But God....

One day hopefully real soon, the Lord will show you who you really are. He will show you that you are a sinful person, that there is nothing we can do to earn God's graces, that we are children of wrath and His wrath abides on us.

BUT GOD....

Two of the most beautiful words in the English language...

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Directions

For the cake:

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

Either 2 ounces red food coloring for deep red color.

or 1 ounce for lighter red, which is what I use.

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Line cupcake pans with 24 liners.

2. In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter.

4. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.

5. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk.

6. Beat in food coloring and vinegar, then add vanilla.

Divide batter evenly in the cupcake pans.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

For the Frosting:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened

1 pound box confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter. Beat in confectioners' sugar until fluffy. About 8 minutes. Beat in vanilla.

Place frosting in a pastry bag or plastic bag with small corner cut out and ice half the cupcakes.

On the other cupcakes take a sharp knife and cut a cone shape out of the center of each cupcake. Take the underside and reserve for crumbs. Fill each cavity with frosting and top with the cap. Dust with powderd sugar. Use the crumbs to top the iced cupcakes.

Place in refridgerator for a few hours before serving.

Daybook Entry

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...is the remains of the 4" snowfall we got a few days ago. There has been just a hint of a promise of sunshine.

I am thinking... about my visit with my grandchildren coming up soon.

I am thankful for... the "Brokenness" Sermon by Dr. Voodie Bachman.

I am wearing... house working cloths although I haven't attempted housework today.

I am remembering... that we have bible study tonight.

I am going... to bible study later this evening.

I am currently reading... Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias

I am hoping... to complete my memory verses for this week.

On my mind... My mothers health.

Noticing that... I can't really pay attention to the radio and write at the same time.

Pondering these words... "Why were we created?"

In the kitchen... is left overs and a simple meal so we don't have a lot to do before we go to bible study.

Around the house... quiet

One of my favorite things ...knitting

To My Granddaughter

The sunshine of your precious smile

could melt the coldest heart.

It brightens up my dreary day

when we are far apart.

The memory of your little hand

holding mine so tight

brings a warm glow to my heart

on a cold and dreary night.

Those little arms that hug my neck will

soon be big and strong; you're growing up

so quickly so it won't be very long.

So I'll take your hugs and kisses now,

cause the day will soon be here,

when you'll think you're much too big,

for me to hold so near.

Grandmothers

Grandmothers are just "antique" little girls.

-- Author Unknown

Grandmothers are the people who take delight in hearing babies breathing into the telephone.
-- Author:Unknown

If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.
-- Italian Proverb

(back row on left Grandma Callie)

Butter-Buttermilk Biscuits

I cut these using a sharp knife into 9 or more pieces and bake on a sheet spacing them about 1 inch apart.

click on image to enlarge, then print for your own recipe box.

Matching Sheets...

No matter what you have, take care of it.

When I was young I wanted matching sheets, matching dishes, designer curtains, living room furniture that I didn't have to buy from a thrift store etc.

I learned very quickly that those things do not matter. What matters is your love for God, how faithful you are to His word, devotion to your husband and your children, and how faithful and frugal you are with what you do have. I learned to be content with what the Lord blessed me with and to be so very thankful.

A one dollar colander works just as well as a 29.00 enamel one. That it's fun to find things at thrift stores and yard sales. That I could make my home nice without going into debt. Ornaments from Dollar Tree look just as nice as the ones that are much more expensive. Duct tape can fix a lot of what's broken.

Always be thankful for what you do have; don't complain about what you do not have.

I remember my grandmother, making due, creating, or doing without. She made a footstool with coffee cans, a bookshelf with a cardboard box and contact paper, clothes with discount cloth, and beans and cornbread were more desired than steak and potatoes.

I John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Philippians 4:11b...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.