Joy of Christmas Baking Traditions

Every Christmas I bake Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies.

I give both my Daddy and my Father-in-Law their own special tin, and keep plenty on hand for Stan and me. My dads know they can return the tin and it will be refilled!

I usually bake the first batch at Thanksgiving or the first week of December, but I'm getting a bit of a late start this year...schedules happen.

I thought I'd share the recipe since it is a season of giving.

Enjoy!!

Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
based on a recipe from Lifetime Entertainment Services (1997)

Ingredients:
Note: make sure you have parchment paper

Group 1
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Group 2
6 oz (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, soft
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups pecan pieces (optional)
2/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together Group 1 ingredients. Set aside

In medium bowl, using a mixer, cream together soft butter with the two sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Scrape down the bowl with rubber spatula and beat for another 30 seconds. Beat in the vanilla

Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture, incorporating completely. Fold in the pecans and cranberries or raisins. The batter will be very soft

Form the mixture into little balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on the parchment lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart (theses cookies spread!)

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown. They will have a lacy, bumpy appearance.

Cool completely on the prepared trays. Use a metal spatula to release the cookie underneath and transfer to a rack

Store in a air tight container.
Serve with your favorite hot beverage or a glass of milk!

The Joy of Giving Thanks to the LORD

On this Thanksgiving Day 2011, my heart is full of thanks to God for...
...His mercy
...His peace
...His provision
...His love
...His saving grace
...His forgiveness

Chronicles 16:8-36

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob, as an everlasting covenant to Israel,
18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance."
19 When you were few in number, and of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also: "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD.

The Joy of Bacon!

"Bacon is meat candy!"

I don't know who said it, but i agree. So heres one of my favorite appetizers. Thanks to Susie Yeatts for bringing these to the New Year's Day celebration at the Lancelot's all those years ago. I make them every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bacon Roll-Ups
10-12 slices bread (cheap), trim crusts and cut each slice in 3 strips
1 lb bacon, cut each strip in half
Olives, green (regular or jalapeño stuffed)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Baking sheet, 9x13
Toothpicks, 24-36

Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Place 1/2 strips of bacon on baking sheet.
Place a bread strip on each piece of bacon.
Spoon 1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese on top of bread slice.
Set an olive in the middle of the strip of bread.
Roll and secure with a toothpick.
continue until baking sheet is full
Bake about 30 min, until bacon is thoroughly cooked.
Cool 2-4 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Joy of Leftover Mashed Potatoes!

After we finished our Thanksgiving meal at work, there were alot of leftover mashed potatoes. It occurred to me that this may be typical for many during the holidays. So I thought i'd share with you what I shared with my coworkers. 

Rachel Ray’s Mashed Potato Soup

(rachelrayshow.com)

Ingredients

·        Drizzle of EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

·        6 slices bacon, chopped

·        4 tablespoons butter

·        1 medium onion, chopped

·        4 tablespoons flour

·        4 cups chicken stock

·        2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

·        8 ounces shredded yellow cheddar cheese

·        Chopped chives, for garnish

Preparation:

·       In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve.

·       Drain off excess bacon fat from the pot and add butter. When it is melted, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the pot and cook with a wooden spoon for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a bubble. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

·       Whisk in mashed potatoes, then stir in the cheddar cheese with a wooden spoon and cook until the potatoes are hot and the cheese is melted.

·       Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved bacon and chopped chives.

Enjoy!

The Joy of Working Toward a Goal

Recipe for Success in reaching 200 Miles by Christmas

Completed 35 miles
165 miles in the next 10 weeks
16.5 miles every 5 days
3.3 miles (5K + .1K) 5 days per week
45 min per day
I CAN/WILL do this
One day at a time!

Enough

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
I hope ". ~ Psalms 57:2

As I was praying with my my Steps Sponsor tonight, there was a recurring theme of realizing the sufficiency of Christ.

The lyrics to the chorus of "Enough" by Chris Tomlin convey the worship in my heart tonight.

"And all of You is more than enough for all of me.
For every thirst and every need,
You satisfy me with your love.
And all I have in You is more than enough.

More than all I have
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me

More than I know
More than I can see
You are more than enough"


The joy of Enough!
~ Michelle

The Joy of a Challenge - Zion National Park

July 9: Hiking in Zion National Park provided an experience like none other.

Mom and I selected a trail that let to the Lower and then Upper Emerald Pool.

