There is something about gardening that is soothing to the soul. I love digging in the dirt and feeling the earth in my hands. It gets stuck in my fingernails and while I know it doesn’t make for the most beautiful of hands, I don’t care. You prep the land, pull weeds, turn the soil, water it, and then carefully placed are the seeds or the baby plant. The dirt goes back in, filling the hole, tucking the plant in, and then watering it again. You stand back and admire your new little life, full of hope that it will bloom and thrive. Of course, there is no promise it will flourish or even survive. There are so many factors that even the greenest of thumbs cannot guarantee its success. But there is hope. At the first sign of warmer weather, the perennials are uncovered from the winter leaves and pine needles and you search for any sign of returning life. Depending on the type of winter and other variables, their return isn’t certain. But once again, there is hope. And when you see that little seedling begin to sprout or the baby plant begin to flower, or that little bit of perennial green, there is joy! Inevitably, there will be that one that just couldn’t make it and while there is sadness, it is not the end of all gardening! It’s the success of the others that makes it all worth it! And every year, spring brings new hope, new joy, and new loss. It’s life. It’s not all downhill with smiles and laughter. There are some pretty tough moments and seasons that seem unbearable. It’s our hope for a spring, new life, and new joy, that keeps us going. You WILL see the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13), meaning here on earth. There WILL be better days to come. And after this life here on earth, there is the ultimate hope of eternity with our God. There will ONLY be joy and a hope fully fulfilled forever.
Sometimes I wonder if my kids really see how much l love them and how much I sacrifice for them. This wonderment is particularly strong during spring soccer season. Where we live, spring is a mix of sunshine, wind, rain, wind, snow, and more wind….like 60 mile/hour winds! None of my kids are soccer stars and will honestly never play for a university, much less go pro. But they wanted to try it and my son in particular has the most fun playing it and has stuck with it. I love that he is having fun and that he is exercising and making friends and learning team building and social skills. I fully support it and whether it is my weekend to have my kids or their dad’s weekend, I am there. Lots of parents are there. I am positive that to the birds in the sky we are quite the spectacle in the spring. I wear multiple layers, gloves, hats and then a blanket wrapped around me like little red riding hood to block the wind as best as possible. And during a rainy day, because we still play unless there is lighting, we all look like drenched rats by the end of the game. Then there are the days that the sun is beating down on you and you are not only wind burned but sunburned as well and you look like a very ripe tomato for days. And as the birds laugh, I’m sure they are, I wonder, do my kids see? If not now, I hope that they will look back at this time as an adult and know that they are so very much loved.
Cake Baking…it’s a beast…particularly, layered cakes! I find recipes with pictures of these flawless, beautiful cakes and they always claim, “easy”, “foolproof”, “simple”, etc. Lies, all lies! A layered cake is not for the faint of heart! It’s a challenge and one that I have been attempting to tackle! I am determined to master this thing! So far I have attempted a layered yellow vanilla cake with a chocolate buttercream frosting, a layered dark chocolate cake with a peanut butter buttercream frosting, and a layered chocolate cake with an Oreo buttercream frosting. Side note, it’s “frosting” if it’s thicker, fat-based, and holds its shape when spread. Icing is generally thinner, liquid-like, doesn’t hold its shape and its main ingredient is powdered sugar mixed with a liquid. Anyway, that little tidbit was free! All of the cakes were moist and tasted great, there wasn’t a single crumb to be wasted!
I AM DETERMINED TO MASTER THIS THING!
But they weren’t holding their form well, they were incredibly difficult to get out of the pans all in one piece which made layering difficult and they would crumble when trying to apply the frosting. I had leaning, sinking, odd-looking cakes! My kids would smile and say, “Don’t worry momma, it tastes great!” Sweet kids but my perfectionist nature said “Nope, that’s not gonna do.” So I researched and kept trying. I haven’t reached perfection yet (what is that really?!) but I have learned a bit and those layer cakes are getting better! So here is what I learned so far:
– Be exact in measuring! This is probably the most important thing! Baking is a science and the proportions of ingredients are very important. For example, when you measure the flour, don’t eyeball it! Use the back of a butter knife or some kind of straight edge and level each cup. Be precise like a scientist!
