Tuesday of Quotes... Aslan!

Hello everybody! In my "old blogging days" I used to write some interesting (or just funny) quotes every Tuesday... I thought now that I am back I can probably use Tuesdays to share some quotes, maybe not every week but occasionally...

Anyway... Today was Bible Study day... We are very blessed also to have the author of the book we are using (besides the Bible) be our teacher, Lorraine Hill is the one that shares with us every week and God really uses her honesty and willingness to be genuine with us!

Today she shared a beautiful quote and I thought I'd share with you... She used it in a great example of our obedience and our walk with Christ... Following Jesus and yielding to His will is always eternally good... although not always "safe" in our human perspective of safety... and... here's where the quote comes:

(Quote from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis)
-The kids are asking about Aslan and who He is-

“Is he a man?” asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr Beaver sternly. Certainly not. I tell you he is King of the woods and the son of the great emperor-beyond- the-sea. Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great lion.”
“ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake” said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

....


"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." —1 Peter 4:12-14, 16

He is the King, I tell you.

© Paloma K.

Vintage Cakes / Shoo-Fly Cake

Hi everybody! Ready for Thanksgiving? How is everything going? Everybody is healthier here! So that's definitely a reason to be thankful!

As you know...  Today is Tuesday and I share quotes on Tuesdays!  for what I call... Tuned-In Tuesdays!

But... before we go to our quotes, I have to share about the latest cake I've made... As most of you know, I belong to a Secret Baking Club, The Cake Slice, where many fellow bakers and cake lovers vote for a cake each month and we bake it to finally reveal it on the 20th of each month! ... This year we are baking from the Vintage Cakes Book and I am loving it! As soon as I got my book I immediately baked something from it just to see the quality of cake recipes we were dealing with and the cake was lovely... Today... well... today I am sharing the cake that was the winner in our latest poll:
 

Shoo-Fly Cake

Interesting Name, isn't it? All the cakes from this book are a compilation of "Vintage/Classic/Traditional Cake Recipes" Shoo-Fly Cake is from the early 1900's and it was very, very easy to make. Some of my fellow bakers had some issues when baking it, the crumb sank and/or the cake came out of the pan when baking... I decided to half the recipe and even when my crumb topping wasn't really "Crumbly" and it became part of the cake... it was just moist and delicious! Hubby said this is now one of his favorite cakes, he is a very expressive guy and I know when he doesn't like something or when he is just being "nice" but yesterday he couldn't stop eating and just raving as he ate! It's definitely on top of our Cake List right now, that's how much he loved it! I thought it was delicious as well, but since I don't eat much cake, I couldn't enjoy it as I would've liked!

I must confess I was really "suspicious" of this cake, since I hadn't heard many great things about it... I still made it because I thought I'd give it a chance and make my own decision whether I liked it or not... I am so happy I did! I've never really liked molasses but this cake, is just heavenly! I did not reduce sugar or molasses at all and I am happy I didn't... It just wouldn't have been the same, it's perfectly balanced as it is! (And I am not into very sweet stuff)

The recipe says to eat it warm right from the pan

I still decided to give it a try and flip it, I used shortening (like always) to grease my pans and it just came right out without trouble! It was easy to do this since the crumb topping wasn't really that "crumbly"

Right now I am just sharing pictures, maybe I'll be sharing the recipe soon. For now the pictures will have to do... I am in a real hurry and I still have to squeeze some "related" quotes in before I end the post!

A real Vintage Cake! Molasses, Cinnamon and Ginger make this a very special cake! Perfect to enjoy with some coffee in my vintage cups!

My friends and fellow bakers from "The Cake Slice" will be displaying their cakes too! Check out their blogs to see what they're doing! (Just click on the button below)




And Now... Just a few Quotes... talking about time.... old times...

  

""Old times" Never come back and I suppose it's just as well. What comes back is a new morning everyday in the year, and that's better." - George E. Woodberry

“I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine” - Oliver Goldsmith

"Say you not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for you do not inquire wisely concerning this." Ecclesiastes 7:10

© Paloma K.

Tuned-In Tuesdays - About Peace!

Today... I thought about sharing some quotes on Peace! Since there's all this rush of the Holidays coming... I hope we focus on the things that really matter and stay calm! And stay peaceful! And enjoy it all! Even the mishaps :) ... SO ... enjoy the quotes.... (some serious, some humorous, all good!)

