Breakfast with Jesus

It began just like the last few mornings…quiet! As I try to find the rhythm in the change of our schedule I feel as though I am floundering – lost and not sure how to do. The change involves my honey leaving long before daybreak. Now I wake to an empty house and a sad puppy. The minute I open our bedroom door, Maggie Moo (really…officially…truthfully her name is Magnolia Isabella Ferguson) but we call her Maggie Moo. Maggie Moo has these piercing eyes kinda like a Ewok from Star Wars. You can’t help but love that dog!

Sorry, I digress…bedroom door opens and Maggie Moo is like a race horse at the sound of the gun, she is off and running. All too soon she discovers that her two-legged daddy is no where to be found. Almost slinking back to the kitchen where she finds me, she looks at me as if she could speak. And this is what her expression appears to say, “You again?” Yes, I have to admit I am not nearly as fun as her two-legged daddy but it is what it is…and I am all she has…might as well contend with and move on. I amble about the front of the house for a few minutes and realize – hey, I can make breakfast! Although there is a MacDonald’s less than a couple of miles away, there is great satisfaction in hearing the skillet come off the pot rack overhead and resting on the stove. Breakfast is about to happen! To complete the meal I grab a bottle of water from the outside frig and head back to the stove. Once the meal is ready, I settle into a chair at the kitchen table, prop my feet on the table’s curved legs and turn on my Kindle. The Kindle powers on and there awaiting me is my daily devotion, “Jesus is Calling” by Sarah Young. What I love about the Kindle version of this book of devotions is that at the end of each day’s reading the entire scripture is include - just the book, chapter and verse of the scriptures. I bow my head, pray and wait. Something is missing…someone is missing. I look at the chair next to me. It is empty…or maybe it’s not… Before we downsized and moved to our present home, I had a special place in our den where I met Jesus every morning. There were two chairs that sat close to each other tucked away in the corner of the room. I sat in one and I left the other chair vacant for Jesus. Before I could read my devotion, the memory of my prayer chair and my meeting place with Jesus came to mind. I looked over at the empty chair at the table and think, “Why not? Breakfast with Jesus!” Quoting a line from a long ago television show called “The A-Team” (sorry youngsters – for you who haven’t a clue about the A-Team - look for it on re-runs), I smile and quote the ever popular line from the series, “I love it when a plan comes together!” That means that the outcome is good for those involved. So, that is my plan…in the quite of the early morning, I am planning on breakfast with Jesus. All of a sudden the house doesn’t seem empty at all! God is good! Breakfast, hurry! I can’t wait to see what Jesus has to say!

Here I Am - Send Me!

Tonight was the last night of the Beth Moore - Houston Connection Bible Study of the book of James. This has been an incredible study and one that has challenged me to grow and be transformed. It has been an 8-week study. Each week lectures urged me forward as I attempted to reach the goal that God has placed before me...to be a more holier person. While the transformation has not been without "some" discomfort, God has already been quick to encourage and to affirm . I believe that the changes are not only necessary but, in the end, would make me resemble His nature.
Tonight, after the praise and worship time, Beth called all the young ladies that were 25 years of age and under. We all sat and watched as hundreds of these young ladies streamed forward to meet Beth at the front of the sanctuary. They knelt (at least 4-5 people deep) and I couldn't count how many across the bottom of the floor. We, who are more than 25 years sat in awe as these precious children of God came forward. Beth laid her hands (symbolically) on one of her daughter's, Melissa, as she prayed for the entire group of young ladies that knelt before her. We, who were seated, were asked if we could reach someone in front, to lay our hand on them and pray with her. If we could not reach them, we extended our hands to uphold them from where we were seated. The prayer was an exchange of honor, respect and promises. Once again, I was challenged - to be a source of wisdom, hope and prayer. It was more than a moving experience: it was holy!!!
What God showed me that was kneeling before me and the others was the next generation of faith. I have to admit I was awestruck by their faces. They gleamed with God's radiance. What a honor and priviledge to be apart of "anointing" the next generation of faith. And then, I felt it...God's call. He was sending me out again.
There would be no corner that I would be able to sit and observe, no chair in the back of a room so I could be uninvolved. God had made it perfectly clear: He was calling me out.
You might find it interesting that all the other weeks the group I have been riding with was safely tucked near the back section. However, tonight I found myself on the 2nd row and it was no mistaking that God had ordained our seats. I knew without a doubt...God was done with my "extended" time of separation from His children. He wanted me front and center to see them personally.
What is it, Lord, that you are calling me to do? How will I help them grow into what you have called them to be? In a voice so tender and quiet, if I had not been intently listening to hear, I would have missed it. I heard, "For now, seek me with an uncumbered heart. Continue to write and share His movement in your life and the lives of your family. " How else can you offer hope if you are not willing to share it? " That was my directive.
In the wee hours of this morning, I am opening my heart again. For now, there can be no bars on the windows, no doors locked, no windows closed...my assignment has been given and accepted.
Did I mention that I am also Isaiah said, "Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips." After being purified by God, Isaiah was then able to say with an open heart and cleansed heart, "Here I am, Lord, send Me!" So, Lord Jesus, I've accepted your call. May I walk confidently into your perfect will. Please help me not to miss your movement or your directions...a billboard, if necessary, Lord.
I would ask for your prayers as I begin writing the book God has been after me to write for several years. May it bless the reader and draw him/her to the "Giver of Every Good and Perfect" gift.
One of the gifts God has given me is to minister to others is through cooking. Today I am sharing a recipe I made for a friend and her husband. He had been injured and was recovering from a major surgery. She needed help with meals. I made them this meatloaf from a recipe I found and decided to give it a try. It has a bit of a Cajun flavor. Enjoy!!

