tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26704226976803147492024-03-14T02:20:03.905-07:00Butterfly Kisses and Tasty DishesMy prayer for you...
That you will “Taste and See that the Lord is Good!” (Psalm 34:8), and that God will “show you the way of life, granting you the joy of His presence and the pleasures of living with Him forever" (Psalm 16:11)!SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-2305651967466402422016-06-25T16:09:00.001-07:002016-06-25T16:09:38.587-07:00"Would a Worm Go on a Walk" Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My kiddos were simply delighted when this beautifully illustrated, faith-filled Children's book arrived at our doorstep today! "Would a Worm Go on a Walk" written by Hannah C. Hall and Illustrated by Bill Bolton is simply delightful, engaging for children of all ages, and has the most colorful, beautiful illustrations I have ever seen in a children's book. My children are ages 4 and 9, and they both loved every page. The publisher recommended age is 4-7.<br />
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“Would a worm go on a walk, if you could lead him down the street? / Would he wear his tiny tennies, if he had two worm-sized feet?" So begins this humorous and imaginative picture book that introduces children to the idea that animals are uniquely created by a loving and wise God. Would a Worm Go on a Walk?, with its colorful, comical illustrations, is a fresh, fun way to teach young children that God created all things very good. He gave all the animals, and children, too, wonderful qualities and unique strengths. Children will giggle over the ridiculous scenarios presented, and they will come away with the knowledge that we all are loved and special.<br />
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My children laughed at the silly possibilities each animal faced, and they loved the colorful pictures on each page. The end of the book was such a beautiful surprise as it focused on how God creates each person and animal for a unique purpose, and we all have unique gifts and talents. This opened up a beautiful discussion for my children as we were able to share with each of them what talents we see in them. I was able to tell them all the ways that God has made them special, unique and beautiful. I know without a doubt that this book will be a huge favorite in our home for years to come. <br />
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This book is available for purchase at: <br />
http://shopbetterbooks.com/would-a-worm-go-on-a-walk<br />
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Guess What?? You have the opportunity to win a copy of this awesome book! Simply leave me a comment telling me what your favorite children's book is, and you will be entered into a drawing to win this awesome book. The giveaway will end July 4th at 10 p.m. CST. <br />
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Giveaway Disclosure:<br />
<span class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2811" style="color: #10171f;"><i>"</i><span class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2810"><i>Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):</i></span><i> Many th</i></span><i class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2805"><span class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2804" style="color: #10171f;">anks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. </span></i><i class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2831">Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. </i><i class="yiv2410373862" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1466894305095_2825">If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”</i><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-21247693919767165142016-05-22T17:13:00.000-07:002016-05-22T17:13:46.519-07:00Phil Wickham "Children Of God" Cd-a beautiful and intimate declaration of adoration and worship to our Heavenly Father
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Hello Dear
Friends! I was blessed with the opportunity to review Christian musician, Phil
Wickham’s, latest CD Release, “Children of God”, and it far exceeded my
expectations! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard “Your Love
Awakens Me” on our local Christian radio station and really liked Phil Wickham’s
style, so I was excited when the opportunity arose to review his latest cd. I
have listened to the cd on repeat since receiving it in the mail-it is simply
that good. The opening Doxology calmed my heart and prepared me for a time of
worship as I drove my children to church this morning. His entire album is a
beautiful mixture of gentle worship music and adoration declarations to our Heavenly
Father. My favorite songs on the album are Spirit Of God, Starmaker, The Secret
Place, and Stand in Awe. Madison Cunningham joined Phil Wickham on “The Secret
Place” and her voice mixed with his results in an absolutely breathtaking lyric.
As you can tell, I had a very difficult time picking my favorites </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">. Very rarely do I find a cd where I
adore each song and don’t skip over certain songs. This cd was an
exception-every song is so very beautiful and drew me into an intimate time of
worship. These songs will be a constant in our home for sure. I often listen to
worship music on repeat while I sleep, and this will be my chosen playlist in
the future. I strongly recommend this cd to anyone looking for a new worship
cd. Phil Wickham’s passion for pursuing God shines through his lyrics and
music. You can purchase his cd at the following online retailers:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">iTunes: </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/PW-COGiTunes"><span style="color: #386eff; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">http://smarturl.it/PW-COGiTunes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Amazon: </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Amazon"><span style="color: #386eff; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Amazon</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Spotify:
</span><a href="http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Spotify"><span style="color: #386eff; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Spotify</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">YouTube
Video: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQyXsJMkUPg"><span style="color: #386eff; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQyXsJMkUPg</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">#ChildrenOfGod
#FlyBy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Blessings
to you dear friends! You are dearly loved!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-81872397420318851372014-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:002014-01-23T11:06:05.570-08:00Valentine's Day Creativity~How to Share God's Love Extravagently<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valentines Day is my favorite holiday by far because it gives me extra opportunities to show my family how very much I love them and how deeply our Heavenly Father loves them. Here are a few ideas to lavish love on your husband and children this year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Countdown to Valentines Day:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made this Countdown to Valentines Day for my awesome hubby this year by printing off a blank February calendar (just google calendar templates), adding some red card stock and decorations, and including two of his favorite things...Dove chocolates and sincere compliments/praise. For each day leading up to Valentines Day, I wrote something that I love about him. I then taped a Dove chocolate over each day to hide the words. Each day he can enjoy something sweet for his soul and for his belly :-).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To create an affordable, easy, and fun Valentine for my son to give his friends this year, we cut red and pink card stock in four rectangles, and my son drew tic tac toe boards on them and wrote the words "U R A Winner" on top. We put them in a ziplock bag and included 18 M&M's (9 each of 2 different colors). His friends will have fun playing tic tac toe and then will have the added benefit of enjoying a few yummy M&M's.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Pop Quiz (Ring Pop) Valentines</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To add to his Tic Tac Toe Valentines, we made these cute Ring Pop Valentines with anyone free printable tag that says, "Pop Quiz-Will you be my Valentine". The link for the tags can be found here: <a href="http://www.overthebigmoon.com/kids-valentine-printable-pop-quiz/">http://www.overthebigmoon.com/kids-valentine-printable-pop-quiz/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I found heart cellophane bags at the Dollar Tree and Valentine Ring Pops at Walmart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stumbled across this idea on Pinterest, and quickly purchased the 99 cent download. </span><a href="http://frugalfun4boys.com/2014/01/20/kindness-action-devotions-families-loving-god-loving-people/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://frugalfun4boys.com/2014/01/20/kindness-action-devotions-families-loving-god-loving-people/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The blog author has written short family devotions for the 28 days in February on the subject of God's love and loving others through acts of kindness. I printed out each devotional, cut out the days, put them in individual envelopes, and decorated a bag to store them in. There are 6 "Kindness in Action" days where you are asked to perform an act of kindness as a family. There is a printable list of possible ideas for you to choose from or you can come up with your own ideas. I look forward to sharing these devotions and sharing God's love through acts of service with my family each day during the month of February.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a recurrent Valentine tradition in our home, and my 7 year old son starts anticipating it as early as January 1st :-). I have a mailbox for my husband and two children, and each day I fill their mailboxes with a sweet note, a special snack or candy, or a small toy or book. I found the mailboxes for a $1 at Target and Michaels, and the treats I buy during after-Christmas clearance sales or from the Dollar Tree. My son goes to bed each night in February super excited about waking up to see his mailbox surprises :-).</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hx1hRMUJo/UuFVAYpK8_I/AAAAAAAAHOs/-KBjcpM_Ce4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hx1hRMUJo/UuFVAYpK8_I/AAAAAAAAHOs/-KBjcpM_Ce4/s1600/image.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Valentine Treats:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I also love making special Valentine treats each year. Here are a few links to Valentine recipes that I have posted in the past:</span><br />
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Toddler Valentine Snack Mix:</h4>
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<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/toddler-valentines-snack-mix.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/toddler-valentines-snack-mix.html</a></div>
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Baked Heart Shaped Donuts:</h4>
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<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-baked-chocolate-donuts.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-baked-chocolate-donuts.html</a></div>
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2 Ingredient Strawberry Fudge:</h4>
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<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/2-ingredient-strawberry-fudge.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/2-ingredient-strawberry-fudge.html</a></div>
