Saturday, January 2, 2010 - New Blog Home

A New Year!! A new blog for me!!

Please visit me at my new blog home:

www.thepotters-hands.blogspot.com

A blessed New Year to all my friends here ~

gloria

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - Once More

                                              Once More

                                          by Margaret Rorke

Once more we hear the angels

And hurry from the hills.

Once more the star is shining,

And wisdom through us thrills.

Once more we've come to Christmas.

The Spirit of it glows

And fills us each with gladness

No other season knows.

Once more we find the manger

And kneel within our souls

To ask the infant's blessing

Upon our earthly roles.

Once more our love we offer

To Him asleep on hay

And find as we are leaving,

We take more love away.

Friday, December 18, 2009 - Wait, Trust & Rest .....

                                 " Blessed is the one who waits . "  ~ Daniel 12:12

   There are times of indecision and confusion, when even the most willing person, who eagerly desires to serve the Lord, does not know what direction to take. So what should you do when you find yourself in this situation?  Should you allow yourself to be overcome with despair?  Should you turn back in cowardice or in fear or rush ahead in ignorance?

    No, you should simply wait ------ but wait in prayer.  Call upon God and plead your case before Him, telling Him of your difficulty and reminding Him of His promise to help.

    Wait in faith. Express your unwavering confidence in Him.  And believe that even if He keeps you waiting until midnight, He will come at the right time to fulfill your vision for you.

    Wait in quiet patience. Never complain about what you believe to be the cause of your problems, as the children of Israel did against Moses.  Accept your situation as it is and then simply place it with your whole heart into the hand of your covenant God.  And while removing any self - will say to Him, " Lord, not my will, but yours be done." ( Luke 22:42).   I do not know what to do, and I am in great need. But I will wait until you divide the flood before me or drive back my enemies.  I will wait even if you You keep me here many days, for my heart is fixed on You alone, dear Lord.  And my spirit will wait for You with full confidence that You will still be my joy and my salvation,  "for you have been my refuge, and strong tower against the foe". ( Ps. 61:3)

                                   __________________________________

Wait patiently, wait,

God never is late,

Your budding plans are in Your Father's holding,

And only wait His grand divine unfolding,

Then wait, wait,

Patiently wait.

Trust hopefully, trust,

That God will adjust,

Your tangled life, and from it's dark concealings,

Will bring His will , in all it's bright revealings,

Then trust, trust ,

Hopefully trust,

Rest, peacefully rest,

On your Savior's breast;

Breathe in His ear your sacred high ambition,

And He will bring it forth in blest fruition.

Then rest, rest,

Peacefully, rest!

                                           ~~ Mercy A. Gladwin ~~

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Committing your ways to the Lord

                                " Commit your way to the Lord".  Psalm 37:5

"Talk to God about whatever may be pressuring you and then commit the entire matter into His hands.  Do this so that you will be free from the confusion, conflicts, and cares that fill the world today. In fact, anytime you are preparing to do something, undergoing some trial, or simply persuing your normal business, tell the Father about it.  Aquaint Him with it, yes even burden Him with it, and you will have put the concerns and cares of the matter behind you.  From that point foward, exercise quiet, sweet dillegence in your work, recognizing your dependence on Him to carry the matter for you. Commit your cares and yourself with them, as one burden to your God. "   ~~ R. Leighton

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Homemade hot cocoa for a crowd!

           With cold weather upon us, I am always looking for ways to keep my family warm. Since it's always  a "crowd" with 10 children, I make this fantastic homemade hot cocoa recipe often. The "secret" to this yummy beverage is to only use  the *hershey's* brand of cocoa. The no-name brands just don't do.  After you have had this homemade recipe, you can not go back to packaged instant brands.  Enjoy!

                                      Hot Cocoa for a crowd

1   1/2 cup granulated sugar

1   1/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 hot water

1 gallon milk

1 TBS vanilla extract

              _____________________________

Combine sugar, cocao , and salt in  pot.  Add hot water and bring to a boil. Slowly pour in milk and stir until heated thru.   When heated stir in vanilla and serve hot.

YIELDS: 20 servings

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - Holiday Beverages: Peppermint Pattie Cappuccino

             For those of us who love mint, chocolate & coffee! This super easy beverage is wonderfully good and so easy to prepare.  Just take a small peppermint pattie and place in the bottom of a coffee mug. Add a few TBS of milk. Place in micro and heat about 30 sec. until peppermint pattie is melted. Stir the pattie and milk together until blended, and then add some hot coffee. Stir and serve! ( you may wish to add a pinch of sugar).    You can add a dallop of whipped cream on top for added festive flavor. :)

  Enjoy,

gloria

Saturday, December 12, 2009 - Christmas Baking

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking. I especially enjoy baking with my daughters. The three oldest girls, are learning all the "tricks & trade" of being a good baker. :) The younger 2 girls enjoy stirring and of course licking mama's spoon. :) 

 Like many of you, there are certain recipes I take out only at this special time of year. One of our favorite traditions in baking is making homemade gingerbread men.  This is our all time favorite recipe. This cookie is not too crisp or hard, but firm enough to decorate after they have cooled. :)

        When they are done cooling, each child is given their own "gingerbread man or woman" to decorate and then eat. :)  The children so enjoy this tradition, and it's fun to do too!

