Cake Balls 2009

OH YES! I'm starting early this year. Yes. I know it's not yet halloween... And I really don't care about it. I just finished all 8 steps of last year's cake balls phenomenon for the first time this year. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you haven't been reading since last December... go here to see the post where I break down step by step instructions for the cake balls. If you've never heard of cake balls before, you also should go here to bakerella's site. She is amazing and where I first learned of them...

Oh my, they are so good. I might have had two in the process of making the first batch. Two isn't a bad number though. I made 48. So there still are 46 to share... And... being the first batch, I couldn't decide. So half are white dipped with reg choc drizzled, and the other half is reg chocolate dipped and white choc drizzled. mmmm.....





oh and if I have any faithful followers of my weight blog wondering about these cake balls, they are 2 points without the chocolate coating, 3 points with. Thank you very much, I put the reciepe in the builder last night before eating any!

Matthew 5:25-34

Today's focus verse...

Matthew 5: 25-34
²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Seeing

This was sent to me in an email this morning....



Who Will See God?

Today (10/26/09) at 9:29am

Today’s Verse: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (Psalm 24:3-4, NKJV).

Today’s Word:

Do you want to see more of God in your life? As believers in Jesus, the Bible says that He makes His home in us, but we have to do our part to develop our relationship with Him. We have to choose to submit our hearts to Him and allow Him to purify us on the inside. We have to constantly guard ourselves and not allow things to come in and contaminate us.

How do you guard your heart? By being selective about what you see and watch on TV. If you don’t want to become like the people you see on TV, don’t watch them! If you don’t want to end up like the people singing those songs on the radio, you shouldn’t listen to them. If you don’t want to end up like the people in the magazines, you shouldn’t read them. What you give your attention to will shape your heart and character. Give your attention to the Word of God. Give your attention to worship. Open your heart to the Father and ask Him to purify you by His Holy Spirit. As you do, you will rise higher and higher into the abundant life He has for you!

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I want to see You. Open the eyes of my heart. Purify me and cleanse my heart. Help me make the right choices so that I can honor You today and always. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Good bye Moses Sampson..

In early December of 2004, a co-worker of mine at the time said that his cat was going to have babies... and boy did I want one. I asked Jamie what he thought about us getting a cat, then waited with expectations until the litter was born. ... When my co-worker was telling me about the babies he mentioned one with all four white paws. I knew that was the one I'd want. I'd always wanted a gray cat with white paws. I already even knew what his name would be, assuming it was a him, I'd name him Moses. Don't know why, just knew that's what that would be. Well December 28, Moses was born... and Feb 10th he came to live with Jamie and me! I loved that cat so much. In our earlier marriage life, Jamie traveled a lot. Moses was my companion at home. He was my love, my friend, my life line... The first picture up there is the day I got Moses. He was so tiny. He followed me around like a shadow... One day I was shouting at him to get down or off something and after I yelled his name, Moses, out came another name, Sampson. Thus birthed his middle name. Moses Sampson it was. I rarely used it unless I was angry or being silly with him. ...Today we needed to say good bye to Moses... and already it's so quiet. The boys are in bed, Jamie and his brother have been talking, I'm sitting here just listening to the lack of cat in my house. He should be bumping my leg or purring in my lap right now, but he's not. It's been a long time coming, but we've finally found him a new home. Today I drove all three boys (Matthew, Mark and Moses) to Jamie's work place to pass Moses to a co-worker of his who's going to give him a new home. This is what I posted to my facebook page, rather than rehashing I'll just copy and paste it here...

Today was hard. I'm glad it's over. I wasn't expecting Matthew to actually cry but he did. He said he didn't want X to take his Mo-Mo. We were in the car and he said he wanted X to give us our Mo-Mo back. Yah... a momma can only take so much. We were both crying. It was hard. But I know that's what's best for Moses...for those who've been asking, it just hasn't been fair to Moses since Mark was born. He hides the whole day in the closet.he boys screaming and crying has really effected his stress levels; he was puking a lot due to the screaming, chasing, squealing... it just hasn't been fair for Mose. He's a good cat, a lap love in the evenings but he spent the days hiding in fear. It's very bitter sweet. I know it will do better for him to have a home that doesn't have little people chasing him in it. We've probably kept him in terror about 6 months too long.... :( Even still, I will miss my first baby. (My first "M", haha). How do you explain to a 3 year old that their pet is now gone for good?