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Valentine Chex Mix:</h4>
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<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-chex-mix.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-chex-mix.html</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY65jFkAoCbMv8uDKLkGo1CHm1SsF9ia_LnBSiZrOiPS7LxlOM-71ohZjA8lVSCdkZAYGDQrRfxjcKB4zHrZQfGiPPcIDQ6npuAGVg8q9fF_OAH7akcbp-7VShxIfzjF39xR1S3s1lh0/s1600/valentines-versejeremiah-31-verse-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY65jFkAoCbMv8uDKLkGo1CHm1SsF9ia_LnBSiZrOiPS7LxlOM-71ohZjA8lVSCdkZAYGDQrRfxjcKB4zHrZQfGiPPcIDQ6npuAGVg8q9fF_OAH7akcbp-7VShxIfzjF39xR1S3s1lh0/s1600/valentines-versejeremiah-31-verse-3.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Blessings Dear Friends! </em></h4>
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<em>May your Love overflow and overwhelm others with kindness this Valentines Day. God's Unfailing Love enables us to Love Deeply with no other purpose than to draw others to the Agape love of our Heavenly Father<span style="color: red;">.</span></em><span style="color: red;"> </span></h4>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-35096553197955910552013-10-30T09:35:00.000-07:002013-10-30T09:35:09.214-07:00Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie TreatsBecause it is Autumn; Because I love all things Pumpkin; and because my sweet two year old baking assistant LOVES marshmallows, we spent a rainy morning creating these yummy Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats.<br />
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Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats</h3>
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Ingredients:</h4>
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1/4 cup corn syrup</div>
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1/2 cup butter (1 stick)</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla </div>
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1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice</div>
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1 box Instant Jello Pudding (Pumpkin Spice flavor)</div>
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*you could use French vanilla if you can't find the pumpkin flavor*</div>
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7-8 cups Rice Krispies Cereal</div>
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1 Bag Pumpkin Spice Flavored Marshmallows</div>
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1container cream cheese frosting</div>
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Cinnamon Sugar to dust on top</div>
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Directions:</h4>
In a very large bowl, place 7-8 cups of Rice Krispies. Next, in a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter with the corn syrup over medium heat. Add the pumpkin spice marshmallows, and stir well. Add the vanilla extract, the pumkin pie spice and the dry pudding mixture. Stir until smooth. Pour the marshmallow/butter mixture over the cereal in your large bowl. Use a soft rubber spatula to stir the cereal gently, making sure to coat it completely. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Let sit 15 minutes. Open your container of cream cheese frosting and spread it over the top of the Krispie treats. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar (mix 2-3 tablespoons sugar with one tablespoon cinnamon). Place pan in the refrigerator to set for at least 1 hour. Remove and slice into squares. Enjoy with a yummy cup of cocoa or a pumpkin spice latte :-).<br />
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Enjoy dearest friends! Remember that your job today is to HOPE in The Lord. He will sustain, strengthen, and love you with an EVERLASTING LOVE.<br />
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<i>Jeremiah 31:3<br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Long </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto;">ago the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto;">said to Israel:</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Jer-31-3" style="position: relative;">“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."</span></i></h4>
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-47882642529590489442013-05-02T10:19:00.002-07:002013-05-04T06:13:31.192-07:00Apple Pie Monkey Bread Bundles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>For our Mothers of Preschoolers meeting tomorrow, I wanted to bring something new and yummy. I perused my pantry and fridge and came up with these wonderful goodies. I called them apple pie monkey bread bundles because they are like a cross between a hot apple pie and gooey monkey bread :-). Try them for your family this weekend. They will make your tummy happy, your home smell heavenly, and your heart smile as you watch the joy they bring to everyone who tries one :-). </b></div>
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<b>Have a Blessed Day dear friends! You are dearly loved and prayed for! God sings and dances over you with delight...remind your children of that often (they need the encouragment and love so much)!</b><br />
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<b><i>Zephaniah 3:17</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">your God is living among you</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); position: relative;">He is a mighty savior</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>He will take delight in you with gladness.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); position: relative;">With his love, he will calm all your fears.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); position: relative;">He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="position: relative;">~~~</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Apple Pie Monkey Bread Bundles</span></span></span></span></h2>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Ingredients:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1 can Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (I used the Southern Style type)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">4 apples, chopped finely </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">2 teaspoons apple pie spice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/2 stick butter, melted</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/4 cup cinnamon sugar mixture</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Directions:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and chop four apples finely. Put the apples in a large bowl and add two teaspoons apple pie spice. stir gently. Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping over the apples and gently stir. Open the can of biscuits. With a rolling pin, flatten each biscuit. Place a heaping spoonful of apples in the center of each biscuit. Fold up the sides of the biscuit and cinch them together with your fingers. Melt the 1/2 stick of butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, put 1/4 cinnamon sugar in a small dish. Take each biscuit bundle and dip it in the melted butter, coating all sides. Next roll the buttered bundle in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat a muffin tin generously with cooking spray. Place each bundle, seam side down in the tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes (until lightly browned). Enjoy this yummy breakfast treat!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Serves 8</span></span></div>
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-54454778487461052792013-05-01T19:31:00.001-07:002013-05-01T19:40:28.443-07:00Triple Fudge Oreo Crunch Cookies and Patience in the waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>TRIPLE FUDGE OREO CRUNCH COOKIES</b></h3>
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<b><span dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small;">These cookies should come with a warning label...they are that AMAZING and VERY ADDICTIVE :-). I recently found this recipe on the baking blog, Bakergirl, and since I already had all of the ingredients in my pantry, I decided to give them a try. These cookies were shared with many people who almost instantly requested the recipe. So bake some today and share with friends and family....I promise these cookies will make you a star :-)! The original recipe can be found here:</span></span><a href="http://buddingbaketress.blogspot.com/2012/01/triple-fudge-oreo-crunch-cookies.html">http://buddingbaketress.blogspot.com/2012/01/triple-fudge-oreo-crunch-cookies.html</a></b></div>
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<b>Have a Blessed week dear friends! You are dearly loved and prayed for!</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This verse encouraged me so much today as we continue on our adoption journey (www.emmacharity.blogspot.com) and I wanted to share it in case any of you have been called by God and are growing impatient in the waiting.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><b>"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." ~Habakkuk 2:3</b></span></div>
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<b>Triple Fudge Oreo Crunch Cookies</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 cup butter-flavored shortening</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 1/2 cups granulated sugar </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2 large eggs</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 teaspoon vanilla</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 teaspoon baking soda</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 teaspoon salt</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1 1/4 cups chocolate chips or chunks</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>12-15 Oreos, roughly cut into quarters</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>3/4 cup white chocolate chips</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Directions:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease baking sheets with </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>no-stick cooking spray </b></span><b>and set aside. </b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar, </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>eggs, and vanilla until smooth.</b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda,</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b> and salt. Slowly add to the </b></span><b>sugar mixture and beat until </b><br />
<b>well-combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.</b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Using a wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate chips, Oreo chunks, </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>and white chocolate </b></span><b>chips until incorporated. Scoop out dough </b><br />
<b>and roll into 2 tablespoons-sized balls. </b><b>Place on baking sheet </b><br />
<b>about 2 inches apart and slightly flatten with your hand. </b></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until done. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to cool completely.</b></span></div>
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-81737946563826938392013-04-21T18:22:00.002-07:002013-04-21T18:23:51.489-07:00Apple Pie BrowniesI stumbled across a recipe for apple brownies that I tweaked, and the result was delicious. These brownies would be the perfect addition to a brunch or breakfast party. Their cinnamon scent smells just heavenly.<br />
<br />
Enjoy! You are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father and prayed for daily. This song has blessed me this week given the many tragedies our country has faced recently. <a href="http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=B3mTk148NBs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB3mTk148NBs">http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=B3mTk148NBs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB3mTk148NBs</a><br />
