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."