by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Encouragement Wrapped in a Bow |
by Cathy Baker
Remember this post from 2008?
- Starbucks has the Pumpkin Spice Latte
- The Beacon has the Hash-A-Plenty
- My late grandmother, Elsie Knighton, had her egg custard pie
Like those “signature” dishes, my other grandmother, aka “Ma-Ma”, was well known for her pound cake in Fairforest,
SC, back in the day. For as long as I can remember, she baked at
least one pound cake a week. She sliced it into thirds, wrapped each section in
wax paper and added one last shiny wrap before delivering her thirds to the sick, lonely, and elderly.
Unfortunately, I didn’t pay close attention to either grandmother’s mad cooking skills. In fact, years ago, I bought a rubber stamp that said, Don’t worry. I didn’t bake it myself, in hopes of putting the recipient’s mind at ease. I saw no hope in sight until I received my shiny red Kitchen-Aid mixer. It revved up my baking engine as well as my interest to find my own “signature something.” You know, the kind of recipe that comes to mind as quickly as your firstborn’s name.
I’ve tried several pound cake recipes (including MaMa’s)
only to have the pans sabotage my efforts. Yes, it was the pan. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
However, I’m confident that a day is coming when I’ll say goodbye to the rubber stamp and say hello to a tag that reads, Baked with Love, by Cathy.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Update!
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| My “Signature Something” baked in vintage Pyrex |
Score! I may have discovered my signature something this weekend—pumpkin bread with a brown sugar glaze. The only obstacle? The glaze is so yummilicious you’ll want to ditch the drizzle and smother your bread like it’s a blanket. Brian called it “the kind of dish that makes you want to scrape the plate clean.”
And yet—where both grandmother’s were concerned—their signature somethings were far more than a delight to the palate. Each cake and every pie was baked with one thing in mind: other people, the best ingredient of all.
Do you have a signature something? A go-to dish that you share with others? I’d love to hear about it and if you’d like to share the recipe, I’d be honored to include it on my blog in the near future, along with my signature something.
Whatever you do,
work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your
reward.
You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23, 24
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Fall Issue 2014 |
by Cathy Baker
I’ve been asked what magazines I buy as it’s no secret I enjoy perusing the pages more than once.
I’ve mentioned life:beautiful magazine in previous posts but it’s worth multiple mentions, especially the Fall 2014 issue.
This issue offers up a buffet of hospitality tips beneficial to both the Mary’s and Martha’s of the world, along with an array of delish dishes (some gluten-free!)
My favorite feature in the Fall 2014 issue is the interview with HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines, hosts of Fixer Upper. They share both their faith journey as well as their journey as a family.
Other features enjoyed in every issue:
- Calendar for daily scripture reading
- Practical tips for turning our houses into homes
Purchasing a magazine is an investment these days with many costing $6.95 +, which is another perk of life:beautiful. It’s a bargain at $4.95 and a great way to support faith-based magazines. (They’re definitely outnumbered on the Barnes & Noble shelves.)
So, what one magazine do you consider to be worth every penny?
Joanna’s blog, Magnolia Homes.
Except the Lord builds the
house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city,
the watchman wakes but in vain. Psalm 127:1
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| My favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie |
by Cathy Baker
I’m perfectly content siding with the those who are not prepared for Hallmark Christmas movies beginning in October or brushing up against fake-o tree limbs in the aisles of favorite stores while fumbling for the candy corn. No, not yet!
I mean, what happened to the celebration of Thanksgiving?
Could it be that merchandisers don’t begin displaying turkey platters two months in advance because of money, or lack thereof? Let’s face it, tons of turkeys will give their gobble-laden necks to fill our feastly tables, but other than food, what else do people purchase for this particular holiday? Exactly.
Growing up, I was blessed to experience Thanksgivings reminiscent of Rockwell renderings. As an only child, I relished the warmth of a big family as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins surrounded the holiday table. The sound of familiar laughter, the telling of fondly remembered stories, and the faces of my family surface every Thanksgiving. We could’ve made our own Hallmark movie.
This year, with our family going in all different directions, I’ll be serving food on Thanksgiving to our community through a ministry Summit Upstate sponsors, Feast for All. If you’re available and would like to serve in some capacity, please email me (click the “e” button on the sidebar.)
So, while I plan to enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies come December, this month I will intentionally focus on the holiday grounded in gratitude.
How about you?
Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…Ephesians 5:20
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 31 }
This post officially ends the Write 31 Days Challenge but because of it, some things are just beginning, thanks to a few lessons I learned along the way:
- The more we exercise our calling/ministries, the more creative we become. Prior to the challenge, I often struggled for blog ideas but a funny thing happened as I made my way to the laptop each day. Ideas evolved from unexpected places. It was exciting!
Have you also found this to be true with
your own calling or ministry?
- God provides a multitude of practical ways His children can stay in step with Him. Becoming intentional made all the difference. I asked God to open my spiritual eyes and He led the way. He always does.
Was there one particular step during the challenge that resonated most with you?
(See past posts below)
- We ARE up for the challenge. Writing for thirty-one days under the umbrella of one subject was daunting, to say the least, but I needed a challenge. I’d become sluggish, taking the joy discovered via writing for granted. The non-adventurist within warned that I may not be able to follow-through with the challenge—but I did it anyway. As a result, I plan to start ignoring that non-adventurist voice more often.
Is there a challenge you’ve been postponing?
I thought I’d feel relieved to have the challenge behind me and yet it feels like I’m bidding a friend farewell.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
{ Day 28 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Well Placed Pooch
{ Day 29 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Pure Motivations
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 30 }
One Saturday morning, several years ago, I headed to my hometown of Spartanburg to visit family, as well as Jayne, a woman who had advertised free liriope in Craig’s List.
As we put shovel to dirt, I learned that Jayne had attended the same church as my paternal grandparents for many years. She was also the church secretary for ten of those years. Her face lit up when I mentioned my grandmother’s name. That happened a lot.
While taking a break on Jayne’s front porch she excused herself and returned a few minutes later with a wide grin. In her hands were some things kept from her time at Fairforest Baptist Church. At one point, she carefully pulled out a manilla folder. She told me the folder held one of her greatest treasures. When the folder opened, I immediately recognized the handwriting. It was Ma-Ma’s.
Ma-Ma had written Jayne a small note, encouraging her teaching efforts when Jayne taught her class for several months. Attached to Ma-Ma’s note was a piece of notebook paper filled with handwritten names and phone numbers.
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| Shuping and Alberta Scott |
With tears welling up in her eyes, Jayne shared how she
had mentioned in class one Sunday that the ladies needed to pray for one
another on a regular basis. On the following Sunday, Ma-Ma handed her
what is now tucked away in Jayne’s treasured file.
Ma-Ma was a prayer warrior up until she drew her last breath.
Jayne also shared how my grandfather, Pa-Pa,
would come to the church office and
give anonymously to different missions and needs. He never wanted to be
recognized or applauded for his giving.
It is a priceless gift to inherit such a spiritual heritage. May our grandchildren and great-grandchildren be able to say the same in the years to come.
I hope you enjoyed the above post, originally shared in 2009. Since then, Ma-Ma went home to be with the Lord. Thankfully, my spiritual heritage stemmed from both sides of my family. All four grandparents were godly, beautiful examples of Christ.
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your
friends.
It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.”
―
Steve Saint
Staying in Step with the Spirit: The choices we make today will impact the steps of future generations to come.
Heavenly Father, help us to realize the ripple effect of our words, actions, and thought-life as we seek You for a covering of wisdom. (James 1:5)
