Sunday, August 30, 2015

New Frontiers - Move Forward with Jesus!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17. NIV The Holy Bible

Embark on new horizons with our Lord Jesus Christ!
Move forward in His will. Pray often and experience the life He wants you to live.
Love the people he puts in your path with the 9 Fruits of the Spirit.
Rest in the knowledge that He chose you to do good things on earth!
He has an exciting plan just for you!
It is ongoing and transforming.
It will be revealed daily in His perfect timing, each little step. 
 
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you
with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 
- Ephesians 3:16 - 19 - NIV The Holy Bible.
 
<><
 
 

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Scrumptious Hummingbird Cake!

Hummingbird Cake Design made
with pecans and shredded coconut.
My mom made this wonderfully delicious Hummingbird Cake
for my birthday celebration this summer.
It was the first time our family ever had it and
I am sure it will be made again in the future!

This recipe is located on the Living Well Spending Less web site
which features photos of the cake making process.
We used the site's recommended cream cheese frosting.

The preparation time is well spent in order to enjoy this fantastic flavorful dessert!
 

Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

Summary: This truly southern cake is simply to die for!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups very ripe chopped bananas
  • 8 oz. crushed pineapple (un-drained)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup coconut
  • Browned Buttter Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 3/4 cup coconut
  • softened butter & flour for greasing pan

Instructions

  1. Grease & flour 2 9″ round baking pans.
  2. Beat eggs in small bowl.
  3. Add eggs and oil to flour mixture; stir with spatula just until moistened.
  4. Stir in bananas, pineapple, pecans, and coconut. Mix at medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute.
  5. Pour batter into baking pans. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, until knife inserted into middle of cake comes out clean.
  6. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then invert cakes onto wire rack and cool completely.
  7. Spread coconut and pecans on baking sheet; bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes until toasted.
  8. Spread Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top with pecans and/or coconut if desired.

Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking time: 30-35 minutes
 

Happy Baking!
 
* <>< *
 

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Plenty of Foods that Begin with P

UPcycled Pizza Owl Image created by Laura Moody.
She used magazine pages and a paper plate in her design.

At a business luncheon I encountered a co-worker who shared her thought that all the delicious foods started with the letter P. She referenced pizza and pasta, adding how they were terrible for her waist line but that she enjoyed them so much!
 
That day's conversation stayed with me for multiple reasons but for the purposes of this entry, I want to add to her list of palatable foods that begin with the letter "P". :)

palm hearts, pancakes, Panini (a grilled sandwich), papaya, paprika, Parmesan cheese, parsley, parsnips, pasta noodles, pastry, peaches, peanut butter, peanuts, pears, peas, pecans, peppercorn (crushed spice), peppermints, pepperoni, peppers, persimmons, pesto, pickles, Pierogi (dumplings), pies, pineapple juice, pineapple, pink lemonade, Pistachio pudding, pistachio nuts, pizza, plantain, plums, polenta, pomegranates, pop tarts, popcorn, popsicle, pork chops, pork steaks, pork ribs, porridge, portabella mushrooms, pot pie, potato chips, potato pancake, potatoes, pound cake, pralines, pretzel, prune juice, prunes, pudding, pumpernickel bread, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin, punch

I know there are a few I missed. Let me know your favorite food in the Comment box below. :)
 
I particularly like eating the fruits, vegetables and nuts but certainly enjoy treats of pizza, pasta, potato chips, pancakes and pound cake when the opportunities present themselves! 
I just have to remember: Everything in Moderation. :)
 
9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 - NIV Holy Bible)
 
Have a great day! <>< Laura
 

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Madison Latimer - A Follower and Artist Too




I discovered the painter Madison Latimer when I visited Charleston, SC in June 2015. She had a tent there at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Art Show showcasing her colorful canvases of bird fowl that included chickens, guineas and peacocks.
 
What I enjoyed a great deal was that the Lord allowed me to see her truck (in photo above) on route to the event. It certainly caught my attention and I had no idea it was associated with anyone at the festival. There are many trendy businesses in that area and since no name appeared on it, I was not sure who might use such an eye-catching truck.
I soon found out. :)
 
After my family and I arrived and started to peruse the artist tents, I found myself shortly thereafter standing in front of images of happy lively birds and
reading a framed page of Ms. Latimer's testimony.
 
What I like most about her story above is that she obeyed God. "Period."
 
This is exactly what we all need to do daily. 
Jesus died on a cross to save us and we owe our very lives to him.
 
He has a plan in mind for each individual created and knows best.
Are you willing to find out what your God given purpose is?
 
Seek the Lord your God and learn what peace, joy and love really are!
That my friends is truly living!
 
An incredible adventure awaits. :)

<><
 

Saturday, August 15, 2015

What's Your Cup of Tea?


Pink hibiscus flower and turquoise mug painted with acrylic
on wooden kitchen cabinet door = UPcycled ART :)
Photo by Laura Moody.

According to sources, tea is the second most highly consumed beverage in the world. As a gal with a southern background, I was raised on drinking tea. We mostly consumed Lipton black tea when I was younger but over time I have learned to appreciate green tea and oolong tea along with other unique tinctures.
 
Here is a list of several businesses who sell tea bags that I have enjoyed over the years: 
 
 
 
 
(now only sold by Bigelow as traditional black tea)
 
 
 
 
The operation offers very well done tours (including one by trolley of the grounds) and shares interesting details of its tea growing, leaf collecting and multiple packaging processes. There is also a gift shop on site where tea is served throughout the day. (Click on the word "tours" above for nice photos of the gift shop.) Bonus - no pesticides are used on the crops and land at this environmentally conscious farm!
 
Enjoy a cup of beneficial tea today! :) <>< Laura
 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Christmas 365 days a year! Our God is an Awesome God!

Magnolia bloom. Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

A few years ago I heard a WAMU.org radio show on Christmas night.
It was a recording of the Dec. 24, 1949 CBS Grand Central Station presentation
Miracle for Christmas.

meets God and realizes how amazing our Lord and Savior is. :)

09:30 p.m. Grand Central Station12/24/49 Miracle for Christmas (Pillsbury) (CBS) (29:42)





Worth a listen if you have never heard old time radio programming.

The above link associated with the phrase "An ambulance driver named Mac" features the text script for the show.

Additionally - someone uploaded the episode to YouTube. Oh the days of technology that we live in!

Enjoy! <>< Laura

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Not I, But Christ by Corrie ten Boom

Pink oriental lilies. Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

I have only recently read my first text by Dutch Christian writer Corrie ten Boom. She endured much, loved much and had the opportunity to travel the earth sharing the Truth of the Gospel and the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with many different people groups around the globe.  
 
The book Not I, But Christ, copyright 1983, ISBN 084074112X, features not only her precious insights and experiences but photographs from her multiple journeys.
It is a wonderful, encouraging and enlightening read!
 
Have a terrific day! <>< Laura