Our God is always Faithful, and His love is unending!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvLfnFWQRHY/UXSQm1XicWI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/dN_RO5O_U-w/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvLfnFWQRHY/UXSQm1XicWI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/dN_RO5O_U-w/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<h2 style="border: 0px; clear: both; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Apple Pie Brownies</i></span></span></h2>
<h3 style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ingredients:</span></span></h3>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3/4 cup butter ( (1 and 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened )</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 cups Light brown sugar</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 eggs</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 cups flour</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 tablespoons baking powder</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 can apple pie filling</span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 tablespoons apple pie spice</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cinnamon sugar</span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
</span><br />
<h3 style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Directions:</span></span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.03em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, apple pie spice and apple pie filling. Mix well. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.</span></div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-4930435191723308032013-04-06T21:00:00.002-07:002013-04-06T21:00:36.134-07:00Stella & Dot Adoption Fundraiser: Buy your "Emma Charity" Jewelry Now <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are so blessed to have a new friend, Ashley Jones, who has provided us with a wonderful fundraising opportunity for Emma's adoption. Ashley sells the beautiful Stella & Dot jewelry, and she is hosting an online jewelry party for us and donating her comission to Emma's adoption.<br /><br />She and I have selected a few pieces from the Stella & Dot line that will be the "EMMA" line. Each piece holds special significance to our family regarding Emma's adoption. The Odette collection is the "INFINITY" line. Emma Charity which means "complete" or "infinite" "love". <img src="https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yo/r/X8YPpi6kcyo.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; border: 0px currentcolor; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; margin: 0px 1px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /> Adoption is similar because you share God's infinite love with a child who has no one...crossing borders and loving completely. Within the Odette collection there are two infinity necklaces, three pairs of infinity earrings, an infinity bracelet/cuff, and an infinity ring to choose from. These items can be viewed here:<a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/catalogsearch/result/?q=odette" style="text-decoration: none;">http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/catalogsearch/result/?q=odette</a><br /><br />We are also offering the TREE OF LIFE charm necklace which signifies family and being rooted together in Christ despite distance or circumstance. It is available in sterling silver or bronze.<a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/tree-of-life-necklace-sterling-silver.html" style="text-decoration: none;">http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/tree-of-life-necklace-sterling-silver.html</a><br /><a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/tree-of-life-necklace-bronze.html" style="text-decoration: none;">http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/tree-of-life-necklace-bronze.html</a><br /><br />And, lastly there will be a child's bracelet, called the "Little Dottie". We chose this piece for all the precious little girls who love to dress up and wear jewelry and who will love that they have helped bring Emma home by choosing this special piece.<br /><a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/little-dottie-bracelet.html" style="text-decoration: none;">http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/little-dottie-bracelet.html</a><br /><br /><span class="s3">How can you shop? It’s easy! </span><span class="s3">Head to </span><a href="http://www.stelladot.com/ashleyjones" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="s4">www.stelladot.com/ashleyjones</span></a><span class="s3">.</span><span class="s3"> At the top you will see “Find your Hostess.” Click there and type in Christina Burrell. At that point you can browse the site and shop away! You may find all the beautiful jewelry overwhelming so we chose a few pieces that have special meaning and will tie us all together for Emma. The show is open to shop </span><span class="s3">now and will close on April 29.</span><br /><br />We will receive 100% of the commission from every item that you purchase and you will have a special piece of jewelry to remind you/link you to our princess from Moldova, Emma Charity. It is our hope that each time you wear the jewelry you will say a special prayer over our family.<br /><br />The online party will remain open until April 29, 2013, so place your orders soon. Please feel free to share this blog post and the party link and details with your friends and family. Every order brings us closer to our Emma.<br /><br />If you would like a flyer or more information on these items mailed to you, then please email me at <a href="mailto:christinaburrell@hotmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;">christinaburrell@hotmail.com</a> If you have any questions, you can also call me at <a href="tel:956-566-6756" style="text-decoration: none;">956-566-6756</a>.<br /><br />Thank you so much for your consideration in buying an "EMMA" piece and for helping us spread the word by sharing the link and the party information. May God pour out His LOVE and BLESSING on each of you!!</span><br />
<a href="http://emmacharity.blogspot.com/">http://emmacharity.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-64760126130559716292013-03-08T05:41:00.000-08:002013-03-08T05:41:11.437-08:00Our Moldovan Adoption-Online Auction for Awesome Items and Other Fundraising Opportunities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">For those of you who do not know, we are in the process of adopting a little girl from Moldova. To read about our adoption story, visit our adoption blog here: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.emmacharity.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-complete-love-emma-charity-is.html">http://www.emmacharity.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-complete-love-emma-charity-is.html</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xaAeF7fIG1pBMtbXDucVgP-rXeoLTjYJY7xpn-358LGB0-6Gx3MwFy4yuhjBMlb-5M2LEDh6mUsXBEQI83GguTbsxBctQbEcjRsdo2qoBMARgjXKve4EjKADyJnqUTlIuKU4gLfqUZM/s1600/Moldova+Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xaAeF7fIG1pBMtbXDucVgP-rXeoLTjYJY7xpn-358LGB0-6Gx3MwFy4yuhjBMlb-5M2LEDh6mUsXBEQI83GguTbsxBctQbEcjRsdo2qoBMARgjXKve4EjKADyJnqUTlIuKU4gLfqUZM/s1600/Moldova+Map.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We have been so blessed to receive many wonderful things to auction off for Emma's Adoption costs. To everyone who has donated an item, we say "Thank You" from the bottom of our hearts! Each gift is a blessing.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">The auction is now live. You can view the items here:</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200641005888837.220131.1270923703&type=1">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200641005888837.220131.1270923703&type=1</a><br />
<span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">To bid, simply make a comment under the picture. The auction will run until Friday, March 15th at 10:00 p.m. (CST). At the conclusion of the auction, each winner will be contacted via email with instructions on how to pay for the item. If your item needs to be shipped, there is a shipping cost. Please pay for your items within 7 days via PayPal or a Check or Cash. </span><br />
<span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Please feel free to share the link with your friends, family, on your blog, etc... The more people who bid, the more money we will be able to raise for Emma's adoption. If you have any questions, contact me at <a href="mailto:christinaburrell@hotmail.com">christinaburrell@hotmail.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">We ask for your prayers as we follow God's leading to Moldova. Pray for precious Emma to be surrounded with love and compassionate care while she is in the orphanage. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">There are several ways that you can support our adoption financially.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;">One way that you can help support bringing Emma home to our family is by purchasing coffee from our store at: http:/www.justlovecoffee.com/TheBurrells</span></div>
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;">For every bag of coffee that you purchase, we will receive $5. Thank you so much for helping in this way. Please forward the link to everyone you know who likes coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. The coffee is absolutely delicious! My hubby is especially fond of the Rwandan.</span></div>
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;">We also have an online store where we are selling tshirts (both adoption-themed and Christian-themed). For every t-shirt you purchase, we will receive $8 to put towards our adoption. Please consider purchasing a shirt and forward the link to the store to your coworkers, friends, and family. The link to our store is: </span><a href="http://www.adoptionbug.com/burrellmoldovanadoption"><span style="color: black;">http://www.adoptionbug.com/burrellmoldovanadoption</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If you feel led to just donate directly to our family, we promise you that 100% of your gift will go towards her adoption. You can contribute money by making checks out to Darin and Christina Burrell (please email me at </span><a href="mailto:christinaburrell@hotmail.com"><span style="color: black;">christinaburrell@hotmail.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> to request our address) or through paypal at the paypal address: </span><a href="mailto:christinaburrell@hotmail.com"><span style="color: black;">christinaburrell@hotmail.com</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Our greatest need is prayer-prayer of protection over Emma and prayers for God's provision and timing on the entire adoption process. </span></div>
<br /><span style="color: #61336e; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you to everyone for your continual support, prayers, and love</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Pea Dana Anne; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #61336e;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Praying her home, </span><strong>Darin, Christina, Jaythan and Bella Joy</strong></span></span>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-60654155746915376862013-02-24T14:10:00.003-08:002013-02-24T19:45:53.307-08:00Contributing to BeautyDo you ever feel worn out, just burdened by so many things, on the verge of exhaustion, overwhelmed, inpatient, etc? If you are a Mama then the answer is "Yes". Lately, I have felt all these things, often at the same time. This morning in church, I could feel the tears on the crisp of falling. I fought to hold them in because I was fearful that if they started to fall it would be an avalanche of brokenness. I am not good at expressing my feelings or my hurts, and they often get bottled up inside only to surface at the most inappropriate times in a not-so-pretty manner.<br />