– Butter, eggs, milk, and any other refrigerated product need to be at room temperature. It’s not just a suggestion if the recipe says this. As for the butter, don’t try to cheat and just melt it, that’s not room temperature and it will create an odd consistency.
– Be sure your oven is preheated before placing your cake in the oven. The heat needs to be the exact temperature from the get-go!
– Keep an eye on your cake while it’s baking. It’s not like a crockpot where you stick it in and walk away. Don’t walk away! But don’t open the oven! The heat needs to stay as consistent as possible. Typically, recipes will give a time range. Always start with the smallest time. Test the cake with a toothpick.
– Use parchment paper rounds at the bottom of the cake pans. Otherwise, getting it out in one piece to layer is almost impossible!
– Let cakes completely cool before trying to layer them and especially before frosting the cake.
– For the frosting…again, make sure the butter you are using or the cream is at room temperature. This ensures the soft, fluffy consistency that you want.
– A frosting spatula is important and helpful in getting the frosting spread without tearing up your cake. A rubber spatula doesn’t work. If you don’t have a special frosting spatula, I would say use something flat and metal.
As I said, I’m still learning but it’s getting better!
A few days ago, I turned 40! My oldest daughter got me my first cast iron skillet. So naturally, I quickly began thinking how I was going to break this pan in! I looked at several recipes but for some reason, I had the urge to create something new. Years ago, there was a casserole that I had found in a southern living magazine. I could vaguely remember what it consisted of and I haven’t been able to find the recipe since. It had a cornbread crust topping and a thick, soupy filling. The concept was good but it was never my kids’ favorite. I wanted to create something with that same delicious cornbread crust, so I came up with this recipe. It is very southern with okra and a creole seasoning, a perfect fall or winter comfort food. My daughter had given me a 12-inch Cast Iron skillet as well as a 3 skillet set of smaller ones. The 12-inch was a little too small so I ended up using both the 12-inch and a 8-inch skillet. If you have a 14 or 15 inch cast iron that will probably suffice. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can also cook the filling using any pot or pan and then pour into a casserole dish, baking the cornbread crust on top. Enjoy!
Southern Skillet Pie
Ingredients:
Filling:
Smoked sausage 1.5 lb
1 Red Bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 jalepeno, deseeded and chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
3.5-4 cups chicken broth
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
4 Tablespoons Flour
Olive oil/butter
Cornbread Topping
2 cups cornmeal
2 cups flour
8 Tablespoons sugar
8 Teaspoons baking powder
1 Teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2 cups milk
½ cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prepare cornbread batter…mix all ingredients with a whisk and set aside.
- In a cast iron skillet, saute bell pepper, onion and jalepeno in a little butter or oil for about 2 minutes. Then add sausage and continue sauteing for another 2 minutes.
- Add the 4 Tablespoons of butter and melt. Then add the 4 Tablespoons of flour, stir and cook on low-medium heat for 1 minute. Then add the chicken broth slowly. This is where we are making the roux. Our goal is a slightly thickened broth. You don’t want it super thick like a cream sauce. See photos.
- Next add the diced tomatoes and frozen okra. Season with creole seasoning and pepper to taste. Let simmer for a few minutes.
- Turn the heat off and let it sit for just a few minutes until it’s no longer simmering and has settled slightly.
- Spoon or use a measuring cup to spread the cornbread batter as evenly as possible over the top.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cornbread batter is good and brown on the top.
- Remove from the oven. Allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes and serve.
