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How to Make Homemade Jam

jam
Hi Ladies! I’m so excited to introduce you to a very special guest on Comfy today. Back when I did link-up’s, Chels was one of my absolute favorite foodies who shared on the blog. She’s back today sharing a mouth-watering recipe that I’m sure you’ll just love. The best part about it is that it is easily adaptable to your taste preference and you don’t have to have experience with canning. 

Here is what Chels has to share:

I’ve been following Janelle in the blogosphere since she began sharing recipes at Women Living Well (one of the first Christian blogs I began reading & and one I still faithfully read) and then she launched her own blog and I quickly subscribed and began picking up tidbits of information and thinking about how to apply meal ministry to my own life.

My sweet Mother-in-Love has a motto she lives by whole-heartily.

“Never squelch a generous thought.”

I firmly believe that when these thoughts speak to you, you listen, because it is the voice of the Holy Spirit helping to guide you to be an encouragement and light to others.

The thing about ministry is that the act doesn’t have to be grand to be an encouragement to others. Something, like a card in the mail to cheer someone up, or dropping off ginger ale and some chicken noodle soup (homemade or from the grocery store) to someone whose sick goes a long way and dropping by a bouquet of flowers to a widow are just one of the many ways to minister to others.

Today, I thought I would share a simple jam recipe that boasts some of the wonderful flavors of summer. What I love about this recipe is that you don’t have to have any “canning” experience to make it, so anyone – regardless of cooking experience can make this recipe.

You can use any berry or herb you like, blackberries and rosemary, raspberries and basil, strawberry and thyme – all of these would go beautifully together, fresh or frozen.

The next time, you hear that whisper, don’t squelch it, encourage the thought so that you can encourage someone else.

 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

 jam

How to Make Jam
Author: Katz in the Kitchen
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 1/2 cups
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients
  • 2 cups marionberries or any berries of your choice, (thawed, if frozen and juices reserved)
  • 2 cups fresh mint leaves, chopped finely
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice – about 1 medium lemon
Instructions
  1. Place the marionberries and any juice in a medium pot and lightly mash with a potato masher or fork.
  2. In a food processor or a blender, combine the sugar, mint leaves, orange juice, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
  3. Pour the mixture into the pot and stir the berries into the mixture to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. Stir until the mixture thickens about 25-30 minutes stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and allow to rest and come to room temperature for one hour. (The jam will thicken as it cools.)
  6. Refrigerate and store for up to one week.

1e276f856c709bad62f686b87897d275Chels is a born-again believer who dreams of living
with all four seasons in Central Oregon. She’s a wife and stay at home
mom to her three vivacious kiddos whom she home schools. When she’s
not schooling or chasing after her munchkins, she enjoys reading,
bubble baths, and finding clothing/kitchen treasure at thrift stores.
But more than all of that, she finds refuge in her kitchen where she
and her husband can be found cooking and baking up a storm for their
family and friends. You can read more about her culinary endeavors at
Catzinthekitchen.com

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Special Guest Week- Clare @ Peak313-Black Bean Dip

(Clare from Peak 313 shares her delicious bean dip! A “Comfy in my Jeans” recipe! )

Ohhh Ladies- I have been a privileged recipient of Clare’s deeeeeelicious bean dip! Let me tell you, this is a recipe to save! The best part for me is the avocados…yum! Once you take a bite, you can’t stop. Ask Courtney from Women Living Well– us girls had a party around this dip! hehe! 

Clare writes: 

There’s no question about it. You will make this dip and people will ask for it again and again and again! It’s a little labor intensive, but SO worth it!

In a bowl, combine avocados and lime juice; let stand for 10 minutes.

In large bowl, combine the corn, beans, red pepper, onions, cilantro and garlic. (I got camera happy and snapped before cilantro went in. Oops!)

In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Drizzle over corn mixture; toss to coat.Gently fold in the avocado mixture.

Cover and  refrigerate for at least 2 hrs or until chilled. Serve with tortilla chips or in a pita.