The trek involved some pretty rugged hiking,

All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Fun in Park City

Today we went up to Park City, UT. We had an early dinner, walked Main Street and then took a ride on the Alpine Coaster. What a fun time with Mom, Lizzy (we used to work together in Denton ISD) and Clint. Special thanks to Clint Christiansen from School Improvement Network for showing us around his hometown.

During lunch a mountain storm blew changing the temperature and creating a need to buy a sweatshirt (as if I need a reason to shop).

After buying our sweatshirts, we window shopped on Main Street and stopped in an ice cream parlor. Lizzy was elated! She soothed her craving for ice cream and chocolate all at the same time.
Of course, Clint could not pass up an opportunity to "ride the cow".


We ended our adventure with a ride on the Alpine Coaster.
Mom and I rode together. We laughed (and screamed a little) all the way down the mountain.

 So much FUN!!!

The Joy of a Challenge - Zion National Park

July 9: Hiking in Zion National Park provided an experience like none other.

Mom and I selected a trail that let to the Lower and then Upper Emerald Pool.

The trek involved some pretty rugged hiking,

All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.

The Joy in Friendships: Road Trip 2011

What a blessing to have a 20 year friendship

I met Jennifer as a sophomore at the University of Iowa (we were hired as resident assistants in the all girls dorm - Stanley Hall) and I my life has NEVER been the same!

During the past 20 years, we have enjoyed may football games and basketball games. We've been in each others weddings and I have a deep affection for her son.

Like her mom, Jen has the gift of hospitality. So when I told her about ROAD TRIP 2011, she was more than willing to have Mom and I as guests for a couple of nights.

Mom and I arrived on July 4 after an easy day of driving from DFW area (we left at 5am and arrived at around 3:30pm). After I got a warning for speeding in Iowa Park, TX (just west of Wichita Falls), I slowed my speed down to 70 until we hit the New Mexico border where you can legally drive 75! I tend to "round to the nearest 10" and 80 seems to be the preferred speed of our rental car :)



Not only did we get to spend time with Jen and her family, but we were also able to visit with Being with Jen's parents.


Gary and Fran live in Rio Ranch too. We even got to meet Jen's nephew who was visting from Iowa.
To celebrate July 4, we went to the fireworks hosted by the City of Rio Rancho at Rio Rancho High School.

 Count it 

ALL Joy!

~ Michelle

The Joy of Traveling: Road Trip 2011

I am currently on a 2-week ROAD TRIP with my Mom

We haven't done this since I was a kid. And even then it included my dad and brother.

We began planning mid May after I was invited to speak at an education conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Neither Mom or I had ever been to Utah and so we decided to make a ROAD TRIP out of it.

Count it ALL Joy!

~ Michelle

Our itinerary:

Confession Results in Joy

My Confession

I am a sinner.
I am a sinner
saved by Grace through faith.
I am a sinner saved by Grace through faith
walking in forgiveness.

~ Selah

I am saved by Grace through faith.
I am saved by Grace through faith
walking in forgiveness.
I am saved by Grace through faith and walking in forgiveness
because of Jesus Christ.

~ Selah

I walk in forgiveness.
I walk in forgiveness
because of Jesus Christ.
I walk in forgiveness and because of Jesus Christ,
God sees me as righteous

~ Selah

Because of Jesus Christ,
God sees me as righteous and
I will worship

~ Selah

Remembering to Redeem your Rejoicing

Tonight @MattChandler74 used Ecclesiastes 11:9 - 12:8 as his primary text.

He used the scriptures to show us how we "rejoice" in things that are not eternal: youth, personal pleasures, beauty, health.

Instead we are commanded to "remember your Creator" (http://esv.to/Eccles12.1)

This act of remembering occurs on 3 distinct ways:
Remember who God is
Job 38:1-13 ~
Psalm 147:4 ~

Remember what God has done
Exodus 12:14 ~
Joshua 4:5-7 ~

Remember God's commands - they exist for my joy; they reveal my guilt and my need for a savior
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Numbers 15:39-40

Steppin' into Joy

Last night I began a new Bible study. For the next 16 weeks I will be participating with about 120 other men and women in Steps at The Village! Steps at The Village falls under the umbrella ministry of Recovery at The Village Church.

From the orientation materials:

This program is centered on the gospel and offers biblical counsel alone. The hope the world offers falls short of God’s plan for redeeming the world and for recovering what has been marred because of sin. Our hope is to engage the culture around us, with its different beliefs and ideologies, with the hope that can be found solely in the gospel of Jesus Christ


If you are already a believer in Christ, we trust that God might use this program to enrich your relationship with Him, grow in your understanding of the rhythm and order that He has ordained us to ideally function in and grow in your love for Him and others.