Thank you for Joining!

 “Peace begins with a smile..”  - Mother Teresa


"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” - Dave Barry


"For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer." - John Wooden

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." - Psalm 29:11

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3

“Peace is the number one beautiful ornament you can wear, I really believe that. They say you should always wear a smile, but I don't believe that you should "always" wear a smile, seriously, you're going to look stupid! But peace, you should always carry peace within you, its the most beautifying thing you could ever have or do. Peace makes your heart beautiful and it makes you look beautiful, too. You want to have perfect physical posture when you stand, sit, and walk, and peace is the perfect posture of the soul, really. Try perfect posture outside as well as inside. Peace creates grace and grace gives peace.” - C. Joybell C.

Have a great and peaceful rest of the week!



© Paloma K.

Tuned-In Tuesdays

 Hello everybody! Welcome to "Tuned-In Tuesdays" as you know I usually post "quotes" or some words of wisdom on Tuesdays! I usually just call it "Tuesday of quotes" I don't even remember how that started... But I've loved it and I actually get great feedback from my readers on the quotes I share! I usually try to choose quotes according to the season, world events, etc... So, thinking about it, I thought I would actually "name" this tradition, and that's how I ended up with "Tuned-In Tuesdays"

This time I am sharing quotes about weather, for obvious reasons! My prayers with the people from the East Coast!

 "Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come". - Robert Schuller

"Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes He calms the sailor. And sometimes He makes us swim." - Author Unknown

"There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow.” - Maria V. Snyder, Fire Study.

 “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” - Haruki Murakami

"Clouds, leaves, soil and wind all offer themselves as signals of changes in the weather. However, not all the storms of life can be predicted" - David Petersen

 "But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” - Mathew 8:26-27

Hopefully most of the damages and loss are just material, not human, as far as I know 10 lives have been lost due to Hurricane (now storm) Sandy. My prayers with the grieving families and with all of those going through storms right now, weather storms and personal storms.

Blessings!


© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes - Entertaining vs Hospitality!

Hello dear friends! How are you doing? It's been busy here! I've been focusing a lot on my exercise/dieting and just trying to have my priorities in order... I often say God is first, my family is second... but... how does that reflect on my actions? Is it really showing? I think many times it isn't ... and I end up doing it all backwards! I'll continue to blog! I really love it! It's a great way for me to express myself and connect with others! In this time and day when communication seems to be at the reach of everyone and it's just impossible to not be in touch with the world... it seems we're actually losing really contact and face to face relationships... but I won't talk about that for now... I think that's a topic many have already discussed! I guess what I am saying is: Be patient if it takes me a bit to get back to you! You know me by now I hope and know that I love commenting on blogs and replying to your comments and posts! It'll just take me a bit longer, ok?

Now... to my topic of the day... On Tuesdays I usually post Famous or Interesting Quotes... Today won't be an exception... But since I've been talking about Thanksgiving and how to make it enjoyable even for the host/hostess I thought my quotes would be directed to hospitality! Remember... Being hospitable is not the same as being an "Entertainer" ... My friend, and pastor's wife, Gay shared once: "Entertaining! Just the word sounds intimidating! it's a big responsibility to think of keeping others entertained! And makes you feel stressed out" ... Very true! But being hospitable... is out of love, it's warm and caring! It's doing your best out of caring for those that come into your home, sharing what you have with others, in a peaceful environment and atmosphere! I aim for the second! So if you are looking for advice on how to be a good entertainer... you can find that on Martha Stewart's page! She is really great! isn't she? And I don't think there's anything wrong with it... But being Hospitable... now that's something I strive for! I hope others can say about me that they felt welcome in my home, that they felt comfortable and cared for!  I hope they feel like they can take their shoes off because it's like their own home and not because they'll fear ruining my carpet! If you've been reading my previous posts on my "Thanksgiving series" you'll see that I talk a lot about being thankful and attitude... hopefully this Thanksgiving you'll work towards being hospitable and not worry about being the best entertainer... It will take a burden off your shoulders and I am sure EVERYONE, including YOU, will enjoy the holidays that much more!

In Mexico we say "Where one eats, two can eat!"

With my Auntie Amy! Getting ready to start serving!

 

Great memories from Thanksgiving 2011

Receiving the New Year 2009 with family and friends in Mexico! Hospitality has no language barriers! Look at my gringo there!

