Pear Muffins

{Pear Muffins}

I've mentioned before how much I love muffins.

The kids and I made these today.  They are moist and delicious!

I grind Soft White Winter Wheat Berries and then store the ground flour in the freezer.

You can use All-Purpose Flour. Some times I use half and half.

The weather around our parts is cooling way down. Nothing better than a hot cup of coffee and muffins.

and maybe some flannel sheets ;)

Hope you enjoy!

Blessings,

Carla <><

Whole Wheat Flour, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, Egg, Veg Oil, Milk, Pears

Sift the Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, and Cinnamon

Peel and cube the pears.



Add the brown sugar and stir

Whisk together the Milk, Oil, and Egg

Stir the pears into the flour mixture

Add the wet mixture

Mix Well

Fill greased Muffin Cups- Sprinkle with a pinch of sugar

Bake 400' 15 min

Enjoy

Pear Muffins:

2 Cups Flour (whole wheat or all-purpose)

1 TB Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon

2/3 Cups Brown Sugar

3 Pears- cubed

3/4 Cup Milk

1 Egg

3 TB Veg Oil

Directions:

1. Sift the Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Cinnamon

2. Peel and Cube Pears

3. Mix Egg, Oil, and Milk

4. Toss the Pears into Flour Mixture

5. Stir in wet mixture- Mix Well

6. Fill 12 Muffin Tins

7.Bake 400' 15 min

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Hospitality at Heart- who am I?

ME

I'm Carla!  I am an awful sinner, saved by God's grace.  Jesus Christ paid the price for my sin. I am overwhelmed by God's grace and love for me.  I desire to please the Lord with my life.  Every decision I make is made with scripture as my guide. I.AM.NOT.PERFECT.  I want to always be growing and learning in my relationship with the Lord.  I love my family. I count it a joy to be home serving my family. 

HOME

We home educate our children.  My husband was homeschooled. I attended public school.  This decision is not one we take lightly.  It is a sacrifice to homeschool.  It takes time. It takes money.  It takes patience. It is hard work.  Anything worthwhile is rarely easy.  We desire nothing more than to raise Godly children who will impact the world for Jesus Christ.

BLOG

I began this cooking blog at the prompting of my husband.  I didn't even know "blogs" existed until a few years ago.  We live in a rural community and only were able to get "high-speed" Internet 1 1/2 years ago.

Last year at Christmas my sister asked my mom and I if we would put together a recipe box for her. This got me thinking about starting a cooking blog. So many women don't cook anymore.  I wanted to give ladies a step-by-step recipe guide.  My husband, children, and home are my ministry.  This blog is fun and my goal is to encourage women to cook for the family.  However, this blog NEVER takes priority over my family.  It will not always be consistent-my time as a homemaker, wife, and mommy is consistent.

FAMILY

I've been married to my husband for10 years. We met at the wedding of my college friend-who happen to be his cousin.  It really was one of those fairytale stories.  I noticed him at the wedding. He noticed me at the reception.  We glanced at each other until we finally struck up a conversation and then he asked me to dance.  We were married a little over a year later.  We have two beautiful children, one due in the fall and one waiting in heaven-I suffered a miscarriage with our third.   I love my husband very much and feel honored to have such a wonderful man.

Daughters are a blessing.

Little Man 

Our Family

I blog from the kitchen table- or couch :)

View outside my window.

Love living in the country

Hope you enjoyed this little look into my life.

I'm just a simple gal who serves and extraordinary God.

His grace is sufficient for all my needs.

Blessings to you,

Carla <><

Homemade Ranch Dressing

{Homemade Ranch Dressing}

I've been making this Ranch Dressing for years.

It is so simple.  You follow the directions on the Hidden Valley Ranch (Buttermilk Recipe) packet.

1 Cup Buttermilk  1 Cup Real Mayonnaise  Packet of Hidden Valley. Mix. Chill. Serve.

*Warning*  This may allow you to become a Ranch Dressing Snob.

No other tastes the same. You have been warned.  :)

Hope you enjoy.

Blessings.

Carla <><

Wisk together 1 Cup Buttermilk, 1 Cup Mayonnaise. 1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch (Buttermilk Recipe)

Chill 1-3 hours.  Serve with veggies, chips, pizza....what doesn't taste good with Ranch?

Homemade Ranch Dressing:

1 Cup Buttermilk

1 Cup Real Mayonnaise

1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch-Buttermilk Recipe



Crock-Pot Macaroni & Cheese

{Crock-Pot Macaroni & Cheese}

This is such a great recipe. It is my kids and hubby's favorite Mac & Cheese.

