SEASON TWO: WEEK THREE

**IMPORTANT NOTICE** We will take a break over the next two Sundays due to scheduling conflicts. Next 'Tis So Sweet meeting will be on October 13th.

Week three was pretty awesome! We had a couple of new people (which is always great), of course we had delicious food (as usual), we had lots of fun girl talk, and we shared words of encouragement with each other. Check it out!

Bottom row (L to R): Laura, Holly, Jennifer, Brandi, Lauren

Top row: Jaimie, Alison, Meghan, Lindsey, April, Belinda & Caroline

Alison, Meghan, Jaimie & Holly hanging out!

Lindsey, Laura & Jennifer being pretty :)

More lovely ladies!!

Brandi, April, Belinda, Caroline & Lauren

Look at all that deliciousness!
Side note: I'm pretty sure that's not a word, but we'll go with it :)

That's right...more deliciousness

Time to DIG IN!

Brandi showing off her plate!

Hold your taste buds...the recipes are coming. First, I want to take a minute to talk about our discussion this week. This particular passage from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young was a tough pill to swallow given some of the current situations going on in some of our lives (both spoken and unspoken). Here are some excerpts from the passage:

"Trust me and refuse to worry, for I am your Strength and Song. Keep bringing your mind back to the present moment. If you use your magnificent mind to worry about tomorrow, you cloak yourself in dark unbelief. However, when the hope of heaven fills your thoughts, the Light of My Presence envelops you."

Don't worry about the future? Are you kidding me? How can we not worry about our future? That's what is honestly running through many of our minds as we read this. But let us not forget that our Lord - who knows unfathomably more about us than we know about ourselves - commands us not to worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). So who are we to second guess the One who created us? Who are we to say, "God, I'm not so sure that you're right on this one. Do you not see what I'm going through here?" Sometimes that (unconsciously and ashamedly) is the attitude in my heart based upon my actions and thoughts. But what I really need to remind myself is that I am His and His alone. This world is finite. And as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus, I can make it through the toughest of trials, only to faithfully look back and say "He walked right beside me the whole way through." And in the very end, always, we win. Because in the end, we will be made whole and walk with Him for eternity.

Friends, whatever trial you may be facing today, this will be part of your testimony! Isn't that exciting?!? I think of the book of James which reminds us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." So as we all face the trials and tribulations that are stirring and looming in our lives let us remember to "...take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Don't let your mind talk yourself out of staying 100% faithful. Stay strong in the faith that you know is there in your heart. Do not give in to the temptation to "give up" on God. Leave your trials and worries in the future where they belong and come home to the present, where you will find Christ waiting for you. Waiting to hold your hand and walk with you through it all.

And now, it's time for....the RECIPES OF THE WEEK!!

SLICED BAKED POTATOES

Contributed by: Laura McInish

Measurements according to taste:

Idaho potatoes

Butter

Bacon

Shredded cheddar cheese

Green onion (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 400F (can also do in microwave for 6 plus minutes). Slice potatoes into chunks. Brush both sides of potato slices with butter and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in oven on 400F for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once. When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, green onion. Continue baking until cheese has melted. Serve with sour cream, if desired, and enjoy!

SPICY CHICKEN PINWHEELS

Contributed by: Holly Glover

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 packet dry spicy ranch mix
1 pkg budding ham
1 pkg flour tortillas

Finely chop the ham and mix together with cream cheese and spicy ranch. Spread onto flour tortillas, roll up, cut into slices to make pinwheels, and enjoy!

MAC N' CHEESE

Contributed by: Jennifer Morris

1 - 24 oz package macaroni
5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 tbsp butter, melted
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste

(NOTE: This serves approx. 8-10 people. Adjust accordingly.) Preheat oven to 350F. In a large pot of salted water, boil macaroni until cooked and drain. In a large, greased baking dish, pour half of macaroni noodles in, then stir in 1 cup milk to make it creamy, salt and pepper to taste, and top with a layer of 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, and 4 oz (1/2 block) cream cheese (cubes are fine). Pour in the remaining macaroni, pour remainder of milk in, along with salt and pepper to taste (optional) and stir lightly until milk mixes in. Then top it off with another layer of the remaining shredded cheese and cream cheese. Whisk the two eggs together in a small bowl and pour over the top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until top is brown.

