The Light

This song was our special music on Sunday. I can't explain the emotions I feel as I listen to this song... I simply long for Heaven. And as I sat there with tears in my eyes, I glanced around and saw the tears streaming down the faces around me. Tears of longing and hope of that day we be in the presence of our King.

In this house we've built of make believe

Loved ones go long before, seems it's time to leave
But we will learn how to grieve, to forgive and receive
'Till we see them there in that city

Span of stars overhead as we walk this road
While this darkness remains, I will bear your load
And together we will tend the seed He's sown
As we walk along the road to that city

CHORUS:
On that day we will sing "Holy, Holy"
On that day we'll bow down in the light
And then we'll rise and turn our eyes
To the Lord, Jesus Christ, on that day

Though my eyes can't see what is waiting there
Though my mind can't conceive all that He's prepared
There the blind will see the sun, what was old will be young
And the lame, they will run all over the streets of that city

Perfect time for

It was a babysitting job I would never forget. The four year old little girl started the day with putting the dog on one end of the leash and the cat on the other so they could "walk each other." The cat didn't like it, so she broke loose and climbed over the fence and hid. That wouldn't do for the little girl, who started crying. I had to climb over the fence to get the cat, who was not at all happy, and then climb over again to get the cat back in its yard. By this time the little girl was screaming that I got the wrong cat. So over the fence again I went with the wrong cat and started trying to find the right cat. I found the right cat in the ditch, picked it up and climbed over the fence again. After handing the cat to the little girl, she runs inside and locks me out of the house, right as it starts to rain. Sigh. "This just isn't my day."

Everyone has a frustrating day now and then. I've had to fight hard to choose joy in the midst of frustrating situations lately. While I am tempted to try and take control letting the frustration of the situation affect my attitude, I am constantly striving to let God have control. One way I place my focus on Him during rough times is to turn my frustrations into thankfulness.

Here is my 'thankful list' today:

*I'm thankful for my dark room, perfect for migraine days.
*I'm thankful that my migraine does not have me in tears today.
*I'm thankful that I still have reasons to smile, even on the toughest days.
*I'm thankful for sweet friends who check on me.
*I'm thankful for my little Sophie dog, who is especially snuggly on rough days.
*I'm thankful for my precious family and friends who pray for me daily.
*I'm thankful that God is in control and has a perfect plan.
*I'm thankful for laughter in the midst of pain.
*I'm thankful for joy that comes from the Lord.
*I'm thankful for life.

What are you thankful for today?

Catherine

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to Jenna! Love you and hope you have a wonderful day! If I were with you, you would have to wear a sparkly tiara, a fluffy boa and shiny birthday girl pin. :) 

PB & C

Would be the name of my rap group if I ever started a rap group. Why? Because nothing sums up my sweet cravings like Peanut Butter and Chocolate. I adore the combo! That being said, I really can't believe I haven't shared only my most favorite cupcake recipe in the world on the blog! That will change this Munching Monday.

Oh, where do I begin to describe this decadent dessert. How can I explain the amazing texture and perfect combination of pb & c? Well, you just need to go bake these yummish cupcakes today! You won't be sorry. :)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcake
For the filling:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ tsp. vanilla extract

For the cake:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
2 large eggs

For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
½ cup creamy peanut butter
3¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.
To make the filling, combine the confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (at least 24) and set aside on a baking sheet.

To make the cake batter, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; whisk together and set aside. In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the sour cream, milk and vanilla extract. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until incorporated.

Spoon a tablespoon or two of batter into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Place a ball of the peanut butter filling in each cupcake well and top with the remaining batter so that all the cups are filled. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter and peanut butter until smooth. Slowly mix in the confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth and well blended. Mix in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.
Source: Annie's Eats

Prayer

 I wanted to share this quote with you that I heard in church this morning. What a truth and challenge for me.

“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.

Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don't want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of 'good time' is seldom in sync with ours.” ― Oswald Chambers

Project: Mantle

We were given a beautiful, old mantle by some dear friends recently. Actually, two of them. One is in Mom and Dad's room and the other was going to be used as a headboard for the guest room. I say was because (hey - that rhymed! was because, was because, was...) the mantle was placed in the breakfast room and just looked so pretty for Christmas.

Still planning to use it as a headboard, I found a cute piece of furniture while bargain shopping with Ryan. I just happened to match the mantle perfectly...

So, I was at a loss. I just didn't know what to do to make the breakfast room cozy and flow. Suddenly, I remembered the dishes. The dishes that I bought on sale 10 years ago at Target with high school graduation money. I bought four Waverly salad plates, dinner plates, cloth napkins, cereal bowls, drink glasses, goblets, two platters, one pitcher, salt and pepper shakers, a spoon rest and a soup cup for less than $30. All of them have been sitting in a cedar chest since then.

Excitedly, Mom and I gathered all of them, along with a beautiful mirror that Ryan found at a garage sale for $2 and took them down to the kitchen and set to work. I'm so excited to present the finished project...... Ready?

Yippee!!

Catherine

These are a few

of my favorite things to smile about, this Buddy the Elf Friday!

*Dates with my hubby!

*Time with friends!

*Hanging out with my nieces today and playing games with them!

*Beautiful weather!

*Being over my cold!

*Sophie snuggles!

*Giggles with friends!

*Decorating our Valentine's Day tree!

*Looking at old pictures!

*Smelling the homemade gluten free cinnamon raisin bread!

*Remembering and being thankful for all of the blessings God has given me!

*Resting in God's peace.

*Trusting in His faithfulness.

*Living in His joy.

What has you smiling today?