So... let's see some quotes on the subject, shall we?

“Eating, and hospitality in general, is a communion, and any meal worth attending by yourself is improved by the multiples of those with whom it is shared.” - Jesse Browner

 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:8-9).”

 "Planning a dinner party in a way that you're actually capable of getting it done without panicking is important. It's bad hospitality for the host to be freaked out." -  Ted Allen

  

"It is meant to offer an experience of hospitality, just as I believe that God extends to human beings a divine and inexhaustible welcome: the door is always open, the table always set, the arms flung wide, outstretched. " - Jane Redmont in When in Doubt, Sing

 

 "Do not forget to entertain strangers,. for by so doing some people have. entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2 

 

Any thoughts of your own that you'd like to share? Please do! Hopefully this post helps you if you've also fallen pray to the "standards of perfection" that we feel we must reach to be an "entertainer" ... relax and be hospitable! do your best, yes... but not Martha Stewart's or Pinterest best! Do everything with love and it'll be ok! 

 

 © Paloma K.

Quotes and Soup for your Soul!

First of all... Remember to mention "coffee" on any of your posts this week so you can link up on Friday... even if you ask your readers if they already had their cup of coffee, anything... just "say the word"

Now let me tell you I am working hard trying to stop by your blogs... I've been blessed with many friends and great fellow bloggers so it takes me a bit to catch up with everybody! My Google Reader has always over 200 unread items... and I can't keep up! How do others do it? give me your tips... I guess there are many others don't try to reply or comment back that much! LOL!  But at least for sure I try to pay the visits back!

Well, for this post I've prepared a delicious Mexican "Sopa de Coditos" (Elbow Noodle Soup) which is really good and perfect for fall (although you can eat it any time of the year!) it makes you feel warm inside and loved as well! It's one of those soups that screams "La hizo mi mamá" (My mom made this)

But First I have some quotes... Quotes about Soup! Why not?

Only the pure in heart can make a good soup. Ludwig Van Beethoven

A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting. - Abraham Maslow

I live on good soup, not on fine words. - Moliere

I always think if you have to cook once, it should feed you twice. If you're going to make a big chicken and vegetable soup for lunch on Monday, you stick it in the refrigerator and it's also for Wednesday's dinner. - Curtis Stone

And now to our recipe:

Sopa de Coditos - Elbows Mexican Soup (with corn)

Ingredients: 

1. 1 tbsp. olive oil
2. 1 1/2 cups of dry small elbow macaroni pasta
3. 1/4 chopped white onion
4. 3 cups of hot water
5. 1 tbsp. chicken bouillion granules
6. 1/2 cup tomato sauce
7. 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
8. 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
9. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (must be fresh)
10. queso panela or queso fresco for garnish (optional)

Directions:

• In a saucepan (med-big) warm up the olive oil at medium heat, once it's hot add the elbow pasta and chopped onions and stir frequently with a wooden spoon until the elbows start turning a light golden brown.
• Add the hot water, chicken boullion, tomato sauce, garlic powder and corn and bring to a boil.
• Once it's boiling reduce heat to low and cover with a lid (just leaving a small crack open) let it simmer for about 8 minutes.
• Add chopped cilantro, remove from heat, cover tightly and let it rest for about 2 more minutes before serving.
• Serve in bowls and garnish with the queso (cheese) if desired. 

Enjoy!

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Should look like this

 

 

Fry until light golden

Do not use parsley instead of cilantro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deliciousness!

This is the cheese you need

 

 

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes - It's Fall!

First of all let me ask you... what's your favorite thing about Fall? Share with me!

I've been loving this beginning of Fall... I wish I could see the colors I used to see in Wisconsin... scenes like these were my "everyday" during fall when I lived there...

My oldest when she was 2 ... She was so little! aw! I miss that!

 Anyway... So... I know I won't get that here in Texas, but I am just happy that the weather is gorgeous! It's been so beautiful outside and we're taking a good break from the unbearable heat... :) Right now it's 63 degrees outside and we'll reach 81 at the hottest point of the day... so... that's not too bad!

Inspired by the "fall theme" I thought I'd share a few "Fall Quotes"... in case you are enjoying fall in a place like Wisconsin... soak it all in and be thankful for such beauty! And if you are feeling a little nostalgic like me, from not being able to see the fall colors, well, read these quotes to bring fall into your heart!