 

Special Guest Week- Clare @ Peak313-Black Bean Dip
Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins
Serves: 6
Clare from Peak313
Ingredients
  • 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
  • 6 green onions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
  1. Mix all together and enjoy with chips, on tortillas or on top of lettuce!
 Looking for some motivation in the gym? Come visit my friend Clare over at Peak313. She is actually one of my “in-person” friends- her love for the Lord, physical fitness and people is so REAL and SO contagious. Thanks for this amazing recipe my friend! 

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Featured Recipe/Top 3/ Feasting in Fellowship Friday LINK UP!

Whatcha makin for the Super Bowl?! If you are in need of a Super easy recipe that tastes DELICIOUS- come visit me over at Women Living Well where I share the recipe to these AMAZING Poppyseed Ham and Cheese Sliders. They will be the hit of the party!

(Need more ideas? Visit the “appetizer” list on my sidebar!)

 

 

Friday’s Top 3

Cheese Football Appetizer!

Made By: What’s Cooking, Love?

Strawberry Fluff Cakes

Made By: Cajun Sugar Pie

FUN, Ocean themed lunch for the kidos! 

Made By: Walnut Acre

Happy Friday Ladies! It’s a Feasting in Fellowship Friday Link Up!

Please link up AS MANY recipes as you wish! I LOVE to see what YOU have cookin! All I ask is that you add my button (located on my side bar) to your post.

ALL recipes, christian based posts, and seasonal posts are welcome (not just recipes!) Thank you so much and enjoy your weekend!

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Featured Recipe/Top 3/LINK UP!

Hi Ladies!

Wowsa….what. a. month. Thank you all so much for your prayers- I am feeling back to normal today! Yea! While I was sick this week- I praised God…YES- I PRAISED God! Dispite having strep throat, bronchitis and a stomach virus (while also taking care of children with the same!)- God gently reminded me that I still had a healthy body and that my illnesses were going to be short lived. A praise indeed. This also reminded me how important meal ministries are to those to could use help in this area. Please consider taking over something to a friend who may not be feeling well- watermelon, chicken noodle soup, sprite…etc. Little things like this will make such a difference in their day.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds”

~James 1:2

Today’s “Feature Recipe”

This is one of my absolute favorites! Courtney is showcasing my Chicken Enchiladas! I make these for company all the time. They are so easy and yummy! Enjoy!

(*you can use corn tortillas in place of flour for a gluten free meal)

Friday’s Top 3 Picks!

Thank you to all who linked up last week! What a blessing it was to see what YOU had cookin! I am also loving all the posts! Please feel free to post recipes, Christian posts, and/or seasonal posts! Here we go….

 

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Made By: Colie’s Kitchen

Blue Ribbon Peppermint Patty Brownies

Made By: Angie’s Sweet Natured Treats

Chicken Satay

Made By: Grace Full Mama

(This is a true Indonesian recipe! It looks soooo yummy!)

It’s a Feasting in Fellowship Friday LINK UP!

Please post as many recipes as you wish (or Christian/seasonal posts) all I ask is that you place my button (located on my side bar) onto your post! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

P.S ~ I LOVE when you tweet and share on FB that you are participating in the Comfy in the Kitchen Link UP! Why? Because more friends get to know about this blog and the blogs that are linked up! This is such great encouragement. Thanks again and enjoy your weekend! 

 

 

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Featured Post/Top 3/ Feasting in Fellowship Linkup!

Oooooo….My friend Courtney is cooking up one of my favorites!!! Please visit me over at Women Living Well where there is a bowl of “Oven Baked Mac and Cheese” waiting for you! This is Grandma Ruth’s recipe-so you know it is serious business.

Friday’s Top 3!

Cranberry Bog Bars

Made By: Pursuing Heart

Homemade Strawberry Twinkie Sandwiches

Made By: Simply….This.That.And The Other

 

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Made By: Inspired By Family

A very special thank you going out to my fellow food bloggers who link up…keep those recipes coming! I love to see what YOU have cooking. Please feel free to link up FOOD, any topic of the season, or Christian based posts. I will only choose a recipe to be in the top 3 picks each Friday, but I have really enjoyed reading your other posts and so have other readers…so please be my guest. Link up as many posts as you like, all I ask is that you add my button (located on my side bar) to the post you use.