PUMPKIN FLUFF

Contributed by: Brandi Thomason

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

1 can pumpkin

1 container Cool Whip

1 tsp to 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Cinnamon graham crackers or apples for dipping

Mix dry pudding mix, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice together. Fold into Cool Whip (NOTE: if you stir too rough, it goes flat...so be gentle!). Let chill and serve. NOTE: Can also be put in between graham crackers and put into freezer for ice cream sandwiches.

CREAM CHEESE & PEPPER JELLY SPREAD (A Southern favorite)

Contributed by: Lauren Billings

3/4 cups chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped hot green pepper such as jalapeno or serrano
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
6 cups sugar
4 oz pectin (recommended: Certo)
4 drops green food coloring
Special equipment: 6 - 1/2 pint canning jars with lids
1 block cream cheese

Ritz crackers

Process bell pepper and hot pepper in a food processor until finely minced. Combine pepper mixture, vinegar, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add pectin and food coloring. Pour into sterilized jars and seal (to seal: boil the lids, place on top of jars, and screw on the ring). Place block of cream cheese on a serving dish and pour pepper jelly on top. Serve with Ritz crackers and enjoy!

PARTY BUGLES

Contributed by: Jaimie Burch

1 bag Original flavor Bugles

Peanut butter

Baker's melting chocolate

Use a knife to stuff the Bugles individually with peanut butter then dip into the melted chocolate. Place on wax paper to harden and enjoy!

CRAB & CREAM CHEESE CRESCENT ROLLS

Contributed by: Alison Smith

1 - 8 oz tube crescent roll dough

3 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3/4 cup cooked crab meat, chopped

2 green onions, chopped

1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375F. Unroll crescent roll onto greased cookie sheet. Pinch seams to seal and roll with a rolling pin to create an even rectangle. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows to make 24 squares. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo, crab meat, onion, and red pepper. Salt and pepper to taste. Divide crab mixture evenly among the squares, dropping it by spoonfuls that are 1/2 inch from 1 corner of each square. Starting with same corner, fold dough over filling, and tuck end tightly underneath filling; continue rolling to within 1/2 inch of opposite corner. Roll opposite corner of dough over roll; press to seal. Place on cookie sheet. Brush with egg white, if desired. Bake 10 to 15 mins or until golden brown on 375F. Remove from cookie sheet and serve warm.


STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE BREAD
Contributed by: Meghan Handley

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups strawberries, rinsed, dried, and chopped

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9/5 in. loaf pan. With an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend flour mixture with butter mixture just until blended. Add buttermilk and only stir until just combined; do not over mix. Carefully fold in strawberries. Dough mixture will be thick. Bake in a 350F oven for 50-60 minutes. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before removing from pan.


CRACK POTATOES
Contributed by: Lindsey Humphries

2 - 16 oz containers sour cream (recommended: 1 light and 1 fat free)
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 - 3 oz bags real bacon bits
2 pkgs Ranch Dip mix
1 large (28-30 oz) bag frozen hash brown potatoes, shredded

Preheat oven to 400F. Combine first 4 ingredients, mix in hash browns. Spread into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 400F for 45-60 minutes and enjoy!


CRESCENT ROLL TACO BAKE
Contributed by: Belinda Prosser

2 crescent roll tubes
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce
1 or 2 diced tomatoes depending on size
1/2 small can sliced olives, if desired
Sour cream (optional)
Sliced avocado (optional)

Lay out the two tubes of crescent pastry, thick sides in. Use some of the leftover crescent rolls to make the center a bit thicker. Brown beef and add taco seasoning. Lay beef in a circle inside of the laid out crescent rolls. Add cheese to the top. Pull over crescent rolls and tuck in under meat and cheese. Add cheese, lettuce, tomato, black olives, sour cream or whatever you desire for tacos, in the middle.