A Touch of Zip Meatloaf
Makes 8 servings

Meatloaf:
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
6 bread slices (I used whole wheat bread)
2 pounds ground beef (I used 96/4 ground beef)
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1tsp. salt
¼ tsp. seasoned salt (Lowry’s)
Freshly ground pepper
¼ to ½ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
4 eggs, beaten
8 to 12 slices bacon slices (I didn’t use this)

Tomato Gravy:
1 ½ cups ketchup
6 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
Dash or two of hot sauce (Tabasco, of course)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour milk over the bread and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Place the ground beef, milk-soaked bread, Parmesan cheese, salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the eggs. With clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place on a broiler pan, which will allow the fat from the meat to drain. A tip is to line the bottom of the broiler pan with aluminum foil. I learned that you need to have the meat drain away from the pan. By doing this, you avoid the juices from the meatloaf hanging out with the meatloaf instead of draining into the broiler pan. And, if you line the broiler pan, it makes cleanup a whole lot easier. Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking them underneath the meatloaf. I did not do this as I was trying to keep the meatloaf relatively lean and healthy. Prepare the tomato gravy in the order listed. Divide the grave into 1/3’s. Pour 1/3 of the gravy over the meatloaf. Bake for 45 minutes then pour the second 1/3 of the gravy over the meatloaf. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Serve the remaining tomato gravy on the side as a dipping sauce. I served this with potatoes augratin, homemade bread, whole steamed green beans and homemade gingerbread with a cream cheese frosting.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance

upon you and give you peace.

Deuteronomy 6:26

Day 6 - Flat Iron Captivity - Too Wired To Cook?

There are those defining moments in one's life when one discovers that she is WAY over-her-head in something. One readily realizes this when one looks in the mirror (literally) and says to herself, "Self, you are in deep do-do!"

Here are the facts: I want to be updated...mind you - not made over...just updated. That is what I told Dana (my stylist) when I visited her a few weeks back. Dana (NOTE: Professional people really mean this but it only applies to them),"No problem," she smiled and went to work. It was fasinating to watch - a real professional she is. First the shampoo, then trimming off the edges, layering here and there. I watched with great interest. Then, she did it! Dana pulled out - that foreign thing I have heard so much about and only seen others use - the flat iron. As Dana administered the flat iron to my hair, the hair responded well. I admitted to Dana that I didn't know how to use it. Being the professional she is, she gave me a quick lesson. It didn't seem all that hard, after all, you put in your hair and you pull it through right? Or was it you put it in your hair and kinda turn it a bit? Not to worry, I was sure that I could master this instrument of glamor in no time. Confidence high as I drove home from the salon, I made the decision to purchase a flat iron of my very own! And I did...not an expensive one but one that seemed to be "the middle of the road."