                                                                 Molasses Cutouts

2/3 cup shortening

1  1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 TBS buttermilk

2 TBS molasses

3  1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

Icing to your liking

                                 ______________________________

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening & sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat buttermilk & molasses. Combine dry ingredients, gradually add to the creamed mixture, and mix well. Chill several hours. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough. Cut out with desired cookie cutters.  Bake 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven. 8-10 min until lightly browned at edges. Remove & cool. Decorate as desired.

YIELD: 2 dozen

Happy Baking ~~

gloria

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - Easy, easy Holiday eggnog

Like many of you, I so enjoy the wonderful "smells & tastes" of Christmas.........

One of my holiday baking traditions includes making homemade Holiday Eggnog.  My family absolutely loves it and it's a big hit around here! I have been using this recipe for years, and it is a super easy, no-raw egg wonderful tasting recipe! 

                                       Gloria's Holiday Eggnog

5 cups whole milk

1    3 oz pkg, vanilla instant pudding mix

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp  real vanilla( not imitation)

1 tsp rum or rum flavoring

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

                        _______________________________

In a jug/pitcher add pudding mix to 1 cup of milk.  Blend well with wire wisk.  Place in fridge to chill and set. When pudding is set, add the other ingredients and mix well. Chill a few hours to set and thicken. You may wish to add or decrease the milk depending how "thick" you wish the eggnog to be.  Keep refrigerated. Top with whipped cream & a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Yields: 6 small  servings

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - What to do with leftover rice?

               Have you ever wondered what to do with rice you have leftover from a meal? In our home, I usually take that rice and make some delicious rice pudding!!  My children love it and it's so easy to make! I have some sitting in the oven right now. :)  Just butter a glass pan, and stick your rice in it. Add milk, a couple eggs, sugar, some cinnamon, vanilla, and pinch of nutmeg.  Cook in a preheated oven at 325 degrees or so for one hour or until creamy, but not overcooked and dry.  I cover mine with foil so it doesn't dry out.  Serve warm with some cream ~~ and oh my! So delicious especially on a cold winter's night.   I usually use brown rice, and it works just as well.

Enjoy ~

gloria

Friday, December 4, 2009 - Where does your crown lie?

 " Are you willing to compete for God's best , with the knowledge that the best things are always achieved by the most difficult paths?  We must endure steep mountains, dense forests, and the enemy's chariot's of iron, since harship is the price of victor's coronation. Arches of triumph are made not  of rose blossoms and strands of silk but of hard blows and bloody scars. The very hardships you are enduring in yoru life today have been given to you by the Master, for the express purpose of enabling you to win your crown.

   Therefore do not look ahead to your tomorrows for some ideal situation, exotic difficulty, or faraway emergency in which to shine. Rise today to face the circumstances in which the providence of God has placed you. Your crown of glory is hidden in the heart of these things -- the hardships and trials pressing in on you this very hour, week and month of your life. Yet the most difficult things are not those seen and known by the world, but those deep within your soul, unseen and unknown by anyone except Jesus.  It is in this secret place that you expierence a little trial that you would never dare mention to anyone else and that is more difficult for you to bear than martyrdom.

   Beloved, your crown lies there! May God help you to overcome and to wear it. "

                  ~~ L.B. Cowman ~~

Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Trials

Sunday, November 22, 2009 - God's Scythes

" In  human life, we try to take a brave stand before the scythe of pain, the shears of dissapointment, or the sickle of death.  And just as there is no way to cultivate a lawn like velvet without repeated mowings, there is no way to develop a life of balance, tenderness and sympathy for others without eduring the work of God's scythes.  

   Think how of often the Word of God compares people to grass, and God's glory to its flower.  But when the grass is cut, when all the tender blades are bleeding, and when desolation seems to reign where flowers once were bloomin, the perfect time has come for God's rain to fall as delicate showers so soft and warm.

  Dear soul, God has been mowing you!  Time and again the King has come to you with His sharp scythe.  But do not dread His scythe -- for it is sure to be followed by His shower.  "

    ~~  F.B. Meyer ~~

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Holiday Film Review

                We recently viewed this movie..... it was a wonderful movie,  loosely based on Louisa May Alcott's book: An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving.  We love Hallmark movies, and this one was no exception!

    I highly recommend it! It is a wonderful Family film!!!

gloria

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Thanksgiving Menu

    I have been working on my Thanksgiving Menu.  Yesterday I picked out a 22 lb turkey. I had hoped to pick up a turkey at Walmart during their sale, ( .40 a lb!) but sadly they sold out and were not offering rain checks..... so I had to settle for .89 a lb and a 22 lb turkey.......

