Yesterday I enjoyed a fun outing in order to prepare for our upcoming Ladies’ Retreat this September.  We do a “retreat” every two or three years at Boones Creek Bible Church.  It’s not a retreat in the sense that we stay overnight somewhere, but in the sense that we retreat together for spiritual refreshment.  We meet on Friday night then reconvene Saturday morning through lunchtime.  Our theme for this year’s  ladies’ ministry is, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”  This is also the theme for the retreat. 

Several ladies that have volunteered to help agreed to go with me to a place one of them had told us about in Fancy Gap, Virginia (don’t you love that name?  I do).  The store was called, Fancy Gap Pottery and Fabric Outlet, a couple hours from here.  You can buy flowers and all kinds of crafty and decorating things for a much reduced price. I had never been, but had heard it was wonderful. So yesterday, we piled into my car and made a day of shopping and purchasing things for the retreat.  Yes, it was rough, but we sacrificed for the sake of ministry and went. (Just kidding, of course!  We had a ball!) The savings were incredible!  Take a look at one small section of the store…

Small quilted runners were $5, pillows under $7.  There was greenery, painted signs, pottery, fabrics, ribbon, flags, wreaths, scrapbooking items, and on and on it went.

I got a few small items.  Want to see? 

My quilted runner for $5!



Fifty-nine cent tassel!



A little closer look.  Something as simple as a tassel can just add a special touch.

A pretty accent to my desk lamp. There’s a little glass prism hanging at the bottom of the heart.

The ride over was beautiful.  If you have a day with nothing to do, you must go. 
Have you been to a special place recently?  Tell us about it (even if you’re not from East Tennessee!).

From the Fancy Gap,

P.S. Oh, and if you’d like to help in any way with the retreat, I still need lots of volunteers!

I was blown away recently when I read this on some one’s Facebook status:

A couple new recipes and a few old friends…that’s a fun combination.  We asked some “old” friends to eat dinner with us yesterday, and what sweet fellowship we enjoyed!  Old friends are special, aren’t they?  You can be relaxed and comfortable together as you eat and visit.  The laughter was good medicine (I think we overdosed a few times!), and the conversation was encouraging and uplifting.  Thanks for coming, Friends!  We love you!

I made a “normal” meal – shocking, isn’t it?  By that I mean it was standard fare. 

The dish of corn isn’t very attractive, after getting all bubbly in the oven, but don’t let that fool you or discourage you from trying this simple side dish.  It’s on the order of a special creamed corn.  Very good!  I mixed the whole thing up on Saturday night, then popped it into the microwave a couple of minutes, then the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Corn Cheese Bake
1-3 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 T butter or margarine
1/2 tsp onion salt
1-1lb. can whole kernel corn, drained (or 1 10 oz. pkg. frozen corn, thawed) I used a frozen bag of corn and one can and it was plenty of cheese to cover it.
Paprika

Combine cream cheese, milk, butter and onion salt in saucepan, stir over low heat until cheese melts.  Stir corn into cheese.  Pour into small casserole.  Sprinkle with paprika.  Cook uncovered until bubbly, about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

I love to make bread and I especially love the smell of yeast rolls in the oven!  This was a really simple recipe and didn’t take lots of time to rise.

Sweet Milk Dinner Rolls

Sweet Milk Dinner Rolls
Ingredients


•1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

•2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)

•1/2 cup sugar

•2 tablespoons butter, melted

•1 teaspoon salt

•4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour


Directions


•In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the sugar, butter, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

• Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into 16 pieces. Shape each into a ball. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

• Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 16 rolls. – I made mine a little smaller and got 2 dozen rolls.

We had gotten some local strawberries this weekend, so for dessert I just did a simple version of Strawberry shortcake and ice cream sundaes combined. One of my guests can’t eat strawberries, so I also had bananas and caramel as an option. 

Dessert doesn’t always have to be pie or cake that you’ve made.  Simplify things and just put together a dessert like this and watch how much time it will give you! (I’m preaching to myself!)  =)

I have to share another new recipe I made on Saturday for a great side dish.  This is a Green Bean Salad.  You know that we LOVE Southern style green beans, which means they’re cooked to death, but this recipe uses fresh green beans, but only requires you cook them for 3 minutes!  It is a delicious change and a great salad.  My husband cooked Turkey Burgers on the grill and I made this to go along with them.  It was a great accompaniment to that meal!

Green Bean and Walnut Almond Salad
1 lb. fresh green beans
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped (I have learned that it’s best to grate the garlic so you won’t get a bite of raw garlic.)
4 T freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 T chopped walnuts or almonds, to garnish

Dressing
6 T olive oil
2 T white wine vinegar
salt and pepper
2 tsp chopped fresh tarragon (didn’t have this and it was still good!)

Trim the beans, and snap into bite sized pieces.  Cook for 3-4 minutes in salted boiling water.  Drain well, refresh under cold running water, and drain again.  Put into a mixing bowl and add the onion, garlic, and cheese.

Place the dressing ingredients in a jar with a screw-top lid.  Shake well.  Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.  Give them a quick stir.

Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes, or until they begin to brown.  Sprinkle the toasted nuts over the beans to garnish before serving.
Serves 2-3 Maybe 4…but my husband liked this so well, that he had a few helpings!

What’s been cooking in your kitchen?

From my parsonage kitchen,

P.S.  I’m serving lemon squares and brownies tonight at Ladies’ Bible study.  Hope you’ll be there to study God’s Word, hear from Gracious Designs, and enjoy a little snack at 7 pm!

I’m always on the lookout for a little touch of “me” when I’m out shopping. By that I mean, things that will complete the look I enjoy in my home.  I love to find things on clearance that have either been on my list of needed items, or something whimsical, like this lamp that adds the perfect touch.  Sometimes it’s those things that you weren’t necessarily looking for that add just what you need to add something extraordinary to a room.  Even if you’re not positive about where you’ll put it, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s better to buy it and return it if it doesn’t work, than to get home, realize it would be perfect, and find it’s gone when you go back to get it! 

I keep a list of things on my phone that I need for the house – whether it’s light bulbs, a new mattress pad,  washcloths, or a small clock – I write it down so when I’m out and find some good deals, I’ll remember what I’m looking for!  Keep things fresh in your home by making a list. No matter how slowly you replace worn things and add new updates or pretty touches, each “touch” will help you create a place you’re glad to come home to.

Decorating a house is a work in progress. It’s work that is rewarding when you love your home, and your family and friends come in and immediately feel at rest.

Do you keep a list of items you need?  Have you found any super deals recently?

Speaking of decorating your home:

This coming Monday night, April 30th at 7PM, we are having our monthly ladies’ Bible study.  We will continue our study,  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Our chapter is on “Living room Intimacy.” It’s a special chapter.  I pray you’re planning on attending and being challenged by God’s Word.

Following our lesson, a guest from Gracious Designs in Jonesborough will be with us to talk about creating a beautiful porch and entryway.  You won’t want to miss this!!!!  There will be items on display that will also be available for ordering.  Lots of fun is in store! Plan to join us!

With love,