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.”

William Cullen Bryant

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

Albert Camus

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

Elizabeth Lawrence

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”

John Burroughs

I hope you liked today's quotes! Have a blessed day!

 

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes... vacations that'll be

For most of you vacations are just a beautiful memory from not long ago... Summer was the time when I got to see everybody's trips and vacations activities... In the "Kings household" vacations were waiting for what seemed too long... Hubby had lots of work and he just couldn't take any days off... But now... it's our turn! And we are finally on vacations enjoying some family time together! So this is a scheduled post, but knowing I would be on vacations and since on Tuesday I usually like to post some quotes... I thought that would be the topic... VACATIONS!

Enjoy... and leave lots of comments! I want to know that there's still some "comment love" going on here even when I am gone! I'll be back soon to catch up with all of you! Happy Tuesday (and remember our Coffee Friday Party! I will love to see you here!!!)

 A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia.  ~Author Unknown


 A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.  ~Robert Orben

 The rainy days a man saves for usually seem to arrive during his vacation.  ~Author Unknown


 Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need.  ~Author Unknown



Laughter is an instant vacation.  ~Milton Berle

 

A vacation should be just long enough for the boss to miss you, and not long enough for him to discover how well he can get along without you. ~ Jacob Morton Braude

And again... Don't forget to add some coffee to any of your posts of the week, link back to us and link up on Friday!

<center> <a href="http://www.love4coffee.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="The Coffee Shop" src="http://goo.gl/XfoA6" /></a></center>

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes - School!

Ok... I know this post might be kind of late but having my girls still with me and not going to school I didn't get into all the "school posting frenzy" I am homeschooling my preschooler for now so... while I was teaching her yesterday it inspired me to go get some "school & Education Quotes" I hope you like them:

Quotes on School and Education:

" Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school."  ~ Albert Einstein

 "My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors."  ~ Maya Angelou

"He who opens a school door, closes a prison." ~Victor Hugo

"But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret."  ~Ronald Reagan

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child."  ~George Santayana

"Experience is a good school. But the fees are high."  ~Heinrich Heine

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." ~ Henry B. Adams

" Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." ~James Baldwin

"Education makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive: easy to govern, but impossible to enslave." ~Peter Brougham

 “There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 “The home is the first and most effective place to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self control, the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”  - David O. McKay

Have a great Tuesday!

Thank you for your comments and encouragement on yesterday's post! I really appreciate it!

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes and Nice Posts!

 Hello friends... so... have you been following Tropical Storm Isaac? Living close to the Gulf everybody's been talking about it, since it's in the Gulf of Mexico, it seems to be following the same path Katrina followed 7 years ago... Gladly this is just a storm and hopefully everyone will be ok... if you are in the area of the storm just take care and stay safe!

Now... some quotes... very "weather oriented" since we are talking about this topic:

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
Anthony J. D'Angelo

 Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.
Mark Twain

 Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.
Kin Hubbard

Would you bet your paycheck on a weather forecast for tomorrow? If not, then why should this country bet billions on global warming predictions that have even less foundation?
Thomas Sowell

Books have the same enemies as people: fire, humidity, animals, weather, and their own content.
Paul Valery

 

Sometimes I wish that I was the weather, you'd bring me up in conversation forever. And when it rained, I'd be the talk of the day.
John Mayer

And now... did you see the posts that linked up to us on Friday for our Coffee Friday Party? I hope so! If you missed them here I am sharing two of them today.... 

 

Mrs. BJ brought an amazing Cowboy Coffee Cake to our party... check it out on her blog Sweet Nothings

Yum! She shared the recipe too! So check it out!

My friend Lin brought an amazing recipe to make Strawberry and Raspberry Jam! Find it here at: Lin's Food

Delicious!

So... don't forget to add some coffee to any of your posts this week so you can join our party on Friday! remember that coffee doesn't even have to be the main topic, you don't need to share a recipe ... just write your normal post and mention "coffee" somewhere in it, add a link back to The Coffee Shop and Link up!

Thank you all for being part of this and always being so encouraging!

I'll be around!

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes - ON Change!

Hello friends! It's been really busy here and at the same time not so much! Yesterday I (well... my two girls and I) took a very long (and very much needed) afternoon nap! It was very much "not planned" so I got behind on a lot of things! But I am very happy I could rest so peacefully!

