Baking Spree

Steven’s been traveling a lot for work lately. I won’t admit how much of a mess I am when he’s not here but I think this post will at least give you an idea. 

Last week he went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (South Carolina shout out to Leslee!) So while he worked on his tan (or went to a firefighter conference), I drowned my sorrows with my KitchenAid mixer.

I made: homemade chocolate ice cream, spiced banana almond cookies, almond butter dark chocolate bran muffins, and deep dark chocolate cookies. He was gone for 4 days. This week he went to New York state. I may enter a sugar coma.  

Here’s my reviews of what I made:

·         Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

o   It was delish. Duh. You really can’t mess up ice cream. I got a Cuisinart ice cream maker for my birthday this year. (Thanks mom!) It’s SUPER simple. No salt, no ice, no obnoxious noise. Mix your ingredients in your mixer, pour into the ice cream machine and 20 minutes later- viola! (I know that says ‘viola’ but I can’ figure out how to spell vouh-lah.) You need this ice cream maker. 

 

·         Spiced Banana Almond Cookies

o   This one is a keeper. It doesn’t have any sugar or flour but don’t be scared off. I swear I double checked all my measurements but the batter was pretty much liquid. I ended up adding about 1.5 c. of oats to thicken thing up.  The oats did the trick. Gluten free so Steven can eat these!

o   http://summerharms.blogspot.com/2012/06/spiced-banana-almond-cookies.html

·         Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies

o   Oh man. These were so enticing. Yet unfortunately disappointing. They weren’t terrible but they weren’t what I was hoping for and they were a mess to make. The batter was excellent though. If you want to make them I suggest whipping the egg whites until they’re pretty stiff, I think that’s where I went wrong.

o   http://www.divine-baking.com/2011/04/deep-dark-chocolate-cookies.html#more

·         Almond Butter Bran Muffins

o   Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the baking spree! SO good! And they are healthy too so I don’t have to feel guilty about eating them! Worth buying the special ingredients. I added extra chocolate chips (duh.) and a ¼ c of ground flax seed. Yum! Yum! Yum!

o   http://www.all-bran.com/recipes/almond-butter-dark-chocolate-all-bran-muffins.aspx

A Reminder

Until this past Thursday night, I hadn't written in my journal since January 7th. Oops. When I cracked it open, I decided to re-read my last entry. I feel lead to share what I'd written (with a few minor edits):

1/7/12   Saturday

A good reminder from Mary today. I talked to her about my recent experiences of losing close friendships. She talked about holding on to things with an open hand before God. None of this is mine. It can all be gone at any time. The looser my grip, the less heartache if/when it's gone. Everything belongs to the Lord. I am a steward. He can do as he pleases. My house, my relationships, my job, my health, my family, my money-- none of it is mine. If I adjust my mindset from "mine" to "Yours." I can feel more prepared when things leave/change/come. None of this is mine. It is all Yours. I'm thankful for this strong reminder without the cost of a greater hardship. God, thank you for trusting me with your things. 

 

Funny how after I re-read this it directly applies to my life again 2 days later. Life was never meant to work with closed hands. We must be thankful stewards of what he's given but always remember who is in control. 

"Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For out light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
2 Corinthians 4:16-17