Who knew the middle of the road for me was like the rack track at Talladega!!! The picture to the left is of our daughter and her family at Halloween. Please note EK in the race car driver uniform. EK very much wants to be a race car driver or a rock star when she is grown. Pictured is her mom, dad (her Pit Crew) and her older sister.

So here I am, in the middle of the race track of fashion. There is no checkered flag to wave me forward. The only flags I see waving at me or either red and yellow...especially when I begin to read the back of the flat iron box. This quote from the back of the box, "this make take practice." So, is that a relative question or just an informative statement?

Again, confidence high, I washed and dried my hair and then plugged in the flat iron. As I am plugging in the flat iron the thought crossed ever so quickly through my mind, "So why all the settings? Can't it just be on and off like the old curling irons?" Again, taking the middle of the road, I sit down at my dressing table, look into mirror, speak these words out loud, "There is no doubt about it! You really are in deep do-do!" But, I laugh at do-do! I have raised 3 children, survived more pets than is in the peaceable kingdom and have 7 grandchildren. What is a little do-do? Really???

Flat iron in hand, the process begins...slowly, I might add because every few minutes, I pick up the directions to make sure I am following them correctly. Finally all my hair that could be captured has miraculously made it through the flat iron. I shake my hair loosely (don't think there is a ton here) and run my fingers through it...after all, that's what Dana does to make it take shape. Hoping for the best, I lift up my head and gaze into the mirror. Unfortunately, my hair is not even close to what it looked like when Dana used the flat iron. In fact, the shape it took was more like a cross between a reverse Alphafa and hair that had been electrically shocked. It appears that enough electricity had been applied to my hair that I was quite sure Centerpoint suffered a rolling black-out on their grid. Making an assessment of my hair, it is safe to say it is full...really full. The strands were quite friendly looking because each strand was standing on its end and waving at another strands. Would that I could tell you that they were standing and waving in the same direction, but that simply would not be true. Pushing back my chair from the dressing table, I make my way to Steve's home office. He is occupied at his computer and does not see me enter. I stand in the doorway wondering how to phrase a question that will NOT make him feel threatend if he answers it in the wrong way. So, I quietly say, "Babe." He looks up and if I could have captured his expression, it might have been a dictionary perfect picture of, "Oh, Crap!" Being the ever gentle man that he is, he quickly regained what composure he could muster. Thinking it would be the most prudent choice, he waits for me to speak. I am pretty sure he is praying, "Oh, God, what has she done?" Or..."Oh, God, I could certainly use some help with my wording !"
I smile to reassure him that he is not in jeopardy and pose this scenario: "Honey, " I begin, "I need to go out to the grocery store and run some other errands." To this statement he nods his head, still silent I may add. "And," I continue, " I need to know if my hair looks as bad as I think it does. I just tried to use the flat iron and I am not sure that I have the hang of it."

You see this is a good start because it immediately shifts the blame of anything he is about to say back to my lack of skill in the use of a flat iron. He is quiet for more than a few moments. He clears his throat and says, "Well, Honey, it doesn't look bad, it is just not your style." You have to love this man! Is he good or what? I offer another scenario, "Honey, do you think it might look better if I use the electric rollers instead?" To that, this honorable man said, "Well, Baby, if that makes you feel better then by all means do that." Which, is exactly what I did.

I want you to know that I have not been beaten by this instrument from hell. I will master it...but in the meantime, let's cook!

This recipe is one from Nani's Test Kitchen. What that means is that this is it is a first-time recipe and you get the first dibs on it. If you have a suggestion for a name for this recipe, by all means, let me know. For now, let's just called it Penne Casserole. From the photo to the right you will note the ingredients needed for the recipe. With that being said, I did add some chopped chives after I had snapped the photo of ingredients. These are the ingredients and measurements:

1 1/2 jars Black Olive and capers Pasta Sauce*

(or whatever Pasta Sauce flavor you like)

1 1/2 cup Asiago Shredded Cheese

1 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 lb. 96/4 Extra Lean Ground Beef

1 lb. Fresh Italian Sausage (same size pkg as ground beef)

Garlic Infused Olive Oil

Crushed Peppercorn & Garlic (Pampered Chef Seasoning) to taste

Coarse Sea & Himaylian Salt (to taste)

1 box Penne Rigate (16 oz.)

