A New Year of Challenges

Oh so, so long since I last wrote anything. I was sucked into the facebook vortex and have not been able to get away from it! But I am determined to journal more on my blog this year. I have such a hard time remembering things that I really would benefit from having my thoughts cataloged somewhere. So that's my first challenge to myself; blog more.
The second challenge is what this post is really about. I read about a few people reading their bibles in 90 days and decided to join in. I didn't register or anything but I have stuck with the reading plan (so far) and am enjoying it thoroughly. Many people have never read their bibles all the way through and I have to admit that there are a few portions I don't think I have quite read completely. But for the most part I believe I have read pretty much the whole thing. Just not on this quick of a time frame. I've never done the bible-in-a-year deal either. Several years ago after we started celebrating the biblical feasts, we also started reading the Torah portions each week on Shabbat. Since then, I have read and studied through the Torah (first five books) several times. What I love about that system is the amazing interlocking message and explanation it has for those of us that went to church for years but never really connected the dots between the "old" and the "new" testament. Before that, I hadn't read too much of the old testament beyond a few "stories" and the Psalms and Proverbs. Now with this 90 day challenge, it really will put the whole story together, fresh in my mind, in a short period of time. It doesn't allow time for any in-depth study but I am taking notes of things to possibly look up later. I've been faithfully reading everyday since the 3rd and have just finished up with Exodus. I am using the NET bible and this translation has so many fascinating notes that it is hard at times to stay focused! Something I am particularly excited about is if I stay the course, even if I add on several days for flexibility, I will be finishing up close to Passover. What a great thing to get myself prepared for a new spiritual and biblical year by absorbing the whole bible first. Very nice. Check it out!

                                                                                      

Best Sugar Cookies Ever!

This recipe comes from Betty Crocker herself. I have seen and tried several different sugar cookie recipes but I always come back to this one. The key is in the sugar. This recipe uses powdered sugar, not granulated. Big difference. Melt in your mouth goodness! Great for frosting or just sprinkling with crystallized sugar.

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix everything in a bowl. Form into a a big flattened disc (I like this better than a ball) and refrigerate for about 2 hours. Cut out into desired shapes. Sprinkle with crystallized sugar if you aren't going to frost them later. Bake at 375* for 7-9 minutes depending on size of cookies. Let cool and then frost if desired. Enjoy with a cup of tea!

Chanukkah Sufganiyot

This is a very easy but good recipe for Chanukkah donuts. Here is a little background tidbit that came with the recipe:

The oil in the recipe symbolizes the miracle of Chanukkah. The sufganiyot also symbolizes the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures. The fritter is of Sephardic origin while the sugar topping and jelly filling are part of the Chanukkah tradition of European immigrants, who celebrated Chanukkah with glazed doughnuts filled with apricot jelly.

We usually double the recipe when we have guests.

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

Heat until melted. Cool to lukewarm.

Add

4 tsp. yeast

Stir until dissolved

Add

3 cups flour

2 eggs

a pinch of salt

Knead with additional flour until the dough has a smooth texture. It will be a fairly soft dough.

Cover and let rise in warm place for 30 minutes

Roll out dough and use a circle cutter or drinking glass to cut out doughnuts. You shouldn’t get more than 18 or so  if you use a 3 inch cutter, or they will be too flat. Allow to rise for 30 minutes. Fry in oil** on both sides. Let cool, then fill with jelly or jam. Roll in powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Make sure to use a good high heat frying oil such as safflower. Olive oil is not a good choice-ask me why I know! :-)

Baked Oatmeal recipe

Oh my goodness, this is a good one. A friend gave me this recipe a few years ago and it's a keeper. It turns out more like a cake and is always completely devoured. I usually double it and bake in a 10x14 (adding a few extra minutes baking time)

Combine in large bowl:
1/2 cup melted butter or oil
3/4-1 cup sucanat or other sugar
3 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cup yogurt, kefir, or buttermilk

if possible and for best results, let this sit overnight.

