Foodie Friday

Special thanks to Designs by Gollum for hosting this fun event! To view other great recipes stop by Gollum's for some mouth-watering fun!

It is Good Friday today - the perfect time to start thinking about the recipes you will prepare for your Easter Dinner (or Brunch for that matter). I thought I would share some family recipes that I make for our Easter meal. Every year we have a Pineapple/Mustard Glazed Ham, Macaroni Salad, Ranch Potatoes, Rolls and a dessert of some kind. This meal has become a family tradition.

My Macaroni Salad is a big hit at any function I bring it to so I thought I would share it with you! I hope it doesn't cause frustration though, as I don't have exact measurements for you - I got this recipe from my mother in law years ago and she usually just made this "to taste". If you know the main ingredients, you really can't go wrong with this - you just need to do a bit of taste-testing along the way to get it to your liking. No problem there - right?




This picture isn't the best - I made this salad for our Builders one day for their lunch. That is why it looks huge! It takes a lot of salad to feed 30+ people!
This macaroni salad will cause my brother to come visit! It is that good! Now that I am living in Georgia, it may take a little bit more to persuade him to come though - I may need to make his favorite cookies as well!~smile~

Renate's Macaroni Salad
Salad Macaroni - 1 pkg. (I use the smallest macaroni noodles you can find - I can't seem to find small noodles here, so I used shell macaroni for the salad pictured above)
Green Onions - (2 or 3) chopped
Sharp Cheddar Cheese - cut into cubes
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Sweet Pickles (NO substitutes! - this is what gives the salad its flavor)
Miracle Whip - 1 cup (again - do NOT substitute regluar mayo for this recipe)
Mustard - 1 tsp
Sugar - 2-3 tsp

What I do for this salad is cut up all ingredients and mix together - keep adding until you have the right amounts to your liking. There should be equal amounts of eggs, cheese, and pickles. Go easy on the green onions though!
Mix together Miracle Whip, mustard and sugar. Depending upon how much salad you make, you can add more of this dressing if needed. We like it VERY creamy! For added flavor, you can add a little pickle juice too. Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for a few hours to blend flavors.

I hope you try this - you won't be disappointed! if you make it let me know what your family thinks. I bet they ask you for more!


This is another picture I took of a meal I had prepared for our church builders. I usually make this cake in a bundt cake pan. To make enough for 30+ people, practicality won over beauty! I had to make it in pans that could be discarded after use.

This is a wonderful Springtime recipe. It is so refreshing and sweet. It is called Lemon Poke Cake - hence the reason for the holes that you see in this picture! This is a great recipe to make for your kids - they will love it as it has lemony icing that is pored over the cake after it comes out of the oven. Sooo good! When you make it in a Bundt Cake pan - remove it from the pan and invert it, the holes aren't seen - so the presentation is better than you see here.
Here is the scrumptious recipe:
Lemon Crazy Poke Cake
1 box Lemon Cake Mix
1 small box Lemon Jello
4 eggs
3/4 cup Water
3/4 cup Vegetable Oil

Icing:
2 cups Powdered Sugar
4 Tablespoons Reallemon ( concentrated lemon juice) - or juice of 2 lemons
Mix cake ingredients all together. Beat 4 minutes, pour into greased and floured 9x13-inch pan or Bundt Cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Bundt Cake pan may require more baking time - check with fork after 35 minutes - adjust as needed. Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice, let stand while cake is baking. Immediately when cake is done, poke holes all over with toothpicks or wooden spoon handle. Pour lemon mixture over the top while cake is still hot. It will harden as it cools to make crunchy, yummy icing. This is so good!

Hope you enjoy these!
I am off to look at your great recipes now-

I pray that you are able to enjoy a relaxing, peaceful Easter weekend with your loved ones!
Blessings,
Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday

Don't you just love this picture? Her dollies are sitting attentively close by watching her sew - too cute!


It has been a few weeks since I have posted my progress on the Alphabet book. I have finally finished all of the blocks (well - with the exception of a few details to finish up here and there) and am now putting together the pages! Right now I am on a time crunch - I need to get this in the mail very soon - I am quickly running out of time!