GRAPE SALAD
Contributed by: Caroline Cockrell

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 lbs green grapes, seedless
2 lbs purple grapes, seedless
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp chopped pecans

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.


COUNTRY FRIED STEAK AND GRAVY
Contributed by: Mallory Bradley

Cubed steak (about 5 patties)
Approx. 2 cups vegetable oil
Flour
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Montreal steak seasoning
Crystal hot sauce
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 - 2.75 oz pkg Southeastern Mills Old Fashioned Peppered Gravy Mix

In a baking dish, create your flour mixture by blending flour, garlic powder, salt & pepper, and montreal steak seasoning based on your taste (it should be primarily flour, but you should also see a pretty good amount of the thick pepper in the montreal seasoning). In a separate bowl, mix the egg, milk, and about 4-5 good shakes of the Crystal hot sauce. Mix well so that the egg is completely blended. Pour the vegetable oil into a large, deep skillet and heat to about 6 (med to med high) on the stove top such that the oil is almost to a boil. Set up your dipping station with you flour mixture and egg mixture. With each cubed steak, dip into flour mixture on each side and cover well, then dip into egg mixture, and then again into the flour, covering well each time. Place each covered cubed steak into the hot frying pan carefully and cook approx. 4-5 mins on each side until golden brown and crispy. Meanwhile, make gravy according to package directions and serve warm with hot gravy.

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I leave you tonight with two things:

1. A picture of my sweet Buddy. He's getting really excited about spending the long weekend with his cousin Abbey Road while we are at the beach!

2. The Word of God

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and your promises. Thank you that no matter what trials we face on this Earth, we can hold on tight to you knowing that you will never, ever, leave our side. Thank you for the sacrifice that was made by your Son so that we can also hold on tight to the fact that no matter what battles we may have to fight on this side of eternity, it is just a quick second in time compared to the eternity that we, as believers, will spend worshiping you in Heaven. Let us continue throughout the next couple of weeks holding on to your promises and keeping you on the forefront of our minds. In your name, Amen.

SEASON TWO: WEEK TWO

We had another great week with our 'Tis So Sweet group. I quickly figured out that I am definitely going to need to kick it up a notch with my personal recipes. We had some serious cooking going on. Everything was SO delicious!!

Look at all these beautiful ladies!

Left to right (bottom row): Meghan, Sharon, Jennifer, Mallory

Top row: Belinda (holding Owen, but he's hiding), Katie, Lindsey, Holly, Alison, Marian & Caroline

Since you couldn't see Owen Bear in the first picture, here he is front and center!!!

L to R: Alison, Holly, Katie & Owen, Lindsey, and Belinda

More pretty ladies!! Here are Jennifer, Caroline, Holly, Alison, Lindsey & Belinda

Side note: We are very proud of Jennifer for getting baptized this Sunday! She also gets the "Dunked in Freezing Cold Water" and "Make Bruce Say Brrrr" awards of 2013  :)

This is (right to left) me, my mommy, my best friend Meghan, and her mommy from this Sunday...

...And here is a "throwback" from last year in our first season of 'Tis So Sweet!!

Oh yeah, look at all that delicious food!

Yum - I'm getting hungry just looking at it!

Time to DIG IN!!

So this week as we gathered around the living room and sampled all the delicious recipes, I introduced the group to a devotional book I myself was recently introduced to (thanks Lauren & Breezy). It's called Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. She writes each daily devotion from the perspective as if Christ Himself is speaking directly to the reader, which makes for an easy read. Plus she packs a big punch with the words she writes and supports each devotion with scripture passages.

I read aloud my favorite devotion from that particular week which talked about the importance of quietness and trust in Christ and resting in Him. One of my favorite lines says "Spending time alone with Me can be a difficult discipline, because it goes against the activity addiction of this age. You may appear to be doing nothing, but actually you are participating in battles going on within spiritual realms."