The bottom picture Jamie took last night. I took a couple more of just Mose this morning. I really do feel like something's missing. Hopefully it doesn't last too long. I don't like this feeling. I wonder how many questions I'm going to have to answer from Matthew.... if you're reading this, just please send me some good thoughts while we enter into this new season. Thank you.

Not knowing who reads this now... X, if you're reading, I hope Moses makes you happy. He was a great friend to me.

Markie

Just a quick post of Markie... This is from a cousin's wedding a couple weekends ago. Isn't he super cute?? I know I need to upload one of Matthew too. *wink*

'Harvest time' recipes

Here are some points friendly recipes that were emailed to me today, thought I'd share them. A couple are crockpot ones which make me really happy! Enjoy!

Crockpot Apple Pie (4 Points)

8 apples -- tart, peeled and sliced
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons Brummel and Brown Spread - softened
3/4 cup Splenda
1/2 cup Egg Beaters® 99% egg substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Reduced Fat Bisquick®
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold butter

Toss apples in large bowl with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Place in lightly greased crockpot. Combine milk, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and the 1/2 c Bisquick. Spoon over apples. Combine the 1 cup
Bisquick and brown sugar. Cut the cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over top of apple mixture. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or until apples are soft.

Points: 4

Pumpkin Pie Wontons

1 Cup Canned Pumpkin
2 Tablespoon Sugar Free Maple Syrup
3 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
26 Packaged Wonton Wrappers
Cinnamon mixed with Splenda Granular, for dusting

Preheat oven to 400F.
Mix pumpkin, maple syrup, brown sugar and pumpkin pie space in medium bowl.
Place a wonton wrapper on flat surface. Spoon 2 teaspoons of filling into center. Moisten edges of wonton with water & fold in half to form a triangle. Press edges to seal. Repeat with remaining wontons. Arrange prepared wontons on an ungreased baking sheet. Lightly coat wontons w/ non stick cooking spray & sprinkle them with Splenda & cinnamon mixture. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Turn over and bake another 2 minutes.

Serves: 13 (2 Each) - 1 POINT

Pumpkin Cobbler
1 (15 oz.) Can Solid Pumpkin
1/2 Cup Egg Substitute
1 (12 oz.) Can Fat Free Evaporated Milk
3/4 Cup Splenda Granular
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1 (9 oz.) Package Jiffy Yellow Cake Mix
4 ounces Diet 7UP or Sprite
1/2 Ounce Chopped Pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the Pumpkin, egg substitute, evaporated milk, Splenda, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves. Spray a 9X13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pan. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly on top. Next pour the diet 7UP over the dry cake mix. Top with chopped pecans. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Cool. When ready to serve, top each piece with fat free cool whip (optional).

Serves: 12 - 3 POINTS

Apple Muffins (No Fat)
(2 servings)

1/2 c Applesauce
1/2 c Apples; diced
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cloves
2 Eggs
6 tb Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
2/3 c Powdered milk
10 pk Sweet and Low
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 c Carrots; grated

Mix all ingredients. Spray muffin tin with Pam. Divide equally. Bake at 350 F. for 25 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins which is TWO SERVINGS of SIX (yes 6) MUFFINS EACH.

1 Protein and 1/4 Vegetable. This recipe is no fat. You may substitute Egg Beaters for the eggs and Equal for the Sweet and Low. Freeze well.

Veggie Pot Pie w/Jack-O-Lantern Crust
Serves 8 - 3 POINTS

2 (17-oz.) cans mixed vegetables, drained
1 can cream of mushroom or celery soup
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon dried celery flakes
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 ready-made refrigerated pie crust

In bowl, mix all but crust. Spoon vegetable mixture into greased 10-in. round baking dish.

For jack-o-lantern "face," in the pie crust dough, cut out 3 triangles - 2 for eyes and 1 for nose. Cut out mouth. Place crust over vegetables. (You may discard cuttings or bake on a separate sheet.)

Bake at 375ºF. about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and crust is browned. Serve warm.

Creamy Ranch Potatoes and Chicken

20 oz. Potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 of a 1 oz. Package of Dry Ranch Mix
1 Pound Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts, cubed
1 (10 oz.) Can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1/4 Cup Fat Free Sour Cream
1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix all ingredients together and place into crockpot.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

Serves: 5 (1 Cup Each) - 5 POINTS


Creamy Chipotle Dip
In a small bowl, mix and mash 1 teaspoon of canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with 2 tablespoons of reduced-fat sour cream. Cut a small green pepper into strips; sprinkle to taste with salt and lime juice. (If dip is too spicy, cool it down with lime juice.)


