Buttery Sweet Bread

I have had this recipe for years (so long, in fact, that I cannot remember the source) and used it for many different things. It makes a great loaf bread, it also makes spectacular cinnamon rolls. Just make the dough as normal, roll it out, fill it up with cinnamon and sugar, and then make a basic cream cheese glaze to go on top when they're done…

I only use my bread machine for the dough cycle. I let it rise in the pan, and then roll it over to my bread pans, let it rise, and bake it in the oven. I like the texture a lot better this way.

Buttery Sweet Bread

1 1/2 pound loaf

• 1/2-cup milk
• 1/3-cup water
• 1 egg, large
• 1/4-cup butter or margarine, cut into small cubes
• 1-teaspoon salt
• 3 1/3 cups bread flour
• 1/4-cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

To make in the bread machine: 

Add ingredients to bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer. (Mine suggests that I put all the dry ingredients in first, make a well in the flour mixture, and then add the wet ingredients in the well, making sure that anything warm does not get near the yeast.) Set to "dough" cycle.

Remove from bread maker at the end of  the dough cycle. Place in prepared bread pans and let rise. (Makes 2 loaves.)

Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Brush melted butter on top while bread is still hot. 

Let cool before slicing (if you can)! 

Praising in the Waiting

How many times have I lost my song during "waiting times?" 

Lord, help me keep my song, even when all I can do is hum . . .

 

Praising in the Waiting

How many times have I lost my song during "waiting times?" 

Lord, help me keep my song, even when all I can do is hum . . .

 

Easy Italian Breadsticks

The time of soup and chili is *finally* upon us. Not many thins pair with soup like homemade bread and if you are like me, there's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baking bread. Here's a recipe I found over at Money Saving Mom's site that's easy (you use your bread machine to do the work!) Try it the next time you need breadsticks and let me know what you think!

Easy Italian Breadsticks

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Topping:

• 2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
• 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Place ingredients in your bread machine in order listed. Run the dough cycle. When complete, divide the dough into 12 balls and form into 4-6-inch ropes. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Mix the butter and parmesan cheese and brush over breadsticks as soon as they come out of the oven.

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/easy-italian-breadsticks-in-the-bread-machine.html

Wait and See!

I am loving the new Bible Study I started on Monday... It's called Wait and See by Wendy Pope. You can learn more about Proverbs 31 ministries online Bible studies here: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/

Prayer is the portal . . .

I am reading FerVent: A Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer. 

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.com

I have been using my "method" of reading that I outlined in my previous post and have listened to/read the first three chapters about five times each. There are MANY great quotes, but this is the one that has gripped my soul for the past week. 

"Prayer is the portal that brings the power of Heaven down to earth.” 

Do I truly believe this?

Does my life bear this out? 

Do I PRAY like this is a fact?

Lord, restore my passion for YOU. Renew my love for you. Revive me!

For the Love of Reading . . .

I have always enjoyed reading. As a child and then later as a teenager, I could be found devouring most any work of Christian fiction. I spent hours reading my fair share of the Sugar Creek Gang series, and the Love Comes series by one of my teenage favorite authors Jeanette Oke. There's something to be said for allowing your mind to explore new places and ideas held within the covers of a good book. 

As I grew older, the desire to read didn't fade, but the time I had to read did. I would see a book with a cover that intrigued me, purchase the book, take it home, open the cover and smell the pages (don't tell me that you don't do that . . .), read the first chapter or maybe two, and then fall asleep! The book would sit on my nightstand, be dusted every week, and then eventually be put back on the shelf with the other books that had the same fate. So here I was, a shelf of very attractive covers, collecting dust.

A few months ago, something "clicked" inside my brain. I think it was reading this article from blogger Tim Challies that helped the proverbial lightbulb come on over my head. Why did I have to limit myself to just reading? Spring boarding from the tips in the article, I began to look into using audiobooks. I use the audiobooks in a couple of different ways. 

1. Simply listen. In the car, at the gym, at the park, getting ready for work. . . wherever you have a few minutes, listen.
2. Listen (x10). I like to take a section of the book (a few chapters at a time) and listen to it several times. It seems that when I do this, I hear something new every single time. 
3. Listen (faster). I listen to the audiobook on 1.5 speed. 
4. Listen and read. This is the method I enjoy the most. I try to get a copy of the book, and then follow along with the reader. I read with a highlighter in hand and notebook nearby. I write in the margins, put favorite quotes on sticky notes. 

If you would like to try to Audible, click here. First-time customers will get a free audiobook. If you'd like to try this method, it will give you an opportunity to try it for free (especially if you already own the hard copy of the book).

Since April (when I read the article), I have finished 5 books. Now, to some of you, five books is not much. But for this girl who was falling asleep reading magazine articles, five books is quite the giant leap.

Am I going to win an "I Read the Most Books this Year" contest? No. 

Am I getting back to reading? Yes. 

Am I growing as a Christ-follower? Yes.

This method is a win in my book!

Precious Memories

I remember hearing a recording of my Papaw's voice about a year ago. I was immediately moved to tears. I hadn't heard it since 1985 when he graduated to Heaven. I had honestly forgotten what it sounded like, but as soon as I heard it, I knew it was him.

I want to me more intentional about this for Allison and Reilly, both with our parents, but with us too. There will NEVER be a time when my makeup is "right" or when the camera doesn't add 5 (or 12) extra pounds. The kids won't care about any of that!

So my challenge today is this. Go make some memories and some recordings for your kids (and those who come after). It will not be wasted time.

http://www.sarahjessicafarber.com/dear-parent-friends/

Gods Word

His Word 

#magified #above #praise #lovingkindness #truth

Living Loved

Today, I began a six-week Online Bible Study from Proverbs 31 Ministries. We are studying Lysa Terkeurst's new book entitled Uninvited. The study started Monday, so I had some catching up to do.

The subtitle of the book is really what drew me in  . . . living loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely. Honestly, who hasn't experienced at least one of those (if not all), at some point in their lives?

In the midst of the busyness of everyday life - family, church, school work - LIFE . . . we are sometimes drawn away from the true source of identity and strength we have as Christ-followers, our relationship with HIM.

It's so easy to do.

Instead of going to HIM first thing in the morning, we reach for our devices.
Instead of talking to HIM when we have worries, we go to our friends, family, or heaven-forbid, Facebook.
Instead of looking to HIM for the energy that we need, we look to ourselves (or chocolate).

This week (or for me, today) we are working through the first three chapters of the book. I have a feeling I am in for an old-fashioned personal revival of sorts,  examining the very deepest crevices of my soul (where He already sees anyway) and being honest with Him (and in turn, myself) about what I see.

I took a few moments and made pretty cards for the verses this week. You can access them by clicking here. 

You can find information on the Bible Study Guide/DVD here or here.

You can find the OBS Blog here.

I have heard this verse TWICE today, from two different speakers. I think the Lord is trying to get me to pay attention to it! 

When we are discouraged, when we are lonely, when we are down, when we desperately need *something* . . . the Bible tells us to encourage others! Refresh someone today! It will encourage them and be a blessing to YOU!