Eggs In a Basket Video Tutorial

April 5, 2017April 4, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

Cracker Barrel calls them Eggs in a Basket – they are simply eggs cooked inside a small hole in a piece of toast! It’s like a breakfast package! They’re great to fix for your family because you’re making the toast and the egg in one step! Here’s a little video demonstrating how easy and fast they are to make!

Eggs in a Basket

Melt 1-2 Tbl butter in skillet
Cut hole in bread slice, using a biscuit cutter or small glass.
Crack egg into the hole in the bread. Place bread rounds in pan to brown. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook 2 minutes, then flip toast over and cook until egg is cooked to your preference.
Serve and enjoy!

Do you make these at home? They’re so good, and children love them!

Cooking · dinner in 30 minutes · main dish · Main entree

(L)Oven Monday – Chicken Dinner in Under 15 Minutes!

April 3, 2017April 2, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

I’ve had the recent loss of a properly working fridge. Sadness!!! Because I had to load my milk, eggs, coffee cream, butter and yogurt into the cooler while we wait (and wait and wait) for the repairmen to get the parts and get them installed, I’ve had to be kind of “off-the-cuff” with my meals. Not having room for fresh vegetables, condiments, etc., I’ve pretty much just been pulling from the freezer and pantry. “Necessity is the mother on invention” they say, and it’s true! I had to pull a meal together completely out of necessity and it was a really happy discovery!

I needed supper to consist of chicken breasts, canned tomatoes and feta cheese because that’s what I had. I found a recipe that sounded good, but I didn’t have the exact ingredients, so I substituted with what I did have, and the results were fabulous!!

chicken with feta 2

This chicken is cooked in under 15 minutes!!! Broiling the chicken gives it a little crispiness that makes it taste like it’s been grilled. Yum!! If you need a fabulous meal in a flash, here’s what this recipe calls for:

Chicken breasts filet
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Italian Seasoning
Canned Tomatoes
Feta Cheese

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven broiler on high.

Mix equal parts of olive oil and vinegar. For one LARGE chicken breast, I used about 2 tbl of each. Brush vinegar mixture on both sides of chicken breast. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, on both sides. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Place baking sheet 4-6 inches from broiler. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn and cook until juices run clear. I had a thick chicken breast, so I cut it in half so it was thinner. It cooked in the 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and place a spoonful of diced canned tomatoes (drained), on chicken. Sprinkle with Feta Cheese. Broil one more minute. Serve immediately.

My menu for a completely 15 minute meal:

Chicken with Feta and Tomatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Couscous

chicken with feta 3

Seriously, this was so delicious! My husband said, “This recipe needs to be on the ‘Do-over’ list!” I agree. We will be having this again and again even after the fridge gets fixed! I’m thinking this recipe is the “Silver lining” in this refrigerator trouble! Thank you, Lord, for these little blessings!

With love from my country kitchen,

Denise Signature 150 px

children · Christian Life · Motherhood · Prayer

Family Friday – How To Pray for Your Children/Grandchildren

March 31, 2017March 30, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

pray for children.jpg

When I became an adult there was a day when my mom apologized to me for the lack of “big” family vacations while my sisters and I were growing up. It was such a surprise to me to hear her even mention that because it never entered my mind that I had missed out on anything! We didn’t have yearly adventures at theme parks or cross-country road trips, but our family had daily/weekly worship times, family times, games, fun and a loving environment and that was enough to allow me the blessing of growing up fulfilled and more than satisfied with all that our home provided.

But I understood my mom’s heart. Parents who love their children know that those little ones need so much. From nurturing, to physical care, education, and daily provision, there’s so much to provide for each child. But if we are trusting the Lord for wisdom to know how to give them what they need, He will not only give to them spiritually, but will also provide everything else that is essential in their lives, just as He did in our home.

A huge part of the spiritual provision comes when we pray for our children. As I’ve mentioned before, if we’re not praying for our children, who is? Here’s a great list of prayer requests to pray for your child, with Scriptures to use as your platform to come to God.

To know the Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation. II Tim. 3:15
To grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. II Pet. 3:18
To be obedient to parents. Eph 6:1
To be respectful to parents Eph. 6:2
To have a heart for God. Deut. 5:29
To know God and serve Him. I Chron. 28:9
To hate sin. Ps 97:10
To understand their sin will be found out. Num 23:23
To choose the right friends. Prov 13:20, I Cor:15:33
To say “no” to sin. Prov 1:10
To learn to submit to God. James 4:7
To have a repentant heart. Ps 51:103
To be teachable. Prov 13;1
To be a servant to others. Phil. 2:3,4
To trust God for their future mate and ministry. Prov. 3:5,6
To remain pure for their future mate and future mate pure for them. II Cor. 6:18-20
To surrender their heart and life completely to God. Rom. 12:1,2
To stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Col. 4:12

There is no greater gift you can give your child than to faithfully pray Scripture for them. It’s bigger than Disney world, and more impacting that the view of the Grand Canyon. Also, aside from what it will do for your child/grandchild, it will also change you, and that’s something NO vacation can do!