One of the supporting scripture passages says "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'" Isaiah 30:15

We also discussed some practical ways that we can spend alone time with the Lord during busy times in our lives. Then we prayed, and of course, went back for some dessert!

Without further adieu...the recipes of the week:

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES

Contributed by: Meghan Handley

1/2 cup milk

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1/4 tbsp butter

3 cups oats

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

Wax paper

Cook milk, sugar, cocoa, and butter in a pot over medium heat until butter is melted. Boil for 1 minute. While stirring, add in oats, peanut butter, & vanilla. Quickly drop spoon fulls onto wax paper and cool until hardened.

JALAPENO POPPER DIP

Contributed by: Sharon Evans

2 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/4 cup chopped green chilies

1/4 cup canned diced jalapeno peppers

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs

Sweet red and yellow pepper pieces and corn chips

Preheat oven to 400F. In a large bowl, beat the first five ingredients until blended; spread into an ungreased 9 in. pie plate. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; top with bread crumbs. Bake at 400F for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with peppers and chips.

BRIE BITES

Contributed by: Mallory Bradley

2 - 15 shell pack of Athens Mini Fillo Shells (found in freezer section)

1 block brie cheese (I bought Publix brand)

Chopped pecans

Brown sugar

Honey

Preheat oven to 350F. Place phyllo shells in a mini cupcake pan (mine holds 24 so I had 6 cups leftover). Cut a cube or slice of brie and place in bottom of each cup. Top with a few chopped pecans. Sprinkle with a pinch of brown sugar. Top with honey and bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melty. Serve warm.

KEY LIME PIE

Contributed by: Belinda Prosser

1 - 9 inch (6 oz) graham cracker crust

1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup (approx. 3 medium limes) fresh lime juice

1 tsp grated lime peel

2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

8 thin lime slices (optional)

Beat sweetened condensed milk and lime juice in small mixer bowl until combined; stir in lime peel. Pour into crust; spread with whipped topping. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Garnish with lime slices.

CROCKPOT HONEY BOURBON CHICKEN

Contributed by: Katie Davis

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 5)

Salt & pepper

1 cup honey

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup diced onion (optional)

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Cornstarch

Sesame seeds

Place chicken thighs in crockpot and sprinkle with salt & pepper on both sides. In a medium size bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil, garlic, onion & red pepper flakes. Stir to combine well & pour over chicken in the crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. When done, remove and cut into chunks. Before putting chicken back in the pot, combine some cornstarch in water and whisk into the crockpot to thicken up the sauce a bit. Throw chicken back in and stir to recoat with the sauce. Serve over a hot bed of white rice (optional) and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.

SAUSAGE SQUARES

Contributed by: Lindsey Humphries

1 lb mild or hot sausage

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese

2 cans crescent rolls

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Cook sausage, drain and mix with cream cheese. Unroll 1 can of crescent rolls and line your baking dish. Layer in the sausage mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and place on top. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until brown. Let cool then cut into squares.

CHEESY CHICKEN RANCH DIP

Contributed by: Holly Glover

2 cans white chicken

1 packet of ranch powder

1 - 16 oz container of light sour cream

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese

Stacy's pita chips

Drain the chicken then mix in the remaining ingredients. Chill in refrigerator before serving. Serve with pita chips.

APPLE DUMPLINGS

Contributed by: Alison Smith

2 whole Granny Smith apples

2 - 8 oz cans crescent rolls

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Cinnamon to taste

1 - 12 oz can Mountain Dew

Preheat 350F. Peel and core apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples. Pour Mtn. Dew around the edges of the plan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350F for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

TACO SLIDERS

Contributed by: Marian Dodson

1/2 onion, grated

1 packet taco seasoning mix

1 1/2 lb ground chuck

12 dinner rolls (sliced for buns)

Mild cheese and salsa sauce

1 tomato & 1 avocado (optional)

Grate onion into medium bowl. Add taco seasoning and ground chuck. Mix to blend. Shape into 12 patties. Grill or pan fry 3-4 minutes on each side. Place sauce on buns, add meat. Top with tomato & avocado if desired.