1/2 cup chopped chives

Using silicon basting brush, brush Covered Deep Dish Baker with Garlic Infused Olive Oil. Place meats, peppercorn & garlic seasoning, salt and chopped chives in Covered Deep Dish Baker. Brown meat in microwave for 11 minutes. Midway through, stop and break up meat with the mix and chop so the meat will cook evenly. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and set aside.

In the meantime, cook the Penne Pasta according to the directions on the back of the box of Pasta. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Divid pasta and meat mixture in half. With each half, you will layer in this order, pasta, meat (drained), pasta sauce then 1/2 of the Asiago and Parmesan Cheese. Top second layer with the cheeses. Once assembled, you may place the Covered Deep Dish Baker in microwave and heat until casserole is heated through and cheese is melted.

*I used one jar of pasta sauce in this recipe, but it really needed more to make it more juicy. You may also bake in a 350 degree oven until casserole is heated throughly and cheese is melted. Grated parmesan may be added once the casserole is served on the plate.

You may serve with a salad, fresh sour dough bread

(see recipe for bread in my last posting).

And...until we meet again - Peace out!

Get Ready...Set...Go! A Divine Bread Recipe

Can't explain why it is that on Sunday mornings when I seem most ready to listen to what God is saying. Yesterday morning as I was preparing for church, my mind wandered "no pun intended" - to the Israelites. No kidding!!! I thought about how it must have felt to hear Moses' voice saying, "Get Ready, We're leaving!" Can you imagine their confusion? Being known as the pereninnal planner (my family will astest to this fact), my mind pondered as to what it might have looked like as an Israelite. Can you imagine the clammer coming from the kitchen area of an Israelite woman. Can you imagine her looking at a mound of fresh dough and thinking, "Now? He wants us to go now????" As I meditated on that for a few minutes, it occurred to me just how good God is. He had not given them weeks to prepare for their departure from Egypt. Can you imagine the Israelite woman complaining, "Oy, va! What to take,? What to leave behind? Where or how is this all going to fit in that cart? I mean a camel can only carry so much!" God being the knowing God He is, He knew there would have been chaos in the long-term camping event! So, it was, at a moment's notice, they were off and running - literally!

There is wisdom is not knowing what is ahead of you. We think we want to know...but really, there is wisdom in God announcing to you in His perfect timing, "Get Ready! It's time to go." As I continued to mediate on what God was speaking into my heart, the visual image of our grandson riding his bike came into sharp focus. I couldn't help but smile as I saw him take off on his "new set of wheels" and riding with the wind all the while yelling behind him, "Nani, watch this!" Yet, I know for each of our grandchildren and our own children, getting started on riding a bike and riding with the wind were miles apart.

After a long time God has finally spoken to Steve and me, "Get Ready! You're Leaving!" Like the Israelites, God did not allow us months of "preparation." It happened very quickly and there was no mistaking that it was God doing the moving. The last 12 1/2 years have been a consuming place of life, joy and sometimes sadness. Thankfully, one lesson Steve and I have (over the years in our ministry) is that anytime God calls you out it is going to exciting. (We tend to think exciting is all good...or at least we hope it is). But, God keeps us tettered to His side so that whether the times or good or bad, we know that He is present and overseeing everything that touches us...good and bad.

Affirming both Steve and me all the way through this calling out, just this week I read in my study of Isaiah about God's faithfulness. Isaiah was telling the children of Israel that God clearly (literally) spoke the words, "I love you!" It reminded me that we are not out of His sight...and He really loves us! He never forsakes us! We can depend on His perfect timing.

Getting back to the divine interruption of Israelite woman making bread, God reminded me that whether the bread is done or not, God is in control. He will lead, feed, and keep us safe on this new journey. Can't ask for a better trip planner than that!

This week's recipe is (if you haven't guessed already) homemade bread. My sweet, sweet Louisiana cousin gave me the starter for this recipe. By the time this is posted, I'm hoping to have a recipe for the starter. In the meantime, here is the recipe for the best ever homemade bread! Enjoy!!!

Starter is stored in the refrigerator with a loosely fitted lid in a quart jar. Once your starter is established, you feed it every 3-5 days.

