Author: RefreshHer

main dish

What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

RefreshHer6 Comments

I love taco salad!  With summer tomatoes added, this is a delicious meal!  But, wow!  The calories packed into those fried taco bowls are unbelievable! In just the shell there are 310 calories and 18 g of fat!   A while back I discovered that these tortilla shells could be microwaved instead of deep fried.  They’re still flavorful and crispy without the guilt!

How good does this look?

Take the tortilla and place it into a microwaveable bowl.  Press it in a bit so it will be the shape of the bowl.

Then pop it into the microwave for 45 seconds.  Turn the bowl and test to see if it’s done – it will crisp up more as it cools!  If it needs a little more time, microwave 15 more seconds.  Remove it from the bowl and let it cool.

I made up taco mixture with beef – you could also use ground turkey.  Add the taco seasoning.  Then simply add the lettuce, taco meat, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream to your shell.  You could crumble some tortilla chips on top for a little more crunch. 

This would make a super fast Sunday dinner.  You can do the shells ahead of time and place them in a Ziploc bag.  Make the meat mixture on Saturday.  Also have the vegetables cut up.  All you have to do when you get home from church is assemble the salads.  Fresh and tasty!

Here’s a new muffin recipe that I tried this week… Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins.
You cannot go wrong mixing peanut butter and chocolate!

This would be good with breakfast because they’re not too sweet, but also a good snack or dessert with a cup of coffee or glass of milk!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.  Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, peanut butter, eggs and milk until smooth.  Add in the flour mixture and stir until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Divide batter evenly between prepared muffin tins, filling each to the top Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients:
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
½ cup peanut butter
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
¾ cup chocolate chips – I sprinkled a few extra on top of the muffins too

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.  Line a muffin pan with 12 paper liners.
Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
What goodies have you cooked up lately?
From my parsonage kitchen,
Refreshment

Freshen Up Friday

RefreshHer2 Comments

We all have our morning routines.  We tend to do the same thing the same way most every day.  Why not refresh yourself by using a beautiful cup and saucer for your morning tea or coffee?


My hostess served me coffee like this…and I still remember
how special it made her kind gesture.



Get into your good dishes and find a beautiful cup and saucer and pour your caffeine fix into it instead of the same old mug you normally use.  There’s a pretty cup and saucer probably tucked away somewhere that you haven’t used in along time – maybe you’ve never used it because it was too special.  Get it out, wash it up and pour that steamy liquid into it.  While you’re at it, put it on a pretty tray and take it to a comfy  spot where you can sit and savor the moment.  Maybe this is the room where you’ll have your quiet time, or out on your deck in the cool of the day.  Wherever it is, just be still and enjoy the refreshment something lovely can bring.
Be refreshed,
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God Will Deliver!

RefreshHer1 Comment

When I had my home baking business several years ago, the perk of my business was that I delivered.  Busy people only had to order their cakes and pies, and I would bring them to their place of employment.  If you’re shopping on-line, a real draw can be the ad that says, Free delivery!  We like having things brought to us, and we like it when it’s on time.

Have you ever considered that we have a God that delivers?  What He says He will do He always accomplishes, and it will always be on time.  Of course when we read in the Word of God that He will deliver us, it is referencing the fact that He will save us.  But even in that context, God is always on time with His deliverance.

Psalm 34:15, 17 says, The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Wherever you are, whatever your circumstance, this Psalm says that God eyes are on the righteous (God sees), His ears are open to your cry (God hears), and God will deliver.  Not only will He save you out of your troubles, but He will fulfill (deliver) on time!

Watch in faith for His delivery!

With love,

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A Peek Inside the Parsonage

RefreshHer2 Comments
I hope you know that I try to lead by example.  I don’t suggest you do something if I’m not willing to do the same thing!   Last Friday I suggested that you unclutter your bedroom.  Today I’ll show a few pictures of my room that’s been tidied. 
I took down the heavy red drapes for spring and summer.
I love the chaise lounge.  It’s great for television view or reading…or a cat nap as Liza is getting ready to demonstrate!

Here’s the dresser that’s going to be painted once the weather cools off and I can take it outside.
Don’t you love these vinyl sayings?

So, how did you do with your room?  Did it overwhelm you to tackle it?  Did you finish it?  If not, take little snippets of time to keep clearing it out.  It’s amazing what just 15 minutes can accomplish!

Cleaning and decorating is a work in progress.  It really never stops.  Once you get a place straightened up, maintain it by daily keeping things put away.  Emilie Barnes says,

“Don’t put it down.  Put it away.” 

That’s a great motto to keep house (or parsonage) by!
From my parsonage window,
main dish

What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

RefreshHer3 Comments
Dinner was special yesterday…a few Knock Out Roses in a pitcher, crystal glasses, china, and linen.  But that wasn’t the special part…it was our dinner companions!  It should always be about the people, shouldn’t it?  A meal can be good, but sharing it makes it really good!

Camp is over and we had two special girls joining us!
Here’s our Alli with her friend from camp, Yvette.  Both of them are so pretty, so young, so sweet with a heart for the Lord.

My menu:
Fresh Green Beans
Angel Biscuits
Chocolate Cake and ice cream

I made one of Alli’s favorite dishes – Lemon Greek Chicken. 

I tried a new side dish from Ina Garten – my favorite chef on The Food Network.  These are  the tomatoes with pesto.  They were really good!  If you’ve got fresh tomatoes coming out your ears, this is a great way to use them!  You won’t be sharing any extra tomatoes with your neighbors when you try these!  Oops, maybe I shouldn’t be sharing this recipe,  I get all my fresh veggies from generous friends!  =)

I repeat recipes more often on Sunday than I do any other day of the week.  That’s okay, and it really makes things simpler to do a dish everyone loves and then add a new side dish, salad or dessert.  It’s more about making things special for those you’ve invited in, making them know you’re glad they are there with you.  Serving something yummy – new or not is just icing on the cake!

I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive, quick Sunday main dishes though!  Do you have one to share?  I’d love to hear about it!  Tell me what was cooking in your kitchen this past week!

From my parsonage kitchen,