Festivus!

This past weekend I joined some wonderful friends to celebrate the Christmas season. We have started a new tradition called "Festivus" and this was our second year of celebration. Last year was complete with Timballo, a reading of "Humphrey's First Christmas" and a very entertaining white elephant gift exchange. This year was much the same. We ate way too much good food (timballo, goat cheese and caramelized onion appetizers, fatties a.k.a meat stuffed with hash browns/cheese/grits, raspberry chipotle cheese and crackers, winter spiced cupcakes, and chocolate egg nog), had a reading of Humphrey, a white elephant gift exchange and a viewing of a Muppet Christmas Carol.

There's nothing better then spending an evening with good friends. It's even better when the food is delicious. I'm so thankful for these friends... dare I say "family"... that I get to share life with.

Merry Christmas!

Winter Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Rum Frosting

I recently gathered with some friends to celebrate the Christmas season with our annual "Festivus" party. Below are the cupcakes that we decided to make this year. They are wonderfully spicy and a nice change from the traditional gingerbread. The cardamom and coriander are complimented by the orange zest. Ours were made with unsulphured molasses but I imagine the pomegranate molasses would add another layer of warm, wintery flavor. The frosting needed a little love - make sure the butter is soft and that you make it fluffy before you start adding anything in.


Winter Spice Cupcakes

Makes about 34-36 mini cupcakes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coriander seed
Pinch of salt
Zest from 1 orange
2 oz (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup pomegranate molasses, available at gourmet or Middle Eastern food stores (or substitute unsulphured molasses)
1/2 cup boiling water

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare muffin pan with nonstick spray or paper cups.
2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, spices, salt and orange zest.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, and beat until fluffy again, scraping sides of bowl.
4. Add the egg and molasses, beat well. Carefully stir in the boiling water until the mixture is smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients,stirring to incorporate after each addition.
6. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Source: http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Winter-Spice-Cupcakes-with-Snowflakes.pdf

Cinnamon Rum Frosting

Makes enough to frost the 36 mini cupcakes with some leftovers

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon dark rum (Sailor Jerry's is our favorite)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
a pinch of salt
milk, as needed to thin

1. In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon.
2. Using an electric or stand mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add rum and pinch of salt and mix until combined.
3. Add confectioners’ sugar mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well between additions. Continue to beat until light and fluffy. If frosting is too thick, add a bit of milk to thin it out (start with a teaspoon at a time). If too thin, add more sugar and continue to beat until it is the right consistency. Spoon into a piping bag or just slather it right onto the cupcakes.

Source: http://ladolcivita.blogspot.com/2009/11/pumpkin-spice-cupcakes-with-cinnamon.html

Book Review: Enemies of the Heart

Enemies of the Heart:

Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You

by Andy Stanley

A while back I read a brief overview of this book that Stanley had included in a Catalyst newsletter. I quickly realized this was a book that I wanted and needed to read so I jumped at the opportunity to review this book. And since I've attended North Point Community Church on and off over the last decade, I knew this book will be filled with hard truths and practical, Biblical advice for how to make positive changes.

The book addresses what Stanley suggests are the four main enemies of the heart: guilt, anger, greed and jealousy. He explores each of these emotional forces that can lead to a debt/debtor relationships that is destructive. He then offers practical wisdom for how to break free and have healthier relationships. Readers also have access to a discussion guide that is helpful for processing the difficult truths within this book, either individually or with a group.

I found this to be a great read filled with challenging words. It's written in a very conversational, almost sermon-like way that is easy to follow yet not preachy. And it's a good balance of scripture and practical advice and application.

*I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own*

Book Review: A Year with Jesus

A Year with Jesus
Daily Readings and Reflections on Jesus' Own Words
by R. P. Nettelhorst

I am always on the hunt for new devotionals and books to help me focus more on Scripture each day. I thought that a book whose tag line was "Daily Readings and Reflections on Jesus' Own Words" would be a good book to choose. Thus far I have not been disappointed.

A Year with Jesus is a daily devotional that provides Scripture, specifically words spoken by Jesus in the Bible, and life application each day. The book itself is divided into sections that focus on specific themes: Love and Hate, Truths and Lies, Arrogance and Humility, Friends and Enemies, Belief and Disbelief, Patience and Impatience, Deserved and Undeserved, Good and Evil, Fidelity and Treachery, and Life and Death. The scriptures in those sections deal with the themes as does the practical application.

The daily reads are quite reasonable in length, about a page. The days aren't numbered according to the calendar date so you can jump around to sections that might be of more interest to you in a particular season of life, which I enjoy. And the writer chooses to use various translations of the Bible which lends different perspective to the same truths in Jesus' words. Overall, I like the devotional and think it's the perfect way to start the day.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

This past weekend I got to spend quality time with dear friends... and inevitably this involved making lots of great food. We tried this recipe for Curried Butternut Squash Soup by Ellie Krieger. It was delicious and you should try it too!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (2 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste
2 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons plain low-fat yogurt, for garnish

Directions
Heat oil over medium heat in a 6-quart stockpot. Add onions and garlic and saute until soft but not brown, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add the butternut squash, broth, curry powder and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat stir in honey and puree with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender until smooth. Season with salt, to taste.

Ladle into serving bowls and add a dollop of yogurt.

Book Review: Stained Glass Hearts

Stained Glass Hearts:

Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective
by Patsy Clairmont

I read the title of this book and immediately loved the image that I had in my head of broken pieces being welded together to form a beautiful picture reflecting all sorts of bright colors. I wanted to love this book but I honestly was not inspired in the way I hoped I would be. I've heard great things about Patsy Clairmont from friends who have attended the Women of Faith conferences. But I think her thoughts come across better in a public speaking format versus a written format. This book is a collection of her stories which she pieces together to reflect various parts of her "stained glass heart". Her chapters are full of humorous tales as well as little nuggets of wisdom, though I was hoping for a little more substance and a little less anecdote. For a Bible Study I think it was lacking in the practical application side of things. Though the suggestions for art, literature, and even YouTube videos to watch was a welcome addition to this book. It was a quick read but again, but not necessarily one I'd recommend to a friend who was struggling to see beauty in their own brokenness. Clairmont really does a great job in affirming someone who's already figured out how to be healed from past suffering. Unfortunately, this just wasn't such a memorable book for me.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Inside Threat

Inside Threat (A Riley Covington Thriller)
by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn

I've finally made the leap into Christian fiction. I generally read all sort of books but always worried that this genre might be a little too cheesy for my liking. But I do love thrillers and anything having to do with special forces teams fighting terrorists. So, I guess it shouldn't be a big surprise that I chose this to be the first Christian fiction I'd read.

Inside Threat is the fourth book in a series about the main character, Riley Covington, a football star turned special forces operative turned back to a "American Hero" football star. The book is set a short time into the future after a terrorist attach on the U.S. rendered NYC unlivable. While playing professional football once again, Covington is torn between his current world and the one he walked away from. Throughout the story he is questioning why it seems his friends are all pursuing the things they love and were made to do while he struggles each day with that same question. In a matter of hours his world is tossed upside down and he finds that the person he loves most is hostage in the middle of a terrorist attack. By the end of the book, Covington finally understands his life's purpose.

I actually enjoyed this book and would definitely consider reading other books in the series. I think this book is up there with any of the mainstream thriller type books of the same vain. I appreciate that this one doesn't have bad language or racy scenes, while clearly pointing readers to the gospel message. The authors struck a good balance. I would definitely recommend this series of books and hope there is more to come from Elam and Yohn.

I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."