12/14/12

Facing the Mirror

I was so blessed to spend some time with Ms. JudiJo Adams (our beloved founder of Inspired Woman) this past weekend. She is such a cheerleader for Christ and I'm always encouraged when I'm around her and Russ.

During our time together, I shared my excitement for my new book that just came out last week, and she said, "You should share it on Inspired Woman!" So... I'm delighted to tell you about it!

Facing the Mirror: Finding a Self to Live With addresses the age-old problem of guilt, condemnation, and insecurity that every person faces. It also has a companion workbook that is ideal for individual or group study.

In a nutshell, this book is about our righteousness in Christ.  God has a desire to save people from their sins. But that's not all... He is also raising up an army of believers who will fight the good fight of faith in these last days! And only an understanding of righteousness will empower such an army.

Too many Christians (people that are already saved) are standing on the sidelines unsure of their role in the Body of Christ. They are burdened by a lack of confidence in the promises of God toward them-- which is simply a tool of the enemy to keep them quiet and unproductive in their faith!

It's time to change all that!

This book will help people find the truth about God, about themselves (as He sees them), and about the devil and his lies.

Chapters include:
  • Through the Fire and Past the Mirror
  • You Be (Like) Jesus
  • Changing Clothes
  • Cricket Mentalities
  • Qualified & Convinced
  • Performance Not Required
  • Awakening
  • And many more!
I want to help you grow in your understanding of righteousness so you can BOLDLY fulfill what God has called you to do, therefore I've also included great BONUS CONTENT for every purchase of Facing the Mirror:

BONUS #1: I Will Ascribe Righteousness to My Maker
  • This free book will be a great help to anyone desiring to learn more about righteousness! Taken straight from the Book of Job, it has a surprising answer to the question, "What about Job?"
BONUS #2: Ten Audio Teachings
  • These free MP3 downloads each contain elements of our righteousness in Christ. These teachings can be studied at home, on-the-go, or passed on to a friend.
BONUS #3: Digital Copy of the Book
  • Now you can put Facing the Mirror on your smart phone, iPad, or other device to read anywhere!
To learn more or get your copy, visit: www.mirrorministries.org/facingthemirror

LET'S CHANGE THE WORLD!
It starts with changing ourselves by finding a self to live with!

God Bless!
Daphne Delay

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12/10/12

Preparing for the Unexpected




     When our little Ezekiel decided he wanted to be in this world eight weeks early my Husband's boss at the time said something to the affect of "forget making plans because when you have kids they almost always find ways to mess them up!"  Sometimes I agree and say that this boy is no exception to the statement, but as I sit and chew on it a little while I've learned to embrace it.   We were able to make him wait two more weeks, but from the moment Ezekiel was born it has been apparent that this child has places to go, people to see, and things to accomplish.   He is BUSY!   

     As a new Momma who is blessed to be able to stay home with my boy I have to admit that like a lot of Moms I'm often Exhausted.  Toddlers are EXHAUSTING!  They interrupt your sleep schedule, they climb in the bathtub fully dressed and turn on the water when you are attempting to do your hair, they get in the toilet feet first and flush themselves while you are trying to get your shoes on, they figure out how to open the pantry door and dump bags of sugar all over the floor, they get into the laundry room and decided to swim fully dressed in the tub of homemade laundry soap, and with my boy the list goes on and on.  If I let myself go there it can affect me in a not so good way.  I'll get discouraged and think things like "I never have time to do things for myself" or "I don't have time to read my Bible because I have to clean the house during nap time", and at times I'll even get frustrated with him and think that because I had to sit in the other room and baby sit I couldn't experience and encounter Jesus at Friday night prayer.  

     The Holy Spirit had to give me a swift wake up call and show me how selfish I was acting!    

     A few days ago Ezekiel and I were sitting in the living room and he begged me to get his Bible off of the shelf and read it to Him.  I don't let him play with it because it has pages that he can and has ripped…  I got it out and opened it up and he immediately started shouting "Joshua, Joshua," so I turned to the story of Joshua and before I got to the picture of the great wall he said, "Jericho, Jericho."……………………………………………………… He's not even 2 yet, I couldn't believe He knew all of this.  He then directed me to go to the story of Goliath, Noah, and of course his favorite Daniel and the Lion's den "roooaar".   I had taken for granted the many many times that I had read stories to him over and over again.  

