dessert

Freshen Up Friday

RefreshHer12 Comments
To freshen up your Friday, how about refreshment for your home and your wardrobe? My girls have both recently started blogs concerning these subjects!

detail front porch

Whitney’s is about comforts at home. She posted yesterday about creating an inviting front door. It’s true that sometimes people can be confused about which door they should come to when they arrive at your house. Whitney had some good suggestions about your front door making a little announcement that will help guests know where to enter. Check out her good ideas and pretty pictures.

PicMonkey Collage

Dressing is an area of life that can be a chore and a bore. We get into a rut of wearing the same pieces with the same other pieces in the same old way. Can you relate?  Alli is writing a blog about creating a Cheerful Closet! Now, who wouldn’t welcome that?! She has some great suggestions about accessories, and also adding items to your wardrobe on a budget.

Could I encourage you about one other area of refreshment? It’s called hospitality. Think back to the last time you had folks over (other than family members) for a time of fellowship. Maybe it was recently; if so, I applaud you! If it’s been a while, can I remind you about what a blessing it is to invite people in for fun, food, and fellowship? It’s great!

Fall is an easy time to plan a simple entertaining menu and have folks over. Fry up canned biscuits in oil, then toss in granulated sugar and you’ll have a doughnut that is worth licking your fingers to finish! Pull out the Uno cards (after everyone has washed the sugar off their hands) and laugh and enjoy some great fun. Keep it simple and everyone will want to come again. The point is, you don’t need a beautiful home that’s magazine-worthy. You just need a simple menu and a heart for others. Obey the command to show hospitality. You’ll be refreshed as you refresh others!

If you need a great recipe for a fall dessert, I have a perfect tasting and perfectly simple one for you:

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
Ingredients

 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
 4 eggs
 1 1/2 cups white sugar
 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
 1 teaspoon salt
 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
 1 cup chopped pecans
 1 cup margarine, melted, (I reduced this to 1/2 cup and it was great)
 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix well, and spread into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle cake mix over the top of the pumpkin mixture, and pat down. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the cake mix, then drizzle with melted margarine.
Bake for 60 to 80 minutes, ( I baked mine about 40 -45 minutes!) or until done. Top with whipped topping when ready to serve.

Now for some encouragement you can serve up…

Pastor Encouragement: Pray that your pastor will be a man of worship and prayer, and that he will lead by example – teaching the congregation how to walk in a close relationship with the Father.

Husband Encouragement: When you look at your husband, what do you see? Strong arms? Hairy chest? Firm hands? Big feet? Rugged chin? Wide shoulders? Compassionate eyes? Broad smile? Whatever his physical size, shape, or characteristics may be, the way you see him has a profound affect. Almost nothing is as devastating to a man as the belief that his wife finds him repulsive. Sadly, many women unwisely criticize their husbands’ bodies.

Have you ever considered how wonderfully God designed men and women? No matter how a man looks—by the standards of the world — a loving God designed them all, and they are all beautiful in His sight. Encourage your husband today by praising his uniqueness.

As you look over your husband’s body, from the tip of his toes to his bald or bushy head, thank God that your husband is “wonderfully made,” then admire your husband verbally.

See you in church!

Be refreshed,

Christian Life

A Grace List

RefreshHerLeave a comment

“Hi!  How are you?” That is a customary greeting in our country, but one that is probably abused. Last Sunday in my husband’s sermon, he gave a great challenge: Instead of asking someone how they’re doing, why not ask them instead, “How have you seen God’s grace in your life today?” I love that!

Paul often started his epistles out talking about God’s grace. We read in Philippians 1:2 –

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are saved, you experience God’s grace every single day! Grace is what God does for me that I don’t deserve on the basis of the cross.
  • You are witness of His forgiveness! That’s grace!
  • You are the recipient of His love! That’s grace!
  • You have the promise of heaven! That’s grace!
  • You have access to His throne through prayer! That’s grace!
  • You witness answered prayers! That’s grace!
  • You have all your needs met! That’s grace!
  • You have 66 books to learn the depth of the riches of His love! That’s grace!
  • You have His wisdom! That’s grace!
  • You have been given a spiritual gift! That’s grace!

    • We could go on and on and on. Everything you and I have and enjoy is all of His grace. We don’t deserve it. That will give us LOTS to share with someone else if they ask. Why not ponder for a minute all the ways you’ve witnessed God’s grace in your life just today, then when someone asks you how you’re doing, share one or two on your “grace list.” We are blessed and need to acknowledge the Giver by telling others of His goodness.

