Thursday, November 29, 2012

Pray for those in need

Dearest Reader, 

   Could I please ask you to take a moment to pray for a dear missionary friend of mine in Thailand? I know you have so much to think about already, but he is so sick. 
After an MRI and many other tests the doctor says she believes that my friend Clinton Garsee has Vertigo along with Bell's Palsy(one side of his face is paralyzed), but has no conclusion to why his arm and leg are also dull of feeling. He's very dizzy and can't walk without throwing up. Please also keep wife and kids lifted up. 

Thank you!!!

Megan

John Z. & A.W. Tozer

   
   My brother, John, is leaving for a trip to South Sudan today. He will be gone until December 18th.  The goal is to continue to see progress with the building of our new compound and the start of the village. (http://grnconnect.org/)
South Sudan is still a volatile place, but one of the main concerns is malaria, which is what he came home with last year. So, your prayers for him would be very much appreciated!

Thank you!

   On a whole other note, I found a quote I would like to share :)

"Many come up short and are satisfied with the works of God or theology, rather than pursuing the fullness of God Himself." - AW Tozer

Something to think about, huh? How often it is that we get more caught up in the works of God or what know ABOUT Him, rather than forming a relationship of actually knowing Him. It's a tragedy really. 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread


   Per several requests from friends via Facebook the other day, here's a recipe for the best banana bread ever. No kidding. I'm literally not allowed to make any other kind in our house anymore. It's so good, I wish I came up with it.  
I actually don't know who created this recipe, but I can at least give credit to the giver of it, Tiffany, from Offbeat and Inspired (Check out the blog. It's awesome!!!). She made it for my family over a year ago, and it was gone in minutes if I remember correctly. I was then ordered asked to request the recipe from Tiffany. After a day of baking at her house one day, I finally got it from her and made it myself soon after, only for it to taste .... different....not the same....kind of not as good...you get the point, I'm sure. 

Something was missing. I was gypped and I knew it. By a friend no less.  What is this world coming to?  

Okay, it wasn't THAT bad. After a brief phone call I found out that I was gypped on accident. 

I forgive you, Tiffany! Whoever thought that brown sugar could make such a difference?!

It's been perfect from then on in.  And so, if you're still with me, here's the recipe! 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
Makes two 9inch loaves

1 Cup butter (2 sticks), room temp.

2 Cups white sugar

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise

5-6 Ripe bananas

3 Cups AP flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

Brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 loaf pans by greasing very well and sprinkling a layer of brown sugar on the bottom.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one by one, mixing well in between. Add mayo and bananas and mix. Whisk dry ingredients together and add to banana mixture little by little, *folding it in as you go. Fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into prepared pans and sprinkle another layer of brown sugar on the top. Bake for about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

*Or if you have a mixing machine like a KitchenAid like I do, you really don't need to bother with the whole folding thing.

Enjoy! And please let me know what you think!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving...Belated



   My poor blog. I'm sure it feels quite abandoned by now! Over THREE months without writing a single word :/  Even my brother finally gave up on trying to convince me to write. I often go through seasons like this with my blog. Some months I write like crazy and then I'll stop all together for awhile. Hopefully this will be a season of writing again. To make up for my absence though, I'm going to give you a little, and really easy recipe to enjoy.

 Happy Thanksgiving by the way!...a day after. (Oh well, I'm trying. )

Yesterday was loud, happy, fun, tiring, etc. How was yours?
In my opinion, Thanksgiving isn't much of a holiday without kids so that's why I decided to make a dessert just for them. You really can't go wrong with a simple cupcake. Of course with all the other desserts on the table, these were only for the kids.

 I think a couple jumped up onto the plate of an adult or two though....Okay, I had one too!

Before I even started, I already knew I didn't want the same old buttercream frosting I always use (no offense intended, Betty Crocker). And I also knew that there must be some way to boost a boxed cake mix.  After a bit of searching this is what I came up with:

1. White cake mix of choice
2.Follow the box's directions,  but add 1 or 2 more eggs ( in this case egg whites) and replace the water with milk. I seriously have never had a boxed cake mix turn out so well.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting via Bakerella (My brother used the word "Awesome" when he tasted this frosting)

1 1/2 cups butter, softened


1 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar
4-8 Tablespoons milk
  • Beat the butter in a mixer until smooth.
  • Add vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Add the powdered sugar in several additions, scraping down the sides after each addition.
  • Add milk a tablespoon at a time and mix together until you achieve a smooth consistency.


Hope you enjoy!