat by hand for 1 minute.
Spread fudge evenly in the prepared pan.
Score into squares while warm.
Cover & chill for 2 to 3 hours or until firm.
When fudge is firm, use foil to lift out of pan.
Cut fudge into squares. Store tightly in a covered container.
Keep in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
~~~***~~~ 

"And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son."
(1 John 5:11)
***
God's greatest gift to us is Himself
in the person of Jesus Christ
who is God the Son.
That's what the Christmas gift is.
The expression of God's love
dwells in the Christ Child
And yet for many
His Gift remains unopened and unaccepted.
During the Christmas season
people love to celebrate Christ's birth.
They get all excited over the trinkets they receive.
There is joy, laughter the singing of carols 
and many expressions of love shown to others 
through the giving of gifts.
And yet ~ one gift remains unopened ~
the most important gift ~
the one that expresses an unspeakable love.
***
May we not be so caught up in the 
frivolities that the world has to offer.
But ~ may we like the shepherds and wise men
find ourselves on that quiet hillside 
in Bethlehem,
 looking down at the Christ Child
in wonder of it all ~ 
and open our hearts to receive the Gift
lying in the manger.
~~~***~~~
Thank you Father,
for what took place in Bethlehem,
the birth of Your Son.
Thank you for Christmas
when we can celebrate that Gift.
Make us, Lord, conscious of the purpose of that Gift,
and teach us to treasure Him.
Amen.

Come & worship Christ, the new born King!
~ Debbie ~


 

 

Christmas Memories ~ Two Lovely Ladies ~

Merry Christmas!

This month I have been sharing with you

some women in my life who have

inspired me in ways that have graced my 

home and my life, bringing glory to my God.

I have enjoyed sharing with you

a recipe that each women used

during the Christmas Holidays 

and the lasting memories

 that come with those tasty treats.

~~~***~~~

I am thankful for my very dear and precious

mother & mother-in-law,
two women whom I love dearly. 

~ My Dear Mother ~

My mother made our Christmases almost magical!

She has the gift of decorating

a home to where you are surrounded

with the warmth and love

in every crack and cranny of each room.

I can remember as a young child

enjoying EVERY single Christmas

with excitement , joy and delight!

Her gifts were bought and wrapped with love

then placed under the tree early

causing great anticipation of what could be inside.

For me... those gifts were gorgeous!

She could have just given me a beautifully

wrapped empty box,

and my heart would have been thrilled.

~~~***~~~

My mother's heritage is Italian,

and I have some amazing recipes

in a number of cook~books that have been 

handed down to me from her side of the family.

My mother didn't do a lot of baking

like her mother and my granny  did,

but mom loved making candy

during the Christmas Holidays,

and boy, could she make candy!

Two of her child hood favorites were

 ~ Divinity & Penuchi ~

 ~~~***~~~

Candy is not the easiest to make

and neither is it my favorite,

but divinity was the one candy I enjoyed 
that mother made over the holidays.
This particular candy is fluffy
 and a little bit chewy.
I always thought it was a beautiful candy
 with it being so white and pure.

Divinity

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup nuts (I use pecans, mom's favorite)

Boil sugar, water and syrup until it forms a hand ball in cold water. (about 10 min.)

Beat egg whites until firm

then add syrup slowly beating until stiff and not glossy. (about 15 min.)
Add the nuts (if desired) and 

drop by small spoon fulls onto waxed paper.

Here's a tip:
When beating the syrup into the egg whites
you want to be sure and whip until the mixture
is not glossy. Sounds strange I know.
The consistency  will be like a dry mud
when it is ready to spoon out.

 ENJOY!

~~~***~~~

~ My Dear Mother-in-law ~

My Dear mother-in-law Betty,
went home to be with the Lord,
in the year of 2013.
I was the blessed one to of had 
a gracious and loving 
mother-in-law who showed
by the example of her own life
what a Proverbs 31 women was to be like.
My husband would tell you
that his mother's favorite room in their home
was the kitchen, and I would agree with him.
~~~***~~~
My mother-in-law's heritage was English,
and she lived her life in Canada.
Betty loved to bake
and there was ALWAYS sweet desserts available.
It was through Betty that 
I learned how to make pastry.
Pastry is not an easy thing to make,
but she mesmerised me when I would sit
at the kitchen table and watch the work of her hands
as we visited with one another.
She was graceful when using her rolling pin
then lifting the pastry and placing
it in the pie or tart pans.
And then...
the gracefulness of her fingers as she would
gently scallop the edges to perfection.
She was beautiful to watch
as she worked and hummed a sweet tune in her kitchen.
~~~***~~~
Many times it is our actions that teach others.
Words are not always necessary, are they?
These two women portrayed loveliness
before me as I watched them use the gifts 
God graced them with.
We are the blessed ones
when we glean much from those 
older women God places in our lives.
~~~***~~~
This year I asked my husband 
what he would like of all the sweets his mother
made over the Christmas holiday's
when he was just a boy growing up,
and this was his choice.

Saucepan Kisses
I just love the names of these gems!
  2 cups brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup shredded coconut
Combine brown sugar, milk, butter
and melt in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil ~ stirring constantly.
Boil gently, stirring for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat & add vanilla and stir.
Pour remaining ingredients into the saucepan & stir.
Drop by spoon fulls onto wax paper.

Here's a tip:
Be sure and have all your ingredients ready
before you even start to boil the sugar mixture
because it all happens quickly!

Enjoy!
~~~***~~~ 

 God's Gift
On that dark night in Bethlehem,
"the angel brought forth
good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people." 
In that one small Child,
God sent the answer to man's every need.

~~~***~~~

He sent us an Advocate (1John 2:1)

He sent the Bread of Life (John 6:35)

He sent the Living Water (John 4:10)

He sent the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

He sent the Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

He sent the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)

He sent the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

He sent the Light of the world (John 8:10)

He sent the Deliverer (Romans 11:26)

He sent the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)

He sent us Hope (1Timothy 1:1)

He sent Truth (John 14:6)

He sent us a Lamb (Revelation 13:8)

He sent a Lion (Revelation 5:5)

He sent a Savior (2Timothy 1:10)

~~~***~~~

It's no wonder the angels lifted their voices

and worshiped on that quiet hillside.