The next morning add:
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup dried fruit or chopped apples-optional

Bake in a greased 11x7 pan at 350* for 25 minutes. Serve with butter and maple syrup if desired

My Sweet Challah recipe

Sweet Challah

Mix together in large bowl:

2/3 cup softened butter

1/2-2/3 cup sugar or 1/2 cup honey (depends on taste)

Beat in:

3 eggs

Stir in by hand:

4 heaping tsp. yeast***

3 cups white flour (no whole wheat allowed on Shabbat!)

Add:

1 1/2 cups very warm milk (or water)

Beat with an electric mixer until smooth

Add 4+ cups of flour (and any dried fruit if desired) and mix until it can be kneaded.

Add small amounts of flour until you have a SOFT, but not sticky ball of dough. Knead for several minutes until nice and smooth. Cover, and let rise in an oiled bowl for about an hour (until double in size). Split dough in 2 parts large loaves. Make 3 or 6 ropes out of each part and braid into challah loaves. Brush an egg glaze on top and let rise on cooking skeet for about 30 minutes. I bake mine for 28 minutes at 350 degrees. Baking time will depend on individual oven temp.

***If you are having trouble getting a nice loaf, you can 'proof' the yeast by adding it to your warm milk along with a tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes. If the yeast was activated, it should be frothy.

Cinnamon roll variation:

Divide into 2 parts after first rising. Roll out into rectangles and spread with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon (LOTS!**) and sugar. Roll up and cut into 9(for each rectangle) large rolls. Put 9 rolls into a 9 x 13 pan, making sure they slightly touch each other. Let rise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes (depending on how done/gooey you want them). While still warm, spread with frosting made of 1/4 cup butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, and about 2 cups powdered sugar. After they are cooled, cover with saran wrap and enjoy the next morning on Shabbat! This will make 2 pans of cinnamon rolls, one to keep and one to give away!

      Pecan Sticky Bun variation:

Follow same rolling instructions for cinnamon rolls but ease up on the cinnamon and use brown sugar. Mix some more brown sugar and chopped, toasted pecans and sprinkle on bottom of the 9 x 13 pan before you put the rolls in. The more sugar-nut mixture, the better! Bake the same. When serving, be sure to flip the roll out upside down onto the plate. No frosting needed.

** The types and amount of cinnamon are the keys. Try getting some cinnamon from Cinnabon or a specialty shop. There is a HUGE difference! With an excellent quality cinnamon, pour it on and it’s delicious!

Lentils

 
Lentils are cheap, easy to prepare, and really good for you. They can stretch the use of meat in a recipe also. What else is there to say? Here are my top three ways to use them.




                                      Lentil Sloppy Joes


1 lb. groung turkey or beef
1 onion-chopped plus some garlic (to taste)
1 green pepper-chopped
2 cups brown lentils
1 can tomato paste
about 3 cups stock or water


all seasoning amounts are approximate:
1-2 Tbl. sugar
1 tsp. salt
a couple dashes Worcestershire sauce
a couple dashes pepper
any type of b-b-q sauce or seasoning if desired


Brown the ground turkey, onion, and pepper. Stir in lentils, tomato paste, and water. Simmer until lentils are tender; about 20 minutes. You may need to add more water and stir occasionally.  Add seasonings etc.. to taste and serve over buns with cheese. should serve 8-10 depending on appetites.








                                       Lentil-Rice Pilaf


2 cups brown lentils
1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice
1 large bunch green onions chopped
3 cloves garlic-minced
4 Tble. butter
5 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
2 Tble. parsley
a couple dashes pepper-to taste
(a lemon-pepper seasoning works great)


Saute the lentils, rice, onions and garlic in the butter. Add broth and seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30-40 minutes. I shamefully always peak at my rice to see if it is done so I'm not precise on the cooking time. This feeds a large group as a side. I like to add a little lemon juice at the end sometimes. 








