Potato Soup

As I made this soup for dinner last night, I decided to write down what I was doing so there would be a recipe to pass down.  If you're like me, pictures are helpful so I included some of those too!  Our family enjoys this soup in the winter and we always have plenty left over to heat up for lunch throughout the week.  Great when served with garlic cheese toast, wheat bread, or wheat biscuits (from the freezer, of course)!

Step 1:
2.5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and diced 
(I sometimes use red potatoes and it is not necessary to peel those.  Just scrub them well first.)
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/2 stick butter
2 T. Kosher salt (or regular if you prefer)
1/2 tsp. white pepper
4 c. water

Bring the above to a boil.  Turn down to medium heat and boil slowly for 10-15 minutes. 

Step 2:
3 cans evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter
8 oz. chopped ham
(This could be leftover baked ham or the pre-diced package one found in the meat section.)

Add and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes stirring often.  Careful not to scorch milk! 

Step 3:

(May be prepared while waiting on step 1 to cook.)

3 T. cornstarch

2 T. cold water

Mix until smooth in a small dish.  Add to soup stirring constantly as to avoid clumping.  This step is intended to thicken soup to your desire.  Feel free to repeat this step if desired thickness is not reached.  Once desired consistency is reached, move to step 4.

Step 4:
Transfer into a large crock pot and simmer on low until you are ready to serve!  It is best if left in the crock pot for an hour to allow the flavors to marinate together.  However, this step is not completely necessary and soup is thoroughly cooked after step 3. 

Enjoy!!!

Hint:  This is excellent when topped with cheese, crushed Ritz crackers, crushed croutons, chives, or even bacon bits.  And don't forget the bread I mentioned in the opening paragraph... which is delicious when dipped in the soup.  GREAT soup to serve when you're expecting company as it requires very little clean up once transferred to crock pot.  Mix up a batch of pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie for a wonderful, complete, southern meal!

Pumpkin Pie

Here is my favorite pumpkin pie recipe.  It's quick, simple, and delicious!

1 9-inch unbaked pastry shell
1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a bowl, beat all ingredients together with a wire whisk or mixer.  Pour into crust, and bake 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees, and bake another 35 to 45 minutes.  Cool before serving. 

DELICIOUS!!!  I think I'll make this for the weekend.  =) 

Pecan Pie Bars

I typically do not eat pecan desserts.  However, this is super sweet and a must try.  Great break from the traditional pecan pie.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine, cut up
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl; cut in 3/4 cup butter thoroughly with a pastry blender (or fork) until mixture resembles very fine crumbs.  Press mixture evenly into a greased 13x9 inch pan, using a piece of plastic wrap to press crumb mixture firmly in pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. 
Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently.  Remove from heat.  Stir one-fourth of hot mixture into beaten eggs; add to remaining hot mixture.  Stir in pecans and vanilla.  Pour filling over crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 34 to 35 minutes or until set.  Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.  Cut into bars. 

Thoughts on Friendship

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

These verses have been in the forefront of my mind as I am facing many emotions in regards to friendship.  What is a friend?  I believe it is one who shares in each of these "times" with another.  Truly loving them in times of joy and sorrow. 

These past several weeks have brought many challenges as a friend.  Ups and downs wouldn't even begin to describe the juggling of emotions we have shared together.  Yet through it all, there was a constant joy, hope, and comfort in the lives of us all as we share the same dependence and faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This journey started with a friend who shared her wonderful news about her expecting her third child.  It was a wonderful time of rejoicing!   However, a week after hearing of her joy, there came deep sadness as she found out she had a miscarriage.  Soon after, there was yet another friend who was sharing the joy of pregnancy only to share the next night that she too was experiencing signs of a miscarriage.  How devastating!  I've never experienced this depth of sadness and would not dare to venture out and say "I know what they are going through".  Nevertheless, I felt sympathy for them through their loss. 

The coming days led to yet another round of emotions as a dear friend shared her joy of expecting a third child.  Due to migraines and already experiencing nausea, she too has been at the forefront of my mind.  We are excited and looking forward to the joy of this new blessing!  However, there is yet two other sweet ladies and a family member who has not yet been able to have children.  They too will always be in my thoughts and prayers as I cannot begin to imagine the emptiness they feel.  How do we, as family members and friends, love others through their ups and downs?  How can we be excited for one yet feel sadness and sorrow for others? 

Sitting here this morning, The Lord brought several verses to mind...

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 

Ecclesiastes 4
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 20:6
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

What kind of friend are you?  Far too often, I have not been there for another because of my own selfishness.  Maybe they have offended me and I have no obligation to be friendly to them.  They have in fact hurt me.  Or maybe I want to justify not bearing their burden because there was a time in my life when I was rejoicing or facing sorrow and they were not there for me.  I owe them nothing, right?  Wrong!  How often have I failed Jesus, the one who came to this earth, lived a sinless life, then died for me?  Far to often, my friends, we fail Him.  And he is our Creator.  He commands us to "love one another" even over our own self. 

Maybe you are facing many challenges today as you seek to minister to those you love.  Hold on to these verses and realize we cannot put all of our focus on just one but must demonstrate love to all.  Rejoice with those who are rejoicing and mourn with those who mourn.  Love as Jesus would expecting nothing in return! 

"My friends are my estate."
- Emily Dickinson

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
-Donna Roberts

"True friendship is sitting together in silence and feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had."

Biscuits

I have tried several different biscuits, but this one tops them all!  Quick, easy, and sweet, this is a favorite Paula Deen recipe.  Enjoy! 