To begin the breadmaking process, take out the starter and feed it (recipe below) then leave out on the counter overnight:

Ingredients to feed starter include the following ingredients. Please note that you need to stir the starter with a wooden spoon

1 cup hot water; 3 Tablespoons potato flakes; 1/2 cup sugar

The next day you make the dough. You will need the following ingredients:

1 large bowl; 1/2 cup of sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup oil (I use canola); 1 cup starter (returning remainder in quart jar back to refrigerator); 1 1/2 cup hot water; 6 cups plain flour; Pam (kitchen spray)

Add all the liquids together and then mix gradually with the 6 cups flour. I use my standing mixer with the wire whisk at first to blend the liquids, then I change to the dough hook attachment when adding the flour to the liquid mixture. Blend flour and liquid until well incorporated. Once the dough is mixed together, spray dough with Pam, cover with wax paper and allow to rise on the kitchen counter for several hours.

After dough has risen, empty the dough onto a floured board. Knead the dough and divide into 3 loaves. (Here is where I vary a bit depending on how I want to bake the bread). One of my favorite things is to use the Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan that holds 4 mini loaves of bread. I also use the stoneware (regular size) loaf pan and our new stainless loaf pan. Have been very pleased with stoneware and the stainless. Bread turns out golden brown in either pan. Also, have used the Pampered Chef mini muffin pans to make those bite-size rolls or use the Pampered Chef regular size muffin pan* and make dinner rolls. No matter how it was presented (bite-size, mini-loaf or full size) I have yet to be turned down when giving the bread away! Whatever you choose to bake in, make sure that it is greased before placing the dough in the pan. Allow the bread to rise for several hours. Bake loaves for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Every oven is different, but mine tends to be done right at 30 minutes.

Once the bread is done, take it out of the oven and place the pan on the Pampered Chef stackable cooling rack for a few minutes. Then, turn out onto the cooling rack to complete cooling. However, the the smell overcomes you, you can just slice it and eat it - it smells that good! I would tell you how to freeze it, but I haven't had the opportunity to do so. It seems that before it is out of the oven, someone has claimed it theirs. It has been great fun to bake the bread and deliver to our neighbors and friends.

Hope you enjoy the weekly posting of recipes and that these easy recipes bring you and yours back to your family table. The Focus on the Family magazine posted results from a study conducted by the University of Minnesoto. This study found that there has been a 33% decline (this study is several years old and I expect the numbers are now higher) over the past 20 years in the number of families who regularly eat dinner together, families with teens may be missing out, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse of Columbia University. The article went on to say that teens who eat with their families are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to those who seldom eat dinner with their families. Their friends are also less likely to use drugs, and they are less likely to contemplate suicide. Other benefits including being more likely to earn better grades in school and reducing home-life stress. For more information go to resources.family.org.

*In Louisiana, we call this "Lagnaippe" (meaning an unexpected gift or something extra) . When talking with a friend in Louisiana who owns her own restaurant she related this story. This past Christmas season she was having to make tons (no kidding) of muffins. My friend said that the only muffin pan that her muffins DID NOT stick were the Pampered Chef ones. She promptly threw out everything that wasn't a Pampered Chef product and uses Pampered Chef exclusively! Have a great week! You bless me more than I can express! Thanks for following my blog. If you have a request for a recipe, let me know.

Next week's posting is called, "Day Six - Flat Iron Captivity - Too Wired To Cook! - a fast and easy recipe when you are having a bad hair day! See you next week!

Something of Value

In the midst of a storm there is a lull - a quiet place where you know God is...you rest, you catch your breath...you breathe in the air and allow it to fill lungs. For your heart is pounding. Your breath taken away by the winds of the storm. But, here you are...in the lull of the storm. You look around you and the water is still. How can that be? It almost feels as though God has scooped you up and you and your boat are resting in His hand. How can that be? Yet, here you are and you feel your body relax...you are safe.

The weekend before last was like that for me. I had the joy and blessing of spending time with family. As I waited for the weather conditions to improve, I packed my car, doubled checked the items necessary for the journey and longed for the sound of the road from my car as I drove.

