Winter Wonderland Wedding

So a winter wedding may be on the cards and whilst it will be much colder than a wedding in September, there will definitely be some positive aspects.

Take a look at some of these beautifully themed Winter Wonderland weddings. Very classy.

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In my kitchen: Flapjack

After my lovely roast chicken dinner last weekend,  I was craving something sweet. As I had run out of eggs, I wasn’t able to bake a cake. So I had a look in the cupboard to see what I could make with the ingredients I did have: sugar, syrup, butter and oats.

Enter a childhood favourite…flapjack. {To my American readers, this is very similar to a granola bar but a much softer and moist, without any of the fruit and nut}.

Now you wouldn’t believe how difficult it was trying to find a decent recipe for flapjack online. After scouring various sites I settled on the recipe below.

Ingredients:

Chopped rolled (cheap porridge) oats 125g

Rolled (premium porridge) oats 125g

Margarine or butter 150g

Golden syrup 75g or 4 tablespoons

Sugar 75g (ideally brown sugar)

Instructions:

1. Put the 150g of margarine, 75g of sugar & 75g of golden syrup in saucepan and heat until it is all liquid.
2. Meanwhile line the baking tin with greaseproof paper.
3. Mix all the oats into the liquid.
4. Put the mixture into the baking tin & press flat.
5. Bake at 175 °C (Gas Mark 4) for 25 to 30 minutes. Warning: the timing is tolerant but accuracy in temperature is critical.
6. Slice into squares before it sets but leave in place in tin.
7. Leave to cool and set.

Now these flapjacks came out soft and I actually prefer them more crunchy, so my brother (who is a chef extraordinaire) has advised that next time, I cook them for longer time at a higher heat.

You can make many variations to the traditional recipe – add chocolate chips, coat with chocolate on top, you name it, you can do it. As it is such a simple recipe, you can’t really go wrong.

With a cold glass of milk – yummy! Takes me right back to my youth! :)

I’ve gotta lot to be thankful for!

‘In all things give thanks’. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Lord I thank you…

• that I am alive and healthy today.
• for my family, for keeping them safe, for providing for them and for being with them wherever they are in the world.
• for blessing me with a wonderful, amazing man, who loves me and who I will soon call my husband. Te Quiero, honey.
• that in the midst of economic meltdown and redundancies all around, I am still gainfully employed.
• for blessing me a beautiful home.
• for the wonderful people you brought into my life, who I can call my friends.
• for directing us to great new church.
• for all the people who have been supporting and standing with us in prayer over the past few months.
• for your miracles and blessing over the past year.

Thank you Lord because you are awesome, mighty and worthy of all praise. I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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In my kitchen: Spicy Roast Chicken

So yesterday I cooked half a roast chicken on my own. Now it might not sound like much, but I'm usually afraid of any piece of chicken bigger than a thigh, as I don’t really know how to handle it, yet alone attempt to cook it.

But I thought this weekend, I would give it a go. Saturdays are my experimental days and I figured that sometime in the near future Christmas dinner will fall to me and it would be good to get in some practice! I did a quick search on Google to get some ideas on techniques and basic steps and off I went.

I washed, I spiced and I roasted and Voila! An hour and a half later, Mr E and I were tucking into spicy roast chicken, with roast potatoes and vegetables – yummy!

I forgot to take a picture, which I’m slighted gutted about, as it did look rather nice {the picture above is from Google}, so instead I thought I’d share some helpful tips I learnt along the way.

Cooking tips:

• Temperature should be around 190 degrees, gas mark 5 to allow it to cook evenly. Last thing you want is burnt skin and raw insides!
• If you like tasty chicken, create your own marinade and let it sit in it for a while. If you have time, overnight in the fridge is good but I did it for 20 mins and it was fine. My marinade is a mixture of ketchup {yes!}, jerk seasoning, chicken seasoning, paprika, chilli powder, Knorr cubes, Garam masala and thyme. I then sprinkle Cajun seasoning just before I pop it in the oven. If you like your chicken mild, simple salt and pepper should suffice.
• During cooking you should ‘baste’ the chicken at least 3 times., every 20/25 mins or so. Now I didn’t have a clue what this meant, but after a quick Google search I discovered all it means is to take the chicken out of the oven and pour the chicken juice created through the roasting, over it and put back in the oven. Not sure what this is supposed to do, but I think it might help the chicken stay nice and moist.
• In the last 10 mins turn the heat up really high so that outside gets extra crispy.
• If you want nice crispy potatoes, boil the potatoes for 10-15 mins, then place in roasting dish, cover with some of the chicken juice and let it roast for around 30-40 mins

Overall the meal was delicious and I will definitely be attempting it again with a full chicken!

Proverbs 31: A Woman that fears the Lord

Before I start this post, one quick thing to mention. Even though the verses talk in the context of being a wife and mother, a lot of it is still relevant to those of us who are not yet married.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

So, as a Proverbs 31 woman, what does it mean to fear the Lord?

Psalm 111:10 tells us, fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. (NLT)

We also know that the, 'fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment’. Proverbs 9:10

Is it talking about 'fear' as in being afraid in the negative sense. I don't think so. I believe it's more of a positive fear of reverence and respect for the Lord's greatness. The Proverbs 31 woman has an awe-filled, humble regard for her Creator and Lord. She knows God and honours Him above all else and because of this a woman who fears God…

- Is not anxious of the future

- Applies practical wisdom in all aspects of life

- She is strong, both physically and morally

- Will not live for herself alone but for others {especially her husband if she is married}

- She lives for the needy

or in other words...

Every other activity and quality of this woman is based on this all-essential trait:

i. Because she fears the Lord … she does her husband good.

ii. Because she fears the Lord … she works with willing hands.

iii. Because she fears the Lord … she buys a field and plants a vineyard. Her entrepreneurial ventures have integrity and purpose in serving her household.

iv. Because she fears the Lord … she cares for the poor and shares with those in need.

v. Because she fears the Lord … she can laugh at the days to come. She doesn't fear the unknown future.

vi. Because she fears the Lord ... she opens her mouth with wisdom. Her life and words instruct others.vii. Because she fears the Lord … she does not eat the bread of idleness. Her knowledge of God motivates her to work diligently.

Everything in her life is built on this and we should seek to build our lives around God and his priorities.

So how can we take the above and make it practical?

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Further reading

A woman that fears the Lord, Now that is beautiful

A woman who fears the Lord Is to be praised  - John Piper