There is no one answer for parenting except, “It depends.” It depends on the kid, the parent, the situation, the time of day, the weather…etc. Parenthood is the biggest adventure you can ever embark on. You will laugh. You will cry. You will scream. You will learn a lot about yourself and life in general. It’s an adventure that I would never trade for anything in this world. I honestly love being a mom. Am I perfect at being a mom? Nope! No one is! And the ones that are trying to portray themselves as a perfect parent are full of crap…you know who I am talking about! Show yourself a little grace. I’m telling myself the same. My kids are between the ages of 10-14 at the moment. It’s hard. There are hormones and emotions. I feel like I knew more about what to do when they were babies and toddlers than I do now. I can’t solve things as easily for them as I could when they were little, though I wish I could. One piece of advice I was given years ago from a mom who was older and further along in the journey, was to establish a relationship with them when they are young. What does that mean? Be there with them coloring, playing, doing puzzles, whatever it may be but just be there and be present. Some days it all seemed monotonous as I read Dr. Suess’s “Go Dog Go!” for the one hundredth time and pushed a kid on the same swing, singing the same song as the day before, and had the same battle over nap time as every day, for the last 6 weeks! But it was and is important.
JUST BE THERE AND BE PRESENT
Today, no matter what mood my teens or pre-teen are in or what struggle they face, they know that I am here. They trust me with their emotions and their mess because I have always been there. Yes, there are some quiet days that they stay in their teenage world in their bedroom but they eventually talk because there is a relationship there. You may not always know what to do and that’s ok. Create a relationship and bond with them when they are little and they will trust you enough when they are older to walk through the yuck with you.
The Quest for Identity as a Woman
What is a woman? It’s a question that is everywhere in today’s society. Many people, including scientists, can’t seem to find an answer. The lines are so blurred from skewed definitions, that it’s almost as if “women” don’t exist. It’s a topic that is constantly on the news but really, it’s a question that has been asked for years. Women can play sports, they can work in the corporate world, hold political positions of power… can do anything a man can do (and maybe better). Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with any of these things and each of these can in fact, be something amazing. The point is, that defining a woman has been something that seems to be a struggle and a point of contention for many for a very long time. It’s nothing new. But why?
The primary attack of our enemy, Satan, is on the center/nucleus of our society, the family. If a family is broken and in disarray, it has a great impact on the individual. And what is one of the strongest glues holding a family together, the woman of the house. There is some truth in the saying, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” I’m not diminishing the role of a husband or a father here because that is important. But if we can devalue a woman, a wife, and a mom, that is half of the equation and the rest will come tumbling down. For years, society has been pulling women further and further from the home. Again, I am not saying it’s wrong for a woman to do the career thing. But when a woman feels guilty for staying home or worthless because they aren’t out making money and climbing the corporate ladder, that’s not right. When someone asks, “What do you do?”, don’t diminish your role with “I JUST stay at home with the kids.” God created us, male and FEMALE, and He created us very differently. Do you think that the God of the universe made a mistake?! Absolutely not! We are different. Women are different than men and that is not only ok but GOOD! In fact, in Genesis, God said it is VERY GOOD! We are different physically, and emotionally, in the way we think, the way we interact with others, and even in the way that we interact with and relate to God. No amount of surgery or gender brainwashing can make someone a woman because we are much more than that. We are something that only God can create just as a man is only something that God can create. Embrace who you are as a woman. Be sensitive to what God is calling you to do as a woman and drown the noise of this world out because that’s all it is, noise. It’s all a distraction to keep us from fulfilling the life God has called us to because Satan knows that when we fulfill our role as a woman, he cannot defeat us and our families.
