First Advent

Advent is the season of waiting and anticipating the celebration of God's perfect gift to us, and also of His second coming. There is an element of mystery and hope in this season.
In the busyness of the preparations we can often miss the importance of this time. We have an opportunity to get our hearts ready not just our homes.
We, Anneliese, Betty, Bev, Charlotte, Ellen, Judy, Julie, Kathy, Lovella, and Marg, wish for you a gift, an unexpected encounter with God. Just like the people in this video, sitting having lunch and suddenly they were touched by something unexpected and amazing. Isn't that what we all hope for, an unexpected encounter with God, especially in the midst of the busy holiday festivities.
May your lives be touched with the wonder and mystery of God's gift to us through his Son Jesus Christ.
(I wonder what is was really like for the Shepherd's to be in there fields and hear the Angels burst forth in song?)

Revelation 19:6 (New International Version)
⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns".

Bread for the Journey

As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30

God's Ways are Perfect

This road has been traveled many times...
We can see far ahead that there is a sign.
Signposts keep me on the right road, and as we navigate,
I love to always know what's around the next bend.
But many times the plans of life have been blocked by obstacles.
And we have no way of seeing around the next corner.
It could even be that sorrow has clouded our sky.
I hear my self-saying..."I don't know which way to turn."

Scripture teaches us that not only is God's way perfect,
but He makes our way perfect.
This can be difficult to understand at times.
Again, it's a process of yielding our selves daily to God.
As we yield ourselves to Him, he can complete the perfect way.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9.

Baked Beans

Baked beans are a great make ahead dish and kept in the crock pot to serve to a crowd. Good when you have a BBQ or anytime. It starts with cans of baked beans just spiced up a bit to add more flavor. This recipe has a hint of coffee in it which is subtle but adds a nice taste.

• 1 lb of bacon or smoked sausage
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves of garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon of instant coffee
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2-28 oz cans of baked beans

1. Saute the bacon or smoked sausage, drain all the fat.
2. Add the onion, garlic and cook til the onion is softened slightly (my mom always caramelized the onions but I don't have the patience.)
3. Put that and all the remaining ingredients into a crock-pot (slow cooker) and cook on low for four hours.

Barbecued Salmon

We have been enjoying this basted barbecued Salmon since we've been married. This was my mom-by-loves recipe and it is a winner. Every time fresh salmon made it to the house. .the salmon was put on the barbecue and it seemed impossible to know when to stop eating.

This fall.  .the salmon run in British Columbia was like no other and we once again had reason to pull our our fish rack for the barbecue. This salmon is rich but when paired with simple rice . . coleslaw and a beautiful side of broccoli. . it makes an impressive meal to serve guests.



• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice. .or about the juice from 2  lemons
• 1 1/2 teaspoon worchestire sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. Fillet your salmon. .but leave on the skin.
2. Let it soak in cold salted ( about a tablespoon) water for half an hour.
3. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan.
4. Heat the grill, put the salmon in a barbecuing rack.  Do not use foil.  Foil might be an easier clean up but the flavour can not be duplicated. .it will just steam.
5. Baste both sides as you flip the salmon during the cooking time.  The salmon is done once it flakes in the thickest part.

This is enough basting sauce to grill a whole salmon but it can easily be cut down if you are just grilling one side of salmon.  I am tired of digging out the recipe card  . ..and decided it was time to document the recipe here on the blog for our family.

Truffles

These truffles are so simple to make and they satisfy that craving for a bit of chocolate. The hardest thing is not to reach for that second one. These truffles make a nice little gift for that chocolate lover on your list.

