Simple Southern Peach Cobbler

“Not like that,” my son replied when I told him that I wonder how to capture a good picture of peach cobbler. Oh well, I was way more interested in diving in than snapping again… Besides, a rainy day isn’t the best day for lighting pictures inside my kitchen, I rationalized, but it’s an excellent day to bake and eat a cobbler… 

There’s something homey and cozy about cobblers, don’t you think?  I’ve made this year after year, but it has evolved and changed over time into the way that we like it best. 

There is a secret to it turning out good - using an extra large baking dish – which makes a BIG difference with this recipe.  The dish that I use is about 15-inch by 1o-inch, which really gives the crust room to become golden yumminess.

Simple Southern Peach Cobbler

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar 
1 cup milk

2 –16 oz. packages frozen peaches
cinnamon (optional and amount to taste)
3/4 cups sugar

1. Melt butter and spread evenly into large baking dish; set aside. 

2. In a bowl, mix flour, 1 cup sugar, and milk, stirring or whisking  just until blended (batter will be slightly lumpy). Spoon batter over butter, but do not stir.

3. Layer frozen peaches (no need to thaw) evenly over top of butter and batter.  Do not stir.  Sprinkle peaches with cinnamon if desired, and 3/4 cup sugar.  (Be brave with the sugar - it looks like a lot as you put it on but frozen peaches will come out too tart if you skimp.)  No stirring here, either.

Bake at 350 degrees for an hour or so (my oven takes a little longer than an hour), aiming for crust that is lightly golden.   

*This can easily be a dairy free cobbler.  I use almond milk and Blue Bonnet Light margarine, which makes batter a little thinner so I add an extra TBS or two of flour.

*If you would like a double crust cobbler (although not necessary), you can make recipe just as written and then layer a prepared pie crust over top.  Dot with a little butter, and a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar. (Pictured is without the pie crust.)

                  

A Life Transforming Prayer

Is there someone in your life that greatly needs your prayers? 

Maybe they have allowed Satan to blind them, desperately needing to turn themselves over to the Lord.

Or perhaps they live for God but are going through a turbulent time.  

If you are like me, at times you may have found yourself feeling so desperate that you don’t know how to pray for them. 

In Colossians 1, Paul offers us a guideline:

(Image from Two Crazy Crafters)

1. As you pray for someone, ask that they will perceive life through God’s perspective;  that His desires and His direction will be the foundation for which they conduct their life.

2. Pray that they will “walk worthy of the Lord,” honoring His name, and obeying Him in all things; aspiring to have character that will be a reflection of Him.

3. Pray that their heart will be willing to carry out His will, and make a positive impact.

4. Request that they will have an intimate relationship with the Lord, seek His wisdom, and increase in knowledge and understanding of Him.

5. Ask that they see and experience the Lord’s power and tap into His strength for the tasks before them.

6. Pray that the fruits of the spirit will overflow in their life.

7. Ask that they will have an attitude of  thankfulness and joy; that their life will become a beacon of light.

Resolve today not to cease from praying for them.  God honors our consistency.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availth much.”  James 5:16B 

(Forget-me-nots courtesy of Little Birdie Blessings)

                    

Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry

Healthy—delicious—full of flavor, and tastes like it came right out of Chinese restaurant takeout box! 

Mrs. Smith’s Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry

3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup merlot
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 pound flank steak, cut into thin strips against grain

3 tablespoons oil
1-2 white onions, chopped  
1 package fresh sliced mushrooms
1 bell pepper, cut into pieces  
8 oz. fresh snow peas, ends trimmed
4 zucchinis, cut lengthwise in strips (about 2 in. long and 1/2 in. thick)

jasmine rice, cooked according to package directions (using salt sparingly)

Mix ingredients for sauce together and toss with meat to marinate while you are preparing vegetables and rice.

Cook rice according to package directions, using half the amount of salt that the package calls for.

Meanwhile, add oil to a large skillet or wok and heat.  Cook each set of vegetables separately, until desired tenderness, and set aside on platter.  (Add more oil if needed.)

In hot skillet, cook beef and marinade in two batches, until no longer pink.  (Cook quickly, keeping your skillet hot.)

Once the second batch of beef is browned, leave it in skillet and add to it the first batch of beef, and all of the vegetables.  Stir and fry just until hot.  Serve over rice.

*  Soy sauce has a high sodium content so you definitely want to use low sodium soy or the dish will taste way too salty.

*  Carrots and green onions make a nice addition too.  For a quicker meal, use just one or two vegetables. (You may need to adjust amount of marinade down to about 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup.)

*  If steak is slightly frozen, it will cut easier.  It is convenient to cut it ahead of time, then freeze in a freezer bag for later use.

*  You can freeze ginger for later use also.  Just wash, peel,  and chop into useable size pieces.  Store in freezer bag.

Oh Lord My God - How Great Thou Art!

Oh what He did for us at the cross!  For those of us who are willing to accept Jesus as our Savior, we never have to experience eternal separation from God nor experience the penalty of our sins.  Jesus paid it all!  That is every reason for our souls to sing “How great Thou art!”

