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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

WEEK TEN: PEACE

First and foremost, I want to remind everyone to mark your calendars for our Chili Cook-Off! Don't forget to tell your family members so they can mark their calendars as well...

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10th at 6:00
WHERE: RACHAEL'S HOUSE (I WILL SEND OUT DIRECTIONS PERSONALLY)
WHAT TO BRING: CHILI!!!! We currently need 2 more chili contenders for the cook-off and a few more side items. I will be in touch to finalize the sign-up sheet next week.
WHO: YOU AND YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY (SPOUSE, KID(S), SIGNIFICANT OTHER...)

Also, please remember to bring your Operation Christmas Child shoebox to the church in the next couple of weeks. It is suggested to make one shoebox for each member in your family. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

We had a great time this week, and were so happy to have a visitor with us, Laura's best friend Janice!

Left to right: Camdyn, Rachael, Janice, Janet, Sharon, Julie, Caleb, Laura, & Misty

Janice, Caleb being enamored with Misty, & Julie

Pretty ladies! (Sharon & Janet)

A very rare sighting of me holding a baby

Delish!

My mouth is watering...

This week we covered the two chapters in Kelly Minter's The Fitting Room on peace. As an overall reminder, each week we are making our way through the virtues outlined in Colossians 3:12-15 which says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Here are some highlights from our discussion plus some excerpts from the chapters:

• Key words to define peace: completeness, soundness, tranquility, fullness, rest, harmony, and (my favorite) the absence of agitation or discord.
• Jesus Christ is the true, sole source of our peace. Christ is the only way to God and the forgiveness of sin and all our future hope as Christians lie in this truth. There is no peace if there is not first grace, because it is through this grace that we are forgiven and can have a secure relationship with God, and that relationship brings peace to our restless souls.
• Paul writes in Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Since God sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks upon His children, we have peace with Him. Peace with God means we have a restored relationship with Him. Intimacy that is unbroken by sin. When Jesus takes that sin away, peace is given.
• When waves of disruption play havoc with our lives, only God can give us the deep, abiding peace that we need. The problem is, most of the time we're willing to settle for a much weaker version of it. We'll drink the extra glass of wine or spend an hour of fruitless chatter, hashing through our troubles with a friend. But all along, God wants to speak deeply to what is troubling us and desires to give us His peace which "transcends all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).
• It is the Lord who grants us peace, a gift that comes solely from Him. This is vital to understand because often times we think that peace comes in our lives when we're healthy, happy, wealthy, whole, and everyone around us is doing exactly what we need them to. But biblical peace is far more then things falling into place. It's a steadying anchor even in turbulent waters. It has little to do with external circumstances and everything to do with the voice and nearness of God.
• Worldly possessions and thoughts may delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety.
• "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
• Living our lives in accordance with the will and commands of God, as He has outlined for us clearly in Scripture, will bring us true peace. Living without peace is often a direct result of not following the loving commands of God. If we are not following His commands, remember that God is eager to restore peace to our troubled hearts. If you are longing to find inner peace once again, confess your sin to Him and peace will be your reward.

I know that was longer than usual, but you have to remember that it covered two chapters :) 

Now, let's talk about these delicious recipes!!!

NO BAKE COOKIES

Contributed by: Julie Conn

Cook to boil:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

Add while hot:

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 cups instant oats

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped nuts (if desired)

Drop on greased pan until firm.

Approx. 30 mins; Serves 6-8

BACON AND CHEESE APPETIZERS

Contributed by: Laura McInish

2 - 10 oz cans of biscuits

8 oz cream cheese

8 to 10 slices of bacon

2 tbsp milk

3 tbsp onion

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Divide each biscuit into 2 parts and flatten into mini muffin pan. Mix all other ingredients well and place a small amount of mixture on each flattened biscuit. Bake on 350 until biscuit is browned.

Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Contributed by: Mallory Bradley

1 to 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup Frank's hot sauce
1 - 32 oz bag frozen southern-style hash brown potatoes, thawed (I used Publix brand)
1 cup light ranch dressing (or blue cheese if desired)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
A few handfuls of finely crushed corn flakes (you can make the crust as thick or sparse as your prefer)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

In a large bowl, stir together the potatoes, ranch dressing, cheese, soup, salt and pepper; blend well. Spoon into a 9x13 greased baking dish. In the same bowl, stir together chicken pieces and hot sauce to coat. Arrange chicken pieces over potato mixture. Top with corn flakes and butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until the potatoes are tender and chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Broil for 1-2 minutes to make crust crispy.
Approx. 1.5 hrs; Serves 8-10


PEANUT BUTTER PIE
Contributed by: Janet Posey

1 large tub Cool Whip
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
Graham cracker crust

Blend all ingredients together well and pour in graham cracker crust. Refrigerate over night.
Approx. 15 mins; Makes 1 pie


PINWHEELS
Contributed by: Janet Posey

1 - 8 oz cream cheese
1 - 8 oz sour cream
1 small can chopped black olives
1 small can diced green chiles
Flour tortillas

Blend together and spread over flour tortillas. Roll and slice.
Approx. 15 mins; Serves 10-12


PUMPKIN BREAD
Contributed by: Rachael Nichols

2/3 cup shortening              
1 ½ tsp salt
2 2/3 cup sugar
½ tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 can pumpkin(2 cups)
1 tsp cloves
2/3 cup water
2 2/3 cup chopped nuts
3 1/3 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup raisins
2 tsp baking soda

Heat oven to 350. Grease 2 9x5x2” loaf pans. In large bowl cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Stir in eggs, pumpkin, and water. Blend in flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into pans. Bake about 70 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Enjoy!
Approx. 100 mins; Serves 8-10


MINI PIZZAS
Contributed by: Sharon Evans

4 to 5 tortillas
1 jar pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Sliced pepperonis
1 tsp each basil and oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Cut circles out of tortilla with a biscuit/cookie cutter, and press into muffin tin. Mix pizza sauce and spices together and drop spoonful of sauce onto each tortilla circle, sprinkle with mozzarella and add pepperonis or other topping of choice on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight, I leave you with two things:

1. A picture of my Buddy.

2. The word of God. Philippians 4:6 tells us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Lord, I come to you in prayer tonight with sincere humility and awe. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for what you've done for me. I pray that you be with me this week and in the weeks to come and give me the peace that only you are able to provide.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite hymns:

When peace like a river attendeth my way;

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.