My mother, her sisters, and their mom were all very handy around the kitchen – but it’s their combined skills with desserts that I remember most.
One of my aunts was well known around her farming community for the beautiful wedding cakes she created; my mom and her other sister each made delicious cookies, candy and cakes, all from scratch; and many of the recipes originated with their mother.
Visiting Nebraska as a child, I remember the wonderful aromas that routinely came out of my grandmother’s kitchen.
Even now, so many years later, memories of Christmas past always conjure up the special homemade treats that appeared each year at our house. The economy this year has many rediscovering the joys of creating wonderful edible gifts. Cookies, in particular, seem always to be welcome…and they’re not difficult to make!
Maybe you’re in the “baking spirit” and looking for some new recipes for delicious cookies. Following are two of our family’s favorites. Enjoy! Read more…
Count your blessings.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many might be wrestling with that concept. One glance at the world of November 2008 and you’ll see market turmoil, Iran about to go nuclear, politicians promising to spend even more of our money, and a sometimes nasty, divisive electorate (whatever happened to thoughtful political discourse?).
I could go on; that’s just the short list.
When considering the world through the prism of current events, it’s not hard to become disconsolate. Blessings might not be the first thing popping into our heads.
Perhaps, though, current circumstances give us even more of a reason to be thankful. Read more…
It’s been tough to listen to the financial news the past few weeks, hasn’t it? The markets are swinging wildly, banks have failed with more likely to follow, and the problems in the financial sector are impacting credit, which in turn affects main street.
A lot of people are worried about dwindling balances in their retirement accounts, the rising cost of fuel, and their jobs. It’s harder for business owners to borrow money to make payroll or to purchase inventory – many wonder whether they’ll be able to survive.
What goes up must come down – the “irrational exuberance” of recent years has been replaced by some sobering realities.
In the midst of these difficulties, it’s important to remember that all is not doom and gloom. For instance, many companies are still hiring, and some sectors (like health services) continue to experience growth.
It’s also good to keep in mind the most important fact of all: our God is firmly in control, he’s there – as always – to take us by our hands, to guide us, and to comfort us. Read more…
With Labor Day now behind us and the school year underway, we’re back into the routine. Which means that Clergy Appreciation Month is literally right around the corner.
Whether or not your church commemorates Clergy Appreciation in October, it’s vitally important that we raise our spiritual leader(s) up on a daily basis. It seems to me that a career in the clergy might in some ways be one of the loneliest professions you could pick. Rewarding? No doubt. On many levels. Spiritually fulfilling? Again, that’s most certainly a yes. To spend one’s professional life working every day to grow the kingdom of God must be very special indeed.
At the same time, though, it has the makings of a very tough, demanding – and lonely – occupation.
We all have days on the job when it seems nothing goes right. You might be under immense stress with deadlines looming, the boss might be on your back about something, your co-workers may be bickering, you might be worried about a layoff…there are any number of things that could contribute to a “bad day.” Maybe it’s a string of bad days. Read more…
