...all things pertaining to the warmth and coziness of home

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Bavarian Apple Cheesecake

 
I found this recipe on the internet soon after we got our first computer.
Boy did a whole new world open up!
Who needed to buy cookbooks anymore?!
I still do though.
It still has some cinnamon on it!
 
Needless to say, this recipe was a huge success, according all those
who had a sample of it.
It was my friend's birthday last week and I made her one,
so I thought I would share it with you.
You can find the recipe here.
(I finally found the exact recipe that I have.)
I always start with the crust of the cheesecake.
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup plus one tablespoon soft butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Mix with beaters. (Make sure you are wearing old clothes. You'll be dusted with flour)
Press down in a 10" springform pan
Set it aside.
Then peel two large Granny Smith apples.
Cut into thinnish slices.
This will give you enough to completely cover a 15" x 10" cookie pan.
Put in baking dish. (I always put a piece of tin foil in and grease it a bit)
Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
While the apples are cooking in the oven,
Beat together:
Two eight ounce packages of cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
Pour over the crust in the spring form pan.
When the apples are ready and cool enough to touch,
arrange around the pan.
I turn the apples the other way when filling in the centre to make it look a bit fancy.
When all the apples are on, toss 1/4 cup of sliced blanched almonds.
Mix together:
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cover the entire pan with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
This will leak so you have to put something underneath it.
It looks so perfect when it's done!
You really have to try it!
I made a second one to share with the ladies at Windsor Life Centre.
They'll be enjoying this while I share on this.
 
I will be sharing this at:
 
Blessings,
 

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Talk on Tuesday

Courage for Everyday
 

Tonight I will be sharing with the ladies about courage.
Good courage.
(Thanks to Little Birdie Blessings for the use of this card)
 
I'm not talking about the big things that people do, and I am not in any way
demeaning what they do. I highly respect them all.
These men risk their lives in unbearable circumstances.

The police provide protection for us everyday.
I am forever grateful for the soldiers fighting for our freedoms.
They are truly courageous.
 
I'm talking about everyday courage.
Things that are hard to do, but you do them anyway.
Facing a challenge that is difficult and not running away from it.
Doing a random act of kindness and not telling anyone you did it.
Blessing your husband, when you don't think he deserves it.
Helping a friend when they betrayed you.
Choosing to worship when you just want to complain.
Keeping your mouth closed when you just have to have the last word.
Being the first to say "I'm sorry".
Acknowledging your need for God every moment of everyday.
Choosing the right thing when it would be easier to do nothing.
 
I want to declare over you, that you (say your name) are courageous.
 
In Joshua chapter one, God gives Joshua command of the children of Israel after the death
 of Moses to lead them to the promised land.
God exhorts Joshua to be "strong and of good courage" three times in the first nine verses.
At the end of the chapter the children of Israel encourage Joshua with the same message, " Only be strong and of good courage". (Joshua 1:18)
 
Why do you think God said "good" courage?
The Hebrew meaning of the word means, "delight", "acceptable",
the root word means, "to be pleased with"
 
God had already told Joshua that every place their feet walked would be theirs,
and that no one could stand in their way.
That didn't mean that there would not be opposition.
But because of the word God gave Joshua, he could meet his
opposition with "good courage".
 
This is the backside of the postcard I am giving the ladies.
It gives the root meaning of the word courage.
I find it interesting that it has to do with the heart.
 
Another little interesting side note, is that the word encourage means that you
are coming alongside someone and giving them courage.
It comes from the same root word as the Holy Spirit.
Pretty cool, huh?!!
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and He comes alongside us to enable us to walk out
our Christian walk.
 
So, I encourage you to walk everyday with "good courage".
 
There is a song by Amanda Cook at Bethel called,
"You Make Me Brave"
 
To hear Amanda share how she came to write this song click here.

 
Blessings to you,

 

 
Sharing this at:

Sunday, 4 January 2015

A Victorian Happy New Year

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
 
I love Victorian Vintage cards.
Especially with children in them.
I love how they are dressed.
I love the look of innocence.
To read about the history of these cards go here.
I found a bag full of Victorian Christmas tags at a thrift shop a few years ago.
(Yes, I still have my tree up!)
I think it just adds to the wonder of Christmas through a child's eye.
I have some cards that were given over the years that I keep just to put out.
I've had this small tin for awhile.
I only use it for decoration at Christmas.
This tin was purchased at IKEA.
It had cookies in it, and the only reason I bought it was because I loved the picture!
This tin I do use.
And I always make sure I get it back!
To see the recipe for these Snow-Covered Almond Crescents go here.
This was in the frame section of a thrift shop.
I loved the frame and the picture.
I love the white outfit she is wearing.
I love her curls.
She adds a sweet touch.
Another purchase at an antique market.
Couldn't help myself.
The picture and the title.
"Happy Thoughts"
A page in the book.
This is the backside of the book.
It was written in 1894.
 
This is one the many things that makes my heart smile when I see it,
so I thought I'd share it.
 
I pray that this year finds you enjoying the things and people you love.
May you have many "Happy Thoughts".
 
Blessings,