    If you have not accepted God’s grace gift of salvation through His Son, He is waiting to pour His love and grace to you if you will only ask! “For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.” Romans 10:13

    How have YOU seen God’s grace today? I’d love to hear!

    Show grace by sharing encouragement…here’s how:

    Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that your pastor will be a “Great Commission man” – committed to personal evangelism and the equipping of the saints to seek the lost. Pray that he will have a heart to develop a thriving missions program in the church.
    Husband’s Encouragement:  Let me ask you a question: Do you have fun with your husband? Life is full of serious things—decisions to make, tasks to complete, work to do . . . and it can take all the joy out of our relationships. Are most conversations with your husband serious and task-centered? That’s a sure recipe for concocting a negative and critical spirit toward him. Instead of speaking negatively to your husband today, enjoy him! Encourage him! As you experience fullness of joy with God, share some of that joy with your husband.

    Does your husband have a playful side? A great sense of humor? Is there a “little boy” that wants to escape from time to time, reflecting the joy in his heart? This is a wonderful part of who he is and a great strength. Let him know that you appreciate his joyfulness and his playful spirit. Find opportunities to join him in positive play times.

    If your husband can sometimes be overly serious, coax him out occasionally for some play times. It will help him relieve stress and relax.

    No matter which one of you leans toward the serious side, fun is needed to infuse joy into your relationship.
    With love,
    Pastor's Wife

    A Peek From My Porch

    RefreshHerLeave a comment

    Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking at a Pastor’s Wives retreat on Roan Mountain. There were 15 of us there; a perfect size group to fellowship and have our hearts knit together. As you already know, pastor’s wives are far from perfect! Though people often have really high expectations for their pastor’s wife, we are all just like you with the same struggles and challenges in both our spiritual lives and day to day relationships and activities.

    Some of the ladies came with cool hearts due to not being in the Word of God on a personal basis each day. Does that shock you? While it may be disappointing, we have to remember that it’s just as much a challenge to be faithful in their daily Christian walk as it is for you. The purpose of this retreat was to get back to where they needed to be. Praise the Lord, I think there were several that have determined to change their priorities and make it a daily habit to spend time with the Lord each day.

    A couple other women admitted after a session on marriage relationships, that their marriages were weak and had some struggles. Changes needed to be made there. Praise the Lord for hope and Truth to help from the Word of God!

    Retreating is what we all need to do from time to time so that we might take a little inventory of our lives. We need to look and see where the weakness are and be reminded of the truth! It’s just as easy for pastor’s wives as it is for you to let things slide. We let the things that are best slip by and get lost under the busyness of our crazy lives and schedules. The well-meaning intentions are only memories of what we used to do instead of the best part of our day.

    So with that being said, be sure to pray for your pastor’s wife to stay on track. It only takes a matter of days of slacking off to turn a person who was once was on fire for God to now become a smoldering ember. Just keeping it real here, folks. Being a ministry wife is no substitute for a vital relationship with the Lord! I ask your prayers for me and other pastor’s wives you know. Pray that our lives will count for God – not simply as a pastor’s wife, but also as a Child of the King.

    Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that your pastor will be courageous in proclaiming Christ from the pulpit and confident in his use of the Word of God. Ask God to help him preach with insight, transparency, and humility.

    Husband Encouragement: Are you a wise woman? Do you open your mouth with wisdom, as Proverbs 31:26 suggests? As you continue in your 30-day challenge, remember that a wise woman encourages her husband.

    Is your husband a wise man? Does he have a godly perspective that comes from knowing God and walking with Him in obedience? Does he have a sense of purpose for his life and vision for your home? Tell him how much this means to you. If your husband is not walking with God — or perhaps, does not know the Lord — you have the opportunity and responsibility to practice your faith and create a thirst for God. Thank God for giving your husband a place in his heart that only He can fill, and keep praying that he will turn to the Lord to fill that vacuum.

    I forgot the challenge yesterday! Sorry!

    With love from my country porch,

    Christian Life

    It’s Done!

    RefreshHer1 Comment
    A little peek inside MY kitchen!
    (Well, it’s mine and God’s!)