             My oven broked down last week.... and boy I never realized how very dependent I am on ovens!!! My goodness!  I have the Sear's repair man scheduled for repair service this coming Monday. I sure hope that it's nothing major!  Meanwhile, we have been cooking all our meals on the range top that works just fine.  Here's our Thanksgiving Menu plan so far:

                                                 Thanksgiving Menu

                               Pear & Greens Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

                                Sweet Potatoe & Pecan Casserole

                                           Cornbread Stuffing

                            Steamed baby Red Potatoes with herbs

                                          Turkey  & gravy

                                            Orange Rolls

                                     Pumpkin & Pecan Pies

                                            Cheesecake

Wow! That sounds delicious! My mouth is watering just thinking about it all!  The girls and I are looking foward to many hours in the kitchen and working together on this special meal.  Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday of the year ~~ I just love it!   I hope each one of you enjoy this special time of year when we gather together with our loved ones and count  your blessings!

gloria

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - The Lord is my Sheperd

The Lord is my sheperd, I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green pastures.

He leads me to calm water.

He give me new strength.

He leads me on paths that are right. for the good of His name.

Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid.

Because you are with me.

Your rod and your Sheperd's staff comfort me.

You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies.

You pour oil of blessing on my head.

You will fill my cup to overflowing.

Surely goodness and love will be with me,

all my life and I will live in the house of  the Lord forever.

~~ Psalm 23 ~~

Monday, November 9, 2009 - Pumpkin Cornbread

I shared this recipe last fall, but some friends asked for the recipe, and rather than have them "dig" thru my blog I am re-posting the recipe below. :) This is a fabulous corbread, wonderful served with honey butter!

                          Pumpkin Cornbread

1/2 cup white all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 TBS baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 cup cornmeal

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

2/3 cup brown sugar

14 cup oil

1 TBS molasses

 ______________________________

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Generously grease 10 inch square baking dish

3. Combine dry ingredients and set aside

4. Beat eggs,whisk in pumpkin, sugar, oil & molasses.

5. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add pumpkin mix and blend just enough , do not overmix.

6. Bake for 25 min or so until cooked thru.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - Pumpkin Bread

 Honestly, the past month I have spent so much time & energy taking care of sick kids and sick me, that I have really missed the wonderful fall baking I usually enjoy this time of year! Today I decided to do something about that!  I pulled out my recipe for Pumpkin bread and made 2 wonderful loaves. This is a tried & true recipe, and it fantastic!  In the past I have made mini loaves and wrapped them and delivered them to neighbors and friends for Thanksgiving. It seems like Thanksgiving get's missed ..... or shall I say "forgotten".....it falls between Halloween & Christmas and most times gets all but overlooked.  That makes me sad, as Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday of the Year!  So, I am hoping to be in good enough health , God willing, this Thanksgiving to make these loaves and share them with others.

  This bread is  fantastic made a day in advance. The flavors have had a chance to mellow and blend. Spread with cream cheese frosting is another yummy addition to this tasty bread!  The *secret* to this bread is the1 tsp of ground cloves that gives it the spicey flavor ( it blends so well with the pumpkin!).

                                 Pumpkin Bread

2   2/3 cups sugar

2/3 cup shortening

1 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1 can ( 16 oz) pumpkin

2/3 cup water

3  1/3 cup flour

2 tsp baking soda

1   1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

*optional: 2/3 cup chopped nuts, 2/3 cup raisins*

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottoms of 2 loaf pans

2. Mix sugar, shortening until blended. Then add eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and water.

3. Blend in dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and raisins.

4. Bake 1 hour and ten minutes or until cooked thru

5. Cool 5 min and then remove from pans.

6.   Cool completely before slicing.

YIELDS: 2 loaves

Monday, November 2, 2009 - Prayers please

Friends,

Our family has been struggling with illness the past 3 weeks. Some days worse than others. I am concerned about my youngest child, Naomi. She is 5 yrs old, and just up and down with illness. Please, if you have a moment, pray for healing for her. I  hate to see my kids lethargic and not themselves, especially when they are young.

Thank you so much!

gloria

update: Thanks to all you who prayed for my naomi! I took her in to the Dr. today and she had double ear infections! Poor baby! She didn't complain one bit about it. She is on antibiotics and she be well in a few days. Thanks again for all your love and prayers.

Sunday, November 1, 2009 - Thought for today

Monday, October 19, 2009 - Swamped!

Dear Friends,

I have been remiss in updating my blog. My apologies. We didn't have internet for a bit, and then my computer crashed, and well then we have been hit with some unexpected challenges, and well life is kind of sort of busy..... with 10 children!

In any case, I do hope to get back into the swing of things soon here.

I hope all my bloggy friends are doing well & enjoying the beauties of the Fall season.

God bless & keep you ~

gloria