by Cathy Baker | Faith |
1 new pound cake pan + 9 ingredients + 1 cohort in the kitchen =
One Amazing Poundcake!
Angie Prout and I had a blast today cooking my first pound cake in the new pan. She is an awesome cook so I knew my chances of success would greatly increase with her by my side.
After popping the cake in the oven (and licking the batter from the bowl), I was introduced to the Prout’s new Wii game. Words cannot express just how grateful I was that no one was there to watch us Hula Hoop. We were getting ready to bowl when the timer went off. With Angie’s convection stove it took no time at all!
Check it out:
We used Janet Langley’s Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe. The cake is yummy, but the glaze is especially sweet. Our family likes lemon, but in the future, when I begin making them on a regular basis, I’ll stick with a basic buttermilk pound cake just to be safe.
Needless to say, our cooking collaboration was a success — and a whole lot of fun!
Thanks Angie!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
One of the things Brian and I look forward to the most on New Year’s Eve/Day is the Twilight Zone marathon. Rod Serling was the man!
Any TZ fan has their favorites. These are my top 5
(it wasn’t easy)… and the take-away:
Nothing in the DarkRobert Redford stars – need I say more?
(Brian always teases me by saying that if that is what death looks like, I’m probably ready.)
Book lovers should always keep an extra pair of glasses on hand… and a bank vault.
We feel your pain, Mr. Henry Bemis!
If you’re a Twilight Zone fan, I’d love to know your favorite(s)! Here’s
a list of episodes to help.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This is the word I would use to describe my upcoming week. Here’s why:
Next Sunday, I’ll be teaching my first lesson at First Baptist Simpsonville. I’m very excited and humbled by Sherri’s invitation. Obviously, pulling the details of the lesson together this week will require much preparation.
On Wednesday night, I plan to prepare the room. Thankfully, it only has one window to darken. I remember the Temple Baptist days with 8 windows. Not a lot of fun, but it certainly adds to the ambiance for a “candlelit Christmas celebration”. I’m planning to set up the tables, add the tablecloths, candles, greenery and small dishes of myrrh and frankincense.
Time spent preparing the lesson itself is always a wise investment — especially if you have as much to learn about the Word as I do. I want to handle it accurately and for me that requires quite a bit of “set-aside” time.
Time spent preparing the room is “icing on the cake”, in my opinion. It’s not necessary, but I do believe it is a tool that can be used to awaken our God-given senses, such as:
- sight – lit candles in a darkened room
- smell – the aroma of frankincense and myrrh
- touch – hand-held candles/frankincense and myrrh
- sound – music playing quietly in the background
God gave us our senses to enjoy. I can’t imagine a better time or place to use them!
The most important (and dare I say the most difficult?) preparation must first take place in my own heart. If I’m not careful, I can easily become entangled in the joy of preparing a lesson and neglect the preparation of my own heart and mind. James talks of how the prayers of the righteous (not perfect – but right with God) are powerful and effective. I believe this truth translates to our service as well. I’m fooling myself if I think unconfessed sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc., doesn’t hinder God’s effectiveness through me — so self-preparation is a must.
Maybe it comes as no surprise that one of my favorite Christmas songs also includes the word “prepare”.
Prepare A Place
Prepare a place, while you’re waiting.
Prepare a place for the coming One.
Prepare a place and be patient.
While you wait for the coming One.
Chorus:
Wait for the coming One!
While you wait for the coming One!
Prepare your heart, while you’re waiting.
Prepare your heart for the coming One.
Set time aside and be quiet.
While you wait for the coming One.
– written by Michael W. Smith and Christine Dente, “Gloria”
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
- 2 Chefs to Go has the Cranberries and Grilled Chicken salad (my favorite dish!)
- Outback has the Bloomin’ Onion
- Starbucks has the Pumpkin Spice Latte
- The Beacon has the Hash-A-Plenty (with lip smackin tea)
- My late grandmother Knighton had her egg custard pie
Like those “signature” dishes, my other grandmother, “MaMa”, was well known for her pound cake in Fairforest, SC, back in the day. For as long as I can remember, she would bake at least one pound cake a week, slice it in to thirds, wrap each section in wax paper with an additional layer of tin foil, and then set off to deliver them to those in her church who were sick, lonely or elderly.
