Side dish

Creamy Potato Stacks with Thyme

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“You eat with your eyes first!”

Oh, I love it when simple food is made a little fancier and prettier for a special dinner.  I love Au Gratin Potatoes, but a casserole dish of them is usually too messy to set on a table in hopes for a pretty presentation.  However, recently I found a recipe for a bumped-up version of these delicious spuds.  The Au Gratin recipe is basically made in individual servings by putting stacks of potatoes into muffin tins!  It’s genius!  This tweaked recipe is also super delicious and pretty to serve, plus these cook faster than a whole pan of Au Gratin Potatoes!  That’s a win-win!

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I don’t own a mandolin for slicing, but my food processor does a fantastic job at making super thin slices of vegetables and it’s not nearly so scary to use!  These are creamy, delicious AND pretty!!

Creamy Potato Stacks With Thyme

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 2 lbs. medium russet potatoes (about 4-5), peeled and sliced 1/8 to 1/16 inch thick
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 375F. Spray 12 cup standard muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a small sauce pan, whisk together cream, thyme, garlic, and nutmeg. Bring to a slow simmer and remove from the heat. You want the cream just heated through. Discard the thyme.
  • Toss the potato slices with salt and pepper and layer into stacks in the prepared muffin cups, filling each one to the top but not over the top.
  • Spoon cream over each potato stack, filling almost to the top. You will have couple or so slices exposed. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are knife tender and golden brown on top.
  • Remove the muffin pan from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen up the stacks and carefully remove to a serving platter.

potato stacks

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What dish can you think of that needs to be made a little prettier to set on the table?  Would individual servings help with presentation?

With love and little bit of carbs,

denise a

Marriage · Refreshment in marriage

Grace in Marriage

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We are so thankful for God’s grace to us in our daily lives, aren’t we? We know what it looks like – grace forgives, helps, restores, equips, guides, and restores. But what would grace in marriage look like?  Let’s put it in a practical light of how you and I can practice grace in our marriage relationship today.

  • Pray daily for your mate – Find Bible passages to pray for him and watch how God answers!
  • Regularly learn about him – Things are constantly changing. What do you need to learn?
  • Find new ways to serve him – Be the one with the biggest servant’s heart. If you want to be great, serve.
  • Look for ways to surprise him – Find something that would be a blessing and do it when he least expects it.
  • Withhold criticism about him – Keep it from your thoughts, conversations to others or him.
  • Touch him – No one else but you can.
  • Respect him – To his face, behind his back, tell others why you respect the man you chose to marry.
  • Affirm him – Remind him that you’re on his team, no matter what.
  • Forgive –Call a truce in a disagreement – Hold out both your hands to him, look him in the eye and say what you would want to hear…”I’m sorry. Let’s make up.”
  • Be cheerful – Be the reason he’s glad he came home!

You may have screamed, “He doesn’t deserve __________.”  That’s why it’s called grace.  Do it for him like God does it for you.

As I close out this blogging week, I’m going to share with you the first broadcast from Refresh Her that aired on WHCB Radio last Saturday.  You can hear the broadcast live each Saturday at 3:45.  This is 15 minutes long, so  find the best way to take the time to listen – perhaps on your phone while you’re doing another task or getting ready for the day.  Click below to listen!

Is this broadcast something you might like me to post each week?  I’m curious if there would be enough interest to find a way to post the broadcast after it has aired on the radio station.  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Also, how will you show grace in your marriage today?

denise a

Responding to trials · trials

Spiritual Leg-Bouncers

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Leg bouncers amaze me.  Do you know who I’m talking about? It’s those people who are totally oblivious to the fact that while they’re eating, watching a ballgame, or listening to music, their leg is bouncing 100 mph!  It seems like such a waste of energy!

No criticism here, but I’m married to a leg-bouncer.  Many times when sitting in a quiet setting like a service or at a table, I’ve gently put my hand on his leg.  He knows it’s my request for him to bring his energy into control so the table or pew will stop its shaking!

I’m pretty blown away at leg bouncers’ ability to do this vigorous muscle sprint!  I’ve tried it and it just isn’t possible. Oh, except in my heart…

Yes, when I’ve got a problem, my heart steps in and begins its flurry of mental activity at the speed of 100 mph!  With each thought is

  • How this issue could be stopped
  • How I might help it stop
  • Who else might give me a hand!

Like busy leg-bouncers, I don’t even give real thought to what I’m doing until the Spirit of God puts His loving hand on my heart, making me aware of my useless activity.  It happened just yesterday.

I’ve been in the midst of a hard trial for over a year.  At times I’m sure I’ve had “both legs bouncing” while trying to make this situation stop.  Then in my time in God’s Word, I came to Psalm 62 and read,

Verse 5 – Wait thou only upon God…

Beside that verse I had written,

While waiting be still and silently wait:

  1. Patiently – Stop all your activity of trying to fix the problem. Sit still.
  2. Trustingly – Stop any questions about why God would allow this. Don’t doubt His character or His promises.
  3. Expectantly – Start looking for what He will do. Be on the edge of your seat watching for His answers and His solutions!  It will be better that anything I could imagine!
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O my soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.  Psalm 62:5

In short, stop your leg bouncing and use that energy to be on the lookout for what an awesome God is up to.

Are you “bouncing your leg” while you wait for God to care for your trial?  Sit still and be patient, trusting and expectant.  Then you can say as the psalmist said in verse 6 – I will not be moved. There will be no temptation to fix things when we realize that God is at work.

Whew.  We can rest!

denise a

Pie · spring cleaning

Highlights of Recent Refreshments

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We’ve had some gorgeous weather this week, allowing me to walk each morning.  I’m always so happy to step out my front door to views like this one…

cows

I try so hard to get at least a little exercise in each day.  I exercise inside, but being outside is my favorite!  Seeing the scenery, the sky, the birds and cattle are just invigorating to me!  How about you?  Do you need to add a little Continue reading “Highlights of Recent Refreshments” →

Me, On the Radio?!
ministry · obedience

Me, On the Radio?!

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As I have gotten older and have realized the swiftness of my life, I desire not to live nearly so much for this world, but for the next.  By that I’m referring to passing from here to heaven. That doesn’t mean I dwell on dying – it’s quite the opposite!! I dwell on living…living out a life of gratitude to God for saving me!!

Because I’m thankful for what God has done in saving my soul, I want to live for Him and I’ve begged Him to allow my life to count for Christ!  You know what? When you tell God Continue reading “Me, On the Radio?!” →