Category: motherhood

If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother? #6

Diana B.1 Comment

What chocolate recipe series would be complete without featuring chocolate chip cookies?

My mama always added oatmeal to her chocolate chip cookies. That way you don’t feel guilty about eating them for breakfast; the oatmeal practically makes them cereal bars. Right?

For the first several years of my childhood, my mama used the recipe on the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip package. But then one day someone gave her a photocopy of the urban legendary Neiman Marcus cookie recipe. There’s also a Mrs. Field’s version of the same urban legend. Anyway, the story around the recipe may have been a myth, but the cookies themselves are tried-and-true! My mama never went back to the Toll House version. She bought airbake cookie sheets and a melon-ball scooper, and her cookie baking was never better!

Fast forward a decade or two and imagine my delight when I discover my sweet friend Kate uses the same recipe! Somehow cookies just taste better when someone you love bakes them for you, and it had been a dozen years since I’d tasted cookies so similar to what my mama’s tasted like.

I watched Kate make these cookies one afternoon, paying close attention to see if I was missing a step. It turns out that Kate rolls the dough into balls by hand, rather than using the melon-ball scooper. This may seem insignificant, but it makes a big difference in the final product.

Tried-and-True Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 2 cups butter (softened)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 4 cups flour
  • 5 cups oatmeal
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 24 oz. chocolate chips
  • 6 oz. Hershey bar (chopped into small chunks or grated)
  • 3 cups nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar chunks, and nuts. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll into balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 375 degrees F for 6 to 8 minutes. Makes 112 large cookies.

Things I’ve Learned that Mama Didn’t Teach Me:

  • 112 large cookies may be too much of a good thing. I often half this recipe.
  • If you forget to half the recipe, put un-baked cookie balls on wax paper and then slide several dozen into zip-lock freezer bags and freeze them. You’ll thank yourself later, I promise.
  • Baking cookies on metal cookie sheets can be tricky in some ovens. I have had the most success using a Pampered Chef baking stone and baking them a few minutes longer.
  • Let the cookies rest 3 to 5 minutes before moving them onto a cooling rack. They hold together best this way.
  • God often shows His love for us through our friends. True friends are a gift from Him, whether they bake or not. But isn’t it lovely when they do?

Happy baking! And be sure to check out the other chocolate recipes in this series entitled “If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother?”

Counting to 1,000 (#718)

Diana B.6 Comments

718. Linnea’s baptism — following her profession of faith a few years ago

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Linnea.

We have heard you tell of your faith in Christ Jesus, and we have seen the love you have for Jesus and for others.

Faith and love spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven, and you have already heard about this faith and love in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Since before you were born, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we continue to pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

-from Colossians 1:3-14 and 3:1-4

Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (677-717)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.”

–Psalm 69:30

I’m a little later than usual in posting additions to my list of one thousand gifts. I’ve been off unwrapping gifts this week and last. Our family enjoyed a special trip to our “happy place” up north, delighting in God’s wondrous creation, boating, canoeing, hiking, enjoying each other, delighting in time with some extra special friends, and just being still for while.

Thanksgiving has been especially meaningful to me lately as we have been dealing with some scary health issues in our family. Putting down planks of gratitude day after day does indeed build the bridge of trust in God, Who is carrying us across this season of uncertainty. Praise Him for His all-sufficient grace, enduring love and faithfulness.

Today is bittersweet — it would have been my mother’s 65th birthday. How thankful I am to have had her the first 17 years of my life. So many of the things on my list remind me of her because I know she would have considered them gifts, too. (Number 677, #694, #698, #700, and #710, just to name a few.)

677. chocolate chip cookies right from the oven

678. July 4th sponge bomb wars in the backyard

679. red, white and blue

680. sliding wildly down their monstrous, home-engineered slip-and-slide

681. seeing church friends on the lake as we sail the evening away

682. how she finally enjoys the fireworks this year without shrieking

683. laughing with friends as the fireworks explode overhead

684. how the stars shine in the late summer sky — God’s stellar creation contrasting the short-lived, man-made fireworks

685. the sudden downpour followed by a huge rainbow stretching across the sky

686. their prayers for my sore pinky finger

687. that God forgives much (Luke 7:36-50)

688. lessons in forgiveness from Col. 3:13

688. the pinky finger that is healing because He is Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Who Heals and Restores