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.    

     I realized that I needed to appreciate the times that I am spending with my Baby, to take time to use all of those moments we have together to teach Him how to worship Jesus and allow for opportunities to let Him experience the Holy Spirit.  I can't make my Son want to love God but I can position him to be in a place where he can catch a spark of fire from the Holy Spirit.  If I don't take the time to do these thing who is going to?    

     Parents:  Children's pastors and Youth pastors shouldn't be expected to be the only ones teaching your children about the things of God.   As parents it is our job to cultivate the environment in which our child live.    Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go,  And when he is old he will not depart from it.   I'm sure all of us at one time or another have caught ourselves doing things or saying things that we had seen our parents do while we were growing up.   I want to create a environment in my home that involves worship and prayer and reading the Bible because if my child grows up in that setting it will be much easier for Him to carry that into his own life.  

     Nothing gives me more joy than to see Ezekiel raise his little hand and say "Jesus, Holy"  when he hears music playing or when I tell him my head hurts without even asking him to do so he puts his hand on my head and says "Jesus………(quiet for about 30 seconds)…. Amen".

     I want to be like Timothy's mother and grandmother in 2 Timothy 1:5 whose faith was so strong it was a generational thing and passed on to Timothy.   Not that my child chooses my faith in Christ because I do, but because it come out of him from the inside.  He is my legacy… who my child is reflects on me, but even more who I am reflects on my child!   

     Jeremiah 29:11 I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. 12Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! 

     I can only imagine what the future holds for my little one. What I do know is that the Lords plans for him are far greater than anything that I could ever dream up or plan!  My heart is to see him worship God and to love Him with his whole heart.  I want to see him have Encounters with Jesus from an early age.   My prayer for him is that "He will go where no one has gone before, he will do what no one has done before" and that he will see the Unexpected.    


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12/2/12

Christmas Traditions



Christmas Traditions 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the Glass Ranch. The day after Thanksgiving I make the trek up the attic stairs and drag down all the boxes full of Christmas decorations to begin the task of beautifying my home for the holidays.  Decorating the day after Thanksgiving is a tradition that my parents started long ago.  Year after year they purposed to do things that would make lasting memories for my siblings and I.  Now that I have a family of my own I realize just how essential it is to create an atmosphere that not only turns the hearts of my children to home but most importantly to Jesus!  With the holiday season upon us I wanted to share some of the ways that we have built strong family ties and brought Christ into our Christmas.
  • Make a birthday cake for Jesus
          We have been doing this since Riley, Rachel, and Ben were old enough to blow out the candles. 
          We sing happy birthday to Jesus and celebrate His entrance into the earth.  Now that Riley and 
          Rachel are teenagers one might think that they would have outgrown this tradition.  To the 
          contrary they look forward to it and as a bonus they do the baking!  Laughing and cooking 
          together in the kitchen is such a delight.  
  • Adopt an Angel Tree child
         Each one of our children chooses a needy child from the Angel Tree at school and then blesses 
         them with gifts.  This is a wonderful opportunity to impart how Jesus loved and 
         cared for the needy and broken.
  • Read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve
          We cozy up by the fire and my husband Robert reads the precious account of the birth 
          of Jesus from the Bible.
  • Write an encouraging note to each family member and put it in his or her stocking. 
          It is heart warming to receive a love note from each other on Christmas morning.
  • Give only three presents per child. 
          We have, from the time our children were very little, shared with them the story of the three wise 
          men that brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.  By giving this way we are
          taking the focus off all the "getting" and placing it on the true reason for the season...Jesus!
  • Open one gift on Christmas Eve. 
          This signifies to them that Jesus was the one true gift to the world.  

As a side note...we don't celebrate Santa....GASP!!!!  Honestly, we just never made Santa our focus during Christmas.  Our children never even thought twice about it until they went to school.  They came home telling us how some of their classmates became argumentative and upset when our children innocently told them that Santa wasn't real.  Oh my!  We had often read the true story of Saint Nicholas to them, which satisfied and answered their questions.  The modern day Santa Claus originated from these true accounts of Saint Nicholas and his good deeds.  Needless to say, they weren't too concerned by the "hubbub" at school.  However, we did tell them to kindly respect the opinions of others and to not argue about this delicate subject.  

