White Cake with Raspberry Filling

December 1, 2025November 30, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

This Thanksgiving was about giving thanks, of course, but my family also celebrated the upcoming birthday of my sister.

She is a special blessing to our family, adding thoughtfulness, care and much class!

I had the joy of making a small cake for the celebration. Six-inch cakes are fun to make. You can get about ten slices – plenty big enough pieces after eating supper!

I found a recipe for a White Cake with Raspberry Filling on Sally’s Baking Addiction.

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baking · hospitality · Hostess Goals · Pie · Uncategorized

A Quiet Respite Served with Christian Hospitality

September 15, 2025September 13, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Happy Monday, friends! We were on the road this past weekend with D and D ministries. It was a joy to speak at a church staff training and encourage the folk regarding their ministries where they serve. I had the blessing of speaking to the women in a split session. Dale preached three times on Saturday and three times on Sunday. I guess you could say we jumped into the fall schedule with both feet! It was a blessing!

We stayed overnight in the home of Church members, and we were served so sweetly. Our gracious hosts served in such a way that made it seem easy. Yet it’s humbling to be the guest because I know how much work goes into that. I always pray for our hosts the week before we go, knowing the load that they carry.

The gracious people who housed us worked ahead before we got there. I could see it in every detail.

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baking · Fall

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

October 30, 2023October 28, 2023 RefreshHer4 Comments

When we got home from our trip out West last week, I had missed being in my kitchen! The day after arriving home, we had small group dinner and I had signed up to bring dessert. I knew exactly which recipe I was going to try…yes, I would make a new recipe to take! It’s my normal pattern…sigh. I don’t know why I risk it, but there are just so many good recipes, and these always seem like the perfect opportunities to try them! I would never make a whole batch of donuts just for us, so if I make them for a group, they won’t be staring me in the face like a hungry cat at 6:00 a.m.!

I ran to my Pinterest board and pulled up a recipe I found on Sally’s Baking Addiction site. Every recipe I’ve made from her site has been delicious, so I was anxious to make her Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Sugar Glaze!

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baking · Bread · Kitchen Tips

Two Big Mistakes I’ve Been Making

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 RefreshHer2 Comments

I’ve been cooking and baking for all of my adult life, but I’m still learning! I recently discovered two things that I’ve been doing WRONG in my bread baking for all these years! Getting them right has made a big difference in results,. I wonder if you’re doing these things, too?

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baking · Cookies · Healthy Eating

Low-Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

January 30, 2023January 28, 2023 RefreshHer2 Comments

I had a fun baking afternoon last week. I whipped up a batch of Low-Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. When I told my daughter Alli what I had made she said,

No cookie should be Low-fat!

I get what she’s saying, but honestly, I have tried many recipes that are labeled “low-fat,” but still have so much flavor. Also, they don’t taste like you’re eating the sand on the beach! This new recipe is one of those great finds! It replaces applesauce for some of the fat, giving it plenty of moisture. It has oatmeal in it, too, giving it texture and chewiness. Add those chocolate chips in there and you have a delicious cookie without the guilt!

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