Get a branch of lights (Michael’s has battery-operated ones) and find a clever container.  A tall bucket like here…

This is cute on the table, but would look great on a mantle or shelf!  The nuts hold the taper candle in place.  I love the candy corn in the mason jar.  This is an inexpensive and adorable centerpiece!

Hope you’ve been inspired!

See you in church Sunday.

Refreshed by the Light of my world, Jesus Christ,

You couldn’t peek inside my parsonage for long without seeing my furry little friend, Liza Jane.  If you came inside and sat down, she wouldn’t jump into your lap, but she would be waltzing around your feet sniffing at your purse, nosey as Mrs. Kravitz (remember her?)

She could very possibly be the cutest cat on the planet. She’s not a piggy cat that wants to eat all the time, but every time I bring home a bag of cat food this is what she does…

Create your own free slideshow Here’s a peek at the wonderful evening we had last night at our ladies’ retreat night!

With love,

Girl time…don’t you love it? It’s so refreshing to get together with other women for a time of fellowship.  We find out that we’re not alone in the things we’re struggling with.  We get good ideas from our friends who have just read up on some creative decorating idea, or parenting tip.  Time away with other women prepares us to go back home with a smile and press on with the things that we do routinely each day.

 I got to have a bunch of sweet ladies over last week for brunch.  There was lots of talk,  laughter, some tears, and of course, food!  While we’ve had our two-week revival meeting going on at BCBC, aside from revival, we’ve also enjoyed sweet fellowship with fellow full-time ministry families.  They have been such a blessing to us and  I wanted to do something for them – for the ladies in particular. So, I had them over for a mid-morning meal.  That way they had time to give their husbands all the home school agendas, suggestions for lunch, instructions for hap time, and then time pull themselves together before leaving home!  They are a lovely group of women – inside and out!

Meet Amy Herbster (beside me), Tori Wood, Amy Herbster (yes, there are two Amy’s!), Sharon Weigle, Kristen DeGarde, and our youth pastor’s wife, Christy Matlock.

It never fails, you seek to be a blessing to others, and you end up receiving the greatest blessing.  They were fun guests, and I know that our time together encouraged my heart.  I pray it did theirs as well.

Can’t you just hear the chatter?  =)

The blessing of my menu was that I was able to do everything, except for the fruit, the day before they came over.  All I did the morning of the brunch was cut the fruit for the kabobs and put the strata in the oven!  Working ahead is key for me…otherwise I’m a basket case.  I need a little time to apply some lipstick, fluff the pillows and turn on the some good music without feeling rushed that the meal has to be created from start to finish!

This strata needs time to sit in the fridge before baking, so it’s a perfect dish for do-ahead meals.  I like this because it’s not too “eggy”, and has some meat and cheese in it.  It smells like a pizza when it’s baking. Mmmm.

The breads I made are so simple!  The Nutty Orange Coffee Cake  is made with canned biscuits!  I’m learning that canned biscuits are a staple that should always be kept on hand.  You can make these Parmesan Knots, or you could deep fry them and roll in sugar for the tastiest homemade donuts.  Or you could whip this Nutty Orange Bread together!  I got the recipe from a 1995 Southern Living Cookbook.  I have made this many times for Christmas brunch.  Here’s what you’ll need:

3/4 C Sugar

The French Breakfast Puffs are light little muffins covered with butter, cinnamon and sugar.  They come together very quickly.  If you make these ahead of time, be sure to pop them into the microwave a bit.  I think they’re better a little warm.

French Breakfast Puffs

1 1/2 C flour
3/4 C sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 C butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon
Topping
1/2 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 C butter, melted

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.  Add milk, beaten egg, and 1/3 cup melted butter.  Mix well.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Remove while still hot, dip in melted butter, then mixture of sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.  Makes 1 dozen

If it’s been a while since you’ve gotten together with some girlfriends, why not do a simple brunch and invite your peeps over? Or invite over some ladies you don’t know very well yet.   Being at your house is better than meeting out at a public place.  The setting is cozier, you can laugh and cry without being stared at by the other patrons at the restaurant, and you can have seconds! 

What yummy thing have you cooked up recently? 

From my parsonage kitchen,

Nothing will refresh us like revival!  In this first week of our revival meeting there has been so much that the Lord has said to me; several things about which He has stirred my heart.  I will admit that sometimes in a week like this (with one yet to come), I feel desperate.  I see where I have failed the Lord.  But oh, how wonderful to make it right!  His mercy is boundless, and when I confess, He forgives.  That brings a renewal and refreshment like nothing else! 

Here are some of the statements that have been in my thoughts and on my heart –

Temptation comes:

• When we’re strong
• When we’re successful
• When we’re serving
• When we’re in secret

• The Savior is exalted
• The saints are edified
• Other sufferers are encouraged