Jesus is Enough.....

Jesus is Enough.....

I want to write you about Jesus,

and how much He can fill your heart,

especially if you feel abandoned,

lonely, or if you feel as though

you have nothing.

~

I met Him personally,

through the Holy Spirit,

back in February 1978.

~

There are certain people whom

you’ll come across in life who

just EXUDE Jesus love.

~

Lester Sumrall, an evangelist,

was one of those people.

I was watching his Saturday morning

program, and I can’t recall all his words now,

but it was such a sincere message.

It was a gentle voice, of how much love

Jesus has for me (and you).

~

I was a young adult then, living at home

on the farm, between college and a job.

I was really doing some soul searching.

I was sincerely seeking meaning to my life,

and a direction. I felt the Holy Spirit

tugging on my life, all my life it seems,

but I really needed to know Jesus existed.

~

Well, He showed up!

~

After watching the program, I took my

camera and went for a walk on our farm.

I knew every inch of that place.

~

It was cold, it was February. There was

plenty of snow on the ground, but it was

sunny and beautiful.

~

I walked to one of my favorite places,

the fallen down log cabin where my

dad grew up. There was a shed still

standing there, where I went often

to sit and listen to the birds, and watch the

squirrels in run and play. There were

plenty of black walnut trees there, so

there was always an abundance of nuts

for the squirrels.

~

I went there, to my special place.

I prayed. I prayed for God to show me

that He really does live and exist.

~

He Came.

 I heard His voice in my head,

telling me He loves me. And Jesus loves me.

There was a rainbow around the sun that day.

~

It was beautiful.

~

My life was never the same since then.

~

The black and white photo at the top is a picture I took close to that

moment where God spoke to me,

at my Special Place.
~

From then on, I knew God would never

abandon me. I KNOW He lives. There

is no question. And I know He takes care

of us, no matter where we are or what

circumstance we’re in.

~

That’s how I know Jesus is Enough.

Christmas is a celebration of His birth.

It’s great to give and get presents at

Christmas.

There’s nothing wrong with

that, I think, as long as everything is

kept in perspective.

~

When you strip it all down to why we

even have Christmas at all, you too will know

that Jesus is Enough.

~

Do you have Jesus in your Heart?

Do you know He still lives?

Do you feel Him tugging on your Heart?

~

He is there. Keep looking, you will

find Him. Keep seeking, keep asking,

Keep Praying. He will show up.

~

Christmas Blessings to You All!

XXOO, BB

Painting of my Special Place

Soul Surfer - Watch this Movie as a Gift to Yourself

I just saw this movie for the first time last evening.  I know, I'm waaaay behind, this movie came out last year. Click on Bethany Hamilton to read more about her.

~

However, I recommend anyone to watch this story.

It will definitely give you a lift for the day, and I guarantee you will reflect on your own life circumstances and how you get through

the difficulities in your life.

~

The story will inspire you.

~

Even though this isn't a "Christmas" movie, per se,

I'm considering it my

Christmas movie for this year.

~

XXOO,  BB

Momofuku Milk Bar Cookbook by Christina Tosi - Review of Cookie Recipe

Hello All!

I’ve got a tip for you on a new cookbook, or rather a baking book!

It’s called Momofuku Milk Bar , by Christina Tosi. I believe this young lady knows what she’s doing!   She looks like a little pixie, don't you think?  

First of all, don’t you just LUV that name “Momofuku”?! It’s from the name of the restaurant started and owned by David Chang. Christina was hired as a pastry chef there and has, I believe, since gone on to be a Star in her own right. (If you click on the word Momofuku, you can find out more information.) The word sounds playful and like toy-like to me. I’d love to have a pet named “Momo”!
~

Anyway, back to the subject- the cookbook.
~

I only heard about this on Saturday, December 17, 2011, when I was listening to one of my favorite radio shows on NPR, “The Splendid Table.” (Click on the words The Splendid Table to link to the website.  Go here for the recipe:  Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmellow Cookies.)

Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmellow Cookie
Baked in Convection Oven

~

All you Honeybees out there: I’ve been baking for quite some time and can tell from reading a recipe and it’s directions whether or not it’ll be good. Christina doesn’t hold back on this recipe– she uses Butter!! Yes, Butter– I always make sure to buy the SWEET CREAM UNSALTED butter. (If you buy the salted butter, everything you make with it will have too much salt– If you buy it by mistake, leave out the added salt in your recipe.)
***Update: I have now made these cookies several times and have made it with ONE stick of butter, instead of two.  Cookie turns out GREAT.  I also freeze the unbaked dough in scoops, and take out one or two to bake at a time-- works great in my little convection oven--16-17 minutes.  I can also bake them on the little aluminum pan that has been sprayed well with vegetable spray.  You could also use Crisco.)

Cookies beginning to spread while baking
~
Okay, lets get to it. This cookie tastes like a dream– it’s a little bit chewy, and crunchy, what I call a good “tooth”. It has a slightly carmel taste with a touch of chocolate. What I like about it the most is that it has a sweet and salty taste at the same time, which is really satisfying. You’ve got to try this recipe if you like that combination. I must say she uses a lot of sugar, so if you're diabetic, these recipes are out.

Cornflake crunch that goes into the cookies--Love this stuff!  It tastes great!

~

I have some notes for you on this recipe: KNOW your OVEN! I used all three of my ovens because the recipe calls for a large scoop of dough that has to be placed 4 inches apart on your pans, and I didn’t want to be baking all night. So I tried all of my pans. I used my countertop convection oven with its’ aluminum pan; an airbake pan (has a double layer of aluminum) and my old dark cookie sheets (not nonstick). I placed a sheet of parchment paper in each. You’d better use parchment paper for this recipe or you’ll have trouble getting them off the pans.)
~


Cookies overbaked in a too hot oven
~

Well, low and behold, the little convection oven baked the most perfect cookie. So, if you are planning on getting a new oven, I’d recommend a convection oven. I’m almost thinking about replacing my electric oven based on this because it just overbaked this wonderful recipe! You can see from the pictures how the cookies should look– and the electric oven was just too hot for this task. I even turned down the temperature and they overbaked, quickly. So you’ve got to watch these, carefully.

Cookies Baked in Convection Oven
~

Well, I think I like Christina, because she said in her interview with Lynn Rosetto Kasper, on the The Splendid Table that she grew up liking cereal. Lynn had asked her why she puts different cereals in her recipes. I grew up liking cereal too, and would sit at the breakfast table with my box and bowl. I just recently remembered what I like about Rice Krispies! You can see what’s in my pantry right now– not particularly adult cereals.

~
This is a girl after my own heart, I tell ya! I don’t have her cookbook yet– but it's going to be the first book I down load into my new e-reader!!! And even if I have to limit myself to one cookie a week and put the rest in the freezer, I'll do it.


XXOO, BB

I Have a Confession to Make.....

I don’t mind being

Fat.

I like eating good food.

I spend a lot of time thinking about food.

I collect cookbooks.

I spent most of my life in a job where I had to worry about my weight.  I was always a little bit “chubby” in middle school and high school, until I turned 17.  Then miraculously,  with no effort, I slimmed down and was actually kind of beautiful. 

Now, my feet hurt if I walk too far, my hips hurt if I sit too long, and I can’t find too many clothes that will make me look beautiful. 

I've been struggling with middle age, hot flashes, menopause.

I’ve tried to lose some fat, but before that can happen I have to SEVERELY cut down what I eat in order for any fat to come off, which means I have to practically eat NOTHING. 

It’s not worth it.

I can’t see the point of making myself miserable just so I can be skinny and wear “hot pants” (short shorts). 

I have found some clothes that cover my fat, they’re not too tight. I don’t wear dresses.   I wear athletic shoes.  I am comfortable. 

Something drastic would have to happen  for me to stop eating.  In the meantime, while I’m waiting for that dramatic moment,  I will visit, and you must visit NOW

The Pioneer Woman’s website— Ree Drummond—I love that woman!

Hurry, hurry—GO NOW!   Eat, eat, Little Bird!

XXOO,  BB