Bummed…but Convinced

I’m bummed…

But I’m also convinced…

There’s a reason I’m not gearing up for Day One of Catalyst in Atlanta right now.

I don’t know what it is, but honestly I’m convinced God had a different plan.

If you don’t know, Catalyst is THE conference geared for young leaders–especially ministry and church leaders. I’ve wanted to attend for YEARS. And every year there’s been some reason that I could not go. This year, even though Cadence was due to arrive the day I’d need to leave for Catalyst, I decided to take the plunge and buy a ticket.

I was so excited. I was even looking forward to the solo road trip, thinking ahead to all the podcasts I’d be able to catch up on. I’d lined up a great place to stay, with a friend who recently moved to Atlanta and who I haven’t seen in quite some time. I’d also talked to several others who would be there, knowing that we would meet up to sit together, eat together and just enjoy the time together.

As it got closer, I was starting to become convinced that Cadence knew I was going to be out of town and she was planning her arrival accordingly. But as you know my sweet niece arrived Saturday morning, giving me the “a-ok” in my mind to travel to Atlanta.

Well…God had a different plan. Obviously. And I’m not saying that because it’s the “right thing to say.” I honestly believe it.

I have been fighting a cold since Monday night. When I was so sick Tuesday that I couldn’t go to BSF, I knew a trip to Atlanta was out of the question. Fortunately I had a friend who’d already made his way to Atlanta hoping to find a ticket (Catalyst sold out this year). I coordinated a ticket hand off with some other friends coming through Orlando on their way and now he is able to attend.

Anyway…so this was kind of a long story to say (again) that I am convinced there is a reason I was not supposed to make the trip to Atlanta this year. I don’t know what that reason is, and I may never know, but I trust that God has a reason.

And, now, I’m ready for this cold to go away so that I can go hang out with Paul and Cadence!

Here’s hoping for Catalyst 2010!

One More Recipe…Buttermilk Pound Cake

Not that anyone’s keeping track, but I had said I would post this recipe last week and in the craziness that was the end of the week/weekend it just didn’t happen. So…as promised, here it is. A friend from BSF gave me this recipe when I was searching for something I could make to use up some buttermilk I had in the fridge. Although this cake requires a little bit of work, it was not unbearable and the result was wonderful.

Buttermilk Pound Cake

3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 cup Crisco
1 cup buttermilk*
6 eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon lemon extract (I used vanilla instead…tasted great)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan or bundt pan.

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Blend the sugar and shortening in a bowl. Add egg yolks one at a time and blend after each addition. Add the lemon (or vanilla) extract.

Begin slowly adding dry ingredients to sugar mixture, alternating between dry ingredients and milk. BEGIN and END with dry ingredients.

Beat the egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into mixture.

Pour batter into 10 inch tube pan (or bundt pan) that has been greased and floured.

Bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Be sure that the top of the cake is firm. Let the cake cool thoroughly before removing from pan. This last step is very important!

*If you need to make your own buttermilk combine 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

The Picture I Can’t Stop Staring At

My two favorites–Paul and Cadence. My niece, Cadence Olivia, joined us on Saturday, October 3 at 6:06am. She’s a tiny little thing–6 lbs, 13 oz and 20.25 inches long. Everyone is home and doing well. Kati says they are adjusting to being a family of four. I am the most blessed Mimi.

Happy Sunday!

This picture of me and Paulie cracks me up. I just had to share. Hope it gives you a laugh, too! Happy Sunday! Here’s to another week…

One More Giveaway to Check Out

I told you about the “Bringing Our Baby Home” giveaway featuring Two Florida Girls. Last week we gave away a coffee cozy and gadget cozy. This week we’re giving away a Little Guy Tie. Check out the giveaway…you might see a little guy you recognize.

Consider donating for a chance to enter a giveaway. They have some GREAT stuff from lots of Etsians. Current giveaways end tonight!

Fun Giveaways!

I [heart] the blog Joy’s Hope. I don’t even remember how I stumbled upon it, but I hope I can be as cool as Julie one of these days. Check out her blog and you’ll see what I mean.

She also has a great Etsy shop (Joy’s Hope Etsy shop) where she sells her super fun Pretty.Messy.Flower pins and headbands. I have been eyeing these fun accessories for MONTHS. Literally. I’m not exaggerating.

Two blogs are giving away an item from Julie’s Etsy shop and I wanted to let you all in on the fun. If you want to enter to win, go check out:

The Fabulous Finds

and

Lu Bird Baby

Pumpkin Cobbler

Pumpkin cobbler….yummmm. Just getting ready to type out this recipe gets me excited for an opportunity to make this sometime soon. It’s so simple to make and it’s best served warm with vanilla ice cream…and maybe some coffee.

Pumpkin Cobbler

1 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
30 ounces pumpkin
2 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
12 ounces evaporated milk
1 lb yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
Ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x 13 inch pan.

Mix together sugar, eggs, pumpkin, pie spice, salt and milk. Pour in greased pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top. Pour melted butter evenly over the cake. (Pour the butter slowly and carefully because it sometimes likes to go all in one spot.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Serve warm with ice cream.

Cadence’s Book of Firsts

My sweet niece Cadence is due to join us any day. I made her a “Book of Firsts” similar to the one I made for Paul before he was born. Each page features a different “first” and space for my sister to include pictures. I used a 7×7 Pink Creative Memories album.

There are pages for Cadence’s First…

• Pictures (for sonograms)
• Breath
• Kiss (from a boy…other than Daddy; My brother loves me!)
• Gift from PJM (Paul is bringing her a special present)
• Home
• Bath
• Full Night Sleep
• Smile
• Visit to the Doctor
• Day at the Beach
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Trip to the Fire Station
• Friend
• Trip to Disney
• Time That I Rolled Over
• Time That I Sat Up
• Tooth
• Pet
• Easter
• Ponytail or Pigtails
• Haircut
• Crawl
• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Stood Up
• Steps
• Favorite Foods
• Words
• Birthday
• Day of School

And pages for…

• My Growth
• Shot Record and Other Health Info
• More Fun Memories

Just thought I’d share the fun! I think it turned out so cute. You should be able to click the pictures to see them larger.

Baked Potato Soup

I got this recipe from my sweet friend Katie Hobbie a few years ago and it has become a favorite. It’s so good! It’s not really that hard but does take some time, so you’ll need to plan ahead a little bit. I made it earlier this week and I think that prompted a little bit of fall weather in the Central Florida air. It’s perfect for a chilly day…or really anytime.

Baked Potato Soup

6 large baked potatoes
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk (whole or 2%)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
bacon crumbles (to taste)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream

Cut baked potatoes in half. Scoop out pulp and put in small bowl.

Melt butter in large pot and add flour. Set burner to medium-high. Gradually stir in milk. Continue to stir until smooth, thickened and bubbly. (You have to be really patient at this stage. It won’t be creamy if you’re not patient.)

Stir in potato pulp, salt, pepper, bacon and three quarters of the cheese. Cook until heated. Stir in sour cream. Turn it down and let it cook slow, stirring it every few minutes.

Remaining back and cheese can be used for toppings.

S’mores Cookie Bars

Not the best picture...sorry.

I made these a month or so ago. I had seen them on Lovin’ From the Oven and wanted to try them for so long. They are simple to make and, oh so good! They taste just like a s’more. I’d recommend that you eat them warm (even if that means a 15 second heat up in the microwave). So if it’s still too hot to roast marshmallows outside, try this yummy alternative.

S’mores Cookie Bars

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate candy bars (ie: Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/puff (not melted marshmallows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.

Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.