<br />
Right now our family is burdened with two house payments, raising provisions for our adoption, health issues, family concerns, ongoing grief over our daughter in heaven, insecurities, and recovering from two months of sicknesses in our home. Exhaustion mentally, physically, and spiritually overwhelms daily.<br />
<br />
So when I first heard this song, "Worn" last week, I felt like God was speaking clearly to me (song link is below). He is able to carry my burdens, to give me the rest I seek, to heal our sicknesses, to sell our home, to give peace in our grief. My God is Able in ALL things. How often I forget that. I think as Christians we often get so consumed in our messy lives that we forget who can make beauty from those messes. God sees the final picture, and that picture is a beautiful masterpiece. My current messiness is just a small part that contributes to that final beauty. So, I can choose to see my discouragement and anxieties as contributors to beauty or as a mess. When I choose the "mess" option, my heart will feel the same-an utter mess. However, if I focus on who I know God to be (Faithful to keep His Promises; Able to perform miracles; Always Present with me; Always for me; Always loving me; Never giving up on me) then, and only then, can I view my circumstances as "contributors to beauty."<br />
<br />
<div class="passage version-MSG result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No matter what you face today, dear friends, your circumstance is a CONTRIBUTOR TO BEAUTY, so surrender it to God. He is the only who can bring beauty from ashes and joy in the morning.</span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Worn" by Tenth Avenue North</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM">http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Romans 8:28</span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Message (MSG)</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><i><span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" id="en-MSG-12054" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;">26-28 </sup></span>Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.</i></i></span></div>
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-48276360227295854082013-02-17T14:16:00.000-08:002013-02-17T14:16:45.382-08:00Easy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Pie<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My hubby loves chocolate and he loves cheesecake. Each year on his birthday and Valentine's Day I make him one of my famous from-scratch cheesecakes. They are enormous and take forever for him to eat (no one else in our family likes cheesecake). So this year, I experimented a little and came up with a quick, easy, homemade smaller version of his favorite dessert. He declared it to be absolutely amazing, and he says he looks forward to eating all eight small slices :-). This would be the perfect dessert to make when cooking dinner for a new mom or some one who is sick. It is delicious, easy, and the perfect size to share. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Enjoy my friends! You are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father and prayed over! Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us that our Heavenly Father rejoices over us with singing! Wow! That humbles me with the knowledge that He loves me that much! How Awesome is our God!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Pie</span></span></h2>
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<em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Makes ones 8-inch pie</em></div>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">INGREDIENTS for Cheesecake:</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 1.467em 1.467em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 (8-inch) store-bought graham cracker crust – chocolate or regular*</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 cup mini chocolate chips, divided</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">6 ounces cream cheese</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 egg</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3 Tablespoons lemon juice</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></li>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">INGREDIENTS for Chocolate Glaze:</strong></div>
<ul style="list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 1.467em 1.467em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (I use 1/3 cup chocolate chips)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">¼ cup whipping cream (or milk)</span></li>
</ul>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DIRECTIONS:</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arrange 1/2 cup chocolate chips on the bottom of the crust.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beat together cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Beat in egg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Carefully pour on top of the chocolate chips in the crust.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.467em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bake 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or just until set. Cool completely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Melt the semi-sweet chocolate and whipping cream together over low heat, stirring often (I do this in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pour over the cheesecake and then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips on top. Chill several hours before serving.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*NOTE: If making your own graham cracker crust, keep in mind that this recipe is designed for an 8-inch pie pan (and many pie pans are 9-inch). If you use a 9-inch, you will probably have to adjust the cooking time (and obviously, the finished product will be slightly thinner).</span></div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-55419262196937591882013-02-12T10:30:00.003-08:002013-02-12T10:30:33.707-08:00Valentine's Chex MixI whipped up this super yummy and easy Valentine's Chex Mix this morning to share with friends and my family. The red and pink candy make it look so pretty-almost too pretty to eat :-). Almost :-).<br />
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Mix some up to share and show God's love to others with a smile and a yummy treat that lets them know you are thinking of them. <br />
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<strong>John 15:13 (the Message)</strong></div>
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<strong>“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: <em><u>Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.</u></em> You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father."</strong></div>
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<em>Valentine's Chex Mix</em></h3>
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<strong>Ingredients:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 box Rice Chex cereal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup white chocolate chips</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tablespoons butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/3 cup powdered sugar</div>
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1/2 cup Valentine M&Ms</div>
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1/4 cup Valentines sprinkles or red and pink hearts</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Place cereal in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, microwave the butter, peanut butter, and white chocolate chips uncovered on high 1 minute (stirring at the 30 second mark). Stir until melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the cereal, stirring gently until all cereal is evenly coated. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Place 1/2 of the cereal in a paper lunch sack or gallon-sized ziploc bag. Add the 1/3 cup powdered suar. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is coated with the sugar. Spread on wax paper or foil-lined cookie sheet to cool for 15 minutes.</div>
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Meanwhile, stir the m&ms and the valentine sprinkles into the remaining cereal mixture. Spread on wax paper or foil-lined cookie sheet for 15 minutes to cool. </div>
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In a large bowl, mix both cereals together gently and then store in cute valentine themed bags or a sealed containers. Share with friends. </div>
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Makes 11 servings (1/2 cup each)</div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-64063331630104934792013-02-12T10:15:00.000-08:002013-02-12T10:15:23.202-08:00Toddler Valentine's Snack MixToday, I enjoyed making a yummy Valentine Snack Mix for my precious little Bella and her toddler MOPs class. Twice a month, I am blessed to attend Mothers of Preschoolers at our church. While Mommy gets some girl time, craft time, etc.., Bella enjoys playing with her toddler friends in Moppets. This Friday, we were asked to bring a Valentine Snack for the kiddos, so I whipped up this Valentine themed Cereal Mix that seemed age-appropriate for 18 month olds. You can adjust the mix with your favorite cereals or dried fruits. I have posted the recipe and a few pics below.<br />
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I am super blessed with a sweet toddler who loves giving kisses and hugs and loves her Mommy. She brings my heart so much JOY daily. She is a constant reminder to me of God's Abundant Love! I pray that each of you knows the depths of your Father's Great Love for you!<br />
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<em>Ephesians 3:18</em></h4>
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<em>"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."</em></h4>
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<em>Toddler Valentine Snack Mix</em></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Ingredients:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 box Elmo X&O cereal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 box Strawberry Shredded Wheat</div>
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1 box Welch's Yogurt Covered Strawberry Fruit Snacks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup Craisins</div>
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1 cup Valentine M&Ms</div>
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<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl gently, and then store in bags or an airtight container. Enjoy!</div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-31499785319111410722013-02-06T12:15:00.002-08:002013-02-10T20:22:11.244-08:00Mocha Cappuccino MunchMy dear hubby has been out of town for work all week, and I miss him tremendously. Thankfully, he is coming home tonight so I whipped up this yummy treat as a surprise. He loves mocha cappuccinos and chocolate so this is the perfect combo for him.<br />
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Blessings my dear friends! You are deeply loved and prayed for by your Heavenly Father.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Mocha Cappuccino Munch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 box Rice Chex<br />
1 Tablespoon instant coffee<br />
2 Tablespoons very hot water</div>
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1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)</div>
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1/4 cup shortening</div>
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips</div>
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1/2 cup Jif Chocolate Silk Peanut Butter</div>