I am still loyal to my Grandma's recipe. Love you Grandma!

This is a close second. I LOVE making this on Sunday mornings, it is a perfect side dish for after church.

I cook the macaroni the night before and refrigerate. Then the next morning, just throw everything together.

It is so great for this busy momma. Hope you enjoy!

Blessings-

Carla <><

Macaroni, Butter, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Eggs, Sour Cream, Milk, Cheddar Cheese Soup

Dry Mustard, Salt, Pepper

Cook Macaroni & Add to Greased Crock-Pot

In Saucepan melt the butter and add cheese

Until it looks like this

Add everything to the Crock-Pot

(The best part-No dirty dishes)

Mix Well

Cover and cook 3-4 hours

Top with 1/2 Cup Sharp Cheddar half an hour before serving

Yummy!

Enjoy!

Crock-Pot Macaroni & Cheese:

2 Cups Elbow Macaroni

1/2 Stick Butter

2 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2 Eggs Beaten

1/2 Sour Cream

1 Can Cheddar Cheese Soup

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Cup Milk

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook Macaroni
2. Place Macaroni and all ingredients into greased Crock-Pot
3. Mix Well- Cover
4. Cook 3-6 hours (high 3/ low 6)
5. Sprinkle with cheese half an hour before serving
6. Enjoy.

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:

Thank you God, for all I have to do today...

Thank you God, for all I have to do today.
Thanks God, for this sink of dirty dishes,
It shows we have plenty to eat.

Thanks God, for this pile of dirty, stinky, laundry,
It shows we have plenty of clothes to wear.

Thanks God, for those unmade beds in there,
They were warm and so comfortable last night
And I know there are many who have no beds.

Thank God, for this bathroom complete with all the
Spattered mirror, soggy grimy towels and dirty commode,
They are so convenient.

Thanks God, for this finger-smudged refrigerator
That needs defrosting,
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers
For two or three meals.

Thanks God, for this oven
That absolutely must cleaned today,
It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that will need raking, we all enjoy the yard.

Thanks God, even for that slamming screen door,
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord the presence of all these chores awaiting me
Says you have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them all cheerfully
And I shall do them gratefully.

Amen


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{Chocolate Buttermilk Cake}

{Chocolate Buttermilk Cake}

This cake has been made by the women in my family for years.

It is the recipe of my Great Aunt Nema. We always called it Nema's Chocolate Cake. As I grew up I realized it is a "standard" Sheet Cake. But to me it is always "Nema's".  A few years ago I did not have enough Hershey's Cocoa Powder on hand.  I used some Dutch Cocoa Powder and viola!....it got even better. So this is "my" recipe for Chocolate Sheet Cake. I firmly believe the buttermilk makes a world of difference. Don't make it without the buttermilk. You can thank me later :)

Enjoy.

Blessings,

Carla <><

Flour, Sugar, Veg Oil, Butter, Water, Cocoa Powder, Cinnamon, Baking Soda, Eggs, Buttermilk, Vanilla.

Place flour and sugar in bowl

In sauce pan melt butter- Add water, oil, and cocoa powder-

 Whisk Well

Bring to Boil

Pour mixture over flour/sugar- Stir

Add the eggs, Cinnamon, vanilla, buttermilk, and baking soda

Mix Well

Pour into jelly roll pan

Bake 400' 15-20 min

Frosting:

1 stick Butter, 6 TB Milk, 4TB Cocoa Powder, 1 tsp Vanilla, 2-4 Cups Powdered Sugar

I use 3 TB Hershey- 1 TB Dutch Cocoa Powder

Melt Butter. Add Milk. Cocoa Powder- Whisk Well

Bring to boil

Remove from heat. Add Vanilla

Add Powdered Sugar

Beat until desired consistansy

I like a very "soft" frosting. You just keep adding powdered sugar until you get the frosting that you like.

Pour onto cooled cake

Spread

Enjoy!

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake:

2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
1 Stick Butter
1.2 CupVeg Oil
1 Cup Cold Water
2 TB Cocoa Powder (if no Dutch on hand use 4 TB Cocoa)
2 TB Dutch Cocoa Powder
1 Cup Buttermilk
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinamon
1 tsp Baking Soda

Directions:

1. Mix together Flour, Sugar, Salt- Set Aside
2. Bring to Boil Butter, Water, Oil, Cocoa
3. Pour Over Flour/Sugar Mixture
4. Add Eggs, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Baking Soda, Buttermilk-Stir
5. Pour in to greased baking sheet- Bake 400' 15-20 min
6. Cool & Frost.
7. Top with Ice Cream and Homemake Hot Fudge ;)


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