Something to think about...

What if our trials in life are His mercies in disguise?

Something to think about.  What are you going through right now?  Take a step back to look for Jesus.  He is always there!  When you are weak, He is strong.  All we have to do is ask for His help-in everything we do.  This reminds me of my favorite verse:  "My grace is sufficient for Thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

What's for dinner?

Need something quick to fix for dinner? This is a good, make-ahead dinner in a crockpot.

Chicken in the Crockpot

Ingredients:
Frozen chicken pieces (I used 4 thighs and 5 legs)
1 large can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 large can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
Salt & Pepper
Non-stick Cooking Spray
Cooked Rice or Mashed Potatoes

Directions:

1. Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place frozen chicken pieces in crock pot.

     3.  Salt and pepper chicken.
     4.  Pour Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soups ontop of frozen chicken.

     5.  Cook all day.

     6.  Eat over cooked rice or instant mashed potatoes.  (At my house, we have both-half eats rice and half eats mashed potatoes!)

Enjoy!  This is what we're having for supper tonight!

Baking Day!!!

So excited to actually be in the kitchen baking-there is nothing I love more!  This is a picture of my Devil Dogs--so delicously rich!!!

Yummy!

I have some apples Mom brought back from Georgia-let's see what I can make with them--on to the next creation!!!

Quick Idea...

On my walk this morning, I was noticing all the wildflowers (or weeds as my mom would call them). I was wondering if I could somehow save them and use them in a project so I decided to pick a bunch. I am going to place them in between wax paper and place them in a book to flatten them. In a couple of weeks I will check them and make something from them-maybe some magnets or a glass tile. Any thoughts or ideas?

Need a quick dessert?

Have you ever forgotten about a get-together that you have to bring a snack or dessert to?  Well here's a quick dessert you can make with just a few things from the pantry. 

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 small package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional:
1/2 cup of chopped nuts

Directions:

1. Beat eggs, oil water in bowl.
2. Add cake mix and blend together.
3. Stir in chocolate chips (and optional chopped nuts).
4. Spoon onto cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are brown and center is puffed.

Quick Note:
You can make several different types of cookies with this recipe.  Next time try some of my family's favorites:

• Chocolate cake mix and white chocolate chips
• Yellow cake mix, white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts (my husband's favorite!)
• Spice cake and walnuts

Just get in the kitchen and experiment with your favorites or with whatever you have in the pantry.  Don't forget to share your creations with us!

His Mercies Never Fail

When our will is weak, when our reason is confused, when our conscience is burdened with a load of guilt, we must remember that God cares for us continually, His mercies never fail. When friends and family desert us, when coworkers don't understand us, when we are tired of being good, God's mercies never fail. When we can't see the way or seem to hear God's voice, when we lack the courage to go on, God's mercies never fail. When our shortcomings beset us and awareness of our sins overcomes us, God's mercies never fail.

Based on Hosea 14:4-8

Lemon Raspberry Cake

Just for you Beverly............

Ingredients:
1 box Angel Food Cake
2-3 lemons
3-4 tablespoons of sugar
2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
1 large container of whipped topping
1 bag of frozen raspberries

Directions:

1. Put frozen raspberries into bowl (to thaw) and add 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. Stir, cover and let thaw.
2. Prepare Angel Food Cake as directed on box and bake. Cool completely and remove from pan and place on cake plate.
3. Place powdered sugar in bowl.
4. Zest lemons and place in bowl with powdered sugar.
5. Juice lemons to make 1/2 cup of juice and pour into bowl. Wisk this together until throughly mixed.
6. Slice cake in half horizontally. Place top half of cake onto parchment paper. Poke holes in bottom half of cake with a large fork (all the way around).
7. Spoon lemon glaze over bottom half of cake. Let stand until glaze is set (approximately 30 minutes).
8. Place top half of cake back ontop of bottom half. Poke holes in top half of cake with a large fork (all the way around).
9. Spoon lemon glaze over top of cake. Let stand again until glaze is set.  Leave cake uncovered.

When ready to eat:

1. Ice entire cake with whipped topping.
2. Spoon raspberries over top of cake.
3. Slice with serrated knife and enjoy!!!