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet good quality chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or any other favorite flavor

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring whipping cream just to boiling point, remove from heat immediately
2. Add chopped chocolate and vanilla.
3. Stir till mixture is completely smooth. Pour in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
4. Scoop out heaping teaspoons of the firmed up chocolate and quickly roll into balls. I scooped 3 or 4 at a time, rolled them in balls and then in the coating. You will want to wash your hands often as this part is messy.
5. Roll balls in finely chopped toasted pecans, coconut, or dip them in chocolate. Other options are rolling them in cookie sprinkles or rice krispies.
6. Store in airtight container in fridge
7. Yield: 25 truffles

Baked Peach Dessert

Warm peaches with a light crumb topping is the perfect treat when you are craving a comfort dessert.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups sliced peaches, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp melted butter

Stir above ingredients together and divide between 4 individual oven proof dishes or an oval casserole about 3" deep.

Crumb Mixture:

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cold
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Stir together flour, sugar and nutmeg. Cut in butter until you have a fine crumble. Sprinkle over fruit.

Bake at 375º for 30 minutes or until fruit is tender and bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream.

Bread for the Journey

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

In this world of uncertainty and change, it is comforting to know that God is constant. He never changes and His word is true.

Crab Rolls

With shorter days and cooler temperatures, we are spending more time indoors at this time of year and appetizers fresh out of the oven go over well. We had an appetizer and dessert night recently...and these tasty little rolls were a hit. The recipe came from my sister originally...and has been in my files for years.

Crab Rolls

• 20 slices soft white bread
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 oz. tin crab meat
• 2 tablespoons parsley or chives, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• Sesame seeds

1. Remove crusts from bread. Flatten slices lightly with a rolling pin.
2. Combine cream cheese and butter and soften in microwave until easily stirred.
3. Drain crab meat; add to cheese mixture along with parsley or chives.
4. Spread 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each slice of bread and roll up.
5. Place rolls on baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam side down.
6. Brush melted butter over rolls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
7. Broil for 3-4 minutes or until golden.
8. Cut each roll into 3 pieces.

Yield: 60 tiny rolls.

Banana Hazelnut Split Cake

After enjoying a version of this cake at my friend Janet's place several times...I re-created it in my kitchen.  It was my daughter's birthday cake a few weeks ago...and was a hit!

Banana Hazelnut Split Cake

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups bananas
• 1 cup undrained crushed pineapple
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups whipping cream 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
• 1 pint fresh strawberries

1. Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil until mixture is fluffy.
2. Add bananas and crushed pineapple, beating until combined.
3. Combine flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.  
4. Add to banana mixture; stir until blended.
5. Pour into two well greased nine inch round cake pans.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes...or until set in centre. 
7. Allow cakes to cool completely.

To assemble:

1. Whip cream, vanilla and sugar until stiff.  
2. Split each cake layer in half horizontally. 
3. Spread the bottom half of each cake with a generous layer of Nutella, and reassemble to form two cakes.
4. Create a flat top on one of the cakes by shaving off the rounded top.
5. Set this layer on a cake plate...and spread with whipped cream, sliced strawberries and more whipped cream.
6. Gently set remaining cake layer on top.  
7. Frost with whipped cream.  Garnish with strawberries.

Enjoy the goodness of bananas, strawberries, chocolate and hazelnuts all rolled into one...and smothered in whipped cream!

Chunky Guacamole

This recipe was given to me by my daughter-in-law.

Her tip to chop the avocado instead of mashing it is the key to the flavour of this Guacamole.

• 4 ripe avocados
• 1 medium tomato
• about 1/2 cup chopped red onion*
• 1-2 tablespoons lime juice*
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced*
• salt and pepper to taste
• Tabasco sauce to taste
• chopped parsley or cilantro 

1. Cut avacados in half, and remove pit with a spoon.
2. Before you remove the avocado flesh from the shell, take a knife and cut avocado into a 1/4 inch grid. Then using, a spoon, gently remove the diced avocado from the shell into a bowl.
3. Remove the seeds from the tomato and cut it into a 1/4 inch dice.
4. Using a silicone spatula, gently mix all ingredients together.
5. Adjust seasonings to your taste.
6. Serve with multigrain taco chips or crackers.

*How much you use of these ingredients will depend on the size of your avocados and tomato.

Note: I don't add cilantro to my guacamole because my husband and I don't really like it but feel free to add it if it is a favourite of yours.