Archives for November 2008

Fall Fun — Yummy Pumpkin Favorites

November 9, 2008 by 9 Comments

What a difference a week can make. And not just in the political season, but in nature’s seasons, as well. Just this past week, the leaves in our area finally put on a show for us. For a couple of glorious days, we enjoyed trees peaking with color and leaves dancing their way to the ground. One here, one there — just the right amount to create a peaceful scene. But then the winds swept in, and the gentle dance became a chaotic flurry.

So now, before the Christmas season sneaks up on us and autumn slips completely away, I’m in a flurry to do something to celebrate fall here on Cheryl’s R & R. For the next few days, let’s have some fall fun. Let’s talk about our favorite pumpkin foods and treats.

Me? I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie, but I love pumpkin bread. Made some just yesterday, in fact. I use the same recipe that my mom has used ever since I can remember, and Kristin has already adopted it as hers as well. Not sure if Kelli has tried pumpkin bread yet :) For me and my family, though, pumpkin bread speaks of comfort, of home, of good memories.

Your turn now :) What’s your yummy pumpkin favorite? Tell us with a comment — and feel free to post the recipe if you have time. I’ll include mine below along with a little something to feed your soul. Come on and join the fall fun!

Pumpkin Bread

Cream: 2 & 3/4 c. sugar and 1 c. Crisco shortening
Add: 3 eggs, one at a time and then approx. 2 c. pumpkin

Mix together the following and then add to above mixture and stir by hand:
3 & 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
3/4 t. cloves
1 t. nutmeg
3/4 t. allspice
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. salt (scant)

Grease 2 loaf pans. Divide dough into pans and bake at 325 for 1 hr. 15 min (depends on your oven — mine takes about 1 hr. 5 min). Cool on wire rack & then add glaze: powdered sugar, boiling water (doesn’t take much) & a little vanilla. Freezes well.

And now something yummy for your soul:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

*Don’t forget to tell us about your favorite pumpkin treat — and maybe even leave a recipe! :)

*Flickr photo by PlayfulLibrarian

Filed Under: autumn, fun, nature, recipe

Duty Still Calls

November 5, 2008 by 9 Comments

Did you do your duty and vote on Tuesday? I hope so. But did you realize that duty is still calling? Yes, duty calls beyond the vote. We’ve got new marching orders now. Now it’s our job to faithfully pray for Barack Obama.

Because of some of Mr. Obama’s liberal policies and lack of experience in some areas, I’ll have to admit that I wish the election had gone the other way. I’m not panicked or distraught about it, though. As I read my Bible on Tuesday morning, the following verse just happened to be in the passage for that day: “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” (Jeremiah 27:5). God reminded me in that moment that He is in charge and would be fully able to use either candidate for His purposes.

Another verse gives me hope as well. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” What comfort in knowing that God can change the heart or course of action of our president. And if we think he is wrong on some issues? We can ask God to change his mind.

In fact, we already know that God wants us to pray for our president and others in authority. Renae shared the following passage in her guest post last week: “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Yes, duty is still calling. Are we in? Are we ready to obey God’s word? We can help our new president — we can help our nation — if we join together and faithfully pray.

Shortly after 9/11, The Presidential Prayer Team was launched in an effort to support our president and our nation in prayer. If you’re not already a member of this important team, I urge you to follow the link to their site and become a member. You’ll receive a weekly email with specific prayer requests for that week. Together, we can make a difference as we lift our leaders to God.

Have a blessed and hopeful week!

*Flickr photo by U.S. Army Alaska

Filed Under: America, change, help, prayer, team

Missed Opportunities

November 2, 2008 by 8 Comments

Ever been asked an important question, and in place of a sensible or eloquent answer, you found gibberish pouring out of your mouth instead? You know the times I’m talking about. The times you kicked yourself for days. I hate to admit it, but it happened to me this past week — again.

Just before my writers meeting was about to start, the speaker for the evening, Therese Stenzel, sat down in front of me. With a few minutes to spare, she turned, introduced herself to me, and asked me what kind of writing I do. That’s when I started tripping over my tongue. I’ll spare you the sad details.

Since this is a common question at any writers’ gathering, you’d think I could give a smooth and ready answer. But this time I was caught off guard. My excuses? First, I’m still fairly new to mingling in writers’ circles; second, my brain seems to go on strike from time to time; and third (and probably mostly to blame), that same poor brain was already boggled from a long day of shopping (you know, always too much to do when I go to T-town, especially now that it’s time to add Christmas shopping to the mix).

Bottom line? I blew it. I missed an opportunity to clearly share what I’m doing in my writing life. Oh, I gave a partial, disjointed answer, but I failed to mention some of the things that are most important to me. I just hadn’t shifted gears. I wasn’t mentally prepared for the evening.

God’s word has something to say about being prepared. In speaking about preaching and being ready to give a needed word, Paul told Timothy to “be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). I think there’s a lesson there for us as well. We need to be ready all the time. Ready in our work lives, ready at home, ready to lend a helping hand, ready to share our faith. Sometimes we just need to be ready with a smile or a kind word.

And if we’re not ready? We’re going to miss opportunities. Many of them much more important than the one I missed the other night.

If you’re like me, you’ve missed opportunities, too. Let’s quit kicking ourselves over the ones that got away and do our best to be prepared for the ones yet to come. Let’s be ready.

“…Always be prepared to give an answer to every one who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” 1 Peter 3:15

*p.s. We have an opportunity to vote on Tuesday — let’s not miss that!

**p.p.s. The leaves are finally turning their fall colors in our neck of the woods. Love it!

**Flickr photo by Alex Bellink, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: frustration, preparation, writing
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