This past Saturday, February 9th, nine young ladies (9-18yrs) came
to make treats, tags, gift boxes to surprise their family or friends with
a homemade (from the heart) gift for Valentine's. We had a great
time visiting, laughing and creating...each young lady did an amazing
job...to the delight of all the recipients I'm sure. I wanted to share
a couple of the recipes with you, in case the urge to create
a "Sweet" Valentines treat hits you. Remember the best gifts
in life are homemade and from the heart. Enjoy!!!
Heart Cookies
(Hendtinky - Bohemian Harvest Cookie)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter
2 flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Baking powder
Mix by hand and roll out 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into shapes and place on cookie sheets
with parchment paper. Bake at 325,
12-15 minutes, until lightly browned on edges.
This is a delicate cookie similar to shortbread.
Decorate - we dipped the edges in melted
chocolate, white on one side and dark on the other.
Another option: Drizzle with light glaze and
colored sugars or sprinkles.
Glaze - Powdered sugar 1-2 cups, half & half 1-2 Tbsp.
1/2 - 1 tsp. clear vanilla. Mix with fork until
smooth. Change portions according to quantity
needed...thin for glaze, thick for frosting cookies.
Chocolate Truffles Amazing!!!
3 Cups (18 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
(NOT evaporated milk)
1 Tbsp. Vanilla extract
1. In large saucepan, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk
over med. heart. Stir constantly until smooth. Remove from heat;
stir in vanilla. Pour into med-size container, cover and chill 2-3
hours or until firm enough to shape into balls.
2. Shape into small balls (approx. 1-inch); roll in toppings of choice.
Optional toppings - finely chopped toasted nuts (we used pecans),
flaked coconut, chocolate or colored sprinkles, colored sugars,
unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey).
3. Store covered in fridge until serving or wrapping for gifts.
Serve truffles in decorative paper cups. Fancy and delicious!
"Celebrating Love is a Lifelong Adventure!!!"
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Valentine's Day - Everyday!!!
I firmly believe that love is not meant to be expressed solely on
the prompting of a holiday, such as Valentine's Day. Love is a gift
from your heart that should be shared all throughout the year.
Now this could be my rebellious nature just not wanting to be "Told"
what to do...but I'd much rather think this is the voice of my
heart saying don't ever put off what can be done to say "I Love You"
each opportunity you have.
Last Valentines Day I needed to stop at the store for nothing of great importance,
as a rule I usually try to avoid shopping on holidays. I was struck by the number of men(young and old) wandering aimlessly through the holiday merchandise aisles...holding teddy bears and generic boxes of chocolates, flipping through cards, checking out price tags (to get the most for their $). I,immediately, had an image of deer frozen in the headlights and started chuckling to myself...I wanted to yell out "Its not about chocolate" or a quick fix offering to appease the Love Gods. Women want to hear "I love You"..."You are Special" not only verbally but also in the thought...the heart, you put into the gift. Expense or extravagance is not the issue.
Let me share with you a few ideas that I hope will inspire some creative ways to celebrate love at Valentine's or anytime.
*Delight together in the simple Joy of a walk together (hand in hand)- talk about dreams, reflect on good memories and how you look forward to all the future possibilities...side by side. If the weather is miserable outside, go to the local mall for a stroll.
*Begin and end each day with a hug and kiss..."I Love You!" is a phrase you can never wear out. Throughout the day take time to notice, listen, smile and connect with those you love...value and celebrate each persons unique qualities.
*When a love one is down...silence is ok (except for obvious encouragement)...be near and ready to give a hug or a hand of support. For a woman being enveloped in the arms of our husband/father, helps us feel protected and cared for.
*When was the last time you wrote a "mushy" love letter or note of appreciation... can't remember? If your memory fails you, it's been to long. Take a few moments to write down all the things you love and appreciate about your wife,husband,mother, father,son,daughter...I think you get the point. Cut pictures and words out of magazines that help express your feelings and that focus on what the recipient enjoys (gardening, cooking, traveling, sports, fishing...)
