ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LITTLE LIKE HOLIDAY TIME...

EASY CHOCOLATE "TRUFFLES" TO MAKE AND GIVE

I love "chocolate" at Christmastime! These easy little
truffles were very decadent in chocolate and make a
nice little gift to give out......
They are so easy to throw together .....just make sure
you have your "toppings" ready to roll your candies in....
It made about 50 and I put them in little wrappers I found
at the dollar store. I then put them in a basket to take to
my ladies Christmas gathering and passed them out. You
could put them in cute little red boxes or cellophane tied with
a ribbon......The recipe follows....


EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla *** May divide dough in portions and flavor
• with almond; vanilla ; or orange NOTE *orange and chocolate are good together
  

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. *** I did not even refrigerate these. If I did I would maybe get cold for about 20-30 minutes

1. . They worked out really good to roll into little 1" balls; then roll into nuts; melted white or more chocolate bark; cocoa powder.**** I also used a few drops of "orange oil" to a batch of
2. dough and rolled in cocoa; I crushed a candy bar I had on hand and rolled some in that as
3. well. ........Score candybar is good.
   
4. I then "set them" by putting them in the fridge.

THANKSGIVING .....PREPARING MY HEART

RECIPE FOR PREPARING MY HEART.......

As I was reading in Proverbs 16 early this morning...I was
quickly reminded of my needed preparations of my heart for the coming holiday....

In Chapter 16: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

I then wrote these words on a blank page in my Bible.....

. Prepare my heart with prayer. Prayer for my words. Prayer for others. Prayer for His
path and His will on this holiday....
So often we think we have to "Control" everything....In that fact, we usually end up making
ourselves disappointed because it hasnt gone our way... Give it to Him and then let it go!

. Plan on right answers! Someone once taught me that... If you have an answer planned then
you wont let it slip the wrong way..........
Example: I cant believe you doing it this or that way............answer " no answer at all quiet"
or just smile.

. Watch your "stress"...............
Dont overdue. its hard during these days. But if you body is exhausted do not keep pushing.
STOP and take 5 minutes to relax. If you have too much going on "walk away" from it for
a few minutes and go drink a cold glass of tea or breath in the cool autumn air!

Try and take the "control" buttom and turn in on OFF. I know I have had trouble with this
one and it is basically fear that causes me to want to "control" everything and everyone.
Let it go .........and you and others will be thankful for it..........

Let worry about people; presents; dinner be what it is and worrying wont change it......it will
raise your blood pressure and make you miserable. I dont want to be unhappy I want JOY!

. Are your words from the fruit of the Spirit? Love, long suffering; gentleness; goodness; faith;
hope ......................THEN they probably dont need to be said.........

I realize as I write these Words I myself will be challenged. That is a good thing for me.

20:" He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good; and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

...........THIS IS A HOLIDAY OF JOY AND CHEER .............but it can also get to the best of us.
I pray as this holiday approaches I can remember these wise words and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!


WHEREEVER YOU MAY BE CELEBRATING THESE NEXT FEW DAYS I PRAY FOR YOU
TO KNOW GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO ENJOY A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

THE EASIEST PIE CRUST EVER...........

THE EASIEST PIE CRUST EVER.......

A few weeks ago I went to visit my sis in law Linda.........She hosted a wonderful Fall Harvest Get together and had a huge array of desserts for us to enjoy.......

She had made my "Apple Crumb Pie" ; chocolate pie and pumpkin pies.........I said " Just look how beautiful your crust are ...are they homemade?" She said Yes and then gave me this recipe for the easiest pie crust she had ever done.......It was easy and very delicious!

Here is the recipe: Gloria's Pie Crust

5 cups flour
2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 cups Corn Oil
1/2 cup Water

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together then roll out between wax paper with rolling pin.
Place in a 9 inch pie pan and shape accordingly.

Bake: Crust only at 410 for 15 min ( Will need to use fork to place small holes)
Fruit pies: Bake at 410 for 40 min then drop to 350 until filling is cooked
Pumpkin: Bake at 410 for 15 min then drop to 350 until filling is cooked
Pecan: Bake at 350 for 15 min then drop to 300 until filling is cooked

THIS THANKSGIVING ...BE A BLESSING

THIS THANKSGIVING............I WANT TO BE A BLESSING..............CUT OUT COOKIES RECIPE

As I was walking through the grocery this morning I looked down at my cart and all the good food in it. I was thankful I had gotten "bargains" as well as the means to help someone else today with what I had..........

I couldnt help but notice a lady who had a "few items" in her arms along with a baby in a stroller and counting what she had. I saw her later walking toward her home. I dont know or sure but maybe she was struggling like so many others to be able to purchase even the few needed items for her home....

I think this time of year even more than others ; people feel the "pinch" in their budget.
So many coming and going and buying and selling. It can be really hard on some. But...
whether it be a financial circumstance ; physical or emotional time for someone it is good to think on others...

We all cannot do everything but we can do ONE thing that God may have us to do.

Here are some easy ideas to help bring joy to this Thanksgiving Season.

. Bake a pie; some cookies; a pumpkin roll; or a dinner for someone to take.

. Give to your churchs food pantry.

. Give to the bell ringer in front of your grocery store and tell him/her thank you for standing
out in the rain and cold! Always smile even if you have nothing to give...

. Take a box of food to a family in need.....Make sure to be discreet...

. Take note on a missionary and their needs. Even though far away they need our love.

. Surprise someone and fill a need.

. Encourage someone by a note or words of love....

. Make a basket and fill it with special things........a cup; cocoa; marshmallows; gift card

. Have a God given talent. Use it for someone this season. The lady who did my nails the other day told me she does the "ladies shelter" for FREE. I thought that was kind.

