• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

• TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cold butter

Directions

• Sprinkle almonds over the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. In a bowl, cream the sugar, butter and vanilla; beat on medium for 1-2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Combine dry ingredients; add to batter alternately with sour cream. Mix well. Spread 3 cups over almonds. Spoon cranberry sauce over batter. Top with remaining batter.
• For topping, combine flour, sugar, almonds and vanilla; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
• Bake at 350° for 70-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; remove sides of pan. Serve warm. Yield: 12 servings.

Sorry I didn’t post much last week, but as you can see in the previous post to this one, we’ve had a family emergency.  We’re still dealing with my Mother-in-law’s health issues.  She’s still in ICU, but doing much better.  We are expecting some important test results back in the next day or so.  If I miss posting, that will be the reason.  Thanks for your prayers for her, and for us as we care for her needs.

From my parsonage kitchen,

Denise

Wow.  What a week this has been.  My mother-in-law progressed from a lasting (unchecked) cough, then to pneumonia, to fluid around the heart, a blood clot in her leg and a myriad of tests checking on other issues.  We’ve been in the hospital all day, overnight and now in the ICU with her. 

The world won’t stop without my blog posts, that’s for sure, but just wanted you to know where I’ve been, and where I may possibly be in the days ahead. 

We have no idea what the future holds, but we rest in our God who does.  Underneath are His everlasting arms of comfort, provision and grace.  Thanks to those who will pray for her, and for us (my husband is her only child) as we make decisions and care for her during this time. 

Trusting in His perfect will,

I have seen the cutest gift ideas on Pinterest this week.  Everyone is gearing up for Christmas, but with not as much money, and still as many people to buy gifts for!  The answer to the problem is creating homemade gifts that are special, yet cost much less.  So many of these things are seriously so great, I’d rather get and give these than anything money could buy!  I thought I’d share a few ideas with you, just in case you’re not on Pinterest yet (’cause you know you want to join the fun!)

Pampering in a Jar…

These jars are filled with socks, bubble bath, lip balm, hand cream and chocolate.

There are some terrific ideas for lots of other gifts in a jar here.

The 36th Avenue is a treasure trove of great gift ideas.  I especially like this little sewing kit that came from here.

These little cones found here would be a welcomed treat if you filled them with your homemade Carmel corn or Chex Mix! Trade out the butterflies for a Christmas decoration and you have a great gift for very little money.

I love the idea of personalizing these pot holders to the colors of the receiver’s kitchen.  These came from  the 36th Avenue.

This is what I’m doing with all my old tins…

Freshen up your gift giving with a little planning ahead of time, and a dab of creativity!  Great gifts are just ahead!

Be refreshed,

• had never had an impure thought
• had never said an unloving word
• had never done a deed with impure motives
• had never responded in anger
• had never desired a wrong thing

Undeserving,
, made righteous by Christ!

Having an office at home is what my husband has done for most of his ministry life.  It’s truly a blessing – well, most of the time.  The drawback is that it’s always calling his name and drawing him in to “finish up the details of a sermon” or “send a quick email.” 

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to live in the same house with someone, yet spend very little quality time together?  Oh, you eat meals at the table and chat about the day’s events, but sometimes it’s necessary to stop all the other activity – including those  little details in the office, and just do something fun together!

Monday night I decided to do something we never do –  eat our homemade pizza in the living room.We did so with the candelabra lit and music playing.  It was great.  Afterwards we pulled out the Scrabble tiles and played a game of Take Two (we play it kind of like they do in this link).  I won the round we played, but that’s not what made it fun – it was just the time we shared together hunkered over the coffee table, moaning about the letters we’d drawn or asking  questions like, “How do you spell…?” 

We may have had a total of an hour given to dinner, dishes, and our game, but it was also a time to reconnect and remember that there’s more than just ministry that goes on here in the parsonage – there’s a relationship to strengthen and a marriage that needs keeping tabs on!  The details on that sermon do indeed get finished, and the emails all sent on their way, but it’s the “stuff” that happens in-between that make me extra happy to share the parsonage with my parson!

From the windows of the parsonage,