2 c. self rising flour
1 T. sugar
1 1/2 c. whipping cream

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and cream until the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with additional flour. Fold the dough in 1/2 and knead 5 to 7 times, adding just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to your hands. Gently roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter coated with flour, cut dough into biscuits. Place on baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray, leaving at least 1-inch between each biscuit. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Weather Changes Matthew 6:25-34

Weather has always intrigued me, amazed me, and certainly gotten my attention.  My husband will tell you that my favorite channel is The Weather Channel.  Though now I have a great respect for the weather that God sends our way, I do not fear it near as much as I use to.  However, I am daily reminded that my God is in control of ALL things.  Weather included!

Several weeks ago, as we were driving down the road, we encountered a severe thunderstorm.  One of the fiercest I had ever been through.  Worry overcame me, and the fear was paralyzing.  Then in the midst of the terror, there was a ray of sun in the distance.  As we drove closer to the clearing, there appeared a rainbow.  A vivid reminder that the God of the thunderstorm is also God of the sun!  I began to weep and almost had a joyous fit over how mighty and powerful God is!  My friend was in the vehicle behind us and we began texting (neither of us were driving) about how magnificent our Lord was!  Why would I fret?  Why should I fear?  Just this morning, I was reading of a little girl who was walking through a lightening show and her mother was asking her why she showed no sign of fear.  Her response was that God was taking her picture!  It's all in how we percieve it! 

I have been greatly burdened by the careless remarks I hear daily about the weather.  Yes, there are days when it is very hot.  And there are days when it is very cold.  There are days when it is raining and we want it to be sunny and days when it is dry and we want it to rain.  For instance, I live in South Georgia and it is fall.  However, for the past four days, we have had uncharacteristic weather for the season we are in.  It has been rather warm, and I have been sweating.  It is also very dry, and we are in much need of rain.  It is easy to live in the here and now and think of our situation at hand and complain about how miserable we are.  Why do we complain? 

One reason we tend to complain is because others do.  It has been said that negative rubs off faster than positive.  Our friends are fussing about how miserable they are, so we do too.  Another reason we complain is because we are selfish.  We have an outdoor event planned and it is raining on our parade.  We've picked out beautiful fall sweaters for our outdoor family pictures and today's forecast is predicting record high temperatures.  Another reason I feel we complain is because we have forgotten who God is.  We have forgotten that He made the heaven and the earth, the sky and the sea, the land and the plants, and even us.  Instead of having a great respect, reverence, or fear of our Creator, we speak of Him and His Creation as though it were an unwanted piece of artwork.  I don't think we intentionally set out to dishonor Him, but when we forget who He is, it happens oh so suddenly. 

I've often pondered why there is such drastic changes in temperature.  Why sometimes the weather is uncharacteristic for the intended season.  But as I shared with the high school girls just recently, God has a plan for everything!  He looks after the birds just as He does you and I.  What if one tiny sparrow has a broken wing and He is allowing the warm temperature to linger until the little bird heals and can get to warmer weather.  What if the homeless man you pass on a daily basis is fighting an infection and He is postponing the cool weather for a day or two in order for the man to heal.  The "what ifs" could go on and on, but the question really is who are we to complain?  Remarks are one thing, but complaining is quite another. 

Dear friend, we are not dealing with "Mother Nature".  Nor are we speaking with "The Man Upstairs".  All of us were designed and created especially by Him and for Him; to bring glory to His name!  As I was reading in Exodus this morning with my youngest son, I was reminded of how the Israelites had been so quick to forget about all of the things God had brought them through and began to allow a complaining spirit to consume them.  Have you, as I have so often found myself, forgotten about all that God has brought you through?  Have you forgotten how holy He is and how sinful you are?  I am convinced that if we remind ourselves daily of His goodness and our sinfulness we will become dependant upon Him for our every breath.  And our lips will speak of His majesty, glory, and power!

Are you in need of an attitude change?

How do others view your God based on how you speak of His creation?

What are some "what ifs" you can ponder the next time you are tempted to complain about the
weather?

Never say it's a "bad" storm.  God doesn't make anything bad.  Instead, say it's a rough storm. 
~my mom

Apple Pound Cake

This recipe was passed down from my Granny Griffin.  It is a delicious, moist cake that our family especially enjoys this time of year.  I'll include the original recipe, but there are several ways you can personalize it.  My family does not particularly care for pecans in our desserts, so I leave those out.  Also, the glaze is wonderful, but if you are not planning on eating this cake immediately, I recommend leaving it off as it will make the cake soggy.  Another suggestion is baking this in two loaf pans instead of the typical tube pan.  When baked in two separate pans, you can wrap one in foil and share it with a friend or neighbor!  Don't worry... if you don't have an extra large family there will be plenty left for you and yours =).  So if there are apples sitting on your counter, grab an apron and start slicing.  You can be sniffing, sampling, and sharing this dessert before the day is over!

Apple Pound Cake

Cake:
2 c. sugar
3 c. self rising flour (I use Cake Flour)
1 1/2 c. Wesson Oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 - 2 c. raw apples (cut into chunky or bite size pieces)
1 1/2 - 2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
2 tsp. vanilla

Glaze:
1/2 c. butter
1 c. light brown sugar
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cake: 
Mix dry ingredients.  Add eggs and oil and stir.  Add apples and nuts.  Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer.  Add vanilla.  Spray a tube pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Pour batter into pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Glaze:
Heat butter and brown sugar over low heat until butter melts.  Add the milk and bring to a full boil.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla and allow to cool down before spreading over cake.