Cranberry-Pepper Jelly

I love the versatility of Cranberry-Pepper Jelly. This peppery-tart condiment is just as good with  cream cheese and a crackers as it is topped on pork tenderloin or served on a turkey sandwich.

Cranberry-Pepper Jelly

Ingredients:
1 (12-oz.) package fresh cranberries
1 (10-oz.) jar red pepper jelly
1 1/2 cups diced green apple
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions:
Bring fresh cranberries, jelly, apple, sugar, water, and crushed red pepper to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often, 10 to 15 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop and mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat, and stir in sweetened dried cranberries. Cool completely (about 45 minutes). Serve at room temperature, or cover and chill 8 hours before serving. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Walk by Faith...

🔦Many times I'm questioned on how I can put so much belief in something I cannot see. I respond with it's all "faith based."

The Bible challenges us to "walk by faith, not by sight." This task is as unnatural as walking with our eyes closed. But the more steps we take, the more comfortable this walk will be come, and the more confident we will be of the destination of our walk. And ultimately that's what faith is all about - it is "the assurance of things hoped for".🔦

📖For we walk by faith, not by sight:
-2 Corinthians 5:7📖

Pillow Case Bed

Leftover Thanksgiving Pizza

Have a lot of Thanksgiving leftovers and want a new and delicious way to incorporate some of them. How about pizza? 

Using gravy as a sauce, this pizza is a one-stop shop for using all T-day leftovers. There are any number of topping combinations you can make depending on what your favorite leftovers are (*stuffing, veggies, sweet potato casserole, etc., can also be used.) The combinations are endless.

Here's a basic take below.

Leftover Thanksgiving Pizza

Ingredients:
1 pound pizza dough
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 cups turkey gravy
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 1/2 cups mashed potatoes
2 cups shredded cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
Grease or flour a pizza pan.
Roll dough onto the prepared pizza pan. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir mushrooms and garlic until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
Spread gravy over pizza dough; top with mushroom mixture, turkey, and spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. Sprinkle cheese over top.
Bake in the preheated oven until dough is cooked and cheese is melted, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly before serving, 3 to 5 minutes.

*This is only one version of this pizza. You can also incorporate any other leftovers you may enjoy or ingredients you have on hand. I usually use some onions and green beans.

*I also take my leftover cranberry sauce, warm it up, mix it with ranch dressing and use it for dipping.

Happy Thanksgiving

Maple Walnut Pumpkin Pie

This Pumpkin Pie has just a hint of maple and is served in a sweet graham cracker crust. A cinnamon walnut topping makes the perfect finish.

Maple Walnut Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can Condensed Milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 (9 inch) Graham cracker pie crust

Walnut Topping:
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, maple flavoring, ginger, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Pour into pie shell.

Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 350 degrees F; continue baking 30 minutes.

In medium mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts.

Remove pie from oven; top evenly with crumb mixture. Return to oven 10 minutes. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

7 Layer Salad

This classic salad is a favorite for potlucks, big parties and all the holiday get togethers. It can be made ahead and its easy to serve. But most importantly its definitely delicious.

7 Layer Salad

Ingredients:
1 medium head lettuce, shredded
1/2 cup green pepper
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 (10 oz.) frozen green peas, uncooked
1 cup Light Mayo
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups grated cheese
Bacon bits (optional)
Green onions* (optional)

Directions:
Layer first 5 ingredients. Mix mayonnaise and sugar. Dot over salad and spread carefully over top to cover. Top with grated cheese and bacon bits.

*Chopped the greens off green onions and sprinkle over top.

Classic Thanksgiving Dressing

My absolute favorite part of  the Thanksgiving meal is the homemade dressing. It literally taste like comfort. And, the best part is, you can always adjust the recipe to make it your own or serve it the classic way.

Classic Thanksgiving Dressing

Ingredients:
Loaf of white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, about 10 cups
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus an additional 2 tablespoons melted
2 yellow onions, diced
4 large stalks celery, diced
4 large carrots, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs poultry seasoning
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups turkey or chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt and black pepper

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 225°F. Spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet and bake for 90 minutes or until quite crisp, stirring every half hour.