BACON WRAPPED COCKTAIL WEENIES

Contributed by: Caroline Cockrell

1 pkg cocktail weenies

1 pkg bacon

Brown sugar

Toothpicks

Cut bacon slices into thirds short ways and wrap 1 small piece of the bacon around the weenie. Secure with a toothpick. Place the weenies in the crockpot and pour brown sugar on top so that all you see is the toothpick. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

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Tonight, I leave you with two things:

1. A pic of my sweet Buddy man (he's wagging his tail so fast, it's blurry!)

2. The Word of God

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Lord, thank you for your peace that is given to me and thank you for being a resting place for me in times of trouble. Help me to turn off the distractions of this world and sit quietly in your presence. In this time of quiet, I pray that I receive your presence and that my heart will listen. Amen.

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to Tis So Sweet! We are happy to be starting our second life group season and we had an awesome time at our first meeting. Here are the lovely ladies who joined us!

L to R: Laura, Trent & Lindsey, Belinda, Caroline, Lauren, Rachael, Alison, Brandi, & Steph!

Rachael, Belinda, Laura, Alison, Steph & Brandi talking about...girl stuff!!

Trent and Lindsey joined us for a little while! P.S. Nice photo-bomb Steph ;)

Caroline and Lauren reminiscing about their glory days together in grad school

SIDE NOTE: Caroline and her husband Wes Cockrell just officially joined the Flint Hill family on Sunday! Yay!

Look at all that yummy food!

Delicious!

Just to briefly recap our first week, we spent some time going around and introducing ourselves. Of course we talked about the food we sampled, and talked a little more in depth about Brother Bruce's sermon that morning on the vine and branches from John 15. We prayed together, and then we all caved in and went back for more of Lindsey's cheesecake!!!

I'm really looking forward to the weeks ahead and can't wait to get to know each and every one of you more. Also, I know there were several who could not make it this time and we are looking forward to having you and a few other new members join us next week!

Now I present to you...THE RECIPES OF THE WEEK!!

SEASONED OYSTER CRACKERS
Contributed by: Laura McInish

1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 box (16 oz) oyster crackers
1 packet (1 oz) Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
1/2 tsp lemon pepper or garlic powder (optional)

Place crackers in a gallon-size Ziploc bag. Pour oil over crackers; seal bag and toss to coat. Add dressing mix and spice; seal bag and toss again until coated. Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 250F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.


CHEESECAKE
Contributed by: Lindsey Humphries

CRUST:
1 cup finely ground graham crackers
1 cup finely ground Nilla Wafers
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 stick of butter, melted

FILLING:
1 lb cream cheese, which is 2 - 8 oz blocks, softened
3 eggs
1 cup of sugar
1 pint of sour cream
zest of 2 lemons
1 dash vanilla extract

TO MAKE CRUST: Preheat oven to 325F. In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides on an 8 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Pour the crumbs into the pan and use the bottom of the measuring cup to press them down and 1 inch up the side. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

TO MAKE FILLING: Use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese on low for one minute, until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to beat slowly until well combined. Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy, for 1-2 minutes. Add sour cream, lemon zest and vanilla. Periodically, scrap down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth with a spatula. Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes on 325F. The cheesecake will jiggle and will firm after chilling, so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered for at least 4 hours.
NOTE: Lindsey also brought cherry pie filling for optional topping.

RIBBON SANDWICHES

Contributed by: Caroline Cockrell

1 loaf white bread

1 loaf wheat bread

2 - 8oz bars of cream cheese (softened)

1 medium size can of crushed pineapple (drained)

Approx. 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted)

Mix cream cheese, pineapple, and pecans together (works better in a mixer than doing it by hand) then spread on a piece of white bread. Layer a piece of wheat bread on top then spread more mix and top with white bread. Cut crust off and slice the bread into three sections vertically.