The blocks appear wavy in these pictures - it is just due to throwing them down carelessly and taking the pictures without taking the time to smooth them out. A photographer I am not! ~sigh~

I love how this little watermelon turned out. The red fabric actually has watermelon seeds on it. It is amazing the fabrics I have been able to find in my stash! The seeds are HUGE, but that is beside the point. LOL! I have a little nick in the felt on this one. I am hoping that because it is in the binding, it won't be seen. This is the last of the felt that came in the kit. The pattern for this book came with enough felt to supposedly finish all of the blocks. I got this kit many years ago and found that when I cut all of the blocks out, I was short four blocks worth! I went to several fabric stores to buy some additional felt, and was only able to find felt that is a tad bit lighter than the original and also it isn't as thick as what came in the kit. How frustrating! Thankfully it will be sandwiched together with another block so hopefully that will help keep it sturdy. I may need to back a few with a thick piece of interfacing. I will cross that bridge when I get closer to finishing the book.

I have had so much fun putting this together! Even though I am more than ready to start a new project, I will be sad to see this one go. As you can see I am not quite finished with the "Z" Block. The pattern called for a painted on zigzag stitch for the mane. I thought it would be fun to add some texture so I have been painstakingly adding a fringe mane instead. It takes awhile because you have to knot each individual cluster of thread. I feel like I am all thumbs when I am doing this on such a small scale. I am pleased with the end result though.

Here are a few of the blocks that have been placed back to back and handsewn together. It looks handsewn - a bit rough around the edges - but that is the idea! I now need to add the 1/2 " cuts on the side to thread my torn homespun strips of fabric that will bind the book together and it will be finished! Hopefully by next week I can show you the finished book and the beginnings of a new project. I have been slowly washing and ironing all of the fabrics in my stash to start an applique quilt that I have wanted to make for quite some time. It will be another great take-along project to work on while the kiddos I am watching are napping during the day.

Hope you have a fun day working on projects that you love!

Blessings,

Kymber

My Savior, My God

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Random Thoughts

It's Friday again - I am so glad! This week was certainly a long one. I have been so busy with work, and sewing my granddaughters Alphabet Book as I have talked about many times on my W.I.P. Wednesday posts. I have all of the blocks done- I am now assembling the book. I need to get it done and off to my daughter in two weeks so that it will arrive in time for my granddaughter's birthday! I will post pictures when it is finished. It has definitely been a "labor" of love. I have had lots of fun making it - but I haven't been able to concentrate on much of anything else that has needed to be done around my house!

Due to my lack of posting, I have noticed I am losing some of my readers! "Followers" seems like such a conceited term to use. Every time a new person decides to follow my blog, I look at them as a new friend! I look forward to getting to know that person as much as they want to get to know me! I have been severely lacking in this lately though. For those of you who have been discouraged by my lack of posting, or lack of variety, I apologise. Sometimes life gets in the way, and rather than blather on about the day to day grind that I find myself in, I sometimes crawl inward and get quiet. Because this IS a weblog of my life though - I need to be better about putting my thoughts down instead of keeping them in my head. That is after all why I decided to start blogging in the first place! The blogs I love to read the most, are the ones who share their heart on a regular basis - why do I seem to have a problem doing that?

For those of you who have stuck it out with me through this, THANK YOU! I really do value your friendship - I will try to be a better friend in turn.

Question for you:

What is it that draws you most to a blog? What do you enjoy reading about? What keeps you coming back for more? I would love some input or direction - you can be blunt - I can take it! I would really love your comments on this - and thank you in advance!

Blessings,

Kymber

When God Ran

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.

12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15: 11-24

It's Foodie Friday!

Special thanks to Gollum for hosting this fun event! To view other great recipes stop by Gollum's for some mouth-watering fun!
This is my first time participating, although I have wanted to join in the fun for awhile now. Such great recipes you girls are sharing - Yummo!

I have spent the better part of the week baking another meal for our Builders For Christ. If you haven't read about what these lovely people are doing for our church, read about them here. We are so blessed to have them here to help us build our new church building. I wanted to make them something special this week. I am sharing the meal preps with a friend so the task isn't as daunting as it was the first time that I did this. Keep in mind - we have to feed 35 hungry people breakfast, lunch and two snacks during the day. It is a huge undertaking!
My job was to prepare the breakfast, snack and side dish. Here is what I came up with for their breakfast:

I was trying to make something substantial that would stick to the ribs for a bit. They work so hard! These muffins are packed with delicious goodness! Keep in mind - it is very hard to photograph these and do them justice - I wish I could have piped in the smell as well. Oh the house smelled heavenly!