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2 cups powdered confectioners sugar</div>
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1 bag chocolate covered espresso beans or mini espresso cups (found at Walmart or the Dollar Tree)</div>
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Directions:</div>
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In a microwaveable safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, chocolate silk peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. Stir ground coffee into the two tablespoons hot water until the coffee is dissolved. Add the coffee and the shortening to the chocolate mixture and microwave for 45 seconds more. Stir until smooth. Place the rice Chex in a large bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture over the top and gently stir until all cereal is coated. Place the powdered sugar in a large plastic bag or paper sack. Spoon the Chex mix into the bag. Shake until everything is coated. Spread onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet and let set. Sprinkle the chocolate covered espresso beans over the mix. Spoon into storage containers. Store in a sealed container for 7 days. Enjoy!<br />
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-61847754380291835202013-02-05T22:00:00.000-08:002013-02-06T08:24:12.493-08:00God is My Refuge, my Constant, my Hope!<br />
In the past five years our family has experienced heartache,the loss of a daughter, a new job and subsequent move, many changes, a crazy adoption journey, redirection and financial uncertainty. Each day, I wake up, and my only choice is to surrender to the fact that God sees it all and He is my only CONSTANT and He is Always, Always in Control.<br />
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In recent months, there has been one resource that has helped me trust God more completely and run to Him and Him only on the days when I feel so overwhelmed. I have been so blessed to be a part of the review team for a new 12 week Devotional entitled "God is My Refuge" by author, Kathy Howard (<a href="http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge">http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCOMxxlRQIroHWQoBItTmMptYN_jgQKHGAouMqEScXqkC4Jx40S3IW3tCVQd8AyNXBC92hRpnzU2kT6zRezhmzI4QoK4decY-ywZvlrIgms9Km8C1PB3akz8NzU5Kc3Bell0YqpqnMDQ/s1600/book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCOMxxlRQIroHWQoBItTmMptYN_jgQKHGAouMqEScXqkC4Jx40S3IW3tCVQd8AyNXBC92hRpnzU2kT6zRezhmzI4QoK4decY-ywZvlrIgms9Km8C1PB3akz8NzU5Kc3Bell0YqpqnMDQ/s1600/book.png" /></a></div>
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I recently blogged about how much Kathy's chapter on Healing had ministered to me on a day when I was feeling so very weak and burdened. You can read about that here:<br />
<a href="http://www.butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/01/god-is-my-refuge-when-i-am-weak-and.html?m=1">http://www.butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/01/god-is-my-refuge-when-i-am-weak-and.html?m=1</a><br />
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If you are struggling with fear, brokenness, worry, illness, weariness (this applies to all us mamas :-)), grief, discontentment, temptation, loneliness, or facing troubles of all kinds, then this devotional will be a huge blessing to your soul. Below I have included an interview with author, Kathy Howard, so you can understand more about the book and her heart for helping women find refuge in God through prayer, time in His Word, and scripture memorization.<br />
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I pray you each consider using this resource in your daily quiet time. I wanted to share one of my favorite worship songs that helps me remember that God alone is my REFUGE and NOT FOR A MOMENT WILL HE FORSAKE ME. Blessings dear friends!<br />
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"Not For A Moment" by Meredith Andrews:</div>
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<a href="http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=XD0cvWImVjA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXD0cvWImVjA">http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=XD0cvWImVjA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXD0cvWImVjA</a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<em>God Is My Refuge: 12 Weeks of Devotions and Scripture Memory for Troubled Times</em></h3>
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<em>Interview with the author, Kathy Howard</em></h3>
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<strong>1. How can this devotional book help and encourage Christian women?</strong></div>
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<strong>Christian women are not immune to trials and difficulties. In fact, Jesus clearly warned His followers that we will have trouble. We live in a fallen world and the effects touch everyone. However, believers have a safe place to go in the midst of trouble. Our God invites us to take refuge in Him. He is our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”</strong></div>
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<strong>Most Christians believe God can help, but many don’t know where to go in the Bible to find the comfort, peace, and guidance He longs to give. God Is My Refuge provided the direction Christian women need to discover, understand, and apply the “ever-present help” only God can give.</strong></div>
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<strong>2. What makes God Is My Refuge different from most other devotionals?</strong></div>
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<strong>God Is My Refuge is more of a purposeful quite time guide. The overall intent for the book is to help women discover the help God offers in times of difficulty. Each day’s devotion includes the following components:</strong></div>
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<strong>• Scripture reading of 5 to 8 verses</strong></div>
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<strong>• Brief illustration and commentary on the verses</strong></div>
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<strong>• Three questions for personal reflection and application</strong></div>
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<strong>• Prayer prompt</strong></div>
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<strong>• Memory Minute</strong></div>
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<strong>Each of the 12 weeks focuses on a specific area of trouble like financial need, illness, broken relationships, grief, or fear. Each week highlights a verse that the reader is encouraged to memorize to internalize God’s truth. The daily “Memory Minute” gives quick, practical steps to facilitate memorization.</strong></div>
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<strong>3. Tell us about how God used this book in your life while you were writing it.</strong></div>
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<strong>Not long after I began working on this devotional our family entered a time of crisis. God used every moment I spent searching His Word and studying His promises to minister to me in my time of trouble. I needed what I was preparing for others. He comforted me with His Words of love. He filled me with the peace that can only come from Him. He strengthened me with the presence of His Spirit. God has truly been my refuge and ever-present help.</strong></div>
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<strong>4. This devotional includes a Scripture memory component. Why is this important?</strong></div>
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<strong>Memorizing God’s Word solidly entrenches it in your heart and mind. When you internalize His truth like this, God can use it to minister to you in powerful and personal ways:</strong></div>
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<strong>• Provide you with comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Col 3:15-16; Ps 1:1-3)</strong></div>
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<strong>• Give you guidance and wisdom (Ps 37:31; Ps 119:24, 98, 105)</strong></div>
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<strong>• Foster your spiritual growth (2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 1 Pet 2:2)</strong></div>
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<strong>• Prepare you to share your faith with others (1 Pet 3:15; Acts 18:28)</strong></div>
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<strong>• Fill you with joy and pour out His blessings (Ps 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:21-25)</strong></div>
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<strong>5. Memorizing Scripture overwhelms many Christians. How does God Is My Refuge help readers overcome this?</strong></div>
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<strong>Memorizing Scripture is often overwhelming because we are looking at the “big chunk.” We see the end – having a verse or section memorized – and think “there’s no way I can do that!” You’ve heard the old saying about how to eat an elephant? The answer is “one bite at a time!” The same is true with memorizing Scripture. This devotional gives readers small, daily, doable steps to help them succeed. One bite at a time, until the verse is memorized! We also review all the verses throughout the course of the devotional to help them stick.</strong></div>
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<strong>6. What is main takeaway of God Is My Refuge?</strong></div>
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<strong>Christians will have trouble in this world, but God is there is help us in the midst of it. He will not leave us to stumble around on our own. He has the desire and power to help us. We just have to turn to Him. This devotional helps us do just that!</strong></div>
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<strong>For more information about God Is My Refuge, and to download a free day’s devotional, visit Kathy’s website:</strong></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge/">http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge/</a></strong></div>
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<strong>To purchase a copy of God Is My Refuge on Amazon:</strong></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-My-Refuge-Devotions-Scripture/dp/089112330X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356913454&sr=1-1&keywords=god+is+my+refuge+by+kathy+howard">http://www.amazon.com/God-My-Refuge-Devotions-Scripture/dp/089112330X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356913454&sr=1-1&keywords=god+is+my+refuge+by+kathy+howard</a></strong></div>