689. the wisdom of Proverbs 27:6

690. DeYoung’s series on the gift of friendship

691. quality time with godly friends who sharpen us

692. cucumber sandwiches

693. cheerful daisies scattered happily along the roadside

694. tall lupines adorning the roadside in majestic shades of blue and purple

695. cool, sweet sips of peach iced tea

696. Betty’s Pies and Beth’s Fudge

697. s’mores and smiles that welcome us to our happy place

698. a comfy chair for reading near the roaring fire in a quaint cabin on a lazy, rainy Saturday

699. a pontoon joy-ride at sunset and the mama loon with her two fuzzy, grey babies in tow

700. the sun’s last rays tickling the rippling water

701. smiley faces in happy places

702. the hard eucharisteo, the bull’s-eye rash on her face, signaling Lyme’s Disease

703. the antibiotics already prescribed and administered for 10 days, and the doctor who listens closely

704. kind, godly friends who pray with us for peace and healing

705. the faithful God in Whom we trust

706. lessons in inner peace, genuine humility and deep compassion

707. how the morning light glows behind the curtains

708. tall, tall trees that bravely reach the sky and generously scent the air

709. the testy turtle that tries to top the tree trunk but t’was not triumphant

710. her scrumptious blueberry cobbler

711. how they linger to witness the popcorn piling up like snow

712. a quiet spot where even the buzzing humming-bird pauses to be still

713. bottles overflowing with cool, refreshing spring water

714. the day that would have been my mama’s 65th birthday — 7/14

715. more prayers sent up on Linnea’s behalf

716. blue skies and sky-tinted waters

717. their courage to go and our courage to let them

Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (645-676)

Diana B.7 Comments

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.”

–Psalm 35:18

 

Happy 4th of July! Let’s thank God today, not just for the freedoms we enjoy here in the U.S., but also for our freedom from sin. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are no longer captives to sin. What freedom!

Continuing my list of one thousand gifts this week — #645 is the best gift so far!

645. her meeting with the pastor about her upcoming baptism (Oh! What joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord!)

646. the two free books earned from Barnes & Noble — because they love to read

647. new friends at swim camp

648. a picnic lunch on the patio at the Arboretum

649. sunny, 70-degree weather

650. water lilies and tadpoles

651. how she longs for her sketchbook and colored pencils

652. catching the rose garden at peak bloom

653. girls in white dresses

654. her fascination with finding sticks

655. the smooth, curved edges of the oak leaves

656. the mighty oak that stretches its branches so far and wide, giving us shade

657. just breathing the sweet, intoxicating smell of the roses

658. roses, roses and more roses

659. little girls in the rose garden

660. a second, same-day trip to the rose garden, with camera and sketchbooks in tow

661. how wild they run in the lush grass

662. the sunlight that turns hair and grass and everything golden

662. watching and learning from sisterly love as it blooms

663. a short wait and a wise doctor at urgent care

664. medicine and insurance and the healing that comes from Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Who Heals and Restores

665. the little one who diligently prays for her big sister to recover

666. air conditioning on a hot, humid day

667. news of Annie’s birth

668. God’s faithful protection over him as he launches the sailboat

669. shelter from the severe wind storm that brings in cooler weather

670. how the clouds glow after the storm passes over

671. the first sail of the season

672. a 5-year-old’s prayer for wisdom

673. captivating clouds at sunset

674. lessons in contentment and God’s provision

675. reading John 4:7 after giving water and popsicles to the men working hard in the heat

676. hydrangeas blooming on the patio

Counting to 1,000 (608-644)

Diana B.1 Comment

“The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise.”

–Richard Sibbes

 

Likewise, Colossians 3:17 says: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

My list of one thousand gifts  continues to grow — so much grace He gives us.