These are called Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins. They have everything in them but the kitchen sink! I have doubled the recipe so that they overflowed my large muffin pans. You can't really tell by the picture, but these are as large as the biggest "Costco" muffins! And they are quite heavy too! Very filling for hungry hardworking men. I got this recipe from a Washington Bed and Breakfast Cookbook that I own. All of the recipes from this cookbook are scrumptious - all tried and true from Bed and Breakfasts all over Washington State.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins
(From Holly Hedge House - located in Renton Washington)
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup cooked oatmeal (a great way to use up your leftover oatmeal)
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups (to use jumbo muffin cups - double this recipe.) In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add mashed bananas and cooked oatmeal. Sift in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spoon batter into greased prepared muffin cups. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until done. (If using larger muffin cups, you may have to increase your baking time - after your regular baking time, just check every 3 minutes - til done)
Cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then remove muffins from pans. Good served warm or cold.
Makes 12 muffins.

As you know, I am a mother of seven and even though they are no longer all with me I'm still not used to baking anything on a small scale. I have always doubled recipes. it doesn't take that much extra time to do this -and I am able to have an extra batch (or casserole - whatever I happen to be making) for the freezer. I have learned to be frugal over the years and tend to save everything and put it in the freezer for future use. This not only saves money, but also can be a prepared meal for those days you don't feel like cooking! Saves a trip to the local takeout place each week - Money in your pocket to spend on other things!

The bananas for this recipe came out of my freezer. Here in Georgia, I have noticed that bananas ripen at an accelerated rate! Instead of wasting them and throwing them away, I cut the ends off - leaving them in the peels, put them in a ziploc baggie and save them for future recipes. I take them out of the freezer in the morning, they thaw very quickly and I squeeze them out of the peels like a tube of toothpaste - sounds and looks gross I know - but they are ripe and delicious for any dessert or bread that you want to make. Simple and handy for a dish at a moments notice!

It is very hard to photograph muffins and make them look good - but believe me - these are delicious - And HUGE! These were made in my jumbo muffin pans and have a crispy streusel topping. Yummy! Store these beauties in your refrigerator - if they last that long!
I got these off of the internet some time ago - I have cut and pasted the recipe here.

Strawberry Streusel Muffins
MUFFINS:
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. fresh strawberries, chopped, (about 12 strawberries)
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. butter, melted
STREUSEL TOPPING:
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. pecans, finely chopped
1/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. butter, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Edited to add: I used jumbo sized muffin pans for these - double the recipe if using larger pans.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine strawberries and sugar. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in cream, egg and vanilla until well blended. Add strawberry mixture to flour, baking powder and salt mixture. Add butter and stir just until blended. Spoon into 10 to 12 greased muffin pan cups. Sprinkle with topping.
FOR TOPPING: Combine flour, pecans, sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until mixture comes together in large crumbs. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Larger muffins will require longer baking time. Bake for 25 minutes if using larger pans.


In place of the whipping cream, you can use half and half - or just plain milk to cut down on calories. I used fresh strawberries cut up fairly small for this recipe - this is another recipe that you can use items straight from your freezer. Whenever I buy strawberries and I notice that they are starting to ripen faster than we will eat them, I will cut them up and throw them in the freezer to add in future meals. By doing this you can enjoy berries and fruits year round - you won't have to wait for the warmer seasons. I also freeze cranberries and eggnog during the winter months- left over from the holidays to use in muffins. Eggnog - that is leftover can be put in ice cube trays and frozen to make eggnog bread anytime of the year!

For the side dish that I made for the Builders For Christ, I prepared a delicious family recipe - Macaroni Salad (my brother's favorite dish - if I ever want to see him, all I have to do is make some macaroni salad and he is sure to show up!)
I also made Lemon Poke Cake for their dessert. I will share these with you next Friday!
I hope you will try these recipes- you won't be disappointed. Your house will smell wonderful and your family will be so happy! My son came into the room while I was baking - he sighed a happy sigh and said "Oh I just LOVE baking days!"
Blessings to you on your baking day,
Kymber

While I'm Waiting....

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:12-22