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<br />SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-59714593340678598682013-02-03T13:39:00.004-08:002013-02-03T13:39:52.782-08:00Goodwill Boutique! What a Discovery! Oh the Joy of Thrift Store Shopping!!<span class="userContent">This Saturday, I was blessed with some free time after my hair cut appointment. Because every mama knows that you cannot shop for clothes for yourself when accompanied by your mischevious 18 month old :-). My husband was watching our precious kiddos, and I stopped by our new local GW Boutique. It is a new store that Goodwill is trying out in select markets. They only sell new with tags or like-new Women's clothes, shoes, purses, and jewlery from upscale stores like Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Talbots, Hollister, Banana Republic, the Gap, etc..</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.goodwillfortworth.org/stores/gw-boutique/">http://www.goodwillfortworth.org/stores/gw-boutique/</a></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"></span>Oh <span class="userContent">my! Let me just say that the GW Boutique is AMAZING and will be my go-to place to shop for clothes. I have visited several local thrift stores in the area with the hopes of finding cute clothes for myself without spending too much money. Finances are tight when you are a stay-at-home mama with two kiddos, two house payments, and an upcoming adoption (but that doesn't mean that I have to sacrifice looking cute :-)). I have visited Plato's Closet and the Clothes Mentor, but, honestly, I was disappointed in both. Their clothes were not in great condition, and they seemed overpriced. I can often get a better deal at the retail stores with my coupon codes. But, then I discovered the GW!</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">The GW Boutique sells high end new (with the retail tags still attached) and like-new women's clothes super cheap (nothing over $8.99). I got 7 items (all brand new with tags) from Anthropologie, Gap, Calvin Klein, Hollister, Aeropostale, Chicco, and Ann Taylor for less than $50.00 total! I just wanted to share my finds in case there are other blessed mamas' out there who could use a wardrobe update but don't have a lot of money to spend. Don't be afraid to check out the thrift stores in your area. You may even have a local Goodwill Boutique. You can find your local stores by searching here: <a href="http://locator.goodwill.org/">http://locator.goodwill.org/</a> Just remember that there are regular Goodwill stores and then there are these new speciality boutiques. Here are my awesome finds:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H9c79VXalu3ALItEnTkBi0oci0k3X9VBVv_Qlr9DwA317y3VDf54NzLWXXwfbdSvXZg-kLwELIwSdxMt6DSIMDVboIlthBa_AMnhIQ6SPOYWq5htzdPGGqbhz84UIouQ_vSG30KhNBc/s1600/gw1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H9c79VXalu3ALItEnTkBi0oci0k3X9VBVv_Qlr9DwA317y3VDf54NzLWXXwfbdSvXZg-kLwELIwSdxMt6DSIMDVboIlthBa_AMnhIQ6SPOYWq5htzdPGGqbhz84UIouQ_vSG30KhNBc/s320/gw1.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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New with Tags ANN TAYLOR Jacket</div>
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(this has the CUTEST bubble sleeves and FUN buttons)</div>
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$8.99</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj2W9rT1T9mNOjWC06Ng0V3JsCqhhCPR4IMWto-mvKz5_qs1199j4tZS9OPmX4eMLyIkDBtNeziXDkrLPl3-swUXSJAEQKttqdg7jNkHPBH9f8mZUWnGr1fwRi7en5YmnR-kaj-Tf_FU/s1600/gw2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj2W9rT1T9mNOjWC06Ng0V3JsCqhhCPR4IMWto-mvKz5_qs1199j4tZS9OPmX4eMLyIkDBtNeziXDkrLPl3-swUXSJAEQKttqdg7jNkHPBH9f8mZUWnGr1fwRi7en5YmnR-kaj-Tf_FU/s320/gw2.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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GORGEOUS New with Tags Velvet Swing Coat from ANTHROPOLOGIE (brand FREE PEOPLE)</div>
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$8.99</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq-dKy3WLXG2zT7tDdDH2dfe4eni8pYNLI8Eia-DtyHEgW2d01R-JPYynEs14PxbU5B9xBDE9jfMbOC6ayWJUt87pT_DUdPbHxMRyBJSD9KjfBa-JqFqLS8I-s2o4dPkFM8p3MhP5nGo/s1600/gw3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq-dKy3WLXG2zT7tDdDH2dfe4eni8pYNLI8Eia-DtyHEgW2d01R-JPYynEs14PxbU5B9xBDE9jfMbOC6ayWJUt87pT_DUdPbHxMRyBJSD9KjfBa-JqFqLS8I-s2o4dPkFM8p3MhP5nGo/s320/gw3.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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Close-Up pic of the BEAUTIFUL Buttons on the Anthropologie Coat</div>
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CUTE New with Tags Ivory Sweater/Cardigan from Hollister</div>
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$8.99</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPj4bfZC56zbK_pHiovtvpbhOazRJw2-FAV-oYxxc2PPpeXJroOUfFeWUoBTayWjecKOIuG4WvP6UGzWBGpQQ1ztJSaGgESxSWbrb547zvKF0IQvLPd_wN3-OJ2ldTyFqJjhCFl5xGUc/s1600/gw5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPj4bfZC56zbK_pHiovtvpbhOazRJw2-FAV-oYxxc2PPpeXJroOUfFeWUoBTayWjecKOIuG4WvP6UGzWBGpQQ1ztJSaGgESxSWbrb547zvKF0IQvLPd_wN3-OJ2ldTyFqJjhCFl5xGUc/s320/gw5.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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New With Tags Blue CALVIN KLEIN Super Soft Long-Sleeve Shirt</div>
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$4.99</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5slelLmHx1D3fx2NHbk44SHUVMldswDsDA7S_IIVWG9acUPvsnsucrlAFOETzb_GUZOKRX3xp3AeukkoJQJcuYc3cYDnkCSn-x-hPcix7XJcz3gAnKD7qsGlULX-6UdVAPsJs5WbJ6s/s1600/gw6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5slelLmHx1D3fx2NHbk44SHUVMldswDsDA7S_IIVWG9acUPvsnsucrlAFOETzb_GUZOKRX3xp3AeukkoJQJcuYc3cYDnkCSn-x-hPcix7XJcz3gAnKD7qsGlULX-6UdVAPsJs5WbJ6s/s320/gw6.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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CUTE New with Tags Navy Swing-Sleeved Cardigan from CHICOS</div>
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$7.91</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-3l4LSX0yUBQ8GH6N8Lomg69TK4rhWWi_yzDU-Tx-7z4Uc9mWa2xavegPgxMJGy2bHh713GKaDSAzitIYoFXsVdm7Q9GUH6Vd9G2ryiMOB39hLRegXVzMq7n0fktF6-4JnfuehrGmZk/s1600/gw7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-3l4LSX0yUBQ8GH6N8Lomg69TK4rhWWi_yzDU-Tx-7z4Uc9mWa2xavegPgxMJGy2bHh713GKaDSAzitIYoFXsVdm7Q9GUH6Vd9G2ryiMOB39hLRegXVzMq7n0fktF6-4JnfuehrGmZk/s320/gw7.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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Basic Long-Sleeved New with Tags T-Shirt from the GAP</div>
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$4.99</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1o9rMaF6ZXkkHytk-g23XYlnHobrppOsSOUsoJWo__st4vsxbyM7KmD6164yu_1hw7dVUlJOm-sC9-Ldlr5yp4Z0oveoPHsPPJoO2kfrhGUY-txA49Sy7zdLx55weGnRXXZZhT1P8Uo/s1600/gw8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1o9rMaF6ZXkkHytk-g23XYlnHobrppOsSOUsoJWo__st4vsxbyM7KmD6164yu_1hw7dVUlJOm-sC9-Ldlr5yp4Z0oveoPHsPPJoO2kfrhGUY-txA49Sy7zdLx55weGnRXXZZhT1P8Uo/s320/gw8.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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ADORABLE New with tags long, super soft cardigan from AEROPOSTALE</div>
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$6.79</div>
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<span class="userContent">Thrift stores rock and totally help this mama wear cool clothes on a tight budget :-). Do any of my awesome readers have any thrift store tips or experiences to share for this newbie? I love a good bargain! </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Have a BLESSED day my beautiful friends! </span><br />
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<h3 class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
<em>Colossians 3:12-14 (The Message)</em></h3>
<div class="passage version-MSG result-text-style-normal text-html " style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Col-3-12-Col-3-14" id="en-MSG-12533"><em>"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."</em></span></div>
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-32924460248412045072013-01-31T07:58:00.000-08:002013-01-31T07:58:42.356-08:00100 Day of School CreativityMy son's Kindergarten class is celebrating the 100th day of school this Friday. We turned to Pinterest and found some super cute ideas. My son wanted a red shirt with 100 Googly eyes so we found a shirt and the eyes at Michaels for less than $5 total. We had fun drawing the shape of a silly monster with teeth onto the shirt. We just used a black sharpie marker, and it worked great. My son attends a private Christian school, and each week they memorize a different verse so we added the verse from 1 Corinthians 2:9 <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“No EYE has seen, no ear has heard, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and no mind has imagined </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">what God has prepared</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-9" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); position: relative;">for those who love him.” </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next, we just hot-glued the 100 Googly eyes randomly inside the monster shape. The shirt turned out super cute, and my six year old is so excited to be a Googly-Eyed Monster on Friday :-).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YEJQsJvNGO_ItdctLP1vxEvLdqOKQWp1u8MeO02m8Q-xTZkXNnK4v5k-yy9LoyQ3V7Ex0H1heZji8igctyV54XJcU4JVI6ofz3VM2RVTJWJupYj7x-ZGokhKfUPFYhliY12JtLmn_dI/s1600/100dayshirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YEJQsJvNGO_ItdctLP1vxEvLdqOKQWp1u8MeO02m8Q-xTZkXNnK4v5k-yy9LoyQ3V7Ex0H1heZji8igctyV54XJcU4JVI6ofz3VM2RVTJWJupYj7x-ZGokhKfUPFYhliY12JtLmn_dI/s320/100dayshirt.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh_Mt0lnDw9pswR3UuFKrV_DxHRuzQ1Yi74FKIm2BFYu6XkOlqXvJQwnhrikivbG4nNiSz4VSqga2fNfuQcYSLVX_IiQ_XBNhjuAgqMvwbhe6L-448WIwSorMCHEbhaTLrEcCMFqHv58/s1600/100dayshirt2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh_Mt0lnDw9pswR3UuFKrV_DxHRuzQ1Yi74FKIm2BFYu6XkOlqXvJQwnhrikivbG4nNiSz4VSqga2fNfuQcYSLVX_IiQ_XBNhjuAgqMvwbhe6L-448WIwSorMCHEbhaTLrEcCMFqHv58/s320/100dayshirt2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We decided to make a fun and yummy treat for his classmates as well. I took snack-sized ziploc bags and put Keebler fudge sticks as the number 1 and two Keebler fudge stripe cookies as the two zeros. We put labels on the bags that said, "I am blessed 100 times to have you as my friend". He can't wait to share them with his friends on Friday. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDOlo3dgY5R5nQKNOXKs4RKEQAA7Gv7GjOu8NBsBvLL2oeoFQIsNRrd82BkNtgEZ7JVK3ldHjdts_lO5hA0pZ0SXahXQ8gLR6dHU26MzcIReolWzooxZX2iQGzAhYHAOzXOlDgRVTnAw/s1600/100daysnack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDOlo3dgY5R5nQKNOXKs4RKEQAA7Gv7GjOu8NBsBvLL2oeoFQIsNRrd82BkNtgEZ7JVK3ldHjdts_lO5hA0pZ0SXahXQ8gLR6dHU26MzcIReolWzooxZX2iQGzAhYHAOzXOlDgRVTnAw/s320/100daysnack.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love that his class is celebrating little and big holidays. I love celebrations because it brings smiles to my children, helps them feel special and loved, and teaches them to show love to others. </div>
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Have a BLESSED day, my Friends. You are prayed for and loved dearly by your Heavenly Father!!</div>
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Rest in this Amazing Promise today:</div>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>1 Corinthians 2:9 </em></h4>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>“No EYE has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”</em> </h4>
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<div class="footnotes" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-91943946252849369222013-01-23T19:25:00.000-08:002013-01-23T19:25:12.726-08:00Create-Your-Own Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal Create-Your-Own Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal<br />
Serves: 4<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
3 cups milk of your choice (vanilla almond milk tastes yummy)<br />
1 cup steel-cut oats<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
Custom ingredients of your choice (see below)<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Combine all ingredients in your crockpot or slow cooker, put the lid on and cook on low for three hours. Do not stir. Use a 3 qt crock pot for the four serving size. If you double the recipe, cook for 5-6 hours and use a 5 qt or larger crock pot.<br />
<br />
Customizable Ingredients:<br />
*Cinnamom Raisin: add raisins before cooking. Stir in ground cinnamon and sweetener of choice (sugar, brown sugar, or honey) after cooking.<br />
*Apple Pie: peel 2 small apples, chop in small pieces, and add them to the uncooked ingredients along with 1 teaspoon apple pie spice. After cooking, add 2 tablespoons butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar to the hot oats and stir.<br />
