Angel Food Cake – A Perfect Spring Dessert!
baking · cakes · dessert

Angel Food Cake – A Perfect Spring Dessert!

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Angel food cake is a perfect spring dessert. Its light texture is perfect alone or with strawberries that are in the market right now. It’s also low in calories, so if winter added a few pounds, you won’t feel guilty about indulging! I was also amazed at how few ingredients it takes to make one. There are lots of eggs, but other than that, it’s just a few other things added!

I made this last week, and there’s really no comparison to this and what you buy in the bakery department of your grocery store. The texture is so much better. Mine had a nice brown, sugar-y edge that gave it a delicious texture. My only warning is not to make this on a rainy, humid day. Beaten egg whites don’t respond with that kind of atmosphere…I speak from experience!

Here’s the simple recipe from Taste of Home ~

Angel Food Cake

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups egg whites (about 9 large)
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
  2. Place oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.
  3. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake until lightly browned and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
  4. Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate.

Eggs are usually marked lower in spring, which makes this dessert an incredible value. Give your hand a try at this wonderful cake and I doubt you’ll be buying the ones in the plastic containers at your grocers!

Simple and Easy Spring Wreath
Crafts · Home decor · spring

Simple and Easy Spring Wreath

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With spring around the corner, I decided to make a new wreath last week. If you’ve shopped for wreaths, you know that they are not cheap. However, this took me about half an hour and only $3.75 in materials! I was so pleased with the outcome of my project. Here’s how to make the wreath:

You will need ~

  • One 10″ wreath form
  • Two bags of Reindeer Moss
  • Hot glue gun and about six hot glue sticks
  • A little patience

It’s really wise to spread out newspaper to cover the area where you’re going to work. This moss is really messy and the newspaper will make your clean up a cinch!

In small increments, add glue to your wreath form and place the reindeer moss on the glue. I went all the way around and then also added some to the back so it would be presentable on my glass front door, should I decide to use it there. I used both bags of moss so it would be nice and full. Layer over the first layer until everything is covered and the wreath looks nice and fluffy.

I added a burlap ribbon I had on hand for hanging. You could use whatever color works for your decor. It makes it easy to display and it’s less likely to shed its moss this way.

Are you itching to refresh your home with spring touches as I am? I hope you’ll try this simple wreath!

Refresh you heart in a Bible preaching church this week. You need them and they need you!

He Is With Us!
Comfort · Fear · God's Presence

He Is With Us!

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My husband and I live in a two-story home and our bedroom is upstairs. I have had a scare a few times when he’s been away and I heard a noise coming from the living room or kitchen downstairs.  I’m alone and I’m afraid.  Because of that, when my husband is away from home, he will often call me or text me to say, “I’ll be home in a few minutes.  If you hear someone downstairs, it will be me.”  At a time when I could be fearful, he wants to comfort me with his presence. His presence in the house makes all the difference! Any bump or bang isn’t even noticed by me when I remember that Dale is with me.

That illustration pales in comparison to what our loving God does for us on a daily basis! Look what He tells us…

Isa 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: 

be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

 I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; 

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

This is addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long and painful captivity in Babylon; and the idea is, that they who had been selected by God to be his special people had nothing to fear. 

But the promise is one that may be regarded as addressed to all His people in similar circumstances, and it is as true now as it was then, that those whom God has chosen have nothing to fear.

In times in which we could be fearful, Isaiah 41:10 tells us that our God is saying to us, “Don’t be fearful,” and He also tells us why we don’t have to be afraid. ~

 I’m here with you. 
I’m here in the fear that is gripping your heart.
I’m in the need you’re experiencing.  
I’m in the diagnosis you just received. 
I am with that child that concerns you, 
that husband who has forsaken you,
and that load that is weighing down on you. 
I am there in your loneliness, your weakness and your greatest fear.

There IS no need to be afraid; I’m there with you – now,

and now

and now! 

This comfort is in the present tense!  Not “I was with you.”  Not, “I’ll come in a little bit.” 

I Am.

It reminds me of His name that He said to Moses – I AM.  The Present tense God gives us Present tense help.  Present tense comfort.