I asked them not long ago if they felt cheated in any way by not celebrating Santa.  My oldest (who is now 14) frankly replied, "No, why in the world would I have wanted that kind of disappointment when I found out he wasn't real?"  Therein lies why I just couldn't acquiesce to the tradition of Santa.  How could I, for most of their early years, persuade them to believe in a Santa whom I knew was not real and in the same breath convince them to believe in a physically invisible Jesus who is real?  That just didn't make sense to me.  Hebrews 11:1 says "Now Faith is the assurance (the confirmation) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)" AMP.  I wanted Riley, Rachel, and Ben to grab hold of Jesus with all their heart while trusting and believing that what we told them was true.  

Unfortunately, many believers today buy into the world's way of doing things and then question why they live a lack-luster defeated life.  I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for showing us another way.  Simply put, we have chosen to celebrate the living Jesus and not a fictitious substitute.  

I hope that our family traditions will inspire you to bring Jesus into your Christmas.  May you have a glorious time with your family celebrating the birth of our RISEN Lord.  

Merry Christmas!  
    

       
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11/29/12

Symptoms of Gratefulness


Symptoms of Gratefulness…

‘Twas the morning after Thanksgiving and all through the house, not a child was stirring,not even our new dog Samson:).  I opened my eyes a few minutes before my alarm went off at 5 a.m. to hit all of the black Friday sales.  My heart was beating with excitement, 20% off, 40% off clearance items, free coloring book with a $100 toy purchase J!  

Before I got up out of bed I said a little prayer, “Father, what is Your plan for me today?”  And what to my wondering ears did I hear, “Stay home and spend time with Me.”  Are you serious?!!  Me, the one who was born to shop and get great deals, has been asked to stay home ~ away from the sales, away from the malls, away from the hustle & bustle, & away from buying more stuff. 

My husband took the children out as planned and I stayed home.  To set the atmosphere, I quickly turned on some music to keep my mind from wondering about all the great deals I was missing:)!  I turned on Andrea Bocceli’s ‘My Christmas’ CD.  I joined in and started singing with him about the birth of Christ in the Little Town of Bethlehem, with the Angels singing on that Silent Night, Holy Night.  Within a few minutes my heart began to overflow with gratefulness, contentment, joy, peace, & thanksgiving.  I was reminded of what Paul said in Colossians & Hebrews…

Colossians 4:2
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.
Hebrew 13:5
'Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"'

Here are 5 Symptoms of Gratefulness:
1.    When you’re running late for work and you get a flat tire ~ 
Your heart says ‘I am grateful that I have a car to drive and my Father will supply all of my needs!’
2.    When you’ve invested a lot of time,treasure, energy & friendship in a relationship and he/she walks out on you~ your heart says ‘I am grateful for the lessons I learned and I look forward to the next friend you have for me.’
3.    When you are let go from your job unexpectantly ~ your heart says ‘Woohoo, I am grateful that God has something bigger and better in store for me!’
4.    When your plan doesn’t work out and your idea falls through ~ your heart says, ‘I am grateful that I can trust you Father with my whole heart.  Your ways are not my ways, your thoughts are higher than my thoughts!’
5.    When you have to unclog 3 toilets in one day and your husband is out of town J ~ your heart says ‘I am grateful Lord that we even have toilets… and thankful for the kids that stuff them up!’

Do a quick check up to see if you have symptoms of gratefulness.  Gratefulness is a choice!  When everyone is sending us messages that things, buying, spending, & getting make us happy… stop spending, start worshipping, give thanks, be content, and always, always, always be GRATEFUL!! 

And then i twas the night before Cyber Monday… J HA!!!