Finally, the time came and I literally sprang into my car and headed west! My face basked in the sun!!!!!!! It has been "several" days of cloudy and wet and cold and ice and cloudy and wet and cold. Today, the sun was up and shining! What a day indeed!!!! The miles passed easily as my car drove westward to the lull in my storm.

Funny how when you are in the car how your mind will travel a different path as you drive. Going over the past few weeks was a good thing. For with each event, I saw God there. My heart swelled with the waves of emotion as I thanked God for "being there!" What a faithful God we serve.

Time couldn't pass fast enough for me to arrive at the lull in my storm. Finally, the engined turned off and I gazed at the front door of the my first stop. I sat in my car for a short while and waited - thanking God for safe travel, calling my honey to tell him that I had arrived safely and just to look at the door that would soon open to smiling faces, many hugs, many giggles and most of all - to love!

Before I could knock on the door the sound of two little girls resounded - breaking the barriers of the storm and announcing fully and completely, "Nani's here!!!!!!!!!!!!" I couldn't help but laugh! What a hoot! What a joy!!! What a blessing!!!

Within seconds, the door bounded open and the hugging, giggling and kisses began - and again, and again! The lull was here and my heart and spirit breathed in the love and safely of being held in God's hand - away from the stormy waters and the crashing waves.

Time in the palm of God's hand was more than precious. Dinner with our two grown children and their spouses that are more like our own children, and FOUR grandgirls!!!! We laughed, colored the pictures at the table, talked about school and all that they wanted to share...I wanted to hear it all! All too soon the dinner ended and it was time to part...so I thought. Goodbyes were said and we headed back to our daughter's house only to learn that my son and his family were coming over for more visiting and...to sample the King Cake I'd made.
The next day of my visit, I made red velvet cupcakes with our daughter and her two daughters. When Nani is around, there is always something "cookin' in the kitchen!" As we were making the cupcakes, the conversation came around wedding rings. Since my daughter has two daughters she was thinking how she could leave both daughters a part of her wedding ring and engagement ring when they were sodered together. Our daughter asked me what would I do. I responded that since my stone on my wedding band was not an auethinc diamond, that it probably wouldn't be of value . (The original stone had been lost from its setting years before). My daughter's youngest daughter suddenly spoke, "Nani, I would want you ring because it belonged to you!" My daughter and I looked at each other and then my daughter said, "Mother, you can not get more purer love than that." I nodded with agreement and hugged on EK.

Isn't it funny how the things that we consider "of little value" mean "something" to someone else? Isn't it funny how some of the things we consider "of little value" i.e., time spent with family and friends, or a smile at someone in the grocery store, or a hug or squeeze of a hand mean "some of value" to the person that is receiving it? Isn't it funny that what we sometimes consider "of little value" or something that we would "just do" is truly the lull in someones storm? Is there something today that you consider "of little value" that you might share that would be "something of value" to the receiver?

The time came that I needed to say, "Goodbye." I thanked my family for the respite from the storm. Each and everyone of them hugged me and said, "Oh, it was nothing special, we love you." Truly, the time spent with them was definitely "something of value" to me. Comforted by the respite of being loved beyond measure, I then slid my the oars back into the sea of life and head back into the storm...but not without taking the love and comfort given. It felt snug around me...bearing me up...like a "lifevest" and I knew, without a doubt, I would not sink...after all, not only had my God made the boat but most of all...He made the sea! So, today, I share with you one of the "Valuable" moments we shared (I call these moments "God Kisses").

Our second day of baking we made Red Velvet Cupcakes with Sprinkled Covered Butterflies! Here's the recipe! Enjoy!

You will need the following ingredients:

For the Cake: 1 Box Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake mix; 3 Large Eggs; 1 1/4 cup Water and 1/3 cup of oil (I use canola). Mix according to the directions found on the back of the cake mix box and pour into 24 Valentine decorated paper muffin cups, place in Pampered Chef Muffin pan or Pampered Chef Stoneware Muffin pan, and bake according to directions on back of cake box. Once the cupcakes are done, allow them to cool for a couple of minutes in the pan then place on Pampered Chef stackable cooling cake to cool completely.

For the Frosting: 1 tub of Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Butterflies: 4 ounces almond bark or confectionery coating candy melts (I used HEB Chocolate coating); 48 minature pretzles, colored sugars or sprinkles (I used a combination of Valentine themed sugars and sprinkles).