    Yesterday was a big day for the Cunningham household, because WE CLOSED ON OUR HOUSE! This was huge because there were little issues that only the Lord could answer – getting the correct paper with the correct insignia on it to the right person at a specific office. Sounds like I made that up, right? Um, nope. It was so detailed it was that ridiculous. We had 30 days from the time we signed the contract for it to close and our mortgage rate not go up. Yesterday was the 30th day!

    I had determined that our builder was going to hear at closing my story of how God answered my prayer for a house. Of how He answered in the perfect time and brought us to the perfect house for us. I shared my story and he graciously rejoiced with us.

    What details are you looking to the Lord to take care of today? It’s not so hard that it’s beyond His reach, nor is it too simplistic for Him to care about. He is involved and at work, and He will do it in His time so that He will get the glory. Don’t try to figure it out yourself. Keep waiting. Keep trusting. He is at work.

    Oh my soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.  
    Psalm 62:5

    Bread

    What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

    RefreshHer7 Comments
    Happy Fall!  The temps yesterday and even the blue sky and fluffy clouds made clear the realization that Fall is here.  It’s time for some pumpkin recipes and comfort foods, don’t you think?  We don’t often think of brunch as a time for comfort foods, but an egg dish full of roasted vegetables is truly comforting and is a perfect start to a cool day!  
     
    I recently had a couple friends over for a mid-morning meal- brunch.  It’s the perfect time of day for a filling dish.  I found an Ina Garten recipe –  Roasted Vegetable Frittata that I  wanted to try; this was my opportunity to make it!  Yep, I experimented on guests again!  I don’t do it intentionally, really!

     

    My menu:
    Roasted Vegetable Frittata
    Canadian Bacon
    Fresh Fruit
    Pumpkin Scones with Berry Butter
    Coffee
    These scones were soooo yummy!
    The Berry Butter that accompanies them is what puts them over the top!
    These were a winning recipe on Taste of Home’s site.

     

    Pumpkin Scones with Berry Butter Recipe
    Taste of Home picture
    Pumpkin Scones
    Ingredients:

     

    BUTTER:
    2 tablespoons dried cranberries
    1/2 cup boiling water
    1/2 cup butter, softened
    3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

     

    DOUGH:
    2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
    1 Eggland’s Best Egg
    1/2 cup canned pumpkin
    1/3 cup 2% milk
    2 tablespoons chopped pecans, optional

     

    Directions:
    For Butter:
    Place cranberries in a small bowl; add boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain and chop. In a small bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and cranberries; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

     

    For Dough:
    In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pie spice, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, pumpkin and milk; add to crumb mixture just until moistened. Stir in pecans if desired.

     

    Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead 10 times. Pat into an 8-in. circle. Cut into eight wedges; separate wedges and place on a greased baking sheet.

     

    Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with berry butter. Yield: 8 scones (about 1/2 cup butter).

     

    Roasted Vegetable Fritatta
    Ingredients
    1 small zucchini, 1-inch-diced
    1 red bell pepper, seeded and 1 1/2-inch-diced
    1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1 1/2-inch-diced
    1 red onion, 1 1/2-inch-diced
    1/3 cup good olive oil
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
    12 extra-large eggs
    1 cup half-and-half
    1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    1/3 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (3 scallions)
    1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese

     

    Directions
    Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
    Place the zucchini, peppers, and onion on a sheet pan. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and toss well. Bake for 15 minutes. Add the garlic, toss again, and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the oven to 350 degrees.

     

    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
    In a 10-inch ovenproof saute pan, melt the butter and saute the scallions over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Add the roasted vegetables to the pan and toss with the scallions. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes over medium-low heat without stirring. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake the frittata for 20 to 30 minutes, until puffed and set in the middle. Sprinkle with the Gruyere and bake for another 3 minutes, until the cheese is just melted. Cut into 6 or 8 wedges and serve hot.

     

    Do you enjoy fixing brunch?  What do you serve?

     

    Encouragement Challenges:

     

    Pastor Encouragement:  Praise God for your pastor’s leadership and pray that he will make godly decisions.  Pray that he will lead with a shepherd’s heart, and that he will always speak the truth in love.

     

    Husband Encouragement:  Seek your husband as your life companion. Share the little things and the big news with him first. Make a point to plan time together, whether that’s an outing or time alone together at home. Affirm the ways that he is your best friend and how you are happy God has given him as your life companion.

     

    With love from my country kitchen,