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11/26/12

Such as I have I give



    Our family has been living in France for the past 2 years, and when Tony decided to move here my main concern was how I going to bring up my kids in a country I know very little about?  I was homeschooling at the time and really enjoyed the home school community and activities and life etc.....  Then I realized its not really what comes from without that your children grasp most, its what comes from within.  That they actually become more of who you are, the 2.0 upgraded version.  If you love the word of God they will, if you praise the Lord they will, if you love clothes (probably applies more to girls:) she will also.  I call Juliana my little fashionista now because her love for style has grown from wanting to put doll outfits together to actually taking a couture class in school and making a beautiful skirt that I would love to wear.  What is important to you becomes important to them, even things that are left unsaid.  The process of osmosis in some things really does happen with children in some areas.  My daughters and her cousin Max have a goal  to take a trip around the world when they are in their twenties, and for the most part I believe it will happen.  If you are happy and content, they will be also, you transmit something to them, simply by being with them, and a lot of it is unspoken.  They know when you are sad, when your hurt, when you are happy or want to laugh at something but not to tell them what it is, what Peter and John said to the blind man at the temple those words hold so true- such as I have I give.  I can’t really teach my daughter a love for cooking, when people ask me if I like to cook, for the most part I respond with the answer well Tony likes to eat:)  I find what I esteem and hold as important and valuable , they are starting to do the same thing and especially my daughter, Juliana. She loves having fun, animals, funny things etc Jonathan loves music, all kinds of music,  its happening.  One of Juliana’s favorite things is to sit down and ask me all sorts of questions about the end times, the rapture of the church ,the second coming of Jesus , the antichrist etc....  At first I thought is she just trying to please me?  but it has happened enough to where I realize that this is actually something she is very curious about.  I use to look around at other mom’s and really feel like I did not measure up ( I guess that's why God's word says when you compare yourselves among yourselves your not wise) but I did want to give them the best that I could give them.  There are so many things I have never done in terms of being a home maker, I have never made a pie much less anything with pumpkin in it, as I was looking at all the delicious recipes on this site it dawned on me, I don’t for the most part even eat pumpkin pie but I know Tony loves it, and someone actually gave me a pumpkin this year so I thought I would at least try a friend’s recipe for pumpkin bars but unfortunately the pumpkin puree sat in my refrigerator too long and came to an unhappy demise.  But on the other hand my son Jonathan’s favorite food is Japanese and Juliana loves Brazilian food and will actually turn on channels in Portuguese just to listen to Portuguese.  I don’t really have many traditions for any holidays, Tony is presently in America  until December, he is the pumpkin pie guy, but as I am navigating through this journey of motherhood I really believe God entrusts each child to the parent that He knows they need. So I decided that as for the day that we actually set apart to give thanks, known as thanksgiving we will watch a movie or a play about pilgrims who came to what was  then known as the new world in search of religious freedom, and that this will be something that may be we can do throughout the years- love the story of Squanto, how he helped the pilgrims survive and learn to plant and to hunt, and that those pilgrims that actually survived the first winter, instead of sadness for those who were lost,  set 3 days apart for giving thanks that God had brought them to the new world and for the bounty that he blessed them with. So while I will not be getting any awards from Betty Crocker, I am thankful for what I have and what I can give, and for the opportunity to impart into these two  precious eternal beings such as I have, and in the wise words of Madame Blueberry (veggietales star:)  We have sung the thankfulness song many many times to stay complaining and murmuring and any other downer attitude, a thankful heart really is a happy heart  here are the words to the chorus: Because a thankful heart is a happy heart! I'm glad for what I have, That's an easy way to start! For the love that He shares, 'Cuz He listens to my prayers, That's why I give thanks everyday! 
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11/23/12

Turkey Pumpkin Chili


There is nothing quite like the warm aroma of chili simmering in the crock pot all day the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Especially when the ingredients calls for left over turkey and pumpkin.  If you don't have pumpkins, butternut squash or sweet potatoes will do.  I'll be honest, this was a new creation this year and my dinner guests were skeptics.  But the melody of mmm's and yummmm's was proof enough to me that it was love at first bite.  