Heat the butter in a heavy skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or the vegetables are very soft. Stir in the poultry seasoning and cook for 2 more minutes, then turn off the heat.

Beat the eggs with the broth, salt, and a generous quantity of  black pepper. In a large bowl, fold together the toasted bread cubes with the cooked vegetables, then stir in the egg-broth mixture.

Spread in a lightly greased 3-quart baking dish and drizzle with the additional 2 tablespoons melted butter.

At this point the dressing can be covered with foil and refrigerated overnight or up to 24 hours.

When ready to bake, heat the oven to 375°F. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes or until top is lightly browned. If you are baking the dressing directly from the refrigerator, expect to add 10 extra minutes baking time. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*For extra flavor you can add chopped apple, cranberries or even crumbled sausage.

Prayer Changes Things

✴Prayer changes things. Many situations have been altered, lives changed and priorities rearranged by spending time in prayer.

Why is this? God answers prayer. God performs miracles. He is real, and communion with Him is a glorious reality. God does answer prayer.

Not only does prayer change things but it changes people - the lives of the ones prayed for as well as the persons praying.✴

📖And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. -Isaiah 65:24📖

Cranberry Celebration

One of my favorite things to make for Thanksgiving and the holidays is raw cranberry relish. There’s no cooking involved, just using a grinder or a food processor to grind up and mix together raw cranberries, tart green apples, a large seedless orange, and sugar. It’s amazing how good it is! Great with roast turkey, or for leftovers on turkey sandwiches.

Cranberry Celebration

Ingredients:
1 can crushed pineapple, drained, save juice
1⁄2 cup cranberry juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package raspberry Jell-O gelatin
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1⁄2 cup walnuts chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped

Directions:
Boil pineapple juice, cranberry juice and lemon juice together. Add jello. Remove from heat and stir in cranberries. Put in fridge till almost set. Add pineapple, celery and nuts.

Roasting Turkey Chart

Bacon Fried Hash Browns

Little heavenly pillows of goodness that melt in your and make your tummy sing. Delicious with breakfast or with any meal.

Bacon Fried Hash Browns

Ingredients:
3 medium potatoes
1 small onion
3 strips of bacon, chopped
1 tbsp self-raising flour
1/2 tbsp milk
1 egg
freshly ground black pepper
vegetable oil (for deep-frying)
sea salt

Directions
Peel and coarsely grate the potatoes and onions and place in a large mixing bowl. Finely chop the bacon and add to the same bowl, together with the flour, milk, egg and a good grinding of black pepper. Mix well to combine.

Heat 3 inches of your oil in a deep pan and place heaped tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture in to fry – you will need to do them in two batches. Deep fry for 2 minutes until the edges start to turn golden then flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Drain on kitchen towels and season liberally with salt.

Eat immediately, or keep warm in a low oven until ready to serve.

Homeless Purse

Avocado Dressing

Recently I've been using Avocado as a substitute for mayonnaise on my sandwich. Yesterday I used it as a substitute in my salad dressing. It was beyond delicious and so much healthier.

Avocado Dressing

Ingredients:
1 Large Avocado 
2 Tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt
1 Tsp Hot Sauce
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
2 Cloves of Garlic 
3/4 Tsp of Salt

Directions:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix until fully blended. Drizzle over salad. Refrigerate for later uses.

Sausage Muffins

Quick and easy breakfast. Just  throw the ingredients together, bake and serve. Great to make ahead for those hectic school mornings.

Sausage Muffins

Ingredients:
1 Cup of Bisquick 
1 Lb Cooked Sausage 
4 Eggs Beaten 
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar

Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together. Pour batter into a greased and floured muffin pan. Bake @ 350ºF for 20 minutes.

*Vegetables can be added for an extra flare. *These freeze amazingly, just microwave and go.

Never Promised Tomorrow

🌍Sometimes words seems so hollow, but how many times have you heard; that we're not promised tomorrow.

Satan is on fire and our world is under attack. Be we can't let these terrorist define us.

And, although we're not promised a
tomorrow we can't linger on what it may or may not hold.🌍

📖Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. - Matthew 6:34📖

Prayers for Paris

Winter Car Tips

Pumpkin Muffins

Pinecone Turkey

This adorable Turkey is a great entertaining craft that leaves you with an adorable new friend.