“Fear and despair are high points of atheism” D.L. Moody.  

Look! God has said it.  What more do we need? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Fear and despair often happens more readily to us when we are alone, but we must remember that we are never alone!

He goes on to say – Be not dismayed for I am your God.
Dismayed means “to see, to look”; and then to look about as one does in a state of alarm, or danger. That puts a picture in my mind of the Egyptian army coming after the children of Israel.  Moses reminded them not to be startled, but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!”

I am your God!  Remember, Israelites, remember how I helped you?  Remember what I’ve done for you?  That’s me!  

He had delivered them, met their needs, He had kept His promise to them.  He had led them, loved them, and forgiven them.

So whatever has you looking around in fear today, heed His admonition and don’t be alarmed! He is with you!

I am grateful for a husband who will text me to tell me not to be afraid because he’s coming home and any noise I hear will be him.  I can look at that text when I hear a bang and remember what he said. 

I am even more thankful that God wrote this promise in Isaiah for me to remember.  I can also look to the past and recall His faithfulness and I can look to the future and know that even then He will be the same.

What has you looking around at others with fear and dismay?  God is here reminding you not to be afraid! He is with you and He can help you!.  That makes all the difference in the world!

Refresh your worries with this truth...He is with you! He will help you.

Gifts · Kitchen gadgets · Tips and Tools

Wedding Gifts I’ve Loved and Love To Give!

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It’s an amazing thing that two sinners can fall in love and stay together for 40+ years, isn’t it?! The next amazing thing about a 40 year marriage is to realize that I still have quite a few of my wedding gifts, received at our June 1981 wedding! These are items that I still love and use regularly. I’m linking up with Whitney at Come Home for Comfort today so we can share our favorite gifts received, and also things we like to give as wedding gifts. I’m anxious to see what she’s going to share!

When I started looking through my kitchen at tools I use all the time, I realized that there was quite a list of items! I’m going to start with my wedding gifts that I still use and work my way to new items I’ve gotten in recent years.

  • Pyrex Dishes with lids

Pyrex is so great because it can be put in the oven, and the microwave and is also perfect for setting on the table as a serving dish. I love the glass lids, too. I use this bowl LOTS! It’s my bowl I always use to make my microwave popcorn.

  • Corning Ware – Realizing that this is now considered vintage, I still recommend this type of dish because it can be used on the stove top, the oven and the microwave! The newer dishes have plastic lids, which are nice for storing in the fridge. You can stack them that way, which helps with space.

We’re moving to newer items now that I use frequently...

  • Good kitchen shears – I use these multiple times a day! From cutting twine to cutting a chicken apart, every kitchen needs a good, sharp pair of kitchen shears. It’s worth the investment! These are from Pampered Chef. I’ll be using the scissors this week to cut my chicken pieces when I make this recipe for Chicken Cutlets with Deconstructed Guacamole. It’s so good!
  • Knife & Scissor Sharpener – Though my scissors are old (and look it), they are still in good working order because of this sharpener that I got at Lowe’s years ago, thanks to my dad’s recommendation! I couldn’t get along without this sharpener to keep knives really useful, too. A great gift idea would be either a couple of good knives and a sharpener, or kitchen shears and the sharpener. There are lots of nice looking ones on Amazon!
  • Cutting board/Charcuterie board – With charcuterie boards being all the rage right now, a large cutting board would make a terrific, lasting gift! It’s great to have a large board with the rim. It’s perfect for carving a turkey or chicken.
    I love my collection of boards and truly use them all! The carved board is so pretty on display. A sweet friend gave that to me for Christmas this year and I love it!
  • Decorative measuring spoons and dishes – I’ve found that these kind of measuring spoons are more resilient than the plastic ones, or even the aluminum kind. I have two sets of spoons and keep them in two different spots in my kitchen so I always have a set nearby!
    These ceramic measuring cups are perfect for shortening, peanut butter, coconut oil and stick things like honey or molasses. Perfect gift for someone who loves to bake!
  • Digital Meat Thermometer – I don’t know how I got along without this tool for so many years! My thermometer has a probe that can go in the oven while the meat is cooking. It beeps when it reaches the temperature that I set. What a life-saver!!
  • Crock Pot – This list wouldn’t be complete without a crock pot! I like this one that will move to “warm” when the cooking time is complete. I also love that the crock comes out for easy cleaning.

