Ginger Cookies

Ginger Cookies

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg beaten

1/4 c. molasses

extra sugar for rolling the dough

Sift together –

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

Blend the butter, sugar , egg and molasses until smooth.  Add the sifted ingredients.

Roll dough into small balls, then roll in sugar but DO NOT flatten.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Turkey and Rice Soup

Turkey and Rice Soup

Turkey and Rice Soup

Ingredients

6 cups chicken stock

1 Tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon – turkey base

1 left over turkey carcass, cut into small pieces and two turkey wings

2 bay leaves

2 sprigs of fresh thyme

2  tsp. poultry seasoning

1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 large white onion, chopped

4 medium carrots , chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

1 pound of turkey meat, chopped into bite size pieces

1/2 c. uncooked rice

Juice of one lemon

Instructions

In a large stock pot place chicken stock, turkey bones and wings.  Bring to a boil  then simmer for 40 min, allowing the broth to absorb the flavor of the turkey.  Strain and remove turkey pieces so you are left with a clear broth.  Add the juice of one lemon.

While the broth is being settled, in a large pan heat olive oil and garlic.  Add your chopped vegetables to the pan and heat until they have absorbed the oil and garlic.

Place the vegetables, turkey meat, and all spices into the pot.  Add the uncooked rice and bouillon.

Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft and rice is cooked.

A delicious recipe to help with leftovers during the Thanksgiving holiday!

Enjoy!!

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. unsalted butter, softened

1 C. dark brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 box ( 3.4 oz )  Jello French Vanilla Pudding mix ( dry )

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla

2 C. toasted pecans, chopped

1/2 c. crushed Heath Bar bits or plain toffee bits

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Toast pecans by placing on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake uncovered for approximately 8 minutes or until light brown.  Stir occasionally.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt – set aside

In a large bowl, beat with electric mixer, softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar.  Mix until fluffy.  Add the dry pudding mix, then add eggs and vanilla.

Stir in the flour mixture, pecans, and candy bits.

Bake at 350 for approximately 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack.

The smell and flavors of these cookies will remind you of fall.  You are going to love them!

Enjoy

* I found this recipe while scouring through an old church cookbook that my grandma had given me when I was a newly wed.  The recipe was submitted by a lady named Betsy Nelson. How fun that we are enjoying these delicious cookies all these years after she shared her recipe.

 

Genuine Hospitality

Genuine Hospitality

I received a panic call from a friend last week and here is what she said – “Help, I’ve been asked to host Thanksgiving dinner and I am freaking out!”  Mind you, this is my friend who lists Door Dash as her BFF.  After I told her to breath, we talked it out and what she was really afraid of was entertaining.  Trying to impress her sister in law and worried about everything she didn’t have. So we flipped the narrative.  Let’s not worry about entertaining, let’s just open our doors and make people feel welcome. That is hospitality and my friend is so good at loving people she will be the perfect hostess.

Three things to think about so you are not worried about entertaining but are able to show hospitality…

  1. Replace “ Here I Am” with “Here You Are”

2.   Remember opening our homes to guests has nothing to do with the size of our home, the decor, or even the food.  It’s about the ability we all have to make people feel welcome.

3.  There is no grand blue print to follow aside from loving others.

You’ve got this!  

It’s Ok To Ask For Help

It’s Ok To Ask For Help

Why is it so hard for some of us to ask for help? “Allow people to help you, why rob them of the blessing to give?” That might be one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received. It came during a very difficult time in my life when I was struggling with my health following a double mastectomy.

I was always the one helping others, making meals, watching other people’s kids –  you needed help, I was your girl.
However; when I was the one in need, it felt awkward and uncomfortable and sadly in my own pride, I tried to still do it all.
Thankful for a friend who challenged me not to rob her of the blessing to love and care for my family.

I have gotten so much better at accepting help, even asking for help when I need it. It definitely is something I still struggle with at times but I have come to believe we all need someone to hold the umbrella for us when we stand in the storm.
Don’t be afraid to ask or receive help.