Have a joyful Easter weekend! 

 

Baked Potatoes, Steakhouse Style

I love potatoes and this is my favorite way to bake them, especially when piled high with lots of yumminess!  

Steakhouse Baked Potatoes

Idaho Potatoes

Canola or Vegetable Oil

Kosher Salt

In a baking dish, pour enough oil to lightly coat potatoes on all sides.  Roll each spud around in oil until skin is well covered.  Generously sprinkle Kosher Salt all over potato skin.  On middle oven wrack, bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 1 hour. 

Load it up with all your favorites and enjoy!     

20 Random Things that You Might Not Know About Me

 

1. I am currently copying my daughter’s blog post idea. 
(You can find her by clicking on the elf.)

                

2.  I don’t know my spiritual birthday, but the Lord saved me when I was in the 4th grade while I was reading the book of Matthew and pretending that I was in a Sunday School Class. 

3.  I took typing in high school, again in college, and after a zillion years of experience, I’m still not good at it. 

4.  Although I do crazy amounts of laundry in our household, I still can’t fold sheets neatly, either.  

5.  When I watch TV and movies, I pay more attention to the decorating and landscape then the plot.
Pictured here is “Rose Cottage” from “The Road to Avonlea” which is one of my favorite series to swoon over the sets…

6.  My hard working father-in-law built our house from scratch, down to using trees from the land it was built on for the lumber, and we moved in one very special Christmas day.

 
7.  I’m sentimental.

8.  I’m a homebody.

9.  I don’t like to use the word “I” so much, but in a post like this, “I” don’t have much choice. 

10.  My grandparents were rather silly…

 

As for my mom and dad - 

  
two words:  Scarlett and Rhett. 

11.  We have two pianos in our house, one for Victorian decorating purposes, and one from my growing up years. 

12. I have a thing for Peanuts Christmas music, and I am working on learning to play several selections on the piano, although I am not very skilled, and I have to learn mostly by rote (not a typo this time… Rote - not note - just sayin’ ).

13.  I’ve never met a dog that I didn’t like.

Pictured is “Bubbles,” my little pal who is obsessed with socks.

14.  If monkeys were domesticated, I would get one.

15. The spiritual gifts that I am most aware of that the Lord gave me is the gift of discernment and the gift of mercy.

 16.  I have a thing for old fashioned schoolhouses and old wooden desks, and while I’m at it, sweet artwork like this.

 

17.  I love weather, and wish I had studied meteorology.

18.  I love to hear birds singing, and wind chimes tinkling.

19.  In the afternoon, you would most likely find me in the kitchen baking some kind of sweets.

20.  I can never have enough doilies, but I don’t much like the word doily.

Okay, one more…

21.  I’m mighty glad that you stopped by today!!

Guiding Hearts to Salvation with a Simple Roadmap Through Scripture

Do you desire to lead someone to salvation?  Here is a simple way that could help you feel prepared to direct them.

Begin by getting a small New Testament Bible to keep in your purse or pocket.  (I also keep an inexpensive hardback Bible in my car.)  Now let’s get it prepared as we mark a route to the scripture that you will need. 

Somewhere inside the front of your Bible, jot down the scripture reference      
                    Romans 3:23.

This is your starting point, and if you write it in the front, you will always know where to begin. 

Now go ahead and turn to Romans 3:23, and mark it. ( I used red to underline and box it in, making sure it stands out from other scripture that I have marked.)  Beside the verse or somewhere near on that page, write down the next scripture reference that you can use to show them, which is

                    Romans 6:23.

Go there.  Mark or underline Rom. 6:23, and near it write the next scripture reference that you will direct them to, which is

                     John 3:3.

Underline John 3:3, writing beside it the reference

                     John 14:6. 

You get the idea. Each scripture that you go to will point you to the next scripture.

After underlining John 14:6, write the reference 

                     Romans 10:9-13.

Mark it, and the next scripture reference to write near it is

                  2 Corinthians 5:15.

And lastly, underline 2 Cor. 5:15, then beside it write the scripture reference  

                    Revelation 3:20,

and go mark it too.  (I love this verse-it makes my heart leap with joy!)

Now then; all set!

A good way to sum it up is with the ABC’s of salvation:

Admit that you are a sinner, and that repentance is necessary, knowing that the wages of sin is death. 

Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, trusting that the only way to have eternal life is through His death on the cross where He paid your sin debt in full, and was resurrected on the third day.

Commit to Him, making Him Lord and ruler of your life, no longer insisting on having your own way.

Since we don’t always get the chance to sit down with someone and walk them through the Bible, here is another way to reach out - give them a Pocket Testament.  You can click here for more information about sharing these wonderful little Gospels of John that come from The Pocket Testament League. 

  

Chocolate Pecan Pie

As this pie bakes, the pecans, chocolate, and filling divide into scrumptious layers.  It is so easy to make, yet company worthy.   

Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 deep dish pie crust
4 eggs
3/4 cup honey
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup chocolate semi-sweet mini morsels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, honey, melted butter, and vanilla. 
Add sugars, flour, pecans, and chocolate morsels.  Stir. 
Pour in deep dish pie shell and bake for 40 – 50 minutes.