Happy Friday! Love to you…

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Feasting in Fellowship Friday Link UP! Stuffed Pepper Soup

Happy Friday Ladies!

Am I ever ready for the weekend, girlfriends…can I get an amen!? I have a sick little girl at home with me now, poor thing. It just breaks my heart to see her not feeling well. Hopefully this post finds you in good health and ready for the weekend!

Come join me at Women Living Well where Courtney and I are getting comfy over a cup of hot Stuffed Pepper Soup in the Crock Pot!

She has been such a blessing in my life-I did not realize she was going to promote me today. That is what true friends are like…just like her. Love you girlie! Might I add…it has been my pleasure serving on Women Living Well….

Friday’s Top 3

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Pecan Sauce

Made By: Katz in the Kitchen

Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya

Made By: My Heart’s Desire

*It’s gluten, dairy and egg free- yipee!

Crock Pot Chicken and Bean Stew

Made By: Sugar Free Mom

*Also gluten, egg and dairy (optional) free! Woohoo!

It’s a FEASTING IN FELLOWSHIP LINK UP! WOhoooo!! Please add your favorite recipe- add as many as you like. All I ask is that you simply copy/paste my button located on my sidebar onto you post. PLEASE tweet or FB that you linked up on Comfy in the Kitchen for more friends to join us in this fun link up! I appreciate you! Have a great weekend.

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Featured Recipe/Top3/Linkup!

Please visit me over at my friend Courtney’s at Women Living Well. Here, I am sharing an EASY, yet so delicious and elegant truffle recipe. If you don’t like baking…this is the recipe for you. These will turn out every time and they are the first things off the cookie tray!

Friday’s Top 3 Holiday Picks!

 

Mini Size Yumminess: Chocolate Peppermint Pancakes

Made By: Inspired by Family

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Made By: What’s Cooking, Love? 

*Make sure to scroll down and see all the other fudge recipes on this link! YUM!

Santa’s Snack Mix 

Made By: Peak 313

It’s a Feasting in Fellowship Friday LINK UP! Please link up AS MANY recipes as you like and/or any matter that is Christmas inspired! What a blessing you are to me…it is such a gift looking at all the posts that pop up from my fellow bloggers. All I ask is if you could copy and paste my *button (located on my sidebar) to your post as a courtesy.

Wohoo!!!! Christmas is in 10 DAYS!!!! 

 

*I will not delete your post if you do not do this, however I will not feature a post in the “Top 3” if the Comfy button is not on the linked post (I hope you understand!). Needing grace myself, I will contact you and let you know that I would like to feature you and give you plenty of grace to put the button on the post, lol. Thanks girls 😉

 

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Peppermint Bark


 A very simple, pretty and tasty treat! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do…

3 simple ingredients: white morsels, semi-sweet morsels, 2 boxes of candy canes

Place semi-sweet morsels in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 60 seconds and stir, microwave an additional 60 seconds and stir until smooth.

Spread melted chocolate onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, place in refrigerator and let cool/harden. (appx 20 mins)

Unwrap candy canes and place in a large ziploc bag- crush with a mallet.

Crushed candy canes!

Melt white chocolate using the same method as you did with the semi-sweet chocolate. Stir in 1 cup of the crushed candy canes.

Spread white chocolate with crushed candy canes over the cooled semi-sweet chocolate

My “helper”

Sprinkle remaining crushed candy canes over top of white chocolate, place in refrigerator for 2 hours until well set, cooled and hardened.

Break into pieces (they will be uneven)

Mmmmmmm…..a beautiful and delicious winter treat!

I wrapped 3-4 pieces in baggies to take to my son’s school for the annual cookies trays we make for the staff.

*This recipe was featured on Women Living Well.

