Peanut Butter Crumb Apple Pie

Are you looking for an alternative to the Traditional Pumpkin and Pecan Pies served at Thanksgiving. Do you want the pie to be super easy to make?? Well, then this Peanut Butter Crumb Apple Pie is the Pie for You! This Pie is BEYOND Delicious!! It was inhaled in a matter of minutes at a party that I took it to last weekend. Because it uses shortcuts in baking, it can be made quickly and with little effort or skill.


Have a Truly Blessed Thanksgiving.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

Peanut Butter Crumb Apple Pie

Ingredients:
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons cold butter

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the pie filling and lemon juice; spoon into pastry shell.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, lemon peel, cinnamon and nutmeg; cut in peanut butter and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling.
Bake at 400° for 20-22 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these yummy cookies this weekend for a church party and they were a HUGE success. They would make a nice appetizer/treat for your Thanksgiving festivities :). Sorry that there isn't a picture-they were eaten too quickly for that :).

Happy Thanksgiving my Friends! God's Love and Blessings in our Lives give us SO MUCH to be thankful for! May you be surrounded by the love of family and friends this week as you Praise God for His abundance in your life!

I Chronicles 16:34

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (6 ounce) package Craisins (Sweetened, Dried Cranberries)
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in craisins and white chocolate chips chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake and My Hubby's Special Birthday!

Today, I am so Blessed to Be Celebrating a Very Special Day-My Dear Husband's Birthday!! He is such an incredible blessing in my life and I fall deeper in love with him every day. Today, he turns 40!!! So here are 40 reasons why he is so Amazing. Following the list, you will find the recipe to the Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake that I made for his special day.

Enjoy! You are Prayed for and Dearly Loved!

40 Reasons why my Hubby is the Best:

1. He loves God with his whole heart

2. He loves our family and shows us that love daily.

3. He is full of integrity.

4. He is full of Faith and encourages me to trust God when times are tough.

5. He is Handsome.

6. He has Beautiful Eyes.

7. He makes me Laugh.

8. He is passionate about His Sports teams.

9. He takes me to the Vera Store everytime we go to San Antonio.

10. He is a Fantastic Dad.

11. He is a committed worker.

12. He is so intelligent!

13. He is an AMAZING Bible Study/ Sunday School Class Teacher.

14. He is worthy of respect.

15. He is Giving.

16. He is humble.

17. He is kind to others.

18. He sacrifices so much for our family.

19. He watches the Hallmark Channel Movies and Gilmore Girls with me.

20. He expresses love freely.

21. He makes time to play with our son.

22. He is honest.

23. He is trustworthy.

24. He is a source of strength to me.

25. He loves my baking.

26. He never complains.

27. He helps others.

28. He prays for people.

29. He rubs my feet.

30. He pursues a growing relationship with God.

31. He is so so silly.

32. He is an incredible dancer ;-).

33. He puts gas in my car.

34. He holds my hand.

35. He is so fun to just "be" with.

36. He "understands" me.

37. He still loves me...see above.

38. He is patient.

39. He is Handsome-oh, so Handsome!!!

40. He is my Beloved and I am His!!!

I LOVE YOU Googly Bear!!

Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted

FILLING:
2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

TOPPING:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter
Chocolate-covered Espresso or Coffee beans

Directions
Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 16 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.
Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a small bowl, combine the coffee granules, water and cinnamon; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.
Divide batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion; pour over crust. Stir coffee mixture into the remaining batter; spoon over chocolate layer. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
Bake at 325° for 55-60 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake. Garnish with coffee beans if desired. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 16 servings.

Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice Muffins

Occasionally, I find cake mixes on sale for less that 50 cents a box. When this happens, I stock up on Spice Cake Mix specifically for this easy Autumn muffin recipe. The original recipe calls for raisins, but I prefer putting either sweetened cranberries or chocolate chips instead. This recipe produces a moist, delish, and satisfying cake-like muffin. I am taking a batch to Sunday School tomorrow. Enjoy my friends.

God has been teaching me a lot this week with regard to worry and fear. This passage has encouraged my heart, and I hope it does the same for you. You are prayed for and loved dearly!!

Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Pumpkin Spice, and Everything Nice Muffins

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (18.25 oz) spice or carrot cake mix

1 can (15 oz) Libbys 100% Pure Pumpkin

2 large eggs

1/3 cup water

2/3 cup cranberries or chocolate chips or raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or paper-line 24 muffin cups. Combine cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, and water in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; scrape bowl. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in cranberries (or chips or raisins). Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store muffins in covered container. Makes 2 dozen standard sized muffins.

Quilt Raffle

Queen Size Quilt Raffle

All Proceeds go toward Emma's Adoption.

*Drawing to be held December 19, 2010*

Tickets: $5.00 each

If you would like a chance to win this Beautiful Quilt, then send me an email at joyouschris@yahoo.com and I can mail you the tickets. The quilt can be shipped anywhere if you win. Thank you so very much for helping us bring our Russian Princess Home! You can follow our Adoption Story at:

http://www.emmacharity.blogspot.com/

and you can find other ways to support the adoption at:

http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2010/10/adoption-fundraisers.html

God Bless each of You!!!!!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you."

John 14:18

Praying her home,

Darin, Christina and Jaythan

Happy Heaven Day Savannah Grace!!!

