Happy New Year 2013

Picture credit: Google

 C.S Lewis said,"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

 

 I think another year like 2012 will be great to have for 2013. Sometimes it is easy to forget the blessings we have, because it becomes common. We have been blessed with His mighty arm filled with friends, family and children. I want to learn and teach my children to find the gifts in the little things.

  Some of us want God to use us. For that we believe God has to send us to be a missionaries or give us a bigger platform. But what if our platform is to reach out someone in your neighborhood and your community or to make someone life better by one act of kindness. 

  Don't make your miracle so common, that you don't lose your excitement. At the same time, don't get comfortable and you stopped ask God to give you a new vision and dream.

  Philippians 3:13, said "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead."

  This is my favorite lyrics, My prayer looks like this.

         Blessings By Laura Story:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort our family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way to much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near?

it goes on to say and ends-

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

I wish your New Year to be filled with love, family and health from our family to your family.

Happy New Year!!





 

Lemon Icebox Cookies

This cookies are absolutely to die for! The tangy and sweet taste makes you eating without guilt.

I have four cookie recipes to keep for a long time. If you need all the recipes, I already posted them.

Lemon Icebox Recipe:
2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling Directions:
In a food processor, pulse flour, confectioners' sugar, salt, and lemon zest until combined. Add butter and process until sandy. Add egg yolks and lemon juice; pulse until dough comes together. Divide dough in half and form each into a 1 1/2-inch-wide log. Wrap in plastic and freeze until firm, about 2 hours (or up to 1 month).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Spread granulated sugar on a piece of parchment; roll logs over sugar to coat. Slice logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange, 1 inch apart, on two parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake until cookies are golden brown around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool. Recipe source: Martha Stewart.
I always love to hear your comment, thank you for stopping by.
 

Merry Christmas To You and Your Family

Picture Credit: Darell Creswell.

 

The Old Testament Prophecy

 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."Isaiah 9:2

^"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." Isaiah 60:1-3

The New  Testament Prophecy fulfilled

"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:20-24.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Have a wonderful time with your family.

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

 I been baking those three recpes for the past two years. Everytime they come out very soft and they are super easy to bake. I already shared Orange Cremesicle and Peanut Butter. 

 

 

 

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies 

 

Ingredients:
2 cups and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg  and 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 cup Semi-Sweet chocolate chips
 1 cup of regular or mini M&Ms
　

 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

 In a bowl, mix the flour and baking soda together. In a separate bowl, combine the butter and sugars with a whisk. Then add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla and mix everything together. Slowly add the flour and baking soda mixture to the bowl until a dough forms. I used baking spatula instead. Fold in the M&Ms and scoop them into your baking pan. You can add nuts as well if you don't have picky kids as mine.

 

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are starting to get slightly brown. Make sure to give it time to cool down.

 

I have two more recipe I am making and I will share that with you. Ginger Bread and Lemon Icebox cookies, my favorite.

 

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Printable Recipe

 

It is the most wonderful time of the year! My absolute favorite season.

Remember Christ is the only reason for the season.

 My savior, Our Savior is born! The reason why this season is so festival, joyful and full of giving and receiving. It is because God gave His son, Christ the Lord.

He shall be called Emanuel, God in us! May your Christmas be Christ centered as mine.

 

I been baking all kinds of cookies and bars, and I wanted share with you.

 

 

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup salted peanutes, roughly chopped
Directions:

Adjust rack to center of oven and heat to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

 

In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Add the egg and combine, then add the peanut butter. Reduce speed to low, add the flour mixture, and beat until incorporated. Stir in the peanuts.
Form the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll in the remaining sugar and place on a baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Using the back of a fork, gently press the cookies to form a crisscross pattern.
Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until just golden. Cool on racks.

Orange Cremesicle Cookies

 Printable Recipe

This cookies are amazing! I love that orange flavor. This will make a great gift after I enjoy myself with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange zest (for me that was the zest of 2 oranges)
2 cups white chocolate chips

 

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture until combined. Stir in orange zest and white chocolate chips.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Do not flatten cookies; it will make them dry. Bake 8 – 10 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Do not overcook! Cookies will be plump. Cool for several minutes on cookie sheets before transferring to rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

 

 

 

I been trying a new recipes this week. I will be sharing the rest this week. I hope you enjoy them as well as I did. Merry Christmas to all!!

You might also like:
Peanut Butter Cookies, Popcorn M&M Bars

Brownie in a jar

                                                                                              

 

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Wrapping gifts while the kids are away, mailing Christmas cards, baking and giving. I love receiving gifts, but I get joy when I give. Especially baking, I think of the person I am going to bake for and I pray for their family. I am so blessed with great friends and neighbors. God's hand is truly in my life.

I found this recipe from myrecipe.com. It looks easy and yummy.





Ingredients:

1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

                                                                                               Preparation:

Layer all ingredients in order listed in a one-quart, wide-mouth jar, being sure to pack down after each addition.