*Guys - Wrap up a special vase* and fill with special chocolates, Individual tea/cocoa/coffee (depending on preference), small notes of encouragement (to open over time), and homemade coupon(s) for picking up flowers from local florist, greenhouse, hand-picked by you wild flower bouquet (in summer of course)...be creative!
*Guys - "Gift of Time" - Clear the schedule, do the cooking, get the family to pitch in and do extra chores and give your wife time to relax; she could go for a walk, take a long bubble bath, sit in a cozy spot with a cup of tea and a good book or have time with a friend.
Remember: A wife "refreshed" is a "delight" to her family.
"Blessings on Love's Journey!!!" ...Eva
the prompting of a holiday, such as Valentine's Day. Love is a gift
from your heart that should be shared all throughout the year.
Now this could be my rebellious nature just not wanting to be "Told"
what to do...but I'd much rather think this is the voice of my
heart saying don't ever put off what can be done to say "I Love You"
each opportunity you have.
Last Valentines Day I needed to stop at the store for nothing of great importance,
as a rule I usually try to avoid shopping on holidays. I was struck by the number of men(young and old) wandering aimlessly through the holiday merchandise aisles...holding teddy bears and generic boxes of chocolates, flipping through cards, checking out price tags (to get the most for their $). I,immediately, had an image of deer frozen in the headlights and started chuckling to myself...I wanted to yell out "Its not about chocolate" or a quick fix offering to appease the Love Gods. Women want to hear "I love You"..."You are Special" not only verbally but also in the thought...the heart, you put into the gift. Expense or extravagance is not the issue.
Let me share with you a few ideas that I hope will inspire some creative ways to celebrate love at Valentine's or anytime.
*Delight together in the simple Joy of a walk together (hand in hand)- talk about dreams, reflect on good memories and how you look forward to all the future possibilities...side by side. If the weather is miserable outside, go to the local mall for a stroll.
*Begin and end each day with a hug and kiss..."I Love You!" is a phrase you can never wear out. Throughout the day take time to notice, listen, smile and connect with those you love...value and celebrate each persons unique qualities.
*When a love one is down...silence is ok (except for obvious encouragement)...be near and ready to give a hug or a hand of support. For a woman being enveloped in the arms of our husband/father, helps us feel protected and cared for.
*When was the last time you wrote a "mushy" love letter or note of appreciation... can't remember? If your memory fails you, it's been to long. Take a few moments to write down all the things you love and appreciate about your wife,husband,mother, father,son,daughter...I think you get the point. Cut pictures and words out of magazines that help express your feelings and that focus on what the recipient enjoys (gardening, cooking, traveling, sports, fishing...)
*Guys - Wrap up a special vase* and fill with special chocolates, Individual tea/cocoa/coffee (depending on preference), small notes of encouragement (to open over time), and homemade coupon(s) for picking up flowers from local florist, greenhouse, hand-picked by you wild flower bouquet (in summer of course)...be creative!
*Guys - "Gift of Time" - Clear the schedule, do the cooking, get the family to pitch in and do extra chores and give your wife time to relax; she could go for a walk, take a long bubble bath, sit in a cozy spot with a cup of tea and a good book or have time with a friend.
Remember: A wife "refreshed" is a "delight" to her family.
"Blessings on Love's Journey!!!" ...Eva
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ham & Bean Soup
A bowl of soup in the winter is truly a "Tummy Hug"
from the kitchen. Here is our family favorite...Enjoy!
Ingredients:
2-3 c. Navy or pinto beans (a combo is fun)
2 qts. water approx. (more or less as you prefer)
2 Tbsp. Chicken base (favorite Knorr)
1 med. onion (vidalia), chopped
3-4 med. potatos, diced
3-4 carrots, chopped
*Optional:1 1/2 c. diced sweetpotato
2 c. approx. ham, cubed
*alternative/kiehlbasa
Seasonings: pepper/garlic powder to taste
(taste and adjust seasonings while cooking)
In the Soup Pot;
*I use an oven proof pot which does not easily stick.
