My WOW

This week my Bible study group finished our time together until we resume again mid-September.

The group I belong to is called WOW,

Women of the Word.

But WOW would also describe some of the moments that I have had while in the presence of the Lord and this wonderful group of women.

One being the Women's Retreat we attended a few weeks ago.

There were over 800 women in attendance!

My Bible Study group represented 18 out of those 800.

The morning began with a buffet style breakfast which featured quiches, tasty pastries, muffins and fresh fruit.

We were called into the main event hall for singing and worship.

It still sends chills down my spine thinking back to the sound of all those voices harmonizing,

lifting up our songs to God.

After this special time,

we were introduced to the guest speaker,

Lysa TerKeurst.

She was beyond inspiring!

Her message was a very powerful one.

At some points of her sharing,

I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere!

Lysa is the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Please take a moment to check out her website.

During break time we were all given prayer request cards.

You could write down a request for yourself or for someone else.

These requests were put into big baskets.

At the end of our wonderful God inspired day,

the baskets were passed through the rows and each women took out a card.

We would begin praying for the request on the card and commit to it for 2 weeks.

We were then asked to stand and receive a special prayer for each situation that might be listed on the card.

Such a powerful moment!

This is something our group would like to add to our prayer time.

What a special and emotionally uplifting day it was.

My friend, whom I got to invite after another lady backed out, blessed me more by purchasing a book written by Lysa.

I asked my friend if she cared when I was done with it,

I passed it on to others.

She loved the idea!

So that is what I am doing today.

Please leave me a message and on Wednesday I will draw to see who gets to be the lucky reader.

All I ask is that you pass it on after you read it.

I am going to miss this special group of women over the summer!

Thursday mornings just don't feel right until we get back together.

But I feel so incredibly blessed to study God words with these amazing ladies,

WOW!

Liz

Malted Vanilla Frosting

Before Easter thoughts get to far away, 

I had to share this yummy frosting recipe!

If you like malted milk balls, 

like me, then you will LOVE this frosting!

I am a huge fan of these malted milk eggs during Easter season!

This is the last of my stash!

When I ran across this frosting recipe I knew it make a great topping for my Peeps cupcakes.

Not a fan of Peeps, 

but the pipeliner is.

He gets to eat the Peep,

and I get to eat the cupcake!

Works for me!

Malted Vanilla Frosting

In a very large bowl beat 2 cups softened butter on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in 6 cups powdered sugar and 1 cup vanilla-flavored malted milk powder.

Increase speed to medium.

Add 4 TBSP evaporated milk

1 TBSP vanilla

1/2 Tsp. salt

Beat 2 minutes or until smooth.

Add additional powdered sugar and milk to make spreadable

I cut this recipe in half, 

and it worked out just fine!

Liz

Earth Day

Spring time in northern Illinois always has its up and downs.

Last Monday was definitely a down!

I stood with my mouth open looking out the window as the ground became covered in white!

It was all gone by Tuesday afternoon.

Lets hope that was winters last hurrah!

By Sunday the temperatures had warmed nicely,

making Easter afternoon outside delightful.

The pipeliner spent most of the afternoon giving wagon rides.

We couldn't have had a nicer day!

Today it is back to chilly weather.

But in celebration of Earth Day, 

I planted 20 blue norway spruces.

They are just little things.

I ordered them from my local soil and water conservation district.

They hold a tree sale every year.

Of course I wish I would have ordered more.

Hopefully in 10 or so years these will be full, wind blocking, beauties.

Happy Earth Day!

Liz

Good Friday

As I prepare my house on this Good Friday,

for all of my family that will be here to celebrate Easter,

I reflect on what this day truly means to me.

It humbles my soul to think of the ultimate sacrifice that was made on this day for me, for you!

We were told in Amos what would happen on this day.

Amos 8:9 The Lord God says; At that time I will cause the sun to go down at noon and make the earth dark on a bright day.

10: I will make it like a time of crying for the death of an only son, and its end like the end of an awful day.

This day did happen.

Mark 15:33  At noon the whole country became dark and the darkness lasted for three hours. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God why have you rejected me?"

Jesus knew that everything had been done so that the scripture would come true.

John 19:28-30  He said "I am thirsty" There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant and lifted it to Jesus' mouth. When Jesus tasted the vinegar he said, "It is finished."

Then he bowed his head and died.

We have now entered into the New Agreement with God.

I find myself living for myself to much of the time.

I need to always remember His ultimate sacrifice that he made on this day.

His sacrifice was his own blood,

and by it he set us free from sin forever!

May you reflect on this wonderful gift we have been given today!

Liz

Santa Fe Baked Chicken with Mexican Street Corn Salad

Since we have made chicken are main source of meat,

I am always looking for ways to prepare the average chicken breast.

I came across this recipe a few weeks ago.

It is simple to prepare.

But mainly the pipeliner approved.

This one will go in the recipe box.

Santa Fe Baked Chicken

2 boneless chicken breasts

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 cup tortilla crumbs

1 cup salsa

3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Pre-heat oven to 400.

Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment for easier cleanup.

To make the tortilla crumbs, just add them to your food processor and give them a quick whirl.

Pound out the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of Saran Wrap until they are a thin even thickness.  If very large cut them in half.

Working one at a time, coat each chicken lightly with the mayo, then the tortilla crumbs, patting them on with your hands if needed.

I cooked my chicken breast on a wire rack.

I think they cook more evenly this way.

Bake about 20 minutes or until chicken is throughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165F.-170F.

Remove pan from the oven and top each piece of chicken with 1/3 cups salsa topped with 1/3 cup of your cheese.

Put back in the oven for about 5 more minutes until the cheese has melted.

While the chicken baked I made one of our favorite recipes.

Mexican Street Corn Salad.

2 tbsp vegetable oil

12 oz. bag of frozen corn slightly thawed

salt to taste

2 tbsp mayonnaise

2 ounces cojito cheese finely crumbled

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 lime juiced

chili powder to taste

Heat oil in large skillet over high heat.

Add the the corn kernels and salt, stir until combined.

Let cook for about 2 minutes or until the kernels are slightly charred on one side.

Stir corn and repeat.

Mix the rest of the ingredients together.

When your corn is done transfer to a large bowl.

Add the mayo mixture and stir well.

This dish really reminds me of the wonderful corn on the cob we grill in the summer!

Dinner is served!

Have a great weekend!

Liz

My bees

Even though the last trace of snow has melted,

it still feels like winter.

We have had maybe one or two days that the temperature has risen to the 60 F. degree mark.

I have been waiting for a warm day to see how my bees survived.

When we bought the new house,

the previous owners left their bee hive for us.

I am happy to report that last weekend the bees were all over the place!

I have never been so happy to see a bee!

Tomorrow I am signed up for a Homesteading class at our local college.

My first class of the day,

Beekeeping 101!

I have been reading books, blogs and other articles about bees, but I am ready to have my questions answered about a few things.

I am still a little nervous about actually taking the lid off the top super (see, I know an actual bee keeping term, lol) and doing the first examination

 of the hive.

It sure will be an exciting adventure!

If all goes well with this hive,

we have enough supplies left in the garage to build another hive.

My afternoon class at the conference is

Soap making!

This is something I have wanted to try for a long time.

There are so many ladies out there that make the most fantastic soaps.

I would just like to give it a try too!

It sounds like another cold, dreary day tomorrow, so I am really excited about spending the day learning about things that I love!

Have a great weekend!

Liz