Valentine’s Day 2013

For the past seven or so years, each Valentine’s Day, I have been giving a party for our homeschool group.

I just had the best time this year planning the decorations!

In the process, I got addicted to little vintage valentines. (…Sending a big thanks to all of you who share them with us!)

 

I planned, tweaked, and played for a month and when the day arrived,

there was a good deal of packing and transporting to do. 

I’ve made it a tradition to give the party at a beautiful carousel house, and we have built many memories there as we create a special time for the homeschool families.  Young kids, teens, parents, and even some grandparents attend, and I am so glad! 

They rode the carousel until everyone must have been plenty dizzy, and then it was time to stop for fellowship and sweets.  I delegate the goodie bringing to the parents, and there were lots of wonderful looking treats!

The crowd seems to grow each year, and this year was no exception.  One of the dads did a head count for me, and he counted 104 – that was a very good turn out! 

After everyone’s sweet toothies were all happy,

it was time to start lining up for a few more rides.

Finishing off, the kids collected their decorated boxes and bags full of valentines and chose cotton candy or popcorn to go.  I snapped a few more blurry pictures in the dim lighting ;),

and it was then time to leave for home.  Well, not quite time for us.  After cleaning up we were famished from all our busyness, so fast food was in order…KFC for one…Taco Bell for others…Sonic…Are we the only ones that do the multiple drive-thru thing? 

How was your Valentine’s Day?

Praying for Carrie

Praying for my beloved long time friend at

          Life on a Back Road

as she will be having surgery Monday. 

Will you join me in prayer?

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”        Matt. 18:20

You Are So Loved!

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.”

                                             John 15:9

Dear reader, will you take a moment to read that verse one more time and let Jesus’ words thoroughly soak in? 

Jesus loves you as much as God loves Him - I’m here to tell you, that is POWERFUL LOVE!
Not only did He describe how He feels about us, but He showed us at the cross.

So, whenever you need a dose of feeling loved, renew your heart and mind with the realization of just how loved you are by our Lord Jesus Christ!  You can walk through the rest of your life with the confidence that you are loved with intensity beyond comprehension.  

And, God loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son…(see also John 16:27)  Because our minds can become numb to familiar passages, take the time to ponder the layers of depth in those verses.  It truly is astounding that He would do that for us. 

My friend, feel loved, because you are!!!

This is a free Valentine graphic with scripture for you, created by my daughter and me.  I’m so glad that you came over for a visit today!

(Little boy and girl Valentine used for this scripture graphic came from The Graphics Fairy.)

The Lord’s Awesome Ways

I always enjoy visiting Gail, over at WOW and Bible Love Notes.  In her post “The Blue Book” she tells an account of how the Lord comforted her, beginning with events that at the time were not necessarily noteworthy to her, but ended with direct help from God for her troubled heart.  I hope you will read it.

(Graphic from Little Birdie Blessings) 

As I did, it almost seemed familiar to me.  Let me explain.  What was recognizable to me in her account, was God’s parenting style.  The way that He orchestrated those events in her life that lead her to read just the message that He desired her listening heart to hear.   I love that.  I’ve experienced that.  

Here we are, you, Gail, me, not really knowing each other, just fellow bloggers living in different places with our life stories probably being a good bit different. Yet, isn’t it interesting how we are recognizably sisters in Christ when we tell our accounts of how our Loving Heavenly Father parents us, patiently teaching, and guiding, and comforting us. Now that is just neat!  No matter where we are, or what we do, or where our interests lie, for those of us that have chosen Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we have something very much in common – our experience in the Lord and His wondrous love and ways.

I must say, I am in a state of serious awe when He orchestrates events in my life to work together and I recognize them (always a  good reason to pay attention).

I am even more in AWE at how the events happened over hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus when the prophets foretold His coming.  These dozens of accounts were crystal clear about the coming Messiah,  fingerprinting Him, in a manner of speaking, so that there would be no mistake; only the true Messiah could fit the “fingerprint.”  And then it happened.  Jesus came, His identity confirmed, our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.  His lineage, all the events that took place leading up to His birth, even down to the census that would cause Him to be born in Jerusalem - all the prophecies were fulfilled…God, orchestrating events…Wow!  Not a lowercase wow, but an uppercase WOW! 

Blessings dear reader!  Thanks for listening!  Don’t forget to check out Gail’s blogs.

Bakin’ Bacon

“Well, of course,” you might think, but just in case you haven’t thought of it, you can put away that frying pan and make it easier on yourself.

Baked Bacon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Arrange bacon in a single layer in a large baking dish or cookie sheet with raised edges.  

3. Place pan on middle wrack and bake 20-30 minutes or until browned and crispy.

4. Immediately remove from pan with spatula and pat off excess fat with paper towels.  (I save grease to season other dishes.)

Quote from my mom—“My daddy lived to be 91 and he ate bacon and eggs for breakfast every day of his life.” (Still, a daily diet of bacon might not be the best plan. )