"The Lord's loved ones are precious to him; it grieves him when they die." Psalm 116:15

Two years ago today, our sweet baby girl began dancing with Jesus in heaven. I cannot believe that two years have passed since I held her in my arms. Maybe that is because I carry her in my heart every second of every day. People often told me after she died that the pain would go away. I disagree. The ache is still there and I don't think it will ever be absent from my heart. The pain may express itself in less evident ways on certain days than others, but the pain is still there. I loved my daughter deeply and I always will. I love the idea that grief is an expression of love. You wouldn't grieve if you didn't love.

Today, my mind is filled with so much Gratitude.

Gratitude that God chose me to be Savannah's Mom.

Gratitude that Savannah's life revealed His Glory and Majesty.

Psalm 111: 3-4

"Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty, His righteousness never fails. Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is our Lord!"

During my pregnancy, many people told me that Savannah taught them so much about complete faith, surrendering to God, praying without ceasing, and loving more fully. I, myself, never fully grasped the depths of God's love for me until He used Savannah's life and my deep love for her to show me how He loves me on an even deeper level and with a passionate father/daughter agape!

I am currently doing a Women's Bible Study at my church on Revelation by Beth Moore. I am amazed at how God is using the book of Revelation (which I was always afraid to read because it seemed to hard to understand) to speak to my heart two years after Savannah's death and continue the healing process in my spirit. Just yesterday in class, Beth spoke on Revelation 11 regarding the two witnesses who would come to testify about Christ in the end times. She dwelt on verse 7 which says, "When they complete their testimony...the beast will conquer them and kill them." She stressed that no one, no child of God, will be taken from this earth a moment before they have served their purpose, completed their work, finished their race in this world. Each of us has a specific God-Given Purpose. This revelation touched my heart because it made me realize that Savannah served her purpose. She made the heart of God so very happy. She finished her race, she fought her fight. She taught so many people how to love deeper. She taught me how to trust God more completely. She taught me that God will never leave me or forsake me even when my world is falling apart, when my daughter is sick and dies, when my heart aches so much it feels like it will break. She taught me that God never left my side, dancing over me in love, even when I could not utter a prayer for a month after she died. My beautiful daughter, Savannah, served her purpose by drawing me into a deeper, richer, relationship with God, a relationship where I have learned to surrender all.

Earlier this October, I had days where I would find myself crying for no apparent reason. It was almost as if my heart was crying out for my baby girl without my even thinking about it. The tears would just pour down my face. It was during this time, that Beth Moore was covering Revelation 7, and she reiterated that our grief and tears and sufferings are only temporary. Revelation 7:17 says, "For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears." ALL.THEIR.TEARS!!!! My longing for Heaven continues to grow as I study God's word regarding our eternal worshipping and "being" with Jesus. I will have no reason to grieve. Savannah now has no reason to grieve. She has no pain. She has no abnormality. She is whole. Beautiful. Rejoicing. Laughing. Playing. Loving. Now, that is what brings me peace today in the midst of my sorrow that I do not have a two year old brown-haired, blue-eyed girl running around chasing her big brother. Rather, she gets to run around Heaven, chasing Jesus, singing Praises, laughing as Butterflies tickle her nose. Heaven is a very real place, my dear friends. God longs for you to spend eternity with Him! If you haven't made the choice to accept Him into your heart, to receive His vast love for you, then please consider it now. He longs to be in a relationship with you. He adores you. As high as the heavens are from the earth, so great is His love for you! If you have any questions about His Amazing Love, then email me. I would love to share with you about the God who truly does make something Beautiful out of our pain and sorrow. My prayer for you is that:

Ephesians 3:14-19

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

On her birthday today, I wanted to share with you all Savannah's Celebration Service Video:

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=8e6fc270ad6b343df687

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

This week I had a special order for Cookies and Cream Cupcakes. After researching and experimenting, this is what I came up with. I used my favorite frosting recipe-Wilton's basic white, and topped the cupcakes with cookies and cream sprinkles and mini oreos. This recipe was a huge success. It was declared DELISH by my taste-tasters (both old and young). ENJOY!!

You are Prayed for and Loved Dearly by your Heavenly Father!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

(Adapted from Paula Deen Best Dessert Special Collector’s Issue)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups whole milk
12-16 coarsely crushed cream-filled chocolate wafer cookies (Oreos)
White Frosting (see below)
Garnish: mini oreos and cookies and cream sprinkles(I buy the Wilton brand cookies and cream sprinkles but you could also use finely crushed oreos)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Stir in crushed cookies. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Pipe or decorate with white frosting. Garnish with mini oreos and cookies & cream sprinkles (or crushed oreos).

WILTON WHITE ICING

(Yield: 3 cups-enough to frost 24 cupcakes)

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract

4 tablespoons water

1 cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco)-

I use the Crisco Sticks (1 stick per recipe)

1 lb. sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 4 cups)

Directions:

Sift confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Cream shortening, flavorings, and water. Gradually add sifted dry ingredients and mix on medium speed with your mixer until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together Blend an additional minute or so, until creamy. Fill a Decorators Bag with the icing and fit with whatever tip you like to decorate. Pipe Frosting onto tops of cupcakes in pretty patterns or designs.