. Take time to get out of your circle of friends once in a while and show an outsider some
encouragement..........."Look for someone who may be sitting alone at a party you may attend and invite her to sit with you.

. Offer to help an elderly one near you or at a nursing home.

Its very hard to find time during the holidays to STEP OUT and care about others but isnt that what the season is really about?

CUT OUT COOKIES..........MOMS EVERYTHING DOUGH...............

BEING THANKFUL ...."THANKFUL BASKETS TO MAKE AND GIVE" FOR OTHERS..

THANKSGIVING TABLES TO PUT TOGETHER....

This week I will be planning some baskets I will put together for others for the holidays....
This basket can be "simple" with a few pumpkin muffins and icing or food items...

My ladies service circle makes a "basket" to give to a lady who may have been ill or needs some encouragement each month........
I enjoy putting together a "holiday table " also ..........Again you can be creative ......and use a
simple branch and some pretty napkins.....
I have seen some beautiful baskets made up but really all you need are a few simple tools...

l. A Basket (can be from a thrift store for $1)...2. Some shredded paper or pretty tissue (dollar
stores) 3. Items for that person or persons (baked items; candles; breads) 4. Long roll of clear wrap to wrap around the basket ( pull up and around) secure with raffia or pretty bow
You may take simple brown bags; fold over punch holes ; add pretty decoration (craft stores for a few cents) and twine..............make a nice label and your done!


The table can be simple or be creative and use cloth napkins; make your own napkin rings;and cut out Fall leaves in felt to toss about the table...Candles always add a festive time to a table.
I have some beautiful dishes given to me from Aunt Michelle in this cobblestone brown and cream.....A white napkin and some Indian corn makes a pretty setting.
Placecards can be done on a computer or visit your local craft store for simple stamps to make
this Thanksgiving meal special..............

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY..............TO MY LOVE

34 YEARS...........HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SWEETHEART **** His favorite breakfast recipe

As I walked into my "new homeroom class" that Senior year of high school there he was
this "boy" standing on his head on one of the long science desks in the back of the classroom...
"I shrugged my shoulders as not to join in his silly antics" and sat in my seat......"Others ...gathered around him laughing and applauding his spirit"................I then looked up and realized his desk would be right across from me.........

Little did I realize how much I would need that "spirit" of his throughout the next 30 years of my life..........He asked me several times for a date but I thought "no"......until one time his
gentle kind nature touched my heart...........It has touched my heart since .........

Years of growing together........God knew..........and in the first year of our marriage we moved to upstate New York where we would both hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray to ask Jesus into our hearts..........Was there instance love and perfection in our lives then??? ..............No
we were both young people growing in our marriage and love and now growing in Jesus and what His love was to show...........Many years of growing together...........For better ; for worse; in sickness and in health...........WE had it all...............rich or poor............our love grew............

Children God gave. Three to which I was amazed how great of a Daddy he was to each one of them. Love abounding; teaching; playfulness; joy as he loved each of of our children. Weddings; new mates; now grown.........He slide through it all..............giving and sacrificing many many times so that they could go to a Christian School ; be involved in things; learn new things; and have needs meant. ...........Now new parts to our family he and I both loved as if they were are own...

And now.........as we have grown Jesus has given us a stronger love that ever before.........

A love that is long suffering; works hard; sacrifices; accepts each other as they are; looks to the others needs before our own.............Marriage is hard work.......my parents 67 years; his parents over 50 years..........hard work; thinking not of ourselves but whom God hath joined together.........
I love you sweetheart! One of my hubbys favorite breakfasts is sausage gravy and biscuits ( although we cant eat as much of this these days we enjoy at times......here is the recipe.
*** On sidebar under recipes

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER......WHERE YOU ARE

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE........

This past summer I came across a yard sale and there I saw it....This little small white desk
( I knew it would fit perfectly in the corner of my bedroom).....I saw it was marked $5 but the lady took one look and said, oh you can have this for $2 ok? " I said, " Ok thank you" and took it home........The desk was cream and I thought I would paint it "cottage gray"......( I love names on paint I dont know why but they seem to be more real?) So it sat and summer flew by.........

By Fall my hubby said to me as he was cleaning out the garage; " Honey do I throw this thing out?" What? I thought......"This is a treasure and my corner".........so sweetly he left my "treasure in its place"........I had a picture I had found of a corner desk with a shelf above it and and nice little chair........" I didnt want to put any money in this little project" so I just whispered to God of my need.......Within a few weeks I found a vintage chair that was painted black and had
a gray and black seat for $2; then I found a small shelf with scrolls holding them up for $1; " I couldnt believe it! But..........then God was caring for me!
So........I kept the cream desk; moved it into the corner behind my wing chair and it fit perfectly.........I began to add my "organizer"; some flowers I had in a box; a few things here and there and lit my candle and it came to life.......
I love the detail on the desk and its little curves......
Sometimes I find cute little bags and I hung this one from the bottom of the shelf.......
This is a photo of my grandmother and grandfather..........( I never knew them) but my granddaughter has her name..............I sometimes look at that photo ( the only one my mom
ever had) and wonder if she knows her granddaughter admires her............
My shelf............holds some of my favorite things; a picture of mr favorite guy and I; my Bible verse ( found the frame for .50 and put my verse in it); a favorite book and a pillow my sister
sent to me..........
My granddaughter and I had fun one day picking up pinecones and glittering them............
We then placed them in a basket for Thanksgiving.......to enjoy


Dr. Jack Hyles used to have a favorite song; "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"........(this always reminds me God can use you right where you are)...............

I love the little desk in the corner.........it helps me keep my files in one place; notebooks together ( basket underneath); day and month items posted; and a place where my granddaughter can come bring me "tea" with her playset..........