Pinecone Turkey

Materials:  
Pine cone,
Google eyes,
Yellow and orange foam or felt
Chenille stems
Glue (I used a hot glue gun)

Directions: 
Glue google eyes onto circles of foam/felt and let them dry. Fold chenille stems into legs and feet and glue them onto the pinecone. Cut out a triangular beak from orange or yellow foam/felt. Glue on the eyes and the beak; let the creature dry completely before beginning a fun game of make-believe with your kids.

5 Ingredient Beef Stew

In a hurry and want a delicious dinner.  This quick and easy Beef Stew is a great way to feel good about the amazing dinner your serving your family.

5 Ingredient Beef Stew

Ingredients:
2 lbs Beef Stewing Meat
2 Onions, cut up
4 Carrots, cut up
4 Potatoes, cut up
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
(Diluted with 1/2 cup of water)

Directions:
Layer in large casserole dish or crock pot in the order given.
Cover and bake. In oven @ 275° for 5 hrs or in a crock pot on high for 5 hrs.

Thankful Cresent Rolls

Whithersoever thou goest.

 ✏God never promised easy but he always but he did promise to be with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Just remember when you're standing on the cusp of a decision and ready to give in. Just hold on, the Lord will be there and he will guide you through.✏

📖Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. -Joshua 1:9 📖

Washing Pillows

Orange Dreamsicle Cake

Orange Dreamsicles are a big summer time favorite and by making it into a cake we can enjoy this deliciousness anytime we want to. So how about we use this to keep Summer alive just a little longer.

Orange Dreamsicle Cake

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Yellow Cake Mix
2 Pkgs Orange Jello
1 Pkg Vanilla Instant Pudding 
1 Cup 2% Milk
2 Tsp Vanilla 
1 Tub Cool Whip

Instructions:
Bake the cake as directed in a   9x13" pan. Let cake cool completely. Poke holes in cooled cake. Mix 1 package of Jello with 1 cup boiling and 1 cup cold water. Pour over cake. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours. Mix pudding with milk, remaining jello and vanilla. Beat with hand whisk until thickened. Fold in whipped topping and frost cake. This makes a single layer cake.

Too make a multi layer cake (as seen in the photo) Make two or more cakes in well greased pans. Turn out, frost and layer.

Easy Strawberry Fudge

Love strawberries, love fudge?
Wanna combine the two for an amazing, exciting mouthwatering treat.

Easy Strawberry Fudge

Ingredients:
16 oz container strawberry frosting
12 oz almond bark broke in pieces
Red sugar sprinkles

Instructions:
Lightly spray a 9x9" pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the entire container of frosting and almond bark into a microwavable safe bowl. Microwave on medium power (50% power) for 45 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Return to microwave for 20 more seconds, then remove and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Pour into prepared pan and place in the fridge for about 45 minutes or until completely set. Remove and cut into squares (makes about 50 small pieces).

Ice Melter

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball

A great idea for a Halloween or even Autumn themed cheese ball.

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball 

Ingredients:
2 Pkg Cream Cheese, room temp
1/2 Cup Chopped Bacon
1 Pkg Hidden Valley Ranch
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar 
(Top off a Green Pepper)

Directions: 
In a medium sized bowl mix the cream cheese until fluffy. Add ranch dip, bacon and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Mix until blended. Form into a ball. Roll ball in the remaining shredded cheese. Press bottom of ball down until flat. Press top off a green pepper into top of ball. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

This is the one of the best finds ever. One of the biggest parts we go to Olive Garden is for the salad, now you can have it at home.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise 
1/3 Cup Vinegar 
1 Tbs Vegetable Oil
2 Tbs Light Corn Syrup 
4 Tbs Grated Parmesan Romano
1/4 Tsp Garlic Salt
1/2 Tsp Dried Italian Seasonings
1 Tbs Lemon Juice

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. If the dressing is a little to tart you can add a pinch or two of sugar.

*Note: This also makes a great marinade for meats and vegetables.

God Heals

💊God only wants the best for us in life. He knows our every need even before it is known to us. And, when we are sick or injured He is there to heal us, in His time and in with His plan, if we only ask.💊

📖Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
- 3 John 2 📖