Ingredients:
1 Large can of diced tomatoes                                               2-3 tbsp of chili powder
1 large box of vegetable broth (or chicken broth)          2 tbsp cumin
1+ cup of leftover turkey, pulled                                             2 tsp of coriander
1 small pumpkin, diced                                                              2 tsp of oregano
1 zuchini, diced (optional)                                                        salt to taste (1-2 tsp) 
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)                                    1/2 tsp of cinnamon
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped                                          2-4 tbsp flour                                                                 1/2 cup onion, chopped                                                            optional toppings:  avocado, cilantro, 
2 cups of cooked lentils                                                            spring onions, sour cream, cheese
1 can of black beans
1 can of green chilies

In a crock or large pot add all ingredients together, leaving out the turkey and flour.  If you choose to simmer all the ingredients together in a crock pot, give yourself 5-6 hours, or boil the pumpkin until it is slightly tender.  Within the last hour, add the turkey.  Whisk flour in 1 cup of warm water until dissolved and add to the chili before serving.  On a stove top, add ingredients together and simmer for 1 hour and add the turkey and whisked flour at the end of the cooking process.  You can also serve it over rice, quinoa, corn bread or tortilla chips.    
                                                                                                                            


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11/12/12

The Infinite Pumpkin: What to Make with Pumpkin Puree

    I absolutely love everything about Fall it's my favorite season!  One of the things that I love most about fall, besides the fact that summer is gone, is PUMPKIN.  Pumpkin anything and everything! It's become a family tradition of ours to take Ezekiel to the pumpkin patch and pick out our pumpkin for the season.   Most people like to carve pumpkins and sit them outside with a candle, I like to cut up my pumpkin and make Pumpkin Pureé!


PUMPKIN PUREÉ

 
  Making Pumpkin Pureé is as easy as carving a pumpkin!   First you pick your pumpkin, some may prefer the smaller "Pie Pumpkins" but you honestly can use any pumpkin.  Remove the seeds and guts. Cut up your pumpkin into several pieces.  Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 50 minutes on 350*F.  Now is the time to remove the skin from the pumpkin.  I use a spoon and scoop the pumpkin off of the skin.  At this point if your pumpkin is soft enough to mash go ahead and mash pumpkin in a bowl.  If your pumpkin needs a little more time put it in a crock pot and cook on low for and hour or two.  I add a little bit of water if the pumpkin is dry.


You can make many variations by adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg when you are cooking the pumpkin but I usually leave mine plain because I never know what I am going to make with it and you can always add later.
Now your pumpkin is ready to Pureé!  You can use a blender or appliance of your choice.  I use a magic bullet.   I like to put my pureé in freezer bags in 2 cup quantities.  Simply for the fact that a lot of recipes use 2 cups of pumpkin pureé.





Pumpkin Pureé Recipes 

The Choices are endless just type in pumpkin recipes in Pinterest and it goes crazy!  Here are a few of my favorite.  Several I have made, a few are my friend's recipes, and some I am so looking forward to trying this year.



Pumpkin Hummus

1 1/2 c chick peas                              Directions:  Pureé all together and enjoy!
1/3 c pumpkin 
3 T   EVOO
3 T  Tahini
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/4 c water
salt and lemon to taste



Baby Food

Baby Food

     Last Fall when my son was just starting out on baby food I decided to try making my own baby food! I had so much fun and we saved so much money not having to by gerber.  
    All you need to do is put the pureé in ice cube trays and place in the freezer.  Once they are frozen store in freezer bags!   To prepare for baby's meal I would place the about I was feeding that day in the refrigerator early in the morning to thaw.  Mix with a little cinnamon and Ezekiel absolutely loved it!







Pumpkin Roll

     I usually end up making a few of these every year!  My husband begs for them!


3 eggs, beaten
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2/3 cup self-rising flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter or grease one 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and lemon juice.
  3. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Add to wet ingredients and mix well. Spread into pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool enough to handle.
  4. Remove cake from pan and place on tea towel (cotton, not terry cloth). Roll up the cake by rolling a towel inside cake and place seam side down to cool.
  5. Prepare the frosting by blending together the sugar, butter, cream cheese and vanilla.
  6. Before completely cool, unroll cake and spread with cream cheese filling and roll up again without towel. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and slice into 8 to 10 servings.



Pumpkin Pie

     I have to admit that last Thanksgiving was the first time I have made a pumpkin pie!  I used the Libby's pumpkin pie recipe...ya know the one that's on the label (except I used my pumpkin pureé) and it was no joke the best pumpkin pie I've tried.  So I am sharing Libby's recipe with you all!

 * Substitute 15 oz (approx 2 cups) pumpkin pureé for the can of Libby's Pumpkin.






