Tuesday Treats

Just a couple tables I would love to sit at with coffee and someone I love.

(via www.hellofriend.blogspot.com and www.apartmenttherapy.com)

Best in Smoke

Last night my husband and I, along with my sister and her husband, went to Famous Dave's to watch the premiere of Food Network's newest show, Best in Smoke. We enjoyed Brisket Nachos and Wings, AND we met Dave himself! :) I love Famous Dave's BBQ! I hope he wins!

Did you watch it???

Friday FOOD!

Homemade Oreos

(From: My Baking Addiction) Makes 25-30 sandwich cookies

Ingredients
For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa (I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar [see recipe note]
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used clear vanilla extract)
Optional- Gel dye

Method
1. Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.

2. In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.

3. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.

4. To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy. (Optional: Blend in a tiny bit of gel dye until you reach the desired color.)

6. To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

Notes:
-I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder instead of Dutch Processed.
-I used Wilton Gel Dye to color the centers.
-Once I measured out a rounded teaspoon of dough, I rolled the dough into small balls before baking.
-This recipe is slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen and can be found athttp://smittenkitchen.com/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/]

Thursday Thanks

(www.restorationhardware.com)

Today I am thankful for hot showers that I can take whenever I want. Have you ever been in a place where either water was limited or hot water was hard to come by? Or maybe your shower was not working or you lived in a place with just a bathtub? I remember going on mission trips to Mexico and Honduras and a shower was limited and hot water was rare. First of all, the showers were nothing like we have here. It was a very basic setup and usually cold or lukewarm. I am thankful we had some sort of shower in those places. And the coolness sometimes felt nice after being out in the scorching sun. 

But I am thankful for the shower that I have now. Few things are as refreshing!

What are you thankful for? 

Or should I say, what are you taking for granted today? :)

Wednesday Worship

We sang the song, Completely Done, again in church on Sunday. I love the message of this song! For some (actually many) reason(s), I can never get through it without tears! Do you all have songs like that?

Completely Done

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full
There's no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus
The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We're heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

I don't know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You'll keep me to the end

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock as recorded on the album Sons & Daughters.

You can listen to the song at Sovereign Grace Music.

Tuesday Treats

Wouldn't these Beverage Jars be perfect for entertaining??? Love them! 

You can find them at Crate and Barrel.

Monday Miscellany

Have you heard of Triad: 4 Christ? We had the opportunity to go to Jamar Esaw and Triad: 4 Christ's CD release concert at Shiloh Temple on Saturday evening. Check them out for some good gospel music!