608. reassurance from Colossians 3:12 that I am chosen, set apart, and dearly loved

609. God’s kindness, which leads us to repentance

610. her beautiful fish painting, the Smurf-blue paint between her toes, and how she excitedly explains her truck painting

611. one-on-one time with a chatty and helpful 8-year-old

612. comfort given the crying 2-year-old after a scary fall in the kitchen

613. the friends who are such good, strong mamas, even on the hardest days

614. the goat’s milk soap that smells like geraniums

615. their backyard chipmunk trapping adventure

616. Tuesday morning playgroup at the park

617. holding baby Dorothy as she naps

618. the gentle pitter-pat of the rain

619. an unseasonably cool June day

620. how they delight in playing with the neighbor girls all afternoon

621. a re-organized drawer just for my tea party stuff

622. a little pie packed with fresh peaches

623. a cool glass of ice water

624. the dear, sweet friend who hosts a very lovely belated birthday breakfast for me

625. the Spiderman picture he drew just for me

626. the picnic table under the mighty oaks — the perfect spot for studying Colossians on a gorgeous June afternoon

627. how she diligently reads and marks up her Bible

628. her excitement about meeting with the pastor

629. three boxes of my grandpa’s antique cameras, which cross many miles and arrive safely on my doorstep

630. shouts of glee as little feet bounce happily on the bubble wrap

631. the brave little biker who ventures off without her training wheels

632. the cheering big sister and loving daddy, so eager to help and encourage her

633. the county sheriff’s deputy who pulls her over for wearing her helmet and gives her a free ice cream ticket

634. the vibrant green grass

635. marshmallows roasting over the fire pit

636. fascinating books about missionaries

637. God’s compassion on all He has made

638. how her long, thick hair shines in the sunlight

639. the daddy who loves his little girls, prays with them and tucks them into bed

640. watching her hold sleeping Dorothy on her shoulder

641. how her hands cover her ears as we drive through the carwash

642. a late-night phone call from my big brother

643. news of my nephew’s high school graduation — Hooray!

644. cabin plans

If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother? #5

Diana B.1 Comment

Nope. Those aren’t tortillas. Or “breakfast pinatas” as we usually call them around here. Those are chocolate crepes.

Now, before I get too far into this I must confess, I don’t think my mother ever served up chocolate crepes. This is the same crepe recipe she used, but she served hers with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, which makes a delightful breakfast. However, this is supposed to be a recipe series only about chocolate, and because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my mom would have treasured the chocolate version of this recipe — here we go!

Mama’s Crepes

  • 1½ cups milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

You’ll also need:

  • about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (My favorite brand is Ghirardelli; I slip them inside the warm crepes, and they melt so nicely.)

For the crepes, combine the ingredients (not the chocolate chips, mind you) and beat with a rotary beater until combined. Heat a lightly greased 6-inch skillet. Remove from heat. Spoon in 2 tablespoons of batter, lift and tilt skillet to spread the batter; return to heat. Lightly brown one side. Invert pan over a paper towel and remove crepe.

At this point, slip a few of those chocolate chips in the middle of the crepe and roll it up tight. Let it cool for a bit. Then top with whipped cream and sprinkle with powdered sugar and a smidge of cocoa.

In our house, we use both Redi-Whip and homemade whipped cream, depending on what’s in the refrigerator and how early in the day the crepe-making happens. Here’s the homemade whipped cream recipe I use.

Homemade Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a chilled bowl, combine whipping cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat with chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Serve with pie. Makes 2 cups.

Also, if your garden is overflowing with berries, I’m sure these crepes would serve up nicely with them. We especially enjoy strawberry or raspberry crepes — don’t forget the whipped cream and powdered sugar.

Be sure to check out the other chocolate recipes in this series entitled “If It Isn’t Chocolate, Why Bother?”

Counting to 1,000 (549-607)

Diana B.2 Comments

David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 —

   “Praise be to you, O LORD,
   God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting. 
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all. 
Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

Like David, I am praising God’s glorious name today and offering Him thanks as I continue my list of one thousand gifts . Everything in heaven and earth is His, and His grace is sufficient for me.