Peppermint Bark
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 2 mins
Total time: 32 mins
Serves: 15
Ingredients
  • 24 oz of white chocolate chips
  • 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 boxes of candy canes
Instructions
  1. In a microwave safe bowl melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave for 60 seconds, stir and repeat for an additional 60 seconds.
  2. Place parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet and spread melted chocolate over top.
  3. Place in refrigerator until set and hardened (appx 20 mins).
  4. Melt white chocolate chips the same way.
  5. Unwrap candy canes and place in a large Ziploc bag and crush with a mallet.
  6. Place 1 cup of crushed candy canes into the melted white chocolate.
  7. Pour white chocolate on top of hardened dark chocolate and sprinkle with the left over crushed candy cane.
  8. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours until well set and hardened.
  9. Take out and break into pieces. Enjoy!

 

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Featured Recipe and Link up! My Home for the Holidays…

Happy Friday Ladies!

It feels SO great being back on a Friday with you! Today’s featured recipe on Women Living Well are these delicious (and SUPER EASY) “Rolo Turtles” …my children enjoy making these with me every Christmas.

I always get asked for the recipe and I have to snicker (no pun intended, hehe!) because they are just so simple.

I received an e-mail from a sweet reader asking me to post photos of my home decorated for Christmas. For those of you who may know me, you know that I-hands down-have the gift of hospitality. But decorating? Not.So.Much. It is SO frustrating, lol! I wish it came easy to me, but it just doesn’t. I’m just not good at it! However, I do not let this get the best of me…I believe in having a welcoming home, especially for the holidays… even if it doesn’t look as put together as I would like.

I try to add a little Christmas cheer around the entire house-I even string lights in the kids rooms. Oh, and our tree? Well- we leave that for the kids to decorate (I know I am making some of you cringe right now aren’t I?! lol!) But, they have so much fun doing it. The decorations go up only about 4 ft, but that is the beauty of it. I pass the tree and smile every day at how silly it looks, but am reminded that it was made out of my children’s love for this very special holiday.

Here we go..

My 3 blessings -I just added bows to the door knobs.

A candle centerpiece (Marshalls) for the entertainment center…and Christmas photos from the past.

The mantel with more Christmas photos from the past. *tear*

This photo is especially dear to me. Gabrielle, our second child, was born Dec 3, 2005 (Happy Birthday princess!) Named after the angel Gabrielle who brought great news…my winter baby. The hands of Santa are my husbands.

This is where all the action is! It may look clean now- but trust me, I refuse to get worked up over spaghetti sauce on the white linen. It happens. Tide works.

The Christmas pillows and throws are out again!

My new ones (Marshalls again-I don’t enjoy shopping, but I do love this store)

I switched out my every day coffee mugs for my Christmas ones. Would you know that I got these a few years ago at Marcs for $5 for an entire set (plates, bowls, etc) ?! I bought 2! They are Target brand…Oh how I love deals!

My door – I need to do more with this wreath, I know. But, I love the classic look with white lights.

I have little glass jars with ornaments around the house…oh and candles, lots of candles! This is an after school plate I set out for the kids. I am usually making dinner around now and love it when the kids come in and talk to me about their day. Food helps lure them in, lol. Todays topics? The funniest thing that happened today,  the nicest children in their classes, and how many teeth other children have lost (they keep track of other children’s teeth! hilarious!).

Here she is! Our beloved tree….lol. I told you I let my children decorate it!

Is this not precious?

Have your children ever made ornaments like this? I remember her bringing this one home and I thought to myself “That’s just a little big, hu!”  But, it has her hands…those sweet little preschool hands…

Our son was so excited when he made me this for Christmas 4 years ago…”It’s magic Mama! When you hold it up to the light it sparkles!” Yep. It’s a keeper.

I TOTALLY had to show this one off. This is Hallmarks VERY FIRST ornament!!! My mother in law gave this to me from her collection.

Thank you for letting me share with you my home for the holidays. I would LOVE to see yours! Please link up RECIPES AND HOLIDAY related posts for all of us to see