PAGES: MAIN TOPICS I WRITE ON

Sunday, March 28, 2021

A Collection: Pansies, Daffodils, Veggie Seedlings, and Springtime Embroidery

 



The month of March will soon be past, and signs of spring are showing up after what seems like a long cold winter, and we are loving it! Earlier this month we purchased some pansy plants for the first time ... why haven't we done so in years past? We've brought them indoors on occasion (photo above) when temps have dipped to below freezing, but for most of this month they've been out on our patio. Such beautiful glimpses of spring, even on the cool days! 




Outdoors we have some tulips popping up out of the ground, as well as some daffodils ... more glimpses of spring!




We haven't always taken the time to start seedlings indoors, but this year it has worked for us, being retired now. We have several kinds of flowers started, as well as some tomatoes and green peppers. It's such a joy to see the tiny seeds start growing!




Springtime has also been calling me indoors, with embroidery. It's interesting that I went through the whole winter without doing any embroidery, as there were other projects that called my attention. But mid-March, I started on this pattern, a free downloaded pattern from this online site (click here). You can also purchase patterns from this embroidery artist on Etsy by clicking here.

I added the words "Be Still" to this pattern, words that I continually need to remind myself of ... through the winter, into the spring, and all through the year. It's so easy to get wrapped up in tasks and responsibilities, even during retirement. And soon we find ourselves overloaded, and even stressed.

But we are called over and over to rest in Him, to pause, to trust, to soak up His unfailing love for us. Just as the pansies, the daffodils, and the indoor seeds we have planted. They are resting, quietly receiving the nutrients from the soil, soaking up the sun and the water, growing into something beautiful. May we do the same this spring, and all year through.

Be still 
and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Monday, March 22, 2021

You're My Place of Quiet Retreat

 



At the start of a day, 
at the end of any day, 
over a weekend ...

When we need to be refreshed, 
when we need comfort or help, 
when we are overflowing with joy ...

We have His Word to renew us - 
not just words to read, 
but the deepest connection,
with a Person.

“Why not build into your life unhurried quiet, 
where, among other disciplines, 
you consider the radiance of who He actually is, 
what animates Him, what His deepest delight is?” 
(From Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund)

Taking time to pause - 
waiting, reading, listening, 
receiving the greatest of Love.

Monday, March 1, 2021

In the Kitchen: Apple Cake

 

I can hardly believe that there were no posts here all through the month of February! In the midst of multiple appointments, and many responsibilities, I guess we were just enjoying the cozy winter days by our electric fireplace stove ... engrossed in other projects, including reading some really good books!

But here I am, finally, on this first day of March with another post! This lovely month brings one of my favorite seasons ... spring! And just maybe it will bring more times of sharing from my heart and home here on my blog, as well!

We were with our CityGroup friends (small group within Citylight) yesterday, gathering together as we do twice each month. I offered to bring the dessert, and decided to make a recipe that one of our daughters had made over the holidays when we were in her home ... Apple Cake, drizzled with a delicious caramel sauce. (Thank you for sharing the recipe with me, Carrie!) We left our sweet time together with friends, with several requests for the recipe! As this is an easy way to share my recipes, this also is bringing me back to another thing I love doing ... sharing here on my blog. 

This recipe is sooo very delicious, and I'm so very grateful for Carrie sharing it with me. I am a lover of all things caramel, and this combination of caramel together with a moist apple cake, is one of my favorites!




Apple Cake

Course: Desserts

Serves:

Ingredients

  • 1 12 cups oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 12 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 cups apples, chopped no need to peel

  • Caramel Topping:
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 12 cup brown sugar
  • 12 cup white sugar
  • 12 cup butter
  • 12 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream oil and sugar together, add eggs and vanilla and mix together.

Add dry ingredients and mix.

Stir in apples (and also add some chopped nuts, if desired).

Spoon into greased and floured bundt pan (or 9x13 pan).

Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees.

For caramel topping:

Mix the five ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a boil.

Drizzle over cake when serving.