I could also add things like trays and pitchers! There are just so many pretty and useful things for the kitchen! I hope my list AND Whitney’s suggestions will either inspire you for the gift you need to buy, or will help you make your kitchen more functional as you purchase these items for your own use!

Don’t forget to check Whitney’s post here.

What is something you use in your kitchen on a daily basis that you couldn’t do without? I’d love to hear!

Refresh your kitchen or someone else’s!

Refreshing Your Free-time
Time management · Work · Working Ahead

Refreshing Your Free-time

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Every minute we have is a gift from God, therefore, how we use those minutes should be thoughtful and wise.

So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Often I will find myself with a short period of time on my hands and I wonder to myself,

What should I do?

Our default (or at least mine is) is to pull out your phone and check things like e-mail, messages, Instagram or Pinterest. I get so frustrated at myself for wasting time!! It is my choice how I will spend it. I stop short and realize there are other more productive and fulfilling things I could do.

There are so many activities, hobbies or chores that only take a few minutes to accomplish, and so I’ve set my mind to make a list and then I made it a note on my phone, so that the next time I find I have a little free time, I can go right to the list and get something productive done.

Here are some of the items on my list…then a translation for how this could work for you!

  1. Iron an outfit I’ll need later in the week. This will save me time one morning later in the week! You might also prepare your husband’s or your children’s clothes for the next day
  2. Write a card. Birthday, anniversary, thank you, thinking of you, sympathy, or get-well are all occasions in which I check to see who could use a note. Look ahead and get that birthday card for your mother-in-law addressed and ready to stick in the mail in a few days!
  3. Make a card. This is a hobby I enjoy. I’ll sit down and make a few of the same kind of card, so they’re ready when I need them. Sometimes a little hobby in the middle of a busy day is just the respite you need! Play the instrument you haven’t touched in forever, pick up the knitting or quilting you started and haven’t completed, rearrange the items on a shelf or mantle. Just do something creative for a few minutes!
  4. Start a blog post. Even just uploading my photos onto WordPress helps when I go to write the post later on. Is there an email you need to answer? Do you need to work for a few minutes on delteing pictures from your phone?
  5. Straighten a drawer. There are always drawers that need to be tidied, so I’ll work on one or two at a time. Check the drawers in the kitchen and bathroom, along with the dressers.
  6. Discard Items. I pull unwanted/unused items from a closet and pile them into a donate pile. Work on one small space. Look for – Unused books on the shelf, Cookbooks in the kitchen, Old undergarments that need to be pitched or Toys your kids have outgrown.
  7. Make up dough. It is so fast to throw cookie ingredients into my Kitchenaid mixer and get dough ready for the fridge or freezer. When I have time later, the dough is ready for me pull out the dough and bake them. Mix up the most simple recipe with ingredients you have on hand. Roll it in a log and freeze!
  8. Make a pie crust – This is another quick baking job that is done in about 10 minutes and makes it so convenient for me later when I want to pour a filling inside and make dessert. If you don’t make pie crust, consider bread dough or pizza crusts. (this recipe can be frozen after you mix up the dough!)
  9. Remove nail polish – Even if I don’t have time to re-polish them, just getting the polish off my nails and prepping the nail surface will help me later when I do have time to paint them again. If you don’t polish your nails, take this time to file and clip your nails.
  10. Take a power nap! I’ll set my timer on my phone and sleep for ten minutes. It’s amazing how refreshed I feel! Do it!

Look at what just a few minutes did for my dressing table drawer…

My husband reminds me all the time that I don’t always have to be doing something productive, but lots of those things on my list are not laborious. They’re easy and fast, and will ultimately make another task easier when it’s time to do it. It takes account of the warning in Proverbs 24 ~

A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.

What do you do when you have a few minutes on your hands?

Refresh yourself in a Bible-preaching church this weekend. You need them and they need you! I say that every Friday, don’t I? It’s on purpose!