To make the butterflies, place the rectangle stone in freezer 1 hour or until frozen. Place chocolate coating in your microwaveable Pampered Chef measuring cup and heat on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring after each 20 second interval until chocolate coating is melted and smooth. Reoved baking stone from freezer and line with Parchment Paper. Dip rounded bottom of two minature pretzels into coating; shake off excess. Place coated ends of prezels onto frozen backing stone, forming a v-shape. Hold in place until it sets (30 seconds to several minutes) or until coating h ardens and pretzels reain in butterfly shape. Repeat with additional pretzels and remaining coating. You can return baking stone to freezer if it needs to be chilled again.

To decorate butterflies, drizzle with or dip additional melted chocolate coating or you can place chocolate coating in a resealable plastic bag. Secure with Twixit!Clip and trip corner of bag to allow coating to flow through. Drizzle coating over butterfly wings. Immediately sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles. Allow coating to harden. You can also dip butterflies (that have the melted coating) into a Pampered Chef prep bowl filled with colored sugar or sprinkles. Allow coating to harden. This makes 24 butterflies. I used the resealable bag and then sprinkled the colored sugar onto of butterflies and allows to set.

While butterflies are setting, you frost the cupcakes with the Creamy Cream Cheese frosting. Place butterfly on cupcake immediately and then sprinkle with colored sugar and decorative sprinkles.

There is nothing sweeter than the love of family and friends. May YOU see, taste and feel the "Value" of time well-spent with your family and friends.

Angel Flying Close to the Ground

Saturday was a great day in the Kingdom! Steve and I participated in a Ragball Tournament Fundraiser. It was truly an amazing day! It seemed from the number of the cars and people that everyone thought this was the place to be. To explain how really huge this was, when Steve and I arrived, we stopped to ask directions from a local policeman as to what field the tournament was being held. He waved his hand across the entire area (this was on both sides of the complex) and said, "All of this is for Mike." It was like that the entire day - all of it was for Mike.

Steve and I were part of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) team. I wouldn't say that we were among the oldest players but we were, by far, NOT the youngest! So you can imagine my shock when we hit the field ("we" being the corporate we) and our players moved into position. I watched Steve move across the field in his gentle stride. My assignment was to capture this day on film and as Steve said, "Sit and look pretty."

The clock struck 10 a.m. and the game began. Batter up!!! It seemed that the ball seemed to slip through the wind in slow motion. Within seconds the batter and the ball connected! The sound was unmistakable - game is on!

Steve was covering first base. To my joy, the man caught the ball! Really - full and solid that yellow ragball nestled into Steve's glove like the perfect fit it was. Then, something went terrible wrong. It is said that a picture is worth a 1,000 words. So you tell me...what do you think? Unaware that I caught this shot my camera left the sports shot position and froze in the air - just like this shot. I'm so glad that that I didn't get the succession of the "freeze frame" shots that followed Steve's landing to the ground. There was an audible gasp from the crowd and all I could do was pray. Steve quickly got up and dusted himself off. Steve reported proudly that he was the only player on the team that "looked" like he had played ball! Could it have been the dirt that lingered on the bill of his cap, the front of his shirt, down the legs of his jeans and crusted on his shoes? Dana, Mike's wife and I both nearly cried. Dana quickly exclaimed, "Nobody is suppose to get hurt!" Well, tell that to the flying Ferguson man over there hovering over and around first base!

Here is Mike, Steve and Mike's mother-in-law (Janice - our bud). Mike was out on the field early that morning, threw the first ball and then move around thanking people for coming. Is he amazing or what??? If you can read the sticker that is on Mike's shirt it says, "Brain tumors suck!"

At your first glimpse of Mark (in wheelchair) you are thrilled beyond words that this young man came out to play on one of the teams. Mark batted, got walked (yes he did!) and played short-stop in the field position. It wasn't until later when we played against his and Dana's team that I learned Mark is blind! Wanted to share this amazing player's time at the bat with you. Dana (Mike's honey) played on the same team with Mark. She and other team members took turns rolling Mark out onto the field, to the batter's square and even ran the bases with him!