CHEESE LOG WITH APRICOT GLAZE

Contributed by: Lauren Billings

*NOTE: No exact measurements, just use your judgment according to your taste preference

1 - 8oz bag shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garlic powder

Cayenne pepper

Black pepper

Mayonnaise

Apricot preserves

Ritz crackers

In a bowl, mix together cheese, seasonings, and just enough mayonnaise to make it stick together. Form in shape of a log on your serving piece. NOTE: If you have a large party, double it and form in shape of a ring. Refrigerate until time to serve, then top with apricot preserves. Serve with Ritz crackers.

SALISBURY STEAK WITH CARAMELIZED ONION GRAVY

Contributed by: Rachael Nichols

ONION GRAVY:

2 large red onions, thinly sliced

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

3 cups low-sodium beef broth

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp cider vinegar

Salt and pepper

MEAT PATTIES:

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 cup cooked white rice

1 egg yolk

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 clove minced garlic

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

3 tbsp chopped parsley

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tbsp olive oil

TO MAKE GRAVY: Heat butter in a large saute pan. Add onions and cook over medium-high heat, until onions start to brown, stirring occasionally. When onions are slightly softened and turning a deep honey brown, ad 1/4 cup broth. Reduce heat, cover and continue cooking, adding more vroth as needed to prevent caramelized bits at the bottom of the pan from burning. It should take at least 25 to 30 minutes to properly caramelize onions. Stir in flour cook for about 2 minutes. Add wine and reduce by half. Stir in remaining beef broth and tomato paste. Stir in cider venagar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.

TO MAKE PATTIES: Mix ground beef, rice, egg yolk, salt, pepper, garlic, worcestershire sauce, parsley and thyme in a bowl. Shape into 4 oval patties about 3/4-inch thick. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Sear patties about 3 minutes per side, or until a brown crust forms. Pour gravy over patties and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Serve warm with mashed potatoes or noodles.

APPLE DIP & CINNAMON CHIPS

Contributed by: Alison Smith

2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples

2 tbsp fresh lemon/calamansi juice

3 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp water

1 bag Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar pita chips

Can either be cooked on stove-top or microwave. Combine all dip ingredients except cornstarch in a small pan/microwaveable bowl. Heat for a few minutes until it's boiling and has extracted juice from the apple. Add the cornstarch-water mixture to the "sauce". Put back into microwave/stove-top until boiling and sauce has thickened. Serve either warm or chilled with cinnamon-sugar pita chips.

BACON & RANCH CHEESEBALL

Contributed by: Brandi Thomason

2 pkg cream cheese

1 pkg dry ranch dressing

1 container bacon bits

1 box crackers of your choice

Mix cream cheese & ranch. Form into ball (easier if you get your hands wet). Sprinkle bacon bits on wax paper. Roll cheeseball in bacon bits until covered. Chill 1 hour or over night. Serve with crackers.

SAUSAGE & CHEESE DIP

Contributed by: Mallory Bradley

1 lb Jimmy Dean hot sausage

1 - 8 oz block cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

1 can diced green chili peppers

8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Chips or crackers of your choice

Preheat oven to 325F. Brown sausage. Mix all ingredients and bake in oven for 45 minutes. Stir and serve with crackers or chips of choice. I prefer Tostitos bite-size tortilla chips. NOTE: To save time, I often mix everything BUT the sausage and put in the oven, then while the cheese mix is baking and melting, and then throw it in when I'm done. As long as it's cooked, you can put it in the mixture whenever you want.

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I leave you tonight with two things:

1. A picture of my Buddy man and Katelyn (my sweet niece) having fun at the park last weekend

2. The Word of God.

Jesus says in John 15:1-4 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to die for me, a sinner condemned to hell otherwise. Thank you for tending to me in my time of need and "pruning" me throughout my life so that I can draw nearer to you. I pray that you continue to do so that I can bear more fruit for the kingdom according to your will. Let us grow together as a life group so that we can continue to encourage one another to bear fruit and abide in you for your glory. Amen.