Regardless of what you believe at this point, you are welcome to stay with us as you investigate the claims of Christ, seek to understand the hope that God has sent into the world and the implications of that hope in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. Skeptics are welcome and we are not offended by your questions. We trust that God will accomplish His plan in you and are glad you are here

I am already a believer in Christ, so the opportunity to go deeper in my relationship with Him and be further transformed is exciting!

Just before going into the study last night, I searched the Bible for scripture containing the word "reveal". Daniel 2:22 spoke to my heart:

he [God] reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness,

and the light dwells with him.

One step at a time... 

In the Midst

Today I was involved in one the most difficult circumstances I've faced recently. I supported a friend as she and her sons (ages 8 and 6) and their extended family endured funeral home visitation.

The grief and a loss of a husband/father/son is real.

I was, however, reminded that in the midst of pain and sorrow there is joy.

Joy
Is heard in kind words;
Is seen in a genuine smile;
Is hearing children laugh and play;
May be accompanied by tears;
Is expressed in an embrace;
Is enjoying time and a glass of wine with childhood friends;
May mean giving of yourself for the sake of another;
Is love in action

I am going to bed emotionally and physically exhausted, but grateful for the love of God Christ displayed in the midst of sorrow and loss.

Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

The Joy of Breakfast - Muffin Tin Omelets

Muffin Tin Omelets (Weight Watchers 2 Points Plus)

Servings – 8

Ingredients

2 cups egg substitute, nonfat (such as Egg Beaters)

½ cup fat free milk

4-6 oz non fat Greek yogurt, plain

½ cup tomato, diced (if you use canned, be sure to drain)

Chopped onions, mushrooms, other veggies (optional)

2 cups spinach, chopped (if frozen, thaw and drain)

Salt

Pepper

Muffin pan – large cups

Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly coat muffin cups with cooking spray

Combine eggs, milk, yogurt and tomatoes in medium bowl

place ¼ cup chopped spinach in each muffin cup

fill with ½ cup egg mixture

bake at 350 until eggs are set, 30-40 minutes

run a knife around edge to release

Lord, Please Show me Your Glory

I'm awake LORD..."Please show me your glory" esv.to/Ex33.18-19

God woke me up a little before 6am this morning and invited me to spend time just listening to His encouragement and truth.

This comes on the heels of exhortation through the sermon from Blake Chilton, Student Pastor at The Village, Flower Mound campus.

The text was Exodus 33.

The Israelites have just been rebuked for trusting in themselves, creating and worshipping an idol (the golden calf). They are commanded to leave Sinai and go "to the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

God declares He will drive out their enemies and He will send an angel with them, but His presence will not be with them because of their sin...the people are distraught! (and rightly so)

Moses, instead of hiding and hanging his head, approaches the LORD in humility.
Moses goes to God and asks for His presence and then goes a step further and asks to see His glory

Do I live this way?
Do I desperately seek the presence and glory of God - even when I have sinned? Do I move away and try to clean up first?
Am I prone to move forward without Him?
Am I so self-sufficient that His presence is an additive rather than a necessity?
Would I rather have more of Him or more of His stuff?
Does the thought of a day or moment without the presence of God grieve me?
Do I live out the distinction of a reconciled life?
Am I on mission?

"And [Moses] said to [the LORD], 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight...Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people from every other people on the face of the earth?'" ~ Ex 33:15-16

~ Count it All Joy ~
in His grace and mercy
Michelle

Joy comes in the Morning

OK, it's official...I enjoy running!
I get it now...that runner's high... the great sense of accomplishment when you pushed through...WOW

with Jill before the race
we ran at our own pace

The Hot Chocolate 5K was a great opportunity to see what I could really do. I shaved another 2 minutes off my time (since the Jingle Bell Run in December).

my bib number

At the finish with Jill and Charlie 
(chip time - 41:55)

This morning, I ran 1.25mi in 16:12 followed by a 3 minute brisk walk to cool down!

I track the official distance and log my workouts using MapMyWALK.
I also use my Nike+ with my iPod Touch to track the time and pace - now I just need to get this thing well calibrated so it will have accurate distances too.

My goal is to run a 5K in 30 minutes and once I can do that consistently, I'll bridge to a 10K
 
I've begun thinking I want to do a 1/2 marathon next spring...words I never thought would come out of my mouth...oh my
 
HERE WE GO!