This photo is the CMA group that made up one of the 37 teams that played. Please note there are some "young" ones in the group. I like to call these sweet angels "merciful." They took one look at our group and asked, "Do you need extra players?" What do you think?

Lastly, here I am sitting and looking at a pretty baby boy. This is Adam Michael...named after the first man, a tail-kicking Archangel in Scripture and also named for his dad. Is he just the cutest thing ever???

It was one of the days that when the sun set, you were sad. It had been a day of goodness, goodwill and holy love. Can't help but think that Heaven was watching and smiling a lot.

Seeing my honey, the "Flying Ferguson" brought a song to mind...and you who know me know this had to be a God-thing because I don't do country-western music. But the words to this sound kept playing over and over in my mind. The song (you will not believe it, I know) is by Willie Nelson and is called "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground."

For those of you who participated in Mike's Ragball Tournament, thank you! You blessed this family more you and I will ever know on this side of Heaven. Available at the tournament were grey bracelets that read, "Pray for Mike - Matt. 19:26." That is the scripture that Mike claims and wants us to join him and his family in praying for him.

If you are interested in more information about Mike, you can check my blog for an earlier posting or you can leave me a comment and I will respond to you. Finally, if you feel called to make a difference in this sweet and precious family's lives, Wells Fargo Bank has an account for the Mike Gill Cancer Fund. Most of all, we ask your prayers. In my earlier posting "My Dad's Has Cancer?" you will see the importance of prayer to this family. It is their lifeline.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we KNOW who holds tomorrow!

At the Table

For the life of us, it seemed nothing could be done about...although we tried. We begged, we pleaded, please, children don't tell your friends it's gumbo night. But in the end, it really didn't matter because somehow, someway the neighborhood buds and even though who didn't live in our neighborhood always knew. It was kind of a miraculous kind of thing because without any notice...right about dinner time...unexpected friends appeared just in time to eat with us.

Steve and I would look at our children and they would all exclaim with truthfulness conveyed with every breath, "I didn't invite them, I promise!!!" Somehow, someway, they came and stayed. What was the draw??? I think initially it probably was the food, but something else made them stay. Could it be that they were welcomed at the table?

And that is how it would happen...every time!!! What was the draw? How did they know? To tell the truth, it really didn't matter because it continued to happen until we moved from that address to a foreign land called, "Texas." There was a void "at the table" for a while. The unexpected dinner guests cease...for a while.

Over time our Texas friends came to know this delicacy and yes, it has been requested when someone has been ill, had a baby, had surgery, just plain old hungry for it...and it even made into the church cookbook. Finally, once again, the unexpected joined us again at the table.

Thinking back over the tapestry over our lives, there were many important things that happened and was shared at the table. No wonder the Lord shared his last moments with friends and family at the table. What is happening at your table? Do you welcome unexpected guests? Is it a safe place to come and just "be?" Could it be that the hunger that draws them is not so much the food for the physical need? Could it be that the need is spiritual or emotional? What are you serving up to your family, friends and unexpected guest at the table?

So for those of you that haven't guessed it by now, here goes my recipe for Chicken/Duck Gumbo. (Hey, I'm from Louisiana - you were expecting???).

Chicken/Duck Gumbo

6 chicken breasts (thawed) or 12 duck breasts

1 onion (chopped finely)

1 large green bell pepper (chopped finely)

6 stems celery (chopped finely)

4 cloves garlic (chopped - you guessed it - finely)

Parsley (1 bunch)

Green onion tops

Salt and pepper to taste

Several dashes of Tabasco

File' to taste

Place chicken or duck in stock pot and cover with water. I saute' onions, bell pepper and celery in a small amount of canola oil. Add the veggies (Louisiana people know them as the "trinity.") to the stock pot and cook until meat is tender. Remove meat from stock pot and cut into bite-size pieces. Return to pot.

Roux:

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup canola oil

Tony Chachere's Seasoning (to taste)

Mix in a skillet and SLOWLY cook until the roux is the color of a Hershey's bar. Once it is brown slowly add to stockpot and stir until mixed well. About 30 minutes before serving add the parsley (one bunch chopped) and green onion tops (chopped) and cook until ready to serve.

Serve gumbo over Zatarain's long grain rice and serve File so everyone can season to their own taste. Great with crackers and a green salad.