 

Secure lid and attach baking instructions and a gift tag.

Instructions:

 Empty brownie mix into a large bowl. Add 3 eggs, 1/2 cup oil and one teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour into a greased 9"x9" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes. Cut into squares. Serves 6 to 8.

 

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas like I am. Forgive, love and live well my friends. I always love to hear your comment.

 

Being a mother is the best and hardest job ever

 

When I look at my children all grown physically and beautiful brings me smile. I feel like time is flying away from my hand so fast. I wanted cherish every moment.

It used to be easy to make my son's happy when they were younger. Like taking them to the park, pool and play with them. But now, as they get older I am constantly trying to watch their face or body language. I don't want them to hide anything that is bothering them.

I am the kind of mother I don't like when the kids response nothing. What is wrong? Nothing. Our children don't need too many material gifts, what they need is our time and our attention.

With my daughter, she has so much needs and usually speaks what is in her mind. As she grows older, that is changing. How important it is to find their love language. My daughter love language is gift and time. If I buy her something and spend time with her, she translate that as love.

I lean to the holy spirit everyday, He is my helper. The best gift we can give to our children is time, time to love them, equip them with the word and promise of God.

Proverbs 22:6,"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Try to find great things about your children, because it s easy to find too many faults.

Love Love Love time with your children.


 

Popcorn Bars Recipe

I thought will be great snack for this holiday season with green and red MM's.

 

 

 I didn't have roasted peanut at home, so I used Cashew instead.

 

 

Wrapped in for school snacks.

 

 

 

Ingredients:
                   1/4 cup butter
                   1/4 cup light corn syrup /sugar
                   1 package (10 ounces) large marshmallows
                   2 quarts popped popcorn
                  3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, or cashew chopped
                  1-1/4 cups M&M's minis

I don't use Corn syrup, I substitute 1/4 cup white sugar with 1 spoon of water instead.

Instructions:

In a sauce pan, melt butter on low heat: add corn syrup and marshmallows. Cook and stir over low heat for 3-4 minutes or until smooth. Add popcorn; stir until coated. Stir in peanuts and M&M's until combined. Spread into a greased pan. Cool to temperature. Cut into bars and enjoy!!

I would love for you to leave a comment and follow my blog.

Crochet Scarf for a gift

I started with 82 chain and HDC 14 rows. You can make it longer and wider as you like.

I Fold it in half and stitch it on the corners.

 

Below, I cross it over and make sure the end lines up.

 
I put a button that will match the color and you have a scarf less than two hours. Great gift for your love ones.

 

 

Another scarf in green color, two of my favorite color.

 

 I thank God my friend for modeling. Happy crocheting!!!

 

I was the kind of person running from one store to another to get teachers, friends and family gifts. It is time consuming, but there is so much satisfaction and appreciation from hand/home made.

When I was growing up, we made from table clothes, quilts and baskets. I remember walking home from school, the smell of bake goods and food, I still miss that. I want my children to miss home when they leave. Hopefully, my daughter will have an example to follow, as I did from my mother. What you do today, it will determine your future.

Ecclesiastes 11:6,"In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper."

If you enjoy this, I would love to hear your comment.

Panna Cotta Recipe

 

Panna Cotta is Italian dessert. Made from Milk, Sugar and gelatin. Very simple and delicious.

 

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups milk
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 envelopes gelatin, unflavored

For the topping:

1 package frozen strawberries, thawed
3/4 cup of sugar

Instructions:

In a saucepan add the 2 cups of milk, the heavy cream and the sugar. Bring to a heat and simmer.

In the remaining 1/2 cup of milk add the gelatin and stir. Remove the liquid mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla and the milk with the softened gelatin. Strain milk mixture. Pour into 6 dessert cups and chill for at least two to three hours. I only had three guest including me and I devided it in four cups(not dessert cups).

 

To make the topping
I used just fresh fruits to avoid sugar. But, you can use strawberries or black berries of your choice and sugar in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Strain the seeds using a sift and pour the mixture in a pan, over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

 

 

To serve the panna cotta, run a knife around the edge of each dessert cup, unmold on a plate. Drizzle with a topping and enjoy with your friends and family.

I would love for you to leave a comment and join my blog. I hope you have a great week!

Home Made Tortillas

This is my simple recipe: It takes no effort at all. I make a batter using flour, water, oil and salt.

The batter needs to be thicker than a pancake batter. If it is ticker, you can use your spoon to spread it even to the side of your pan. But if it is thin, you will have a problem.

I add oil on the pan from sticking on the pan. Medium heat and stay close to the stove, it takes 2 minute for each side.

Here is a picture on one side, you can see I tried to spread it using my hand.

Then stuff anything you would like. I had Turkey left over, I added some bell peppers, onions, cheese and add any sauce.

 

Take time to have a meal once a day and enjoy your food and your family.