                                Chocolate-Lentil Cake


2 cups water
2/3 cup brown lentils
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
barely 2 cups sifted flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt


Bring water to boil. Add lentils, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Drain, but save the liquid.
Add 1/2 cup liquid back to lentils and puree in a blender. Beat together sugar, oil, and eggs. Add vanilla and pureed lentils. Sift and add remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Let cool and frost if desired but it's good on it's own too!

My Holy Moses Score Booklist

Yesterday I stopped by one of the local thrift stores for "just a minute" and came away with 2 boxes of books! I usually always find a few good ones but never have I left with a cart FULL of them! I was so thrilled I thought I might share them here. I love to see what others are reading and I am known for snooping on bookshelves everywhere I go. I also have a habit of trying to see what books are in little inset pictures of ads. I can't help myself. I tend to lean towards reference books and childrens books and of course classics. I don't get too many fiction books for myself. So for those fellow book aficionados, here you go.

Now instead of making you squint and try to see all of the titles, I'm going to break it up into groups for you! Aren't I nice?

This is a neat set I have been wanting for awhile. I read the original book Simple Abundance by Sarah ban Breathnach years ago. Now there is a daybook (hb), companion workbook(large pb), and a study book(hb).

I just LOVE Cheryl Harness books! Excellent illustrations and information. Great childrens books.

This big book is brand new and will be perfect for the newest addition to our little one room schoolhouse.

And note the "teacher approved" label in the lower right hand corner of the cover! That sure makes me feel better!?! :-)

Here are assorted books for my littles including a sweet Precious Moments bible for my Lydia bug. Can't imagine paying full price for books that will get so much wear and tear. And they are all in excellent condition...for now. ;-)

This oversized hardback book is brand new and is a memory book filled with beautiful watercolor paintings. Every page is to be filled out with information about my life, my mom's life, and my daughter's life. It will be wonderful for a certain daughter's birthday next year. I just hope I can remember enough to fill in all of the pages!

This is a stack I am particularly excited about! All excellent condition including the matching full set of The Chronicles of Narnia!

Another stack of excellence! And do you see that 2003 Taste of Home cookbook? We collect those for the girl's hopechests. Also a hardback brand new I Spy book (the kids love those) and a Cartooning book with some of the best instruction I've seen for two of my kids. Details on the rest below

An inside peak of the top book; The Classic Herb Cookbook

What I like about this are the full page spreads of photographs and detailed information on each edible herb.

Poetry for Young People is a series I highly recommend. Great illustrations to accompany the text throughout.

 

Always a score when I find any DK Eyewitness books. It looks brand new!

My kids (especially the boys) cannot get enough of Stephen Biesty cross-section books. They check them out at the library all of the time! And these two huge oversize books are seriously in brand new condition.

Here are more goodies for me!

At the top of the pile are three quote books and everyone knows how I love my quotes! I especially love the one full of garden thoughts, so inspiring!

These are great standards to collect for the self help section of everyone's personal library.

For Men Only by Shaunti Feldhahn(great series for couples)

Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson (LOVE all of her books!)

Keeping Our Children's Hearts by Steve and Terry Maxwell (of MOTH fame)

boy meets girl with CD by Joshua Harris(gotta plan ahead!)

The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo (highly recommend)

Five L♥ve languages of children by Gary Chapman(met him once-very nice guy)

Brand new hardback and the girls just love his stuff, not that our dogs are like his though! :-)

One of my favorite titles from my youth. Classic hardback with lovely ribbon bookmark.

A thick compendium by William J. and while I was flipping through it, I didn't recognise half of the books he recommends! That is hard to do; stump me on books so I'm excited to read through it and discover many more title to search for!

I have more deals from previous trips to share but I'll save them for later. So I am wondering how much everyone thinks I paid for my Holy Moses Score of books?? If I counted correctly, I've listed 46 books. Let me know what your guess is in the comments and we'll see if I really got a deal or not! But don't do what hubby does and under price it all. I did pay more than say 5.00 for all of them! No bursting my bubble of pride allowed! :-)