*Mounds Bar: Add shredded coconut, sweetener of choice, and 1/4 cup chocolate chips after cooking. Use coconut milk as your milk of choice and top with slivered almonds before serving.<br />
*Pumpkin Pie: add 2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice before cooking. After cooking, stir in 1/2 cup pumpkin.<br />
*Mocha chocolate Chip: add 1 tablespoon espresso powder or instant coffee before cooking. Sprinkle with 1/4 chocolate chips before serving.SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-59591027823869581642013-01-08T18:16:00.002-08:002013-01-08T18:16:58.706-08:00God is My Refuge when I am Weak and there Seems to be No Hope; He is Still God and He is Able <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZiRfXSVyTzibrs-AhBPTurfnlPIIXFmfRVcqeKfScKP4YVPgWBR998xuGna6QNpM__MIrS76DmnlXvhtF7DRQ92JYHa9yYwa9tfJcFWvTlHE-32guA-kU7J2UF8N4p46VbW9W2ueoA2C/s400/refuge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZiRfXSVyTzibrs-AhBPTurfnlPIIXFmfRVcqeKfScKP4YVPgWBR998xuGna6QNpM__MIrS76DmnlXvhtF7DRQ92JYHa9yYwa9tfJcFWvTlHE-32guA-kU7J2UF8N4p46VbW9W2ueoA2C/s320/refuge.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<em>God is My Refuge when I am Weak and there Seems to be No Hope; </em></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<em>He is Still God and He is Able</em></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been
so blessed to be a part of the review team for Kathy Howard's new devotional
entitled "God is my Refuge-12 weeks of Devotions and Scripture Memory for
Troubled Times". <a href="http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1357695626_0">http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge/</span></a><br />
I
never imagined how much God would speak to my heart as I journeyed through the
devotional. He has healed hurts, strengthened my heart, given me a new hope, and
helped me to forgive and give grace to others.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
For those of you who do
not know our story, we lost a daughter in 2008, and we are currently in the
midst of a very emotional adoption journey (we were one of the family's who were
adopting from Russia :-(). <br />
<br />
Our daughter who lives in Heaven was named
Savannah Grace, and her story can be found here: <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/savannahgraceburrell" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1357695626_1">www.caringbridge.org/visit/savannahgraceburrell</span></a><br />
We
have named the daughter we are adopting, Emma Charity, and our journey to her
can be found here: <a href="http://www.emmacharity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1357695626_2">www.emmacharity.blogspot.com</span></a><br />
<br />
This morning, I
found myself on week four of Kathy Howard's devotional which deals with
"Healing". Day 3 is called "When I am Weak" and the scripture reference is 2
Corinthians 12:7-10. The main focus of today's lesson was verse 9. We named our
daughter Savannah Grace because it means "abundant grace" and we clung to that
scripture and the promise that "His Grace is sufficient for us because His power
was made perfect in our weakness." During the rough pregnancy as I dealt with
the reality of Savannah's fatal diagnosis, I desperately needed God's grace and
His power in my weakness. God did not heal our daughter on earth, but He healed
her by taking her to be with Him. Would that have been my choice? No :-(. But,
do I trust Him? Yes. <br />
<br />
So, four years after her death, God reminded me
through today's message that He remembers, He knows my grief, and His love for
me is unending. I miss my baby girl daily, with some days being harder than
others. The ache and longing are ever-present, but God's grace and love are even
greater and they give me strength to keep going. My sweet Savannah gets to spend
her days dancing with Jesus - how I long for the day when I get to join
them.<br />
<br />
Today's devotion was a sweet reminder to my heart that "In any
situation, God may choose to physically heal or to respond with 'My grace is
sufficient for you'. Either way, He is seeking to work His purposes in your
life. Either way, you can experience His power and His love. Either way, God is
still God, and He is still able." This last statement especially resonates with
me right now as we trust and wait on God to bring our adoptive daughter home. He
is still God; and He is still able; and He will bring our Emma home to our
hearts. In His perfect timing, in His perfect way. <br />
<br />
One of the Reflection
questions in today's lesson was "Can you think of any ways God has used this
situation in your life or the lives of others to carry outHis greater purposes."
<br />
This question reminded me of all the "good" He has brought out of Savannah's
life. Because of my loss, I have a greater compassion and I have been able to
pray for, listen to, and encourage other women who have lost children. As I have
encouraged others, my heart has also received blessing and has been strengthened
and healed even further. God used Savannah to teach me the depths of His love
and the intimacy found in complete surrender to His Will. God is using our crooked and long journey to Emma to reveal His purpose, His plan, and the comfort we find in abiding in His peace.<br />
<br />
My friends,
His Grace is ALWAYS SUFFICIENT! I encourage you today to cling to Him-He is your
Refuge in the storm, in the sickness, in the hurts, in the sorrows and the tears.
He will not forsake you.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I love the song by the Maranatha Praise Band, "You are My Refuge."</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRmSILC_tJE"><em>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRmSILC_tJE</em></a><br />
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.ringtonematcher.com/go/?sid=LWOSros&artist=Lifehouse&song=God%20Is%20My%20Refuge" rel="nofollow" style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 14px/normal Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-60556536407385981872012-12-23T09:47:00.003-08:002012-12-23T09:47:53.802-08:00Christmas Morning Blueberry Coffee CakeBeing a Southern Girl from North Carolina, my all-time favorite magazine is Southern Living. This month, I found a wonderful recipe for a Blueberry Coffee Cake hiding in the current Southern Living issue. I made the Coffee Cake this week for our family guests,and it was simply delicious-even my young children loved it. This would make the perfect dish to serve on Christmas morning. You can serve it with coffee and hot cocoa while you open gifts and enjoy time with family. <br />
<br />
Merry Christmas my dear friends and family. I pray that you enjoy your families and praise the one who gave us HIS GREATEST GIFT-His Son who died for our sins. I am so thankful for God's Love and Sacrifice.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<em>Luke 2:11-14</em></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<em>"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””</em></h4>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<em>Blueberry Coffee Cake</em></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Ingredients:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 large egg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup milk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used vanilla)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Cups all-purpose flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup granulated sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 teaspoons baking powder</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 teaspoon salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TOPPING:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tablespoons sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds (or crushed walnuts or crushed pecans)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Whisk together egg, milk, yogurt, and oil. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened. Toss 1 1/4 cups blueberries in 1 Tablespoon flour; fold into batter. Pour into a lightly greased 9 inch springform pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup blueberries. Stir together 2 Tablespoons sugar, sliced almonds (or other nuts), and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove sides of pan. Serve warm or cool.</div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-36647889277972052702012-12-11T08:32:00.000-08:002012-12-11T08:32:00.676-08:00Gingerbread Oreo BlondiesWhen I saw this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Two Peas and Their Pod, I knew that I had to find the Gingerbread Oreos and make these yummy treats for our Sunday School Class Christmas Party. Thankfully, the Gingerbread Oreos were easy to find at my local Walmart. The recipe produces a large pan full of deliciously-thick blondies with a Gingerbread Oreo tucked in the middle of each bar. This recipe was a fun twist on the traditional blondie and is a perfect treat to package and share as Christmas gifts with friends and neighbors.<br />
<br />
Enjoy my friends! You are dearly loved and prayed for daily. I pray that this Holiday season, you truly "Taste and See that the Lord is Good!" (Psalm 34:8)<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 class="fn" style="text-align: center;">
<em>Gingerbread Oreo Blondies</em></h2>
<div class="time" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">
<strong>Yield:</strong> <span class="yield">20 blondies</span></div>
<div class="time" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">
<span class="preptime"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="summary">
Sweet brown sugar blondies with Gingerbread Oreos and white chocolate chips.<br />
</div>
<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
<div class="ingredient">
1 cup unsalted butter<br />2 cups packed dark brown sugar<br />2 large eggs, beaten<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/8 teaspoon ground ginger<br />1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br />2 cups of all-purpose Gold Medal flour<br />1 cup white chocolate chips<br />20 Gingerbread Oreos</div>
<h3>
Directions:</h3>
<div class="instructions">
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside. <br />
2. In a small pan, melt the butter over medium low heat on the stove. Or in a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. In large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth. <br />
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips. <br />
4. Pour half of the blondie dough into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Press the Oreos on top of the blondie dough, evenly spacing them out. Pour the rest of the dough over the Oreos and spread as evenly as possible. The dough will be thick and sticky. <br />
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.</div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-21661863952005184012012-12-10T08:21:00.001-08:002012-12-10T08:21:23.115-08:00Christmas Peppermint Poke Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AoPIFlfh8BmWqDtvVx31NSOKY0JoCRt3xNI4VmNFm1KVidO3HMsGQzX18ZvEf_GdiHvZDZ6mi1wbMeul_5aWhnhtTBuuRfKkPshCEK2s1WXkf_ZTlSQAOp9S3VHylh8OfsWrtTf0liE/s1600/peppermintcake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AoPIFlfh8BmWqDtvVx31NSOKY0JoCRt3xNI4VmNFm1KVidO3HMsGQzX18ZvEf_GdiHvZDZ6mi1wbMeul_5aWhnhtTBuuRfKkPshCEK2s1WXkf_ZTlSQAOp9S3VHylh8OfsWrtTf0liE/s400/peppermintcake.png" title="Christmas Peppermint Poke Cake" width="224" /></a></div>
If you are in search of the perfect Holiday Dessert to take to a Christmas party or to serve on Christmas Day for your family, then search no more. I stumbled upon this recipe from Something Swanky blog, and I knew that I would make it for our Sunday School Class Christmas Party. The party was last night and the cake was a big hit. It combines all the flavors of the season and the layer of hot fudge and oreos makes it over-the-top delicious! The crushed peppermint andes mints on top give it such a pretty Christmas look that make it even more appealing to your taste buds. I tweaked the original recipe a little by using the red holiday oreos and two containers of cool whip for the topping. If you prefer to use the original recipe, it can be found here: <a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/better-than-christmas-poke-cake/">http://www.somethingswanky.com/better-than-christmas-poke-cake/</a><br />
