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. π
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.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Our Sunday Bible Class met for dinner at Cracker Barrel last night. With the rain and wind, we didn’t expect everyone to show, but we had 45 people in attendance! You can only imagine the delight on the manager’s face and the horror on the waiter’s. We had to split up in to smaller groups, but we still had a nice opportunity to meet new people.
Starting the process of developing new friendships is never easy, but it is necessary. The comfortable thing to do is to show up on Sundays and slip out unnoticed, but this mindset is a far cry from believers in the early church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42, 46-47
One thing Brian and I realized while visiting a number of churches this summer was that many, if not most, people are in their “own little world”. They’re not seeking out newcomers – they’re seeking exit signs or known faces instead.
Jesus says in John 13:34,35: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Do those in the family of God feel loved in your presence and mine? Not just our group of friends, but unknown faces? Do they feel cared for? Sometimes this involves a simple hug, a sincere “hello”, or prayer. At other times, love is expressed purely through our motivations when the words are not easy to hear. As mature believers, we shouldn’t be the ones waiting to be loved by others… we should constantly be looking for those God puts in our path to love.
So what’s love got to do with it? Everything. According to John 13, our willingness to love others is directly correlated to our identification in Christ. In Acts 2, we see what can happen when the Church acts like the Church and not a social club… those without a relationship with Christ will be drawn to Him, saved by Him, and added to the Church.
If only we, as believers, could grasp the significance found in refusing comfort in exchange for love.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
At times, my stray yard cat, affectionately known as “Oreo”, is a lot of fun to watch as she plays beside me while working in the yard. And yet, at other times, she’s reminds me of why I could never be a farmer. I simply don’t have the heart for it.
There was the time not so long ago when Oreo pounced on one of the birds I had just fed. As a result, I increased her feeding of Kit & Kaboodle, thinking that would help to decrease her appetite for Robin the bird. That didn’t happen. I have to constantly remind myself that God precisely engineered every creature to do certain things that I may never understand.
Like today. While walking back from the mailbox this afternoon, I noticed a small black bundle lying underneath one of my shrubs. Now, approaching “unknown” animals is not my forte. Just ask my family. I’m the one who called to a rabid fox in the woods, “Here, kitty kitty!” (Yes, I was raised in the city) It wasn’t until the light shone on its pointed red ears that I figured out it was no kitty kitty.
Today, I slowly approached the black bundle and immediately recognized it as a kitten — one that looked just like Oreo. Cute as could be! But she wasn’t afraid of me (first warning sign) and her meow was faint (another bad sign). I called Oreo over, but she would have nothing to do with the kitten. I was a little miffed with ‘ol Oreo to tell you the truth. After a few more failed attempts, I took the advice of my vet and carried the kitten to be put to sleep. Something was obviously very wrong with her and I couldn’t leave her to suffer and die.
As it turns out, the kitten was between 8-10 weeks old, her back was broken, and her bladder was enlarged and unable to urinate. While waiting to sign the papers, a cute little girl holding her puppy asked me what was wrong with the kitten. I told her she was sick and immediately the little girl’s face lit up. She said “That kitty was lucky that you came along to bring her to the doctor.” She thought the vet would put a Band aid on the boo-boo and we’d be on our way. Of course, I didn’t explain that she wouldn’t be coming home with me.
Dr. Patricia Hill and Dr. Cynthia Wheat of Hillcrest Animal Hospital are simply wonderful. We have appreciated their expertise with Rupert over the years and now I have a newfound appreciation for them. They didn’t want to see the kitten suffer, and since she was a stray, they put her to sleep at no charge. If you’re in the market for a great vet, I’d encourage you to give them a try.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
One sure indicator that I’m sick: I sleep during the day.
Brian and I share a lot of commonalities, but sleeping is not one of them. I recognize the importance and blessing of sleep, but quite frankly, the only reason I like going to sleep at night is because it puts me that much closer to waking up the next morning. Brian, on the other hand, looks forward to the sleep experience. I like my fluffy pillow and firm mattress too, but if I could blink my eyes and have sleep behind me, I’d do it! When I want to aggravate Brian I remind him that there will be no need to sleep in heaven! ha…
So, as I type from bed again tonight, I’m hopeful that I’ll be doing a lot less sleeping and a lot more yard work in the near future. πΒ
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Jim and Tammy Slice, along with Brian and I, are tremendously proud of our kids!!!
This past weekend, Sarah was FIRST RUNNER UP for Homecoming Queen at North Greenville University!!! The NGU Club Ultimate (Zach’s frisbee team, whom Sarah represented!) WON homecoming and their float came in SECOND place!!!
In last night’s study we talked about 2 Corinthians 4:7 — unspeakable treasure within earthen vessels. With that still fresh on my mind, I can’t help but share how thankful we all are that Zach and Sarah’s “accomplishments” are simply icing on the cake. Their real treasure lies within, and we thank God for the work He is doing in their lives.
Congratulations Sarah & Zach!
(What a schweet ride!)