I will come back and try to get more done around here... Plus tweeting more on your articles and sharing with the world about your blog posts! :)

BTW... I miss Tara from Nowhere to Go but Crazy anybody seen her? She hasn't stopped by the Coffee Shop lately... mmm... I think I'll have to go and comment on her blog too! It's not like I've been doing great with that!

So... anyway.. Today I'll take the girls to the Splash-Pad... I'll have to protect myself from the sun because it seems I've developed some over-sensitivity to the sun! I get this "allergic reaction" every time I am exposed to the sun... and IT BURNS! So... -sigh- I have to protect myself from that!

Now... some of my usual Tuesday quotes... This time they'll be about CHANGE! I hope you enjoy them!

 --------

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” - Leo Tolstoy


"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” - Albert Einstein

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” - Andy Warhol


“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.” - Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

 “We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change.” - Katharine Hepburn, Me: Stories of My Life 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ― Mother Teresa 

ouch!!! Right?

 
 Very insightful quotes (to say the least) ... I know I need to do some changes in MY LIFE... there is always something to improve! To get rid of! To modify!

Some of the things I need to change/improve:

- Consistency! I need to be consistent with my work here at home, my discipline for my kids and the homeschooling for my almost 4 yr. old

- Diet/Exercising: (More consistency issues) I have been lazy with that lately! It needs to change! No more excuses!

- Sleeping Habits: I need to go to bed earlier... to wake up earlier be able to get blogging things done and exercise first thing in the morning so I don't take time from the girls and my house responsibilities.

- My Bible reading/Prayer Time: So many times I try to do things on my very own... when I know I've been doing bad in my time with God... everything else falls apart too! Lord... help me do your will... Forgive me for not talking to you and reading your Word everyday... I need you!

Those are some that come to mind right now! I have to start... TODAY! :) Change is painful, hard to embrace... but very necessary! Is there something you need to change too Are you with me? would you like to share?
 
© Paloma K.

A day or Romance and Splashing!

Good Tuesday everyone! Inspired by hubby's note on the mirror yesterday... I thought Today's Quotes would be all... romantic! Let's get mushy! shall we?

Hubby and me!

Romantic Quotes: 

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥

"The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands."
- Alexandra Penney

"Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love. I'd stepped in it a few times."
- Rita Rudner

"As we grow older together, As we continue to change with age, There is one thing that will never change. I will always keep falling in love with you."
- Karen Clodfelder

"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."
- Albert Einstein

"Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less."
- Julins Gordon

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit."
- Peter Ustinov

♥♥♥♥♥♥

So... I hope you liked these quotes... and if you haven't been inspired to tell your other half how you feel about him/her lately... hopefully these encourages you to go and say something nice... we all need to hear we are loved!

Now... I have to get going... taking my girls to the Splash Pad today!

© Paloma K.

Why I am not as active and Tuesday of Quotes!

Hello friends! First of all I just want to apologize for not commenting on my usual blogs and responding to all comments on YOUR blogs lately as I always try to do... I am just very busy, we have family from Mexico who came to spend a few days of vacations and we are very happy to have them here... but obviously I can't blog as much as I usually would... so... please just be patient with me... keep coming to "The Coffee Shop" ... trust me.. I'll get back to you!

and now... our usual tradition of "quotes" on Tuesdays... Today is going to be all about sports... since we are in this "Olympics Spirit" right?

This is the "sportiest picture" I could find in my files!

"Love is playing every game as if it's your last." - Michael Jordan

- o - o - o -

"The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching" - Anson Dorrance

- o - o - o -

"Remember...there is always a little girl in the stands that wants to be just like you, don't disappoint her." - Unknown (I think this one can apply for moms too!) 

- o - o - o -

"You don't always get what you wish for, you get what you work for " - my coach (Unknown)

- o - o - o -

"Even when you've played the game of your life, it's the feeling of teamwork that you'll remember. You'll forget the plays, the shots, and the scores, but you'll never forget your teammates" - Deborah Miller Palmore - Basketball Olympian

 - o - o - o -

"Remember, if you are not playing your heart out, someone else is. And when you meet him, he will win."- High School Tigers

 - o - o - o -

Have a great Tuesday!!!

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes - Family Quotes!