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I encourage you this Holiday season to make LOVE your focus-share love with everyone you meet, forgive others, and put your LOVE into action as you serve and honor others above yourself. Slow down from the busy month and just LOVE someone-truly from the heart.<br />
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<br /><em>Romans 12:10</em></h3>
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<em>"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."</em></h3>
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<em>Christmas Peppermint Poke Cake</em></h2>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients">
Ingredients</div>
<ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list">
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients">1 chocolate fudgecake mix, prepared and baked according to the directions on the box.(I always use Duncan Hines-simply the best!)</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup peppermint dairy creamer</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">14.5 oz sweetened condensed milk</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">1 jar Smuckers hot fudge sundae sauce</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup peppermint dairy creamer</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup crushed Oreos (you can use the red holiday oreos for a super festive look)</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients">2 containers of (8 oz Cool Whip)</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients">Andes Peppermint Chips for topping (approximately 1 1/2 cups)</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients">Crushed Oreos for topping (approximately 1 cup)</li>
</ul>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions">
Instructions</div>
<ol class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list">
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Once the cake has cool, use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke 20+ holes in the cake.</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions">In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup of the peppermint dairy creamer. Pour over the cake, trying to fill in the holes.</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions">In the same bowl, whisk together the hot fudge sundae sauce and 1/4 cup peppermint dairy creamer. Mix in 1 cup crushed Oreos.</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Pour and spread the fudge mixture over the cake as evenly as possible.</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Spread the cool whip over the fudge. Sprinkle on the Andes candy bits and crushed Oreos (as much or as little as you want).</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-5" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, until the sweetened condensed mixture has soaked into the cake and it's thoroughly chilled. Cut and serve.</li>
</ol>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-11240132859835403642012-12-09T14:44:00.000-08:002012-12-09T14:44:05.618-08:00Sour Cream Banana Cake-The Perfect Holiday Bread to Share!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71gr_COcdoMwUS92MkN1mpoeZU_dKGNY8mSqvp-AQ9CkaQlb5D8OD8E33XjJhP7WDaq1huGifumX-WChUb6wMZxivnS5ScAPt-FWbodxl-y5fkG-7W3sqhhohxQbdzMInoXSKNsJjiBA/s1600/sourcreambread1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71gr_COcdoMwUS92MkN1mpoeZU_dKGNY8mSqvp-AQ9CkaQlb5D8OD8E33XjJhP7WDaq1huGifumX-WChUb6wMZxivnS5ScAPt-FWbodxl-y5fkG-7W3sqhhohxQbdzMInoXSKNsJjiBA/s320/sourcreambread1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WRTFbWAzh5TpWSwy8uRzcfeDZyfvIoyjMcIbv7OtFCqKFgCiVTsqKuPKBWe70le0lieanViirvDFnsUQxsMI2Hb_w_BDe3_gN-UZWE1qGBg3mxydn8GR29PZzke6co8SJMtQUuBSCv8/s1600/sourcreambread2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WRTFbWAzh5TpWSwy8uRzcfeDZyfvIoyjMcIbv7OtFCqKFgCiVTsqKuPKBWe70le0lieanViirvDFnsUQxsMI2Hb_w_BDe3_gN-UZWE1qGBg3mxydn8GR29PZzke6co8SJMtQUuBSCv8/s320/sourcreambread2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I LOVE this time of year because it gives me an exuse to bake lots of yummy treats to share with my family and friends. When I saw this recipe for Sour Cream Banana Cake, I knew that I had to make add it to my baking list. It turned out so moist and absolutely delicious. I made two batches and baked them in cute little Christmas loaf pans that I found at Michaels for $1 each. I loved sharing this bread with my MOPS group and our Sunday School class. It was a super easy recipe to follow, and the sour cream made it nice and rich </div>
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Bake some and share the love with your neighbors and friends. I love to give gifts because it makes the recipient feel loved.</div>
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Enjoy dear friends. You are prayed for and loved dearly by your Heavenly Father! I hope you enjoy this song that we sang in church today. It blessed my heart. One Thing Remains-His LOVE never fails; never gives up; never runs out on you!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU</a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<em>Sour Cream Banana Cake</em></h2>
<h4 class="ingredients" style="text-align: left;">
Ingredients</h4>
<div class="ingredients" style="text-align: left;">
<ul class="ingredients">
<li class="ingredient">1 pkg. (2 layer size) yellow, white, or butter cake mix </li>
<li class="ingredient">3 eggs</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup mashed ripe bananas (3-4)</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup sour cream </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup oil</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon of almond flavoring</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h4 class="instructions">
Instructions</h4>
<div class="instructions">
<ol class="instructions">
<li>Heat oven to 350 degrees F.</li>
<li>Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with mixer on low or until moistened, scraping bottom of bowl often.</li>
<li>Beat on medium for 2 minutes.</li>
<li>Bake 35 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.</li>
<li>Use a 13×9 or full size bundt pan. (I used loaf pans-both the 8 inch size and the mini ones: One recipe makes two large loaves or four mini loaves)</li>
<li>Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<span class="hritem"></span>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-22975207642977227482012-11-15T15:52:00.001-08:002012-11-15T15:52:24.328-08:00Thanksgiving Recipes to Make and ShareBecause of a recent surgery and the unfortunate arrival of bronchitis and the flu to our household, I haven't been cooking very often. But, I wanted to share a few of my favorite Thanksgiving and Holiday recipes from older posts on my blog.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends! I encourage you to take the time to share your gratitude with your family and friends. Pour your hearts out to God in gratitude for the blessings He daily pours out on you.</div>
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<br /><em>Psalm 95:2</em></h3>
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<em>"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."</em></h3>
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<br /><em>Psalm 100:4</em></h3>
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<em>"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."</em></h3>
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Caramel Apple Cinnamon Bars: <a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/09/autumns-mosaic-in-my-home-my-heart-and.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/09/autumns-mosaic-in-my-home-my-heart-and.html</a><br />
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Butterscotch Apple Pie Cookies: <a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/12/cutest-apron-ever-holiday-cookie.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/12/cutest-apron-ever-holiday-cookie.html</a><br />
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pie Cookies: <a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/12/cutest-apron-ever-holiday-cookie.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/12/cutest-apron-ever-holiday-cookie.html</a><br />
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Pumpkin Cheesecake: <a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/10/carolina-blue-birthday-wishes-pumpkin.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/10/carolina-blue-birthday-wishes-pumpkin.html</a><br />
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Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Creamy Ginger Frosting: <a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful-heart.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful-heart.html</a><br />
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Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Chip Cookies:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2010/11/oatmeal-craisin-white-chocolate-chip.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2010/11/oatmeal-craisin-white-chocolate-chip.html</a><br />
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Angus Barn Chocolate Chess Pie:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html</a><br />
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Peanut Butter Honey Fudge:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html</a><br />
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Perfect Pecan Pie:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html</a><br />
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Pumpkin Streusel Pie:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2009/11/thankful.html</a><br />
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Peanut Butter Crumb Apple Pie:<br />
<a href="http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-crumb-apple-pie.html">http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-crumb-apple-pie.html</a>SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670422697680314749.post-72818909809005606322012-10-15T20:13:00.002-07:002012-10-15T20:13:39.027-07:00Caramel Apple Munch Mix-The Perfect Autumn Treat to Share!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LU11gOrnGOj6iLB9lGSo02_-iSoyFG7fr86VrqzP7HpgjuhjKgCl3Y_bv94YrJAKwsEwFgpXz2Q57igVC8_77a1DBVnnN_OHBLMpqKCJ5uuCGgWMJi4KPMR3IvS9Ss4_3UBQAYlxp0k/s1600/caramel+apple+munch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LU11gOrnGOj6iLB9lGSo02_-iSoyFG7fr86VrqzP7HpgjuhjKgCl3Y_bv94YrJAKwsEwFgpXz2Q57igVC8_77a1DBVnnN_OHBLMpqKCJ5uuCGgWMJi4KPMR3IvS9Ss4_3UBQAYlxp0k/s320/caramel+apple+munch.png" width="180" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<em>Caramel Apple Munch Mix</em></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Ingredients:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Box of Apple Cinnamon Chex Cereal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 cups Caramel Bugles (2 small bags)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups Kraft Caramel Bits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups Honey Roasted Peanuts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 bags (2.5 oz) bags of dried apple chips, caramel flavor</div>
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<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, and put in storage containers to share with friends. </div>
SavannahsSmileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01544751405616100888noreply@blogger.com0