The Father had sent the world

an expression of His love.

Light had pierced the world's darkness.

The Child had arrived!

Who will reach out their hands

and receive God's Gift? 
~~~***~~~
Our Precious Heavenly Father.
Thank you for the love You
have shown to us in the midst of our brokenness.
I ask if there are any
who do not know You,
they would receive the gift of Your Son,
and allow You to dwell in their hearts,
and make You their own
this Christmas.
Amen.

~ Jesus, Name above all Names ~
Debbie

Christmas Memories ~ Grandma Maxie ~

Hello sweet friends & Merry Christmas to you!
~~~***~~~
Who can estimate the power and influence
of the home recalled in memory?
The Spirit of God can
"stir up our minds by way of remembering."
They are precious nuggets to be stored away
and guarded within our hearts.
Oh the joys of taking a trip
down memory lane
and looking back over the years
into those childhood memories.
~~~***~~~
This is my grandmother Maxie.
She was my fathers mother.

Grandma went home to be with the Lord
just this fall at the young age of 97.
My Irish grandma was full of life, laughter and spirit!
She graced our lives and homes
 with a heritage of memories.
In memory I am a child all over again
with my grandmother Maxie and other loved ones.
The best way to describe my precious grandma...
She was young at heart ~ always.
She would unselfishly stop what she was doing
should I ask her to play dolls~
climb a mountain ~ play dress up ~ go swimming ~
ride her bike with me ~ do cart wheels ~
design & sew for me a pretty dress on her sewing machine ~
Lay on the grass and look for four leaf clovers,
(one of her favorite things to do by the way)
dance with me as grandpa played
polka music on his accordion ~
or just stop everything
and bake up some cookies together.
~~~***~~~
I was the first grand-daughter on both sides of the family
and was blessed to inherit
 grandma Maxie's name as my middle name.
God has graced me with many of her beautiful qualities
for which I am thankful for.
Along with inheriting her name,
I was given her hope chest
that was her grandmothers made of ceder wood.
With love and care grandma loaded my chest with
many of her used kitchen items.
These fiesta dishes that she had and used
in the beginning years of her marriage
were placed in that chest
and saved until I would marry.
My husband and I used those dishes
for years into our marriage,
and after nearly 36 years together
those dishes are now show-cased on our hutch
in loving memory of my dear grandma Maxie.
~~~***~~~
Grandma Maxie was a good cook
though she was not always in the kitchen
as I remember my Granny to be.
Grandma Maxie was a sincere lady
who set before us her values of working hard
along side of my grandfather
in his self owned business.
As grandpa aged with health problems,
grandma was a beautiful example
of showing love with a servants heart.
 ~~~***~~~
During the Christmas season
I find great joy in spending hours in my kitchen.
Oh... the smells and aromas,
the warmth of having the oven on,
the sounds of Christmas music playing in the background,
and the love that is poured into all that is baked,
then tied with a bow
in the form of a "goodie" package
and graciously given to loved ones whom
God has placed on my heart,
brings delight to my soul.

One of my favorite cookies 
that grandma made over the Christmas holidays
was her soft sugar cookies.
These sugar cookies are not like most
very sweet sugar cookies,
they are soft and cake like
with just a little crisp to them.
And just so you know,
one batch of these delicious tasting cookies
goes a long way, so spread the love with them!
~~~***~~~
Let us grace our homes with the delightful sounds
of Christmas music, and bake a batch of cookies.
Once baked ~ pour yourself a cup of coffee (grandma's favorite)
or a drink of your choice,
and enjoy relaxing beside the Christmas tree.

Soft Sugar Cookies
4 eggs & 1 egg yolk
4 Tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla
Cream these 4 ingredients together until light & creamy.
4 1/2 cups sifted flour (sift at least 3 times)
3/4 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon baking soda
2 Teaspoons baking powder
Cut 1 cup of shortening in the flour mixture.
I use my hand held pastry blender and mix
until I have pea size pieces of the shortening.
Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture slowly.
Grandma always said to HAND stir
the flour mixture into the creamed part as
whipping makes for a hard cookie.
This dough can be chilled if necessary.  
 

I use my pastry cloth to roll these delicate cookies on 
and gently roll with my rolling pin.
Before baking I like to sprinkle with sugar
or colored sprinkles,
 but you may also add your favorite icing on top after cooling.
Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes.
Makes 68 or more cookies.
Enjoy!
~~~***~~~
"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 )

  Look at the names that reveal the character of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ!

~~~***~~~

Our Precious Heavenly Father.

We love You, because You first loved us.

We praise Your Name

for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

whom we can have everlasting,

eternal life through.

Amen

O come let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord!

~ Debbie ~