You know the “happily ever after” in movies? The characters experience some sort of crisis or difficult time but then they come out on the other side and they live happily ever after. It eludes to a life that experiences nothing but happiness from that point on. They had their struggle, got through it and life was forever easy and beautiful. That’s not life. I have wanted it to be that way. I have had the thought that if I could just get through this or if I could just make it to that age or past that particular point, I will find that sweet spot. But every time I come to what I think that magical point or age is, life doesn’t instantly let up or issues disappear. I have often found that new difficulties arrive and the reality of it all looks more like a roller coaster full of ups and downs. Is there something wrong with me? Why can’t I get it right and just stay at the top? What goes up, must come down…there is truth to that. Anyone who says or tries to portray this steady, happily ever after life is quite frankly, full of crap! We live in a fallen world. Jesus tells us that in this world, we WILL have trouble. It isn’t a conditional statement or one with parameters. For as long as we are here, we WILL have trouble. I’m not abnormal or a failure which is what the devil tries to tell me. The picture perfect life that people try to portray around us is fake. I know that sounds horribly depressing, but it’s not. It’s freeing. You aren’t the only one with problems. You aren’t the only one that goes up and down with the waves of life. You don’t have to feel ashamed or embarrassed. And the even better thing is, you don’t have to go through any of it alone! God’s right there in the storm and the sunny, blue skies and everything in between. And in the end, He has already won the war! So take it in stride. Fight that crashing wave and swim hard when it comes and rest and enjoy those moments of relaxing in the sand. I’m speaking metaphorically of course but you get me. Don’t be discouraged. Embrace the good moments. Learn and lean on Him in the dark times. We are all in that same boat of life.
Sometimes this world is overwhelming. It seems like those who mock God and turn their backs on or even refuse to acknowledge His existence at all, are “successful”. They are the ones with plenty of income, all of the praise and accolades at work, fancy trips, and all seemingly with little effort. The Psalmist, Job, and Jeremiah all felt the same when they questioned the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73:3, Job 21:7, and Jeremiah 12:1. It isn’t a new occurrence. At times when life seems to be a struggle, whatever it may be, it’s particularly hard not to look around with frustration. However, though someone may be “successful” by the world’s terms, that doesn’t mean their heart has any sort of joy or peace. Is that “success” worth it? I received a work email today from a client/coworker that I have only worked with remotely via emails, texts, and phone calls for the last few years. I’d like to say that she is now a friend though I have never actually met her in person. She has shared bits and pieces of her long battle with cancer and during this last year, it has gotten pretty bad with very little hope of a full recovery. Needless to say, she has not been able to work and I hear very little from her. I pray for her and every once and a while, I send her an email, hoping to hear from her. After several months of quiet, the subject line of the email today was a cheerful “Greetings!” She gave an update that was positive though by no means marked any kind of end to the battle. But the words on the screen were nothing but grateful, I could almost feel her peace. The world would say that she has lost a lot, life is bleak, and anything but successful. But as I read her words, I would argue that this woman has found more contentment and joy than most ever will. So I ask again, is it all worth it? Is all the money and worldly success worth more than an unexplainable peace? I have some hard days as I am sure most of you do. Days with frustration, exhaustion, or tears. But there truly is a peace underneath it all that I cannot fully explain. And the hope that I have in Christ, particularly the hope of eternity with Him, far outweighs it all. I may not understand or like the circumstances but I do know that nothing is worth abandoning my faith in God. And He may eventually bless you in whatever area you are struggling with, but while you wait, don’t be discouraged because in Christ, you have more than enough and that is the greatest success.
Angel Food Cake is my daughter’s favorite and her chosen “birthday cake” every year. It’s a spongy, light cake, much different from your average cake. It’s fitting for my girl, as she is and always has been a kid that does her own thing instead of following the crowd. Unfortunately, I wrestle with this cake. I can make it taste great but the form and texture is never right. This year when her birthday came around, our oven broke. I promised that I would make that cake once the oven was repaired. Well, a few months after the repair, I finally made it. She had been waiting for a long time and I wanted it to be good! I made the cake in a bit of a haste and it turned out like a deflated tire. I cried. Yes, I know that sounds silly but I wanted it to be perfect for her. Truthfully, it had never turned out great but never this bad. This was it, no more mediocre and especially no more flat tire cakes! I was determined! I did some reading on this cake, learned a few things and finally arrived at a beautiful cake!