Saute onions/1 Tbsp. canola oil. Add water, beans,
chicken base, seasonings (adjust later). While cooking
over med heat, add carrots, potatos, meat.
Stove top - med heat 2hrs or Oven - 350 degrees 2hrs.
Thicken if desired; cooking longer also thickens soup.
Cooking time varies according to how dense the soup is.
Remember - veggies cut small cook faster.
Eva's Heart:
I use a large soup pot (double the recipe)
so I can Share the Lov'in with another family.
Soup is also a hearty breakfast or snack. Enjoy!
from the kitchen. Here is our family favorite...Enjoy!
Ingredients:
2-3 c. Navy or pinto beans (a combo is fun)
2 qts. water approx. (more or less as you prefer)
2 Tbsp. Chicken base (favorite Knorr)
1 med. onion (vidalia), chopped
3-4 med. potatos, diced
3-4 carrots, chopped
*Optional:1 1/2 c. diced sweetpotato
2 c. approx. ham, cubed
*alternative/kiehlbasa
Seasonings: pepper/garlic powder to taste
(taste and adjust seasonings while cooking)
In the Soup Pot;
*I use an oven proof pot which does not easily stick.
Saute onions/1 Tbsp. canola oil. Add water, beans,
chicken base, seasonings (adjust later). While cooking
over med heat, add carrots, potatos, meat.
Stove top - med heat 2hrs or Oven - 350 degrees 2hrs.
Thicken if desired; cooking longer also thickens soup.
Cooking time varies according to how dense the soup is.
Remember - veggies cut small cook faster.
Eva's Heart:
I use a large soup pot (double the recipe)
so I can Share the Lov'in with another family.
Soup is also a hearty breakfast or snack. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friendship - Poem
One of my favorite poets who writes about home,
family, friends is Edgar A Guest...
Here is part of a poem he wrote entitled,
The Making of Friends
If nobody smiled and nobody cheered
and nobody helped us along,
If each, every minute, looked after himself
and good things all went to the strong,
If nobody cared just a little for you,
and nobody thought about me,
And we stood all alone in the battle of life,
what a dreary old world it would be!
Life is sweet just because of the friends we have made
and the things which in common we share;
We want to live on not because of ourselves,
but because of the people who care;
It's giving and doing for somebody else
on that all life's splendor depends,
And the joy of the world,
when you've summed it all up,
Is found in the hearts of our friends!
"Last night my husband and I shared a
delightful evening with friends...Grace Adventure
board members and their spouses and our fellow
workers with this incredible ministry. The meal
was delicious, but even more so I was struck with
an overwhelming sense of how very blessed I am.
The friends surrounding us are truly family.
Their support and smiles have encouraged us;
their dedication, love for the Lord and desire
to touch hearts and make a difference
is not only a worthy example to be followed but
also evidence of God's love and grace in our lives."
Thanking God for my Friends!
(Tell a friend today you are thankful for them)
family, friends is Edgar A Guest...
Here is part of a poem he wrote entitled,
The Making of Friends
If nobody smiled and nobody cheered
and nobody helped us along,
If each, every minute, looked after himself
and good things all went to the strong,
If nobody cared just a little for you,
and nobody thought about me,
And we stood all alone in the battle of life,
what a dreary old world it would be!
Life is sweet just because of the friends we have made
and the things which in common we share;
We want to live on not because of ourselves,
but because of the people who care;
It's giving and doing for somebody else
on that all life's splendor depends,
And the joy of the world,
when you've summed it all up,
Is found in the hearts of our friends!
"Last night my husband and I shared a
delightful evening with friends...Grace Adventure
board members and their spouses and our fellow
workers with this incredible ministry. The meal
was delicious, but even more so I was struck with
an overwhelming sense of how very blessed I am.
The friends surrounding us are truly family.
Their support and smiles have encouraged us;
their dedication, love for the Lord and desire
to touch hearts and make a difference
is not only a worthy example to be followed but
also evidence of God's love and grace in our lives."
Thanking God for my Friends!
(Tell a friend today you are thankful for them)
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