Hello everybody! I am kind of late with today's post... but I couldn't let the day pass without our traditional "Tuesday of Quotes" and inspired by the fact that my mom and sister were here... and with all the wonderful close friends God's blessed me with that I consider they are like family... I decided today's quotes would be all about that:

 “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”  - Mother Teresa

 “That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.”  - Deb Caletti

 “Your children are the greatest gift God will give to you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God. Be a person in whom they can have faith. When you are old, nothing else you've done will have mattered as much.” - Lisa Wingate

“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.” - Leigh Hunt

So... have you shown your family and friends how much you love them today? Hugs for you my blogging friends! I appreciate you all so much!

Thanks for all the comments on my previous post... replies and comments back are coming!

Now let me go kiss those pretty girls of mine!

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes/Inspirational Thoughts - Change!

So... we all fear change if just a little bit... sometimes... the uncertain and unknown can make us feel anxious... even when the change is good and needed... Even if it's weight loss, marriage, anything... Reading other bloggers I've realized we are all (or many) going through changes so I thought it would be adequate to get some quotes about change... and our attitude towards it:

"A year from now you will wish you had started today.” -Karen Lamb

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” -Wayne Gretzy

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” -C.S. Lewis

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

So I hope these quotes inspire you to move forward, to let go or to start whatever you've been postponing :)

Is there anything you are going through you'd like to share? Anything that seems to hard? I am here... you know? I know I might not know you well or anything but I can listen (or read) you can share with us... or with me by e-mail... if there is anything you'd even like me to pray for I'd be happy to!

Tune in tomorrow... I have some great recipes I'll be sharing! ;)

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes and a "Brand" New Collaboration!

Well... Today is Tuesday and it's time to share some quotes for the week! Inspired on our coming 4th of July celebrations!

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live. ~ Martin L King Jr.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. ~ John F Kennedy

But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or to detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. ~ Abraham Lincoln

 And maybe you remember, maybe you don't or you never knew... but I have a friend from church (his name is Brand Schoolcraft) and he loves, LOVES cooking! so, sometimes he sends me recipes or some stories of his adventures in his kitchen and home! He is a friend of ours (my husband and I) and I really enjoy reading the things he sends. Him and his wife are wonderful people and it's just a blessing for me to get to know them better through these stories... so... here it is ... a "Brand New collaboration by Brand!"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Herbs of Choice
By Brand Schoolcraft 

The other day, I had the blessing of staying home with the kids (no plans) and cooking brunch.  We have a small herb garden, about 10 different herbs, I brought each of the older (7, 6, 4) kids out with me separately and select any two herbs the would like me to cook into an herb garlic butter, and made "herbed garlic bread."  I did not steer any of their choices and also had some fun teaching them which was which in the garden...."what is that one?  I mint to tell you earlier, but forgot..."  Mint.  "I wish I had more thyme to teach you about this one...."  Thyme.  "The only flavor pickles come in..."  Dill (as far as they know)...etc.  You get the idea.  My wife made bread; she bakes.  I don't.  I sautéed the herbs with butter garlic and olive oil and slathered the bread slices with each of their choices.  My wife and I, sampled them all.  We let the oldest choose for the toddler twins.  The most surprising choice was Mint and Basil, which was actually not bad at all, not bad at all...Good thymes.  Yeah, I know, couldn't resist.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- 

 So... I hope you enjoyed today's quotes and Brand's Collaboration! ... Thank you Brand! :) ... don't forget to leave a comment if you enjoy what you read... knowing "you are there" keeps me motivated to keep sharing and to keep cooking to share more recipes! :)

Enjoy your 4th of July! and don't forget to somehow include "coffee" on one of your posts this week (even if it's not the main topic) that way you can link up with us on our Coffee Party on Friday!!!

© Paloma K.

Tuesday of Quotes and Chocolate Cupcakes

As it's now a tradition (or at least it used to be and I am trying to bring it back) on Tuesdays I post some quotes, inspirational thoughts or some joke... Today... is no exception ... so here they are... some funny quotes for the day:

Oscar Wilde
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.

Robert Frost
A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.

Charles Schulz
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.

-o-o-o-o-o-

 

And now... the recipe! Do you remember that I made some Chocolate Cupcakes with Festive Frosting for my husband on the Friday before Father's Day? Well... maybe you don't but I know I promised to share the recipe and here I am.... you might feel suspicious  when you read the ingredients! No eggs? No milk? White vinegar? Well... don't be so suspicious... just try them! They are REALLY, REALLY GOOD!

