A Peek from My Porch

June 17, 2015July 9, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

Currently what I’m loving about summertime…

I finally have a little garden! My sweet husband made me these raised beds. I love the way they look all neat and contained. I’m growing different kinds of tomatoes, peppers, squash and several herbs. They’re doing really well so far.

I know I’ve said this before, but we LOVE eating our on our back porch. We eat every meal we can out there. We soak up the beauty of the countryside, the quiet, and the slowed pace. But the other thing about this picture that I’m loving are the summer meals, like blt’s with fresh tomatoes, corn on the cob and cantaloupe. It’s simplicity and deliciousness at its finest!

Lastly, I love day trips on our day off to places like Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. We stroll through the park, take in a show or two, ride the train (woohoo! we’re showing our age!), and watch people terrify themselves on the rides we don’t go on anymore!

All because it’s SUMMERTIME!

What do you love about summer?

With love from my summery porch,
Denise

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What a Load!

June 16, 2015June 18, 2015 RefreshHer10 Comments

Seated beside the window of an airplane gives full view of the progress of take off. As you sit and watch the crew load ALL that luggage onto the aircraft, then see the long line of people filing on to get their seat, have you ever wondered,

“How in the world will this plane ever get off the ground? This is a heavy load!”?

But then that engine revs up, the plane picks up speed as it heads down the run way, and then you feel it…it is lifting up off the concrete. Very soon the nose tips upward and you’re soaring into the clouds. How could you have doubted?

That load was lifted as easily as a paper airplane in a school classroom!

Do you have a load of your own that seems so heavy that you cannot let go of it, or that seems it could never be lifted into your heavenly Father’s hands? You saw those cares filing into your heart one at a time. You know how weighty each need is. You feel responsible to see each burden to be cared for, thought through and tended to, but you realize you do not have the power for this kind of work.

It’s at that moment that you must “rev up the engine” of prayer. Pour out your heart before God in earnest. Ask Him to lift all this that you are unable to carry, and then watch as He lifts, not just the burdens, but you as well. Then you will ask,

Why did I doubt Him?

He is able to lift it all, my friend.
Psalm 10:17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, you will incline Your ear.

Don’t carry the load you were never intended to carry!

Lovingly,
Denise

dessert

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

June 15, 2015June 11, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

A couple weekends ago I had eight people for dinner after church on Sunday. I needed a dessert that was quick and wouldn’t heat up the house because it was a hot day! I immediately thought about a Frozen Peanut Butter Pie that I’ve made lots of times from Southern Living. I knew I had all the ingredients except one on hand, so one dessert was checked off in my mind. That’s a great feeling!

The next pie recipe I went looking for was something with strawberries. I stumbled across a recipe for a Strawberry Mousse Pie that sounded really refreshing for a June day. I also had all the ingredients for that yummy dessert in my freezer and pantry! Bingo! Here are the results:

I decided to make a Chocolate Graham cracker crust for both pies. Why? Because I love both chocolate covered strawberries and Peanut Butter cups! The crust was a cinch to make! Here’s my recipe:

Chocolate Graham Cracker Pie Crust Recipe
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Place all ingredients in a bowl, and mix until combined. Press the mixture into one regular sized pie tin. Chill while preparing the filling. I really even found that it’s best to freeze it so it won’t crumble.

Ingredients

1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O®
2/3 cup boiling water
3 cubes ice
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced (I used frozen, sliced berries)
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine gelatin and boiling water. Stir 3 minutes, or until gelatin is dissolved. Add ice and stir until gelatin thickens and cools. Fold in the whipped topping and strawberries. Chill until mixture will mound, then spoon into crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Now for the Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream (or use Cool Whip!)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9-inch) prepared chocolate pie crust

Preparation

1. Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

2. Combine cream cheese and next 3 ingredients; beat until creamy, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon cream cheese mixture into piecrust. Freeze 1 hour.

This is also super yummy with a small peanut butter cup as a garnish. Or I’ve also sprinkled the crust with peanuts before adding the filling. Aaaaand, if you double the recipe, you can fill three crusts!!!!

These are great do-ahead desserts. You could keep both pies in the freezer until needed and then whip them out to look like the hostess with the mostess!

Anything special being baked up in your kitchen this week?

With love from my country kitchen,

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Freshen Up Friday

June 12, 2015June 11, 2015 RefreshHer1 Comment

My go-to breakfast is Vanilla Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit, topped with granola. I like the Greek yogurt better than the other stuff, but often find that it isn’t sweet enough for me. Do you ever find that true?

So, the other day, rather than drizzling in my usual teaspoon or so of honey, I tried something new and added a spoonful of my homemade freezer jam. Wowza! That made it delicious! It gave it a natural strawberry flavor and just enough sweetness to make me slide my spoon over the whole bowl so I wouldn’t miss a drop!

Freshen up your yogurt and your breakfast by adding a little jam into your yogurt and go wild with all the flavors out there – blueberry, peach, blackberry… Who says yogurt is only for breakfast? This makes me think about enjoying it as a great snack, too!