mhmm monday

Especially in winter, there’s nothing better than dunking crusty bread into a big bowl of creamy pumpkin soup. This recipe is ridiculously easy, and if you have an immersion blender it's a one-pot-wonder.

Classic Pumpkin Soup

{photo credit and recipe website}

Ingredients
2lb/1 kg pumpkin (any), chopped into large chunks (remove skin and seeds)

2 medium onions, sliced

2 cloves of garlic

3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup milk 

Salt and pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients (except salt and pepper) in a saucepan and bring to boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until pumpkin is tender.
Remove from heat and use a stick blender to blend until smooth. If you don't have a stick blender, use a blender.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve with crusty bread.
Variations: For a richer finish, substitute the milk with cream, but add after blending and do not bring to boil.
Garnishes: Dollop of yogurt, sour cream or creme fraiche goes wonderfully.
Enjoy!

Take Care

His Grace

It's the end of a long day and I'm staring at the list of what I had hoped to do... let's just say that there are more things still on the list than what I could get accomplished.

And the things I did get done? Well, the one load of laundry that made it to the washing machine finally did get put into the dryer, after sitting in the washer ALL DAY. The muffins I planned to bake are waiting for the hubs to go and get me eggs, so I can finish. And {gulp} I spent more time than possibly needed sitting at the computer lost in the virtual world. 
Not one thing went according to plan. Not one meaningful thing got accomplished. I feel defeated. I feel like I had failed. Again.

Please tell me you’ve had a day, week, month, like that, too?

Now if any one of my friends experienced something like this and was brave enough to share it, I would immediately tell them that they're not expected to be Superwoman.

She doesn’t need to have it all together all the time. She should give herself a little grace.

But when I'm talking to myself it usually sounds more like this: "Why can't you get your act together? How difficult is it to do laundry, make dessert or spend your time a little more wisely? When will you ever get it right?"

Grace is for everyone. Well, except for me.   At least that's how it plays out in my mind, time and time again. I’m a mess. I screw things up. A lot. Things in my life are far from perfect. And because of all that, I tell myself, I don't deserve grace.

But can I let you in on a secret?

None of us “deserves“ it. That's why it's called grace. It's lesson I'm learning every day, albeit a bit slowly. But I'm trying to!

So, can we help each other out? 

Can we remind each other that even though we don’t deserve grace, we are worthy of it. And can we remind ourselves that although our imperfections won't ever go away, neither will God and His never ending grace.

'But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.' 2 Corinthians 12:9 {New International Version {NIV}}  

I don't know about you, but that's enough for me to take another look at today's list . . . tomorrow!

Take Care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for…

326. flannel blankets

327. christmas lights 

328. christmas parades

329. freshly fallen snow

330. game nights 

331. text messages from “the kids”

332. grandson's smiles 

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!

Take Care

tasty tuesday

With a bit of brownie, a smidge of peanut butter and double decker stack of Oreos, these little treats are naughty but oh so necessary.  

Hope you enjoy this ultra sweet little cake!

Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownie Cakes

{photo credit and recipe website}

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix, 8×8 inch size 
 24 Oreo Cookies 
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 12 muffin cup baker with paper liners. 
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. 
For each cupcake cup spread 1 teaspoon of peanut butter over 2 Oreo cookies and stack them on top of each other. 
Spoon 2 Tablespoons of brownie batter over each stacked oreos and let it run down the sides of the cookies. 
If you have left over brownie batter, bake separately in a separate baker or muffin tin. 
Bake cookies and brownies for 18 to 20 minutes, until brownies are cooked through. Let cool completely then serve. Makes 12 servings
Enjoy!

Take Care

Writing

I had a great blog post all ready to go today. When I finally sat down to type it, I went blank.

Some days it is so tempting to quit blogging all together. There are days when I am overwhelmed with all the thoughts than run amok through my head.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to just pack it all in.

Some days the words just flow and other days I just sit and think and think and think...

Why is it so hard? 

Some days I find that my mind is so distracted, and it can be extremely difficult to write something... anything...

I've put so much pressure on myself that I sometimes wonder why I continue blogging. But then, someone will leave a comment that I've encouraged them with the words I've written.

I plan to continue blogging even/especially on days like today when I have to dig deep to find something to say.

There is just something about sharing my thoughts, imperfect as they are. 

Take Care

A thankful reminder

Today, in my “Jesus Calling” devotional by Sarah Young, I read:

Thank me throughout this day for My Presence and my Peace. These are gifts of supernatural proportions.  Ever since the resurrection, I have comforted My followers with these messages: Peace be with you, and I will with you always. 
Listen as I offer you My peace and Presence  in full measure.  The best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank me for them.
It is impossible to spend too much time thanking and praising Me.  I created you first and foremost to glorify Me.  Thanksgiving and praise put you in proper relationship with Me, opening the way for My riches to flow into you. As you thank Me for My Presence and Peace you appropriate My richest gifts. 

Luke 24:36 {New International Version {NIV}}

While they were still talking about his, 

Jesus himself stood among them 

and said to them, "Please be with you." 

Matthew 28: 20 {New International Version {NIV}}

"And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

And surely I am will you always, to the very end of the age.

Hebrews 13:35 {New International Version {NIV}}

Through Jesus, therefore,

 let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - 

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Take Care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for…

319. mittens

320. christmas craft shows

321. firefighters

322. poinsettias

323. homemade popcorn

324. pumpkin muffins

325. winter boots

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!

Take Care