Delicious and Fluffy Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (preferably safflower)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions: 

Preheat oven at 350 F.

1. Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended.
2. Line a  standard muffin tin with cupcake liners (I used Reynolds Aluminum "Stay Brite" they are AWESOME! And if you use those you don't even need a cupcake pan you can just use any regular baking sheet! How cool is that)
3. Fill the cups about 3/4 and bake for about 20-25 mins. or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
4. Make frosting while cupcakes bake, once the cupcakes are ready let them cool completely on a wire rack before you frost them.
   

 Festive Frosting

Ingredients

•  4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
•   8 tbsp. shortening
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• some water in case frosting is too thick until you reach desired consistency.

Directions

1. Beat butter and shortening with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
2. Reduce speed to medium. Add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition, about 5 minutes. (After every 2 additions, increase speed to high, and beat for 10 seconds, then reduce speed to medium-high). Add vanilla, and beat until buttercream is smooth. Add water if needed or more sugar until you reach desired consistency. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. (Bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth before using.)
3. Add your favorite colors, you can divide the frosting in two or three to use different colors for the cupcakes. Gel coloring will work even better than the regular liquid one, I used liquid one but gel coloring will give you brighter colors.

Note: If you have M&M's at hand... (especially miniature ones) play with them and get creative with the colors. Make it all look pretty! Plus they add a nice touch of crunch and more chocolate flavor!

Enjoy!

© Paloma King

Tuesday of Quotes... and gifts from above!

 Hello dear friends! What a great week I am having! First of all... let me share "the Quote of the Day"

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."  - C. S. Lewis 


And on that same note and talking about friends... let me share about my day yesterday... Well... it turns out that I baked a chocolate cake for Father's Day on Saturday... I can't describe much of that cake right now because it's "June's Cake" for "The Cake Slice Bakers" and it's supposed to stay a secret until we all reveal our cakes in June 20th (so the name of the cake and the recipe will be revealed that day!) ... anyway... I made that cake thinking about sharing it in church on Sunday to celebrate all the father's ... long story short the cake was not eaten! There was a very low turn out in our lifegroup and the few people who were there didn't eat cake (it was probably to early in the morning) ... The cake looked great (well... you'll see when I can share about it and the pictures on the 20th) but it was pretty good... and I felt disappointed but I didn't want it to end up in the garbage... of course!

So... I posted an open invitation on FB for friends to join me to eat cake on MONDAY ... and that was a great idea! I had friends come early in the morning, we went to the pool, then we had lunch and at the end we ate the cake (their comments about the cake will be shared on my "cake post" on the 20th too) ...

My daughter (middle) and two of her friends who came over for cake

 Then another sweet friend Mrs. Diane who also stopped by for a slice of cake, she gave me an AMAZING GIFT... Well... look for yourself:

 You see that? It's a beautiful ROMERTOPF Clay Pot... when she told me she would give me something (she explained it was some clay dish) I thought I knew what she was talking about but when I saw it I was soooo shocked! This thing is beautiful!!! So I started to look it up online to see what I could make and it turns out that is such a neat thing to cook with (I mean... I immediately knew it would just by looking at it) but then I found GREAT info online....

So I can cook from a whole chicken in it to a delicious cobbler for dessert! It's pretty awesome... For first time use I made my own combination of ingredients and I am sooo happy with it...  it's kind of a Chicken with Rice and Vegetables Casserole! I'll share pictures and recipe tomorrow (after we try it)... I made it for today's lunch so... we'll be tasting it later but it looks pretty good!

So it was a great day all around! I am so blessed to have such great friends... they are truly a gift from above... and then they give me even additional gifts like a beautiful claypot! Thanks Ms. Diane! I love my pot!

 And thanks to my friends who stopped by for cake... The fun, company, conversations, sharing my food with you was just very special and made my day that much better! Thank you!

Finally, to end the day... God still kept pouring His blessings and gave me this beautiful sunset to look at (the only edition made to the picture was the frame and text but there's no enhancement, boosting of colors or anything like that)

I'll be sharing my "Clay Pot Recipes" as I cook! and don't think I've forgotten about the other recipes I owe you (the chocolate cupcakes with festive frosting and chicken tacos I made for hubby on Friday) that's all coming!

Have a great Tuesday! Go tell a friend how much his/her friendship means to you!

© Paloma K.