Hi, everyone! Since I last wrote, a lot has happened. I've learned some great things while trying new recipes and I've finished a couple of projects. I'll fill you in on those, but first, how are you doing with your resolutions? I've really been enjoying my One Year Bible and have been keeping on task with reading. I have often started out intending to read the entire Bible, but get sidetracked along the way when I come to something that interests me and soon find myself reading things all out of order!

Others of my resolutions?
- For my self-improvement, I'm reading The Pursuit of God by Tozer.
- Sewing is all moved and organized (just need  labels on a few more things)
- There are a few more things in my freezer ready to go
- The "pantry" is stocked and I've only had to shop a couple of times (yeaaa!)

(You may notice the exercise and weight loss are glaringly absent from the list. My excuse? I've been baking for too many occasions and had too many goodies left-over, [mustn't waiste waste, you know] and I pulled a muscle or something and can't exercise. No, really. It's true! Honest!!)

Recent reasons to eat? Church dinner after speaking in Union, IA, the Superbowl party at our house, a ladies' meeting, and an early Valentine's dinner with the area pastors and their wives. We met in Ottumwa for the evening and had an amazing homecooked meal followed by a dessert buffet of all-chocolate items brought by the ladies. Wow! Choosing was tough! I made something I'd seen online that fascinated me - Hi Hat Cupcakes. It traces back to Martha Stewart, but if you'd like to get the recipe and see some really beautiful pictures, check out this link: www.bakerella.com I've included my pictures just to prove I actually did it!

I made small cupcakes because they are really rich, and I knew there'd be lots of choices that evening. Of course, I had to make a practice batch to make sure they'd work and be worthy and which we're still trying to finish.

 They get a cooked, fluffy frosting piped on, and then. . .

 They get dipped in melted chocolate!

Little lace doily wraps made them extra fancy and they looked great on the serving plate I took along.

 The recipe looks long and intimidating, but it really isn't. Go ahead. Give 'em a try for Valentine's Day!

Use whatever chocolate cake recipe you like for the cupcakes and then get on to the fun part.

Ingredients for frosting:
     1 3/4 c sugar
     1/4 c water
     3 large egg whites
     1/4 tsp cream of tartar
     1 tsp vanilla extract
     1 tsp almond extract (you could experiment with other flavors - peppermint would be good!)

Ingredients for chocolate coating:
     2 c chopped (about 12 ounces) semisweet chocolate ( or just use chocolate chips if you  like
            shortcuts like I do)
     3 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil

1. Prepare the frosting: In a large heatproof bowl, *combine sugar, 1/4 cup water, egg whites, and cream of tartar. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat on high speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Set bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Beat on high speed until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 12 minutes; frosting should register 160 degrees.on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extracts, and beat for 2 minutes more until frosting thickens.
2. Transfer frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain pastry tip. Leaving a 1/8-inch border on each cupcake, pipe a spiral of frosting into a 2-inch-high cone shape, using about 1/2 cup of frosting per cupcake. Transfer cupcakes to a baking sheet, and refrigerate while preparing the chocolate coating.
3. Prepare the chocolate coating: Combine chocolate and oil in a medium heat-proof bowl set over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Transfer to a small bowl, and let cool about 15 minutes.
4. Holding each cupcake by its bottom, dip cupcake in the chocolate to coat frosting, allowing excess to drip off. Transfer to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Spoon more coating around edge of cupcake and any exposed frosting; none of the frosting should show. Let cupcakes stand at room temperature 15 minutes.

(*I found that heating and stirring the water and sugar first helped the sugar dissolve much better. Just start beating before adding the egg whites and cream of tartar to the warm sugar/water.)

One other thing. A lot of you know what a bargain hunter I am, so I'm throwing in this little bit of news just for you. Ed dropped me off at Good Will to pass time while he ran an errand, and you'll never guess what I found. A wing-back chair. Now that's nothing unusual, but are you ready for the price? $6.38!! (Everything there ends with .38) It was super clean and in great shape except for the ends of the arms. I fell in love, took it home, and made arm covers from upholstry samples I'd been given. The chair is now sitting in my "keeping room" and has become my favorite place to sit.

Just in case you didn't believe me!

 Before . . .






















After . . .

Good news from Psalm 32:7-8 says, "Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance
    "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

What a great encouragement for the days ahead!

Coasters & Pizza

Hi, everybody! Are you having as great a winter as we are? Temps were up in the 50's almost every day and no snow!! But for a week now we've been having winter complete with wind and snow. This is a good time to stay in!


Well, I'm all about spending January getting things ready for the year. I'm in the middle of moving my sewing things to a main floor room and having lots of fun trying out ways to organize it all without spending money. That's a challenge, but it's coming along.


Another thing I've been working on this week is getting my ancient sewing machine in better shape for sewing. I've had it since before we were married, so it's like part of the family. I've been thinking about getting a new one, but that seems almost like abandonment. I've cleaned it and the serger both up and out, and my husband is helping me with the bobbin winder. I thought I needed new blades for the serger but the great lady at the sewing store suggested I check the alignment of the lower blade first. (Lower knife should be level with plate.) Would you believe it - it was way low and at a crazy angle. How in the world did that happen?! There was no screw to come loose; it could only be hit with a hammer to straighten! Anyway, she was right. Now instead of chewing the fabric, it cuts it beautifully once again. Thank you, Alice!


By the way, I came across this great way to reheat pizza, and although I haven't tried it yet, I thought it's a good thing to share. It really makes sense, doesn't require heating the oven, and has to beat that rubbery microwave reheated pizza.
http://allrecipes.com/video/432/how-to-reheat-pizza/detail.aspx


 A friend of mine, Sheila, is an amazing stamper. She makes the most beautiful cards! But she showed me how to make some great coasters and this week made several sets to have for hostess gifts for the year. (I need a lot because when we travel to churches every few weeks, we stay in someone's home.) Who can't use more coasters? We have them all over the house. They're so simple and fun to make.


Here's what you need:

     wet paper towels

     4 ceramic tiles, 4" - without shiney surfaces

     4 stamps (They can be pricey, so you can use 1 stamp and make all the coasters match)

     ink pad suitable for ceramic

     spray acrilyc sealer (I like a matte finish)

     something self-sticking for "feet"

First, start with clean, dry tiles.

Lightly tap the stamp on the ink pad - not too hard or there'll be  too much ink. (Practicing on a scratch paper before applying to the tile is a good idea.) Then go ahead and stamp on the tile, putting even pressure over the whole stamp. Easy!

Notice the little dips in my tiles leave missing spots in the stamp, but I think this just adds to the charm. Note: if it's not looking good, you can usually wash it off if you're quick and can stamp it again. Now clean off those stamps thoroughly and put them away. That was fast!

Take the tiles to a safe place to use the spray sealer and apply 3 coats. Mine lets me spray again after 2 minutes, so it doesn't take long at all.

All that's left is to apply the feet because the backs of the tiles can be a little rough for furniture.
<><><><><><> <><><><><><> <><><><><><>

I've used cork. . . .

<><><><><><> <><><><><><> <><><><><><>

felt pads. . . .

<><><><><><> <><><><><><> <><><><><><>

and Bumpons. . . .

and they all work great. So whatever you use will be fine. (Maybe even the soft side of adhesive Velcro?)

Wrap the set with some ribbon, add a tag, and you're done!