Unfortunately, I didn’t pay close attention to her mad cooking skills growing up. Years ago, I bought a rubber stamp that said: “Don’t worry. I didn’t bake it myself”, thinking it might put the recipient’s mind at ease. No hope in sight… until I received my shiny red Kitchenaid mixer two years ago. It revved my baking engine and I’ve been searching for my own “signature” dish ever since. One I could whip up with ease, count on its consistency, possibly freeze, and share with others. I’m still searching.
I’ve tried several pound cake recipes (including MaMa’s) only to have the pans sabotage my efforts. First, there was the two-piece tube pan. I’ll spare you the details and myself the embarrassment. Then there was the fancy bundt pan that turned out to be smaller than the standard size. Two things sum up that experience: adjusted cooking time nightmare and wasted batter. How difficult could it be to find a simple one-piece tube pan? You’d be surprised. Guess what’s at the top of my Christmas list? Yep, a quality one-piece tube pan from www.fantes.com.
I admit it. Every time I try a new recipe I wonder if it could be “the one”. Tonight, I made gingerbread men dough (ready to roll in 3 hours if I’m awake) while Zach and Sarah assembled a gingerbread house and decorated it. All this with “It’s A Wonderful Life” playing in the background. So, could gingerbread men turn out to be my “signature” dish? I doubt it — but it sure was fun trying!
I am confident that a day is coming when I’ll say goodbye to the old rubber stamp and say hello to one that reads: “Baked with love” by Cathy.
Do you have a signature something? I’d love to hear about it!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
A friend loves at all times… Proverbs 17:17
Last night, our Bible Class came together for a wonderful evening of fellowship over cups of Christmas tea and goodies (of course!)
From my vantage point, I could see every friend’s face gathered around the table. Some of them I’ve known for years, others whom I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting since the class began. On the other end of the table was my best friend and master tea connoisseur, Teresa. 🙂
We were all challenged by an Advent reading concerning Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:41,42). It spoke of the commonalities the two women shared — both most likely having been misunderstood and the brunt of community gossip.
Calvin Miller, in “The Christ of Christmas, Readings for Advent” says this: Mary, no doubt, had been struggling with her heavy assignment. She must bear the Son of God. Yet she could not tell her story and receive any satisfaction. She had to face Isaiah’s words again and again: “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1) Then Elizabeth greeted her, “Blessed are you!” In the power of such a kind affirmation, Mary could live and thrive and serve God.”
I share that to say this. I was surrounded by Elizabeth’s last night — women who not only share in commonalities, but more importantly, share through it. Since this class began, I have seen these women love, encourage and support one another through a variety of circumstances in a variety of ways. They’ve not only spoken words of affirmation – they have acted on it. And when words of affirmation combine with action, it’s as if we are being given the privilege of helping breath life into another. A life that can thrive and serve God with a fresh sense of power.
Last night, I announced the new book we’ll be studying in January: Colossians! For the winter months, one of the ladies has graciously opened her home to us, which will allow us to serve hot drinks and feel the warmth of a fire as we study. The Library is a great place, but it’s a bit “sterile”, especially for the colder months. We’ll also be meeting on Tuesdays instead of Mondays for this next study. If you’re interested in joining us, just let me know! We have several new people coming on board — can’t wait!!!
In the meantime, here are a few pictures to enjoy.
For those of you who couldn’t make it, you were missed!!
We had the choice of regular of decaf Christmas Tea. We also made hot cocoa available for the non-tea drinkers. Does such a thing exist? Apparently so!
Check out my hubby’s talented work. Thank you, Brian, for using your calligraphy skills to write the ladies’ names on their place cards. It helped them to feel extra special!
Needless to say, it was a night to remember! What a blessing.
We used Janet Langley’s Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe. The cake is yummy, but the glaze is especially sweet. Our family likes lemon, but in the future, when I begin making them on a regular basis, I’ll stick with a basic buttermilk pound cake just to be safe.