Pray and refresh others!

Have a great weekend,

Denise Signature 150 px

Christian growth · Events

Why I Attend Ladies’ Retreats When I Don’t Feel Like It

March 30, 2017March 30, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

retreat group 1

I’m going to be really open with you here – being away from home is not my favorite thing. I’m really, completely a home-body. I could stay within the walls of my home for a week or two and be totally content! But there are times that I choose to push past my tendency to stay where I’m most comfortable and go places, even when I don’t feel like it. One of those times is when Christian retreats are offered for women. I speak at retreats, so that probably sounds really odd, right? Let me explain: I love it when I’m there at the retreat. I bask in the fellowship, the teaching, the worship, the encouragement, but it’s all the stuff beforehand that I struggle with. I’m talking about:

Packing
- All those decisions!
- All the things I have to remember to take…just in case!
- What if I don’t want to wear that when I get there? Better add another outfit!
Getting the people in my house ready for my departure. Even though it’s now just my husband, he has needs I must consider. When my girls were home, it was even more difficult to go away. They weren’t always crazy about being left behind, and that was another issue that had to be dealt with.
Finances – It’s sometimes hard to get the funds to go. I’d ask myself if we could afford it, but my husband would always insist that God would provide (and He always did!).
Fatigue – Let’s face it, weekends away are exhausting! You’re usually up later than normal, the routine can be rigorous, and the hours of rest are few. Did I really want to give up my sleep to go?

HOWEVER, in the last 16 years that we’ve been close to The Wilds, I can only remember a year or two that I didn’t get to go to the ladies’ retreat. I also started attending the Ladies’ Prayer Advance two years ago. Let me tell you why I’ve pushed forward and have gone to these retreats, even when I really didn’t feel like it.

I go because I need the teaching of God’s Word that is specifically directed to women and our needs. Last weekend there was a session for Pastor’s Wives that I needed to hear! Two sessions I heard spoke to my role as a wife. Still another topic was about women reaching women for the Gospel. The Lord gave me Truth in every single message!
I go because I know it will help me to grow spiritually. Yes, I go to church each week. Yes, I read my Bible every day, but there’s something about a weekend retreat that causes decisions to be made that advance me as a child of God.
I go because I need my sisters in Christ. The fellowship, the sharing, the praying, the knitting of our hearts together will not happen at church. It has to come from times outside worship services at church. It comes on the van as we share our burdens. It takes place at lunch when we talk about the last session. It stirs in our hearts as we grasp hands and pray together.
I go because I know it will make me a better wife, mom, daughter, friend, light in this dark world.
I go because I remember that I have never regretted going and spending time in God’s Word and with His people. Never. Ever.

That’s my testimony and my heart. Can I challenge you to consider attending a retreat this spring – or next fall if that’s when it’s available for you? Something really special is going to happen there and you don’t want to miss out on it. The laundry will be there when you get back. Your family will survive without you. No one notices what you’re wearing. Your church group needs you there!

Boones Creek Bible Church ladies, I’m extending an invitation to you to attend the Ladies’ retreat at The Wilds April 20, 21. Sign up before it gets filled up!

Look at your excuse and ask yourself it’s really valid? Don’t let your enemy keep you from a blessing!

Where do you go to “retreat?” What blessing did you receive?

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 150 px

home · Home decor · Home Landscaping · Outside decor · seasonal decor

Refresh Your Porches for Spring

March 29, 2017March 28, 2017 RefreshHer3 Comments

Front porch 1.jpg

It’s springtime!! Woo hoo!! It’s time to clean off the porches so they’re ready to greet your family and friends. After a long winter, they need some good overhaul to be fresh and inviting! Here’s what I do:

Sweep off the whole area – porch, steps, and driveway.
Dust the corners, and wipe down any furniture on the porch.
Clean the glass door with glass cleaner. Do it when the sun isn’t shining on it – that will help prevent streaks.
Look at your door mat. If it looks weary, tired and dirty, replace it with a fresh, spring-y rug.
Add a spring wreath.
Add a little touch of something green.
Add a garden flag or stepping stone

One thing I love to do in spring and summer is walk through the garden area at Lowe’s! I get so excited about adding flowers, herbs and all things green to my yard when it turns warm! Though it is the time to get the front porch in shape, NOW is NOT the time to add annuals because we’re still dealing with dipping temperatures.

Remember that even if you don’t come in your front door, that’s what your guests will see first, so let it give them a grand welcome!

What will you do to make your porch inviting?

Denise Signature 150 px