549. encouragement from Colossians 3:4-6 and 2 Corinthians 12:9

550. his words that remind us to keep praying

551. the hot summer wind and 104 degrees (above zero!) in Minnesota

552. the white peony opening in bloom the day I leave for vacation, and the hope of peonies still blooming when I return

553. piggy braids after bath time

554. how she sleeps upside-down like Pippi Longstocking

555. her sweet, round face resting on the pillow

556. Sonic ice to crunch on a hot afternoon and how he delights in his blazin’ BBQ hamburger

557. Homeschool Presentation Day — and all the love, sweat and tears that go into this fabulous year-end event

558. Iowa corn growing taller and the wind making waves across the amber-colored wheat fields of Kansas

559. bright orange wildflowers along the wayside in Kansas

560. the scissor-tail fly-catcher zipping through the Oklahoma sky

561. the flash of lightning bugs in the darkness

562. cloud-to-cloud lightning and protection from the storm

563. the cowgirl dancer that asks her to boot-scoot, too

564. Braum’s peppermint ice cream with our favorite chocolate cake, served up on glass dishes

565. a celebration of my 36 years and a banner of love-notes posted in the window

566. riding in the car with just my daddy, praying the ice cream doesn’t melt before we get home

567. grandparents who care for the kids for four whole days

568. their sweet farewells as we make a getaway trip to St. Charles

569. riding in the car with just my husband

570. enjoying Mardel and Chick-Fil-A, just the two of us

571. how he loudly proclaims “Candy!” and makes me giggle at the billboards along the interstate

572. finding a lovely place to stay in historic St. Charles

573. the quaint brick streets of St. Charles — lined with gas lamps, flowers, little shops and romantic restaurants

574. eating mint-chip ice cream on the steps of the gazebo

575. biking the Katy Trail together on a lazy afternoon

576. a pleasant dinner at Union Station with a wonderful and beautiful young couple

577. the grandeur of the Grand Hall at Union Station

578. protection through an accidental late-night trip into East St. Louis, IL

579. the Gateway Arch that welcomes us as we cross back into Missouri

580. the cardinal in the trees along the Katy Trail

581. Bandana BBQ’s donut holes — dipped in powdered sugar and tasting just like funnel cake

582. absence that makes our hearts grow fonder

583. little girl hugs and kisses and affection when we reunite — because we love each other

584. cowgirl hats and free pony rides on Patches and Butterscotch

585. the distinct smell of Green Country’s grass in June and how the locusts and crickets make music deep in the trees

586. how my daddy escorts my husband’s grandma up the stairs

587. little girls running wildly up the hill, through the grass, into Grammy’s embrace

588. the lovely gold brooch she gave me that once belonged to my husband’s great-grandmother

589. the Gypsy Mama’s honest, heart-felt words on daughters and beauty

590. how they enjoy listening to Jonathan Park and Adventures in Odessy as the miles add up

591. holding hands with my husband

592. safety throughout a long road trip and the joy of returning to home sweet home

593. the parade of blooming peonies that line the patio, a plethora of petals welcoming us home

594. the blue irises that bloom and remind me of the ones my mama grew

595. peonies, peonies and more peonies

596. the last whiff of the dwarf lilac’s enchanting fragrance

597. little girls just playing, running, being silly-happy on the swings

598. the nutshell pram kit and the dedicated grandpa who dug it, piece by piece, out of the dumpster for us

599. how they all eagerly agree to paint it red and name it “Ruby”

600. the first plump robin to visit the new bird bath

601. my daddy

602. the husband who prays and listens and studies and teaches and works so diligently to lead our family

603. a Sunday nap that quenches like a cool drink of water

604. how they all line up on the dock and eagerly launch the little toy boat

605. her happy dancing on the dock

606. father-daughter projects enjoyed on the water

607. little hands dipping and splashing in the lake water

Counting to 1,000 (vacation flashback)

Diana B.Leave a comment

NOTE: While my list of one thousand gifts continues, this week I am taking a much-needed break from blogging. I’m busy spending time with family and taking pictures, and I will be back next week with additions to my list. In the meantime, please enjoy a little vacation flashback: a re-post of 23 blessings from last summer’s vacation to northern Minnesota. (This was before I read Ann’s book or started my official list counting to 1,000.)

Today I write in celebration of God’s divine goodness toward our family during our Boundary Waters vacation earlier this month.

  1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23

Father in heaven, thank You for leading us to this captivating place where I count so many blessings.