Quick Tip

Don't you just hate it when your eating an oatmeal raisin cookie and you take a bite and find that the raisins are hard and dry? Let me share my quick tip with you for getting soft, plump raisins in all your desserts.

Measure your raisins for the recipe you are using them in. Pour them into a small sauce pan and cover with water. Gently boil until plump and juicy (approximately 20-30 minutes). Drain and cool.
*Plan ahead so you have time for them to cool or cook them while getting all your ingredients together.

Before and after:

Quick Tip

Have you ever made a pie and was either so proud that you actually did it all on your own or tried to copy some picture you saw in a magazine?  Then, you want to take your pie to a family dinner or to a friend's house to show them your masterpiece, right?  So-you put it in the pie carrier and put it in the car. You are so excited to share your pie-your masterpiece and you get there only to find..........your crust all broken from moving around inside the carrier!  Urrrrgggggg! Try my quick tip:
Set your pie on a rubber jar opener in the pie carrier.  Your pie will not shift and your masterpiece will arrive unbroken! (*now you can show off your pie and brag--but just a little!)

Fern Recipe

A friend of my mom's was moving and gave her a potted fern.  It didn't look very good-let's just say it needed some help!  After looking it over, I found that is was potted in a very sandy soil and the whole middle or inside was brown and drying up.  I decided to try my "recipe" on it to see if I could revive it.  I left it in the same sandy soil and after about 2 weeks, I started seeing new growth!  I wish I had taken a picture in the beginning--believe me, you would have thrown it out. 

Here it is now--mom put her foot in the pic "just to show 'em how big it really is".

So, here it is: 

Kristy's Fern Recipe

• Put 1 scoop of Peter's Professional All Purpose Plant Food in your watering can and water (till runs out of the bottom); note the day of the week
• Water everyday (or every other day in milder climates; here in Florida-EVERYDAY until cooler) with just water
• The next week on same day (remember noted day of the week), put 1 heaping tablespoon of Epsom Salt directly into center of fern.
• Water everyday again with just water
• Repeat

You will have beautiful, long, rich green ferns before you know it!

Real love

Most of us have learned how to be courteous to others--how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of other's needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to REAL and SINCERE love ("let love be without dissimulation") that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Real love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement.
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." Romans 12:9

Shopping for Glam Glitter Tshirt materials

Went to Hobby Lobby today to get the materials for the tshirt project:

I found a fitted tshirt for only $5.99 and used my 40% off coupon which made it only $3.59. I got 1 size bigger just in case it really shrinks up in the wash and I don't want it too clingy.

I was very surprised at how cheap the adhesive was at Hobby Lobby. It was only $2.99 and I will have to see just how many shirts I can do with this size bottle.  I got the last one so it must be pretty good, right?

I picked up this pack of glitter to try.  It was only $3.99.  Hobby Lobby only had these colors and 1 other pack with silver, gold, black and red.  I decided to try the bright colors first. There was another type of washable glitter. It was sold in individual bottles or a big pack of all different colors for $29.99.  This wouldn't be too bad if you are planning on doing several shirts--and don't forget to use your 40% off coupon for this!

Now I have to see if I have any freezer paper and try to figure out my design for my shirt.  I am going to get out my Gypsy and see what I can come up with a little later.  I plan on cutting my template out with my Cricut.  You can draw out your design or let your child even draw something. 

I hope everyone will get all of their supplies and join me for this project of the month.  Please post your comments and pictures as we work through this project together.

Welcome to Kristy's Cake Walk

I am so excited to finally have a place to put all of the ideas, projects, recipes and creations that I have in my head! My life is always so busy and when I am out and about, I see something and an idea for a project just pops up!  I always find that many people will come to me for ideas for their parties, crafts they are creating, or just for some small inspiration.  Since I truly love to help, I am starting this blog. Since my life is kind of like a cake walk--always walking in circles to all different kinds of music, never-ever knowing where I will be or or even when I will stop, and always hoping I will win--and get some cake along the way--so come along and enjoy with me!!!