3/4 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)



MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.POUR into pie shell.
BAKE in preheated 425°F. oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.




Pumpkin Spice Coffee/ Frappe

This one is a favorite and the best part about it is that it is SKINNY!  I have to give Peanut Butter & Peppers the credit and apparently her recipe is blowing up on Pinterest.

1 1/2 cups coffee, frozen, partially thawed
2 Tbsp. pumpkin, canned
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. pumpkin spice, ground
1 tsp. stevia
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk From a carton, not canned
2 tbsp. whip cream, fat free
1 dash cinnamon, ground

In a blender add coffee, pumpkin, vanilla, pumpkin spice, stevia and coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with whip cream and sprinkle of cinnamon.



Pumpkin Soup

     This Yummy recipe came from my friend Sharee Schock and it is delicious!


6 Cups Chicken Stock
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 cups pumpkin pureé
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1 C chopped onion
1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
5 whole black peppercorns

Directions:

1. Heat Stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic and peppercorns.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.

2. Pureé the soup in small batches (1 cup at a time) using a food processor or blender.

3. Return to pan, and bring to a boil again.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered.  Stir in heavy cream.  Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

You can add ground ginger and a little ground curry to taste.  Serve with buttered French Bread!  





Pumpkin Bread

Brooke Glass' Cranberry Pumpkin Bread
Dawn White's Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread



Pumpkin Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1/2 cup apple butter
1 cup chopped walnuts



  1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
  2. Stir the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1 egg and allow it to blend into the mixture before adding the other along with the vanilla. Add the pumpkin and apple butter; continue beating. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the walnuts, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Drop spoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, about 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.






Pumpkin Pie Cake



                                                            Mimi's Pumpkin Pie Cake








Pumpkin Whoopie Pies




2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3/4 cup shortening



  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
  2. Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin and eggs, beating well. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Mix well.
  3. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool then make sandwiches from two cookies filled with Whoopie Pie Filling.
  4. To Make Whoopie Pie Filling: Beat egg white and mix with the milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar. Mix well then beat in the shortening and the remaining cup of confectioners' sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.

*Recipe from All Recipes.com






Pumpkin Spice Fudge












Maple Pumpkin Rolls



This recipe came from Lauren at LaurensLatest.com.  Absolutely Amazing!!!!!



Ingredients:
for the dough– 
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup melted butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
 5-6 cups all purpose flour
for the filling–                                                            for the glaze–
2 tablespoons butter, melted                                      2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup                                                  1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup packed brown sugar                                     3/4 teaspoon maple extract
2 tablespoons cinnamon                                            3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
In large bowl, sprinkle yeast and 1/4 teaspoon sugar over warm water. Stir and proof 5-10 minutes. After yeast has foamed, stir in milk, butter, sugar, salt, pumpkin puree, and half the flour. Stir in flour by 1/2 cup increments. When you can no longer stir, remove dough to board and knead in remaining flour or until dough is similar to bread dough, slightly sticky but won’t stick to your hands. (For me, it took me about 5 minutes of kneading and I used 5 1/2 cups flour.) Lightly grease dough ball and place into a clean bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free area in your kitchen. Let dough rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
While waiting for dough to rise, grease 1-9×13 pan and 1 pie plate or 8×8 square dish. In a small bowl, stir maple syrup and butter together.
Punch down dough and remove to a clean, lightly greased board. Roll dough out to be 24×12 inch rectangle (approximately). Pour butter and maple syrup mixture over rolled dough and spread out to moisten entire surface. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg over top dough and press down lightly. Roll dough up lengthwise to be a long, skinny log. Pinch edges of dough together. Using a sharp knife, cut entire log in half (to get 2). Cut those halves in half again (to get 4). Cut those halves in half again (to get 8 ) and then again (to get 16). Place rolls in prepared pans. (12 rolls in the 9×13, 4 in the other.) If some of the filling oozes out onto your board while cutting, scrape it off and place on top of the rolls to bake (we don’t want to loose any filling!). Cover rolls to rise again for 1 hour or until they have almost doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until top of rolls are golden brown. (Check them after 18 minutes just to be sure you don’t over bake).
While rolls are baking, whip powdered sugar, vanilla, maple extract, and milk together until smooth. Drizzle over hot rolls and serve warm.