First important tip, the egg whites must be room temperature. However, when separating the eggs, it is best if they are cold so that the yolk is less likely to break in the process and you only get the egg white. I separated the eggs right out of the refrigerator and then let the egg whites sit for about an hour to reach room temperature.
Second tip, and really this is for all cakes, be meticulous in your measurements. Level the spoon or the measuring cup for the cake flour, sugar, and cream of tartar.
Third tip, mix the cake flour, salt and half of the sugar together. Then put it in the food processor to come to a finer, powdery mixture.
Fourth, make sure you whip the eggwhites, cream of tartar, and remaining sugar until they form soft peaks. Keep an eye on it. If the peaks are too stiff, this will produce a dense, sinking cake. Soft peaks means that they hold their shape for a few seconds but then slowly start to fall over a bit.
Fifth tip, slowly fold the flour mixture into the eggwhites. Sprinkle a small handful in at a time, folding (not mixing) it in with a spatula each time. Folding means exactly what it sounds like, you are folding the mixture over itself with a spatula until the flour gets mixed in. Be patient, it takes a bit longer than just dumping the flour in and mixing but it’s important! You don’t want to loose that light, airy batter.
Sixth tip, the angel food cake should be baked until it’s a very golden brown on the outside. If it’s undercooked, it will again sink once you remove it from the oven.
Final tip, let it cool upside down. Be smart about it when you flip it. I place the wire rack on top of the cake, held it in place, and then slowly turned the cake pan over. Maybe that sounds like common sense but the first time I thought I could just flip it over really fast onto the wire rack and the cake partially plopped out!
The recipe I used was another one from Sally’s Baking Addiction, though it wasn’t much different from several others. One thing that was different than a few of them was the baking temperature and time. This recipe called for a lower temp of 325 degrees Farenheit with a baking time of 40-45 minutes. I’m guessing this slower bake allowed the cake time to rise, giving it more of that airy texture.
At the end of the day, my daughter was happy and that’s really all that matters. I like to serve the angel food cake with either a side of whipped cream or chocolate mousse (or both) and strawberries.
Here is the recipe:
INGREDIENTS
1 and ¾ cups sugar
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons cake flour
¼ tsp salt
12 large egg whites, room temp
1 ½ tsps. Cream of tartar
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Farenheit.
- In a food processor, mix cake flour, salt, and ¾ cup sugar. Pulse until fine and powdery.
- Using an electric mixer (stand or handheld), whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low until foamy (about 1 minute). Then add the remaining 1 cup of sugar and vanilla extract and whip on medium-high until soft peaks form (5-6 minutes).
- Slowly sprinkle the flour mixture over the whipped egg whites one small handful at a time, gently folding it in with a spatula each time. Don’t rush. Be patient here.
- Then pour batter into an UNGREASED tube pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the outside is golden brown.
- Let cake cool, upside down on a wire wrack for a few hours before flipping back over.
And hopefully when you flip your cake over, it will be a happy and not a deflated surprise!
He sees you. I know this can be hard to believe. I have wished so many times that Jesus could just physically, in flesh sit next to me or hold me for a minute…just so I could really know. But then, there is faith (1 Timothy 6:12). We read in scripture of the miraculous physical signs that God gave His people and yet they still struggled to believe. Have faith sister that He sees you, just like He saw Hagar in the desert (Genesis 16:13) and countless other times that he saw His people in their pain (Psalm 56:8, Genesis 31:42, Exodus 3:7-9, Isaiah 38:5). He sees you lying on your closet floor, door closed, just weeping. He sees the tears that are falling on your pillow as you cry yourself to sleep. He sees the tears behind those sunglasses. He sees you collapse in those moments when no one else is around. He sees you. (Psalm 56:8, Genesis 31:42, Exodus 3:7-9, Isaiah 38:5, Exodus 2:24) He hears you (Exodus 2:24, Psalm 40:1). Believe that. Trust in that. Have faith in that.