Leader Enterprise - Feb 2017 - Chocolate & Friends

February is a month we celebrate the loving relationship we share with spouses, relatives and friends. Valentine's day is one of my favorite holidays. I think it's so important that we think of it as a'day of love'and not just one for lovers. Here are some thoughts to ponder to consider taking time to tell everyone in your life that you care about them, focusing on friends. I am sharing a number of favorite quotes throughout.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for a while and leave their footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."

"Friends are God’s way of taking care of us."

Life is all about relationships. Spouses, Children, Friends, Family, God. Each one demands your time, your heart. You may be connected by blood relationships, or you may simply be bosom buddies. You may not communicate regularly, but when you reconnect with a true friend it’s as if you’ve never been apart because your hearts are always linked.

Cake Mix Chocolate Waffles

(click on this link for recipe) 

There are people whom one loves immediately and forever. Even to know they are alive in the world with one is quite enough. ~Nancy Spain

Fortify yourself with a flock of friends! You can select them at random, write to one, dine with one, visit one, or take your problems to one. There is always at least one who will understand, inspire and give you the lift you need at the time. ~George Matthew Adams

 A friend is someone who knows all about you, and likes you anyway.

How blessed you are if you have a myriad of friends - you can run to one when you’re up or down, knowing they will willingly multiply your joy, or divide your sorrow. 

A favorite scripture of mine is Prov. 18:24- "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.. "If you feel like you don’t have friends, why not make an effort to befriend someone? You may brighten their lonely days in ways you could never have imagined.

Take time to listen or share a meal with someone. Those little things may be a very big thing in someone else’s life.

"To have a friend, be a friend."

Maybe you have been hurt in the past, so you withdraw and are afraid of revealing your true self to someone else. Dredge up some courage - open up and reach out to another person. You may discover something wonderful that has been missing in your life.

"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen."

Some friends make you feel richer than if you’d just had a sweepstakes check delivered to your door. Sometimes the benefits of having friends isn’t just about the relationship, but the life lessons we learn. Some of the best lessons we can learn from each other are simply how to be a friend.

"Friends are one of the most important ingredients in this recipe called life."

These waffles are great eaten plain or topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries, raspberries or bananas. Perfect for sharing with someone you love.

CAKE MIX CHOCOLATE WAFFLES 

1 (18 ozs) chocolate cake mix 

1 c. water

1/3 c. vegetable oil

3 lg. eggs

• Preheat a waffle iron using medium heat. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, whisking until smooth. Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter onto hot iron, spreading out as you can. Cook according to appliance instructions. Serve warm with desired toppings.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CROCKPOT PUDDING CAKE

1 box (18 ozs.) Chocolate cake mix

1 pkg (4 serving size) (sugar free) instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix

1 c. sour cream

1 c. heath toffee bits,optional

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. water

3/4 c. canola oil or vegetable oil

Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine cake mix, dry pudding mix, sour cream, toffee, chocolate chips, water and oil in mixing bowl. Stir well to combine. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Middle will be a little gooey and pudding-like. Serve warm with ice cream.

MICROWAVE SMALL BATCH NO BAKE COOKIES (Sugar free option)

1/3 c. granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)

2 tsp. baking cocoa

2 Tb. milk

2 Tb. peanut butter, crunchy or creamy

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. quick cooking oatmeal 

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar (I like to use xylitol for sugar free), baking cocoa and milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds, or until it boils, stirring once. (If using xylitol, cook for 1 minute 30 seconds). 

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. (I used a whisk). Add oats and stir until blended. Drop by spoonsful onto wax paper lined plate, to make 6 cookies. Chill in refrigerator for about 10 minutes before enjoying. 

Yield: 6 cookies

Sending my love to all you dear folks who take time to read my column....thanks!

“... it’s a blessed thing to love and feel loved in return.” ~E.A.Bucchianeri

Leader Enterprise - Sept. 16, 2015 - Meal Ministry

                      Cheesey Chicken Chowder

I'm planning to take a few dishes to a sweet friend who just gave birth to twins. That got me to thinking about sharing these thoughts with you.