1. Fresh, gentle breezes drifting through open windows.

 

2. Daisies showing You love me.

 

3. Raspberries ripening, wild and sweet.

4. Waters parting as canoes glide quietly.

5. Water lilies floating elegantly.

6. A strong man persevering.

7. Hikers exploring new boundaries.

8. Rocks welcoming young climbers.

9. Water falling like stair steps.

10. Little girls wading deep in clear water.

11. Pine trees scenting the air.

12. Wind rustling the leaves, which encourage it to slow down.

13. Hummingbirds darting to and fro while chickadees sing cheerfully.

14. Chipmunks bravely scurrying to play hide-and-seek.

 

15. Friends treasuring time together.

16. A sailboat whisking away in the wind.

17. A dog flying, fetching into the water.

18. Lupines growing tall but fading.

19. The moose evading the camera.

20. Popcorn promising to pile up like winter snow.

 

21. Tired little girls resting in snug bunk beds.

22. Loons crying lonesome in the night.

23. Your Love Lights, aurora borealis, brightening the dark night sky in the wee small hours.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for this peaceful place beside the water, this place where You give me rest and restore my soul. Your goodness and love follows me. My cup overflows.

“Gratitude is the culture of the sinners made saints.” –Ann Voskamp

 

Counting to 1,000 (522-548)

Diana B.Leave a comment

This week as I continue counting up one thousand gifts  from God, I want to share these encouraging words from Lysa TerKeurst’s recent Proverbs 31 Devotional:

Daniel prayed, Thank You God. ‘Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.’ (Daniel 6:10b, NIV)

Since Daniel’s response is so opposite of the way most of us would react, it makes me stop and ponder. Our initial responses are usually a by-product of the rituals we’ve established in our life. Daniel had made it his habit to be thankful.

Therefore, who God is and what God provides was front and center in Daniel’s heart — even in the midst of heartbreak.”

Oh, to be like Daniel. To make it my habit to be thankful.

522. how passionately they sprinkle pepper and salt on their hard-boiled eggs

523. how he helps her whittle the soap with her brand new Swiss Army knife

524. the crowd of forty elementary homeschoolers practicing the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

525. the playful little girl’s mom who smiles at she chases a beach ball down the sporting goods aisle at Target

526. the wind rushing wild through the tree leaves

527. the sparkle in his eyes and smile as he jokes about eating his mama’s sandwich

528. the sweet and tender little snuggles of a one-month-old

529. how she squeezes my neck tight and tells me she loves me “to Pluto and back a thousand-hundred times”

530. the end-of-school, track-and-field day with wonderful friends, watermelon and a wild water slide

531. the golden brown edges of the marshmallow while it toasts

532. an evening huddled around the backyard fire pit

533. an impromptu lunch with friends

534. the photos that arrive in the mail just in time

535. flowers on the sidewalk

536. glorious clouds that look, she says, like Jesus is coming back

537. more rays of sunshine bursting through the clouds

538. a lovely evening with godly friends who encourage us and uplift our spirits

539. how confidently she serves up a plateful of cinnamon toast

540. her first piano book, all finished now

541. dwarf lilacs scenting the patio

542. little legs that carry her happy through a game of hopscotch

543. moments of happiness and contentment on the swings, enjoying the weather

544. the “girls only” fort they constructed in the woods

545. her delicious chocolate cobbler served up with ice cream on a warm evening

546. God’s faithfulness and loving kindness

547. encouragement from Colossians 3:1-3

548. his words that teach us how to stand up under temptation

(Photos to be added later today.)

5 Star Links for Friday

Diana B.1 Comment

June is my favorite month, and not just because my birthday happens to be in June.

I love June because of the peonies that bloom.

And I love June because of the fresh fruit that gets more affordable, the daylight that seems endless, and the general glow that accompanies nearly everything about early summer.

All that said, the first Friday in June seems the perfect day for another 5-Star Friday!

This time around, these links are especially for moms — because I am one, because I love many dear friends who are moms, and because motherhood matters to God — and not just in the month of May!

Below are links to some great reading (and listening) that truly encouraged me in recent weeks, and I pray these encourage you as well.

1. When You Feel Like You Just Keep Blowing It by Ann Voskamp

2. Why Motherhood Should Be Graded on a Curve by The Gypsy Mama

3. The Danger of Moralistic Parenting by Elyse Fitzpatrick

4. The Sons of Thunder (Mother’s Day 2011) sermon at Church on the Move by guest speaker Joe McGee (5/8/11)

5. “Hidden in My Heart” CD from scripture-lullabies.com is so sweet and peaceful and fitting for all ages. I ordered three copies — one for myself and two to give to moms with newborns. You can preview the songs online.

May God richly bless all you mom-readers!