Easy Corn Soup
Place 1/2 cup of frozen, thawed corn niblets in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup of fat-free chicken broth, 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of cumin; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Puree in a blender and then top with chopped jalapeno, if desired.

WW Corn Muffins

1 can cream corn
2 egg whites
1 cup self rising cornmeal
Pinch of salt
Beat egg whites until they are medium peaks – fold the rest of your ingredients.
Spray your muffin tin with PAM – Bake 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

12 Muffins = 1 Point Each

Happiness

For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ~Author Unknown

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. ~Mildred Barthel

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. ~Robert Anthony

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner. ~Colette

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~Abraham Lincoln

Happiness is a form of courage. ~Holbrook Jackson

This is my "depressed stance." When you're depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you'll start to feel better. If you're going to get any joy out of being depressed, you've got to stand like this. ~Charlie Brown


Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect, it just means you've decided to see past the imperfections.-- Unknown


I can choose to be happy. -- Loo

John did it.

I don't know how... but it's been revealed to me that John got the single pink rose to the front of that chapel...

(if you have no clue what I'm talking about, you didn't read all my memories in the previous post, did you?) (haha)

Five years...

I can close my eyes and see moments of my wedding day flash before me. It is hard to believe that it's been 5 years tomorrow. If you care to read about them... I'm going to share some of my wedding memories...

~I remember so many moments of heroism from my best friend, Nic, as she tried to make the day without a glitch for me. She was my secretary, my chauffeur, my companion, my dress carrier, my veil straightener, my "wing man", if you will. She was everything I needed that day from a person who gave of herself completely for me.
~I can see a circle of men standing around Jamie when I got to the church, shielding him from seeing me.
~I can see my best friend's husband standing guard the front stairs to make sure no one interrupted the wedding before ours (oh yes).
~I can remember someone's voice, I can't rememebr who... wait, Loretta? Maybe maybe Loretta saying to my mom "Austin's here" and my eyes wide trying to wrap my brain around what that meant, and the tears that came after that when I was told that yes, my great grandpa had been brought to my wedding day, even though I'd been told that he wasn't going to make it, I was beyond emotional about it.
~I can remember seeing Jamie's face as he watched me walk down the aisle. One thing I've never asked him about-- was I wonder what he must have thought or felt, when I stopped, mid aisle. ... seriously, I didn't make it all the way down the aisle... I could not pass my great-grandpa. I'm sure it isn't "done" but I could not pass him. I stopped, lifted my veil and kissed his cheek. He told me to be a good little girl (as he'd always done my whole life) and patted my hand, sending me on my way down the aisle, at my daddy's arm, to meet my future husband.
~I remember the floral shop messed up and didn't have a pink single rose in their order for my great-grandma yet some how when I got to the end of the aisle, there was one right beside the communion plates in her honor. I still don't know how it got there....
~I remember my sister couldn't make it through Candyss' song. I remember her small sniffles get louder as the song went on during our unity candle ordeal. I remember frozen in fear, as I watched the eyes of each groomsmen get wider and wider as Kris could. not. pull it together standing just behind me, holding my flowers as I held Jamie's hands. I didn't know what to do, I knew I didn't want to interrupt the song, but as soon as it was over, I turned and handed her my handkerchief so she could wipe her eyes. For whatever reason, this made the whole place erupt into laughter and we were able to carry on. It's one of my favorite memories actually. I love you Kris. I know I'll be a blubbering idiot at your wedding some day, and I bet I'm way worse than you were at mine. (like that would surprise anyone)
~I remember Peter saying "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." and the first chords of our song started playing...

I'm so thankful for that day. As crazy and stressful as it was, as uptight and anxious as I was, I wouldn't trade my wedding day for anything. It was the day that I became part of Mr and Mrs Jamie Hobbs. I'm so blessed. I can not believe it's been five years. Five years seems like a long time. Man, in five years of marriage we've moved twice. Jamie's changed jobs twice. We have two beautiful boys. ... hmmm, there is a theme, in five years, apparently things happen in twos. haha

Thank you Jamie. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for loving me... Thank you for allowing me to be your wife. And thank you for the punch at the reception. (wink)



.... if you'd like more mushy-ness, you should read Four Years, written last year about this time. Not nearly as lengthy, and not about the wedding day itself either. Just a short poem for Jamie.