We all knows folks who are grieving, recovering from an illness, just gave birth or suffering emotionally one way or another. Oftentimes we tell them - "Let me know if I can do anything". I'm here to give you some ideas how to put those thoughts into action.  

Making someone a meal is faith in action. It's helpful, practical and loving. My heart's deepest desire is to find ways to serve people in the best ways possible so that the blessing of a meal truly is a blessing. If you've ever received a meal from someone, you already understand what a great help and ministry it can be. 

Here is a list of some things to consider when taking a meal to someone: 

- Ask Questions! Find out if they have allergies or special food needs (like gluten free). Don't be afraid to ask what their likes and dislikes. 

- Don't provide meals more often than every other day. That gives them time to eat up what they already received before overloading their fridge. 

- Use throw away containers. And if you can't, be sure to add an address label to your dish so it will find its way back to you. 

- Ask if the recipients would prefer take-out. Some folks prefer not eating what others have made. And that's OK too.

- Ask if they would prefer a freezer meal, for later. If taking to a soon-to-be-mom, you could deliver a week before she's due, so she doesn't have to take time to answer the door. (On the other hand, she may appreciate someone coming by to help!) 

- In separate containers, add fruits, veggies or cheese chunks for them to nibble on at their convenience. This will make it easier for the family. 

Easy Fruit Salad

Here's some great recipes to share with others.

CRESCENT CHICKEN 

1 (8 regular or 6 jumbo count) package refrigerator crescent rolls

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can of milk (using soup can)

Preheat oven to 350. In small bowl, mix soup with milk; set aside. Separate crescent rolls. Spoon chicken and cheese onto each crescent; roll and seal to enclose filling.

Place in a 9×13 baking dish. Pour soup over rolls.

Bake uncovered for 30 mins.

CHEESEY CHICKEN CHOWDER 

3 cups chicken (reduced-sodium) broth

2 cups diced, peeled potatoes

1 cup each - diced carrots & celery

1/2 cup diced onion

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/3 cup all purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

(we prefer 1-1/2 cups Velveeta)

2 cups diced cooked chicken

2 - 3 Tb. dry chicken soup base, optional

In large pan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour and mix well with whisk. Gradually stir in milk and cook over low heat until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in cheese and heat until melted. Add to broth and vegetables along with chicken. (If using soup base, add now) Cook and stir over low heat until heated through. Yield: 6 - 8 servings

This quick and easy salad can also be served as dessert. I love that you can make it using 'no sugar added' fruit and sugar free pudding. Everyone will love it. If you're not sure when it will be eaten, take bananas separately to be added later. 

EASY FRUIT SALAD 

1 can (15 ozs) fruit cocktail, slightly drained 

1 small can (8 ozs) mandarin oranges, slightly drained 

1 can (15 ozs) pineapple tidbits, do not drain

3 - 4 sliced bananas 

1 (4 serv.) pkg. (sugar free) lemon (or vanilla or cheesecake) instant pudding mix (dry)

4 - 8 ozs. cool whip, optional 

In large bowl, stir fruits and  pudding mix together. If using, stir in cool whip. Refrigerate at least 1 hr. before serving. 

A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up. ~Anonymous

I Heart 4 little Fergusons! A LOT!

I was soo blessed to be able to make a trip to the Midwest recently to meet and visit blogger Tonya Ferguson and her 4 (very precious) little Fergusons! 

I had a shirt printed with this on the front to wear on the plane. 

Tonya has introduced me to the idea of making t-shirt scarves, so I made this braided one to accommodate my shirt also.

Let me tell you first hand...these precious little babes are every bit as sweet as they seem to be!!  Their mama trains them well.  They always called me 'Miz B' - never by my first name.  And they decided I was their 'new' grandma too - how fun is that???

I am a teacher at heart and loved making memories with them. 

(bottom left....we were making kid-friendly ice cream in a bag)

I'm not sure who enjoyed reading time more...them or me.

I have always loved reading to my own kids. I had a home daycare when they were small, and we had reading time every day. 

One of my favorite pix that Tonya posted at Facebook was this one of adorable Pax who fell asleep in my lap while I was reading.  That little guy has WON MY HEART! (We really didn't plan to coordinate our colors for the photo=). 

