Once again I find myself reeling from life's obstacles.
Once again I find myself working through it as best I can.
Things are different in life once you commit your self to another, you cannot just bolt at a
sign of weakness.
Were I younger and more prideful, I might not have been able to face this trial today.
I am once again reminded that I need to eat more scripture, and more often.
It gives my heart strength and guidance when all is dark, something I tend to forget when all is light in my life.
Though my heart is stronger against these trials, I still feel crushed like a ship against the rocks.
I must now focus more on drawing out the poison than the actual bite, a long process that I had hoped to never face again in my life.
And while that may be what I feel, I found myself not shaken in faith-
I did not cry to the Lord, asking "why?", but instead found a way to forgive.
And while I hurt, my heart hurts more for my husband.
I find myself asking for the grace to help him in the ways he cannot help himself.
My only hope is that this will strengthen my marriage for the future, though atonement is far from complete.
Lord help me, we all need red words.
5.30.2010
5.28.2010
Just call me Betty.
Crocker, not Page. Though either would be quite flattering.
I've been in a baking mood lately- and on a huge peanut butter kick.
Any time I can add peanut butter to the mix, I do. Literally.
And seeing that my "Peanut Butter Walnut and Banana Bread" was such a hit, I decided oatmeal cookies would be next.
So yesterday after making Mr M Sausage Peppers & Onions for his work lunch, I decided to scour the Internet for a recipe.
I came across a cookie bar recipe that stood out and had room for slight variation, and it was AMAZING.
I ended up altering the ingredient list here and there, and have as such changed it here to reflect the changes I made.
Mr M took the entire pan into work with him, and came back this morning with a empty dish piratically licked clean. The boys have asked for me to make them again, in my book that is a success!
Chewy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars-
Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 22 minutes Cool: 1-24 hours.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Cup White sugar
1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Half & Half cream
1 Cup Peanut Butter (full fat)
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups Oatmeal (1cup Old fashioned Oats, 1cup quick oats works best)
2 Cups All-purpose Baking Flour
1 12 oz bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (half of bag reserved)
1/2 Cup Crushed walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
1: Set oven rack to second lowest position in oven, and then pre-heat to 350 degrees.
2: Grease a 13x9 pan (glass works best)
3: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed; cream butter,
sugars, and vanilla until sugar granules are dissolved.
4: Add in Peanut butter, Half & Half, & eggs to the butter/sugar mixture and blend until smooth
5: In separate bowl combine Flour, salt, baking soda, Oats, and walnuts (optional),
mix with a spoon until all oats are separated and coated with flour.
6: Using your electric mixer on lowest setting, add in dry ingredients.
Batter will be very thick, but should be a smooth, even texture.
7: With a spatula, fold in the first half of you chocolate chips.
8: Spread cookie mixture in the greased 13x9 pan, making sure to keep it as even as possible.
9: Bake for 22 minutes, the dough will look undercooked but refrain from cooking any longer!!
10: Let bars cool in pan for 30 minutes, cover top of bars with remaining chocolate chips.
Smooth once they are heated to make a "frosting".
11: Cool**, cut & serve!
** I recommend letting the bars cool in the pan for AT LEAST 5 hours. Bars will set up more and more as the cool, I think 24 hours give the best results.**
I've been in a baking mood lately- and on a huge peanut butter kick.
Any time I can add peanut butter to the mix, I do. Literally.
And seeing that my "Peanut Butter Walnut and Banana Bread" was such a hit, I decided oatmeal cookies would be next.
So yesterday after making Mr M Sausage Peppers & Onions for his work lunch, I decided to scour the Internet for a recipe.
I came across a cookie bar recipe that stood out and had room for slight variation, and it was AMAZING.
I ended up altering the ingredient list here and there, and have as such changed it here to reflect the changes I made.
Mr M took the entire pan into work with him, and came back this morning with a empty dish piratically licked clean. The boys have asked for me to make them again, in my book that is a success!
Chewy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars-
Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 22 minutes Cool: 1-24 hours.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Cup White sugar
1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Half & Half cream
1 Cup Peanut Butter (full fat)
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups Oatmeal (1cup Old fashioned Oats, 1cup quick oats works best)
2 Cups All-purpose Baking Flour
1 12 oz bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (half of bag reserved)
1/2 Cup Crushed walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
1: Set oven rack to second lowest position in oven, and then pre-heat to 350 degrees.
2: Grease a 13x9 pan (glass works best)
3: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed; cream butter,
sugars, and vanilla until sugar granules are dissolved.
4: Add in Peanut butter, Half & Half, & eggs to the butter/sugar mixture and blend until smooth
5: In separate bowl combine Flour, salt, baking soda, Oats, and walnuts (optional),
mix with a spoon until all oats are separated and coated with flour.
6: Using your electric mixer on lowest setting, add in dry ingredients.
Batter will be very thick, but should be a smooth, even texture.
7: With a spatula, fold in the first half of you chocolate chips.
8: Spread cookie mixture in the greased 13x9 pan, making sure to keep it as even as possible.
9: Bake for 22 minutes, the dough will look undercooked but refrain from cooking any longer!!
10: Let bars cool in pan for 30 minutes, cover top of bars with remaining chocolate chips.
Smooth once they are heated to make a "frosting".
11: Cool**, cut & serve!
** I recommend letting the bars cool in the pan for AT LEAST 5 hours. Bars will set up more and more as the cool, I think 24 hours give the best results.**
5.07.2010
Vacation.
A much needed reprieve from my daily grind (though I thoroughly enjoy my daily life!)
and a welcome change of scenery.
BBQs have been had, family time enjoyed, my hair cut anew, and touristy events yet to be are all a vital part of this time away.
It always helps that the weather is SO nice and while I sport more than a few mosquito bites, I am still making time for the outdoors.
Less than a week before I am back home, and while I always miss my family here- Mr M is patiently waiting for me to return so that we can tend to our own family life.
Pictures will follow in the next couple of week- I feel no great rush to add them at this very moment- the sun is out and I plan on enjoying it while I can.
and a welcome change of scenery.
BBQs have been had, family time enjoyed, my hair cut anew, and touristy events yet to be are all a vital part of this time away.
It always helps that the weather is SO nice and while I sport more than a few mosquito bites, I am still making time for the outdoors.
Less than a week before I am back home, and while I always miss my family here- Mr M is patiently waiting for me to return so that we can tend to our own family life.
Pictures will follow in the next couple of week- I feel no great rush to add them at this very moment- the sun is out and I plan on enjoying it while I can.
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