Pumpkin Cheesecake




Perfectly Pumpkin Cheesecake

                                       






Pumpkin Pancakes



Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves.
In a separate bowl, stir together milk, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and egg; fold mixture into dry ingredients.
Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat; pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side; serve with butter, walnuts, and syrup.








Pumpkin Donuts



     Last and certainly not least, I stumbled upon this yummy recipe at Mennonite Girls Can Cook and it is a must try recipe!


2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp softened butter
I cup pumpkin pureé 
1 tbsp lemon juice
4 cups white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup evaporated milk
Oil for deep frying

In a mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar and butter. Add pumpkin and lemon juice, mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and add to pumkin mixture alternately with milk.
Cover and put in fridge for 2 hours. Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead 5 or 6 times. I needed extra flour to roll out the dough. Roll to 3/8" thickness and cut with a donut cutter.
In deep fryer or skillet ( I used my wok) heat oil to 375 degrees..I test to see if it's hot enough by putting a 'donut hole' in the oil and if that rises to the top immediately you know the oil is hot enough. Fry donuts, a few at a time until golden, about 3 min, turn once and remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to soak up excess oil.
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Give Thanks


"Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you.  We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing.  Live in peace with each other.  We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.  Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong.  Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.  Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this.  Don't put out the Spirit's fire.  Don't despise what God has revealed.  Instead, test everything.  Hold on to what is good.  Keep away from every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, God's Word Translation).

I've heard a lot of "Thanksgiving" messages, but I must confess that I think this one is the best!  I know Pilgrims had not yet enjoyed a feast with the Indians at the time Paul wrote these words, but they ring true during this season nonetheless.  And honestly, this is an exhortation for Believers all year long—not just during the 3rd or 4th week of November. 

Paul said, "Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this."  It doesn't sound like he's making a suggestion; instead, he said, "...this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (NKJV).  

The God's Word Translation said,
"Whatever happens, give thanks..."  Most other translations say, "In everything give thanks..."  It's interesting, but the word everything really does mean just that.  It means all the time, for whatever or whoever.  It also literally means daily.  I suppose the saying could apply here: Is your cup half full or half empty? 

I'll be the first to admit that it's not easy to be happy everyday about everything that comes your way.  But God didn't say we had to be happy about everything.  He simply said, "...give thanks..." In other words, no matter what comes our way, it is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you and I to be thankful, not necessarily happy.

Another thing to note is when Paul said, "Whatever happens, give thanks..." he used a Greek word here which means to be grateful, to express gratitude, (and I love this one) especially to say grace at a meal.  This is most interesting because we know Paul didn’t have a clue about the American holiday called “Thanksgiving” when he spoke these words to the Thessalonians.  Yet, we find a common thread between Paul's words and the true meaning of this time of year because the Pilgrims often celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their Christian religion.  

Before the feast, which held in 1621 to celebrate their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims often held days of prayer, not feasting, to celebrate and give thanks to God.  Could it be that they were following Paul's instructions to the church? 

I think, most likely, yes.

And why not?  They were devout Christians who had left their homeland to find religious freedom.  They were determined to worship God freely without political influence.  It is reported they declared the day they docked their boats on the shores of America as an annual day of thanksgiving.  As soon as their feet touched the land, they had a Thanksgiving Service to express their gratitude to God.  The Pilgrims had suffered a rough journey on the sea and many more trials still lay ahead of them, but they knew it was most important to stop and give thanks. 

They must have viewed their cup as half-full.

Paul said, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  I heard a teaching on the word "rejoice" one time that I have never forgotten.  It literally means, "Remember Redemption!"  In other words, our redemption is the pardon and forgiveness we received for our sins at salvation, therefore, rejoice means remember this! 

And what a reason to rejoice! 

To "...pray without ceasing..." reminds us to have continual fellowship with God.  Prayer is simply communication with God and communication is the simple act of talking and listening.  So to pray without ceasing isn't hard: you are either doing the talking or you are doing the listening.  

So our instruction is this: "Rejoice [remember redemption] always, pray [talk and listen to God] without ceasing, and whatever happens [see your cup half-full and] give thanks because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this." 

Happy Thanksgiving (today & everyday)!

God bless!
Daphne Delay
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