I was privileged to be there to help celebrate Avery's 4th birthday.

What fun to share in that special time with family and friends. 

I enjoyed visiting with the children's GREAT grandparents!! How  blessed they are to be close to them. I felt right at home with the grandparents too!

I taught the kids a fun finger play and they 'performed' at the party!

Even little Pax...who usually ran off when we practiced, got in on the act!

(The words go like this...)

SEE THE TURTLE LOW AND LUMPY,

SEE THE CAMEL HIGH AND HUMPY,

SEE THE FISH AS IT SWIMS ALONG,

SEE THE BIRD AS IT SINGS ITS SONG...

GOD IN HEAVEN...MADE THEM ALL...

AND GOD MADE ME...

(STANDING UP & PATTING THEIR HEADS)

JUST.THIS.TALL!! 

How I treasured time with family...I quickly learned to love these special ladies...moms.

and friends..(MUAH to each of you!)

Tonya and I got to spend a little time making t-shirt scarves - they make great gifts. This was the one I learned to make...T knows how to add special touches...flowers, embellishments, etc. 

Here's a link to Tonya's post about making them...they really are very simple. 

T-shirt scarves make great gifts

AND....Last, but certainly not least....Tonya and I got to meet another co-host from Weekend Potluck!!!  Kim from Sunflower Supper Club lives nearby and we were ecstatic to get to see the kitchen where she works and finally meet her in person. 

Another special blessing in my time there. 

They all made me feel like family - even Sophie, the family dachsund. 
It seemed when the last kid would leave my lap, Sophie would jump into it..unbidden..and lay down...right at home!

What sweet blessings to meet folks I feel like I've known, but
from afar.  

One very special blessing I've received in blogging is meeting new friends!
During our short time together, we made memories and friendships to last a lifetime!

The 4 little Fergusons and their family are MY 'new' family!


TEASE:

Before I left, I made my t-shirt into a tote bag and left it for Tonya....be watching for Thursday's post when I share HOW TO MAKE this fun keepsake. E-Z!!!!!!

Sweet Fellowship at Sweetie-Licious!

I'm so tickled & honored to have had a guest post at The Sweet Details this past weekend...please check it out!

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Recently, I got to experience a darling little bakery in DeWitt, Michigan - 2 hours from my home - Sweetie-Licious is its name.

So tickled that I got to cross this off my 'bucket list' after seeing a write up about this adorable place in the American Profile "Pie it Forward"

The owner, Linda Hundt, has won 14 national awards! Crisco is considering putting her face on their cans! AND...since we were there, Angie has received an email from Linda, saying how sorry she was to miss us, and inviting us back again for the holidays.  How special!

Her motto is "Eat pie, Love life".

I LOVE THAT!

 I was blessed to share in this lovely time with some special friends - two of them being bloggers!

Angie (A'lil Country Sugar) came to one of my booksignings last November...and we've become really good 'buds' ever since!

She only lives about 25 minutes from me, so we are always happy when we can make a lunch date and catch up to each other in person. I've learned more from her than she'll ever know.

Her lovely daughter, Randi, went with us.  Randi wants to be a chef, so she is a girl after our hearts!

(My dear friend Lois went along and was our photographer=)

This was the 3 of us getting ready to eat lunch outside...fun!

from l to r - Me, Angie, Randi

We got to meet - for the very first time! - another blogging friend, Joelle
(Joelle) who took the day off work to come spend time with us!  We had a blast chatting about the 'blog-o-sphere'!

It was an adorable place full of nostalgia and vintage collections....

Most importantly...lots of yummy pies, muffins & cookies - soooo many choices! 

I enjoyed a terrific cherry key lime muffin that was the best!

I brought home a very delicious choco/peanut butter pie - piled high with whipped topping!

Every bit as good as it looks!!

I enjoyed a chocolate cherry brownie while I was there...it tasted like a cherry cordial and was mighty fine!

The sweet fellowship was the best treat of all!

Can't wait to do it again Gals!

My Girlfriend Vacation - Whoop-de-doop!!

I've been SO excited to share my recent time away with you. It's been very difficult to sort through all the pictures because I'd love to share even more.

I met with two 'old' girlfriends in Spokane, WA.  We had all lived in Anchorage, Alaska and went to the same church in the early 80's. 

It had been over 25 yrs. since we'd all been together. And it felt like we picked up right where we left off. 

WHAT A PRECIOUS TIME TOGETHER!

Sherri lives in Spokane in the home where she was raised, on a street lined with relatives.  She has a large & amazing Italian family. It seemed no matter where we were driving in town, she had a cousin or an uncle that lived in this or that house....we were in awe!

Sherri also has the gift of hospitality and Wanda and I felt like we were very pampered in the 12 days we shared together.

These are only a few of the many pictures we have in our albums.

In Sherri's Home

from l - r - me, Wanda (Anchorage) & Sherri

Gondola ride over the river at Riverfront Park

Carousel ride at Riverfront Park  

A devestating tragedy occurred while we were there.  Sherri's beloved 38 yr. old nephew tragically died, and Wanda and I were so thankful that God-ordained our time together so we could be for her then. We both were blessed and honored to help serve in the kitchen at the funeral dinner.

Sherri's husband John, had left that same morning to go hunting 500 miles from home, just to turn around and return the following day because of the death.  So we gals got to enjoy unexpected time with him.  He would fix coffee (fresh ground no less!) for us every morning...I told him we do it the scriptural way in our home also...HE BREWS! *-*

Anyway, we had such a great time with John.  He's quiet and reserved, much like my own hubby, and we appreciated his 'stretching himself' to spend time with us. He said he hadn't laughed so much in a long time. We enjoyed

playing card games together. And eating out...

(A rose between the thorns, huh Wanda?) ha

Brunch at Twigs Restaurant after church

Wanda and I absolutely fell in love with their sweet pooch, Gracie.

She's a Maltepoo and just adorable.  I have really missed her attention and affection. The way Wanda is adoringly gazing at her in this picture says it all!

We did lots and lots of shopping too!  Oh what fun!

My hubby Ron, was stationed at Fairchild AFB, just outside of Spokane, after we moved from Anchorage, so it was a blast to catch up with 3 special gals I had worked with and 2 of my daughter's special school chums also. F.U.N!!!!

I was thrilled to share a meal out with a special young family with 6 children...ages 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12.  The mama was a little girl when we lived there.  They are an amazing family and sa-weeet!!

Of course, food played a big role in the time we shared too. 

Sherri has the words "Mangia! Mangia!" on her dining room wall in vinyl...in Italian it means, "Eat! Eat!"  We sure did more than our share!

Sherri made us tasty yogurt/fruit smoothies in the mornings...and oftentimes, made lowfat caramel macchiatos (using decaf coffee) in the evenings.  We were so spoiled!

I enjoyed this very full bowl of huckleberry oatmeal when we stopped at a diner on the way home from the airport - YUUUUM! I left an empty bowl behind too!

I really splurged when John took us to breakfast at the Kalico Kitchen. I enjoyed every bite of this wonderful bacon/egg/tater/onion/cheese scramble.

We had fun with our food too!

Onion ring tower at Red Robin

Wanda watches Guy's 'Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives' on Food Network so we 'had' (right!) to go to a few of the places on her 'bucket list'.  That was always fun.

This was Sherri & Wanda at Jimmy's Down the Street, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

And while we were in town, this one is Wanda and me by a moose statue on the sidewalk in Coeur d'Alene..I love moose! This one was too big to bring home.

It still cracks me up to think of ALLLL the pictures we posed for!!!

Silly girls having a ton of fun! Older, but we're still young at heart.

Anyway - that's a sneak peek into my fabulous time away. I have said again and again..how amazing that 3 gals could spend that much time together and leave one another, loving each other more than when we began! I slept soo well and came home feeling very rested, despite the 3 hr. time change.

I am truly blessed to call Sherri & Wanda very special sisters of my heart!! We're already talking about when we can meet together again.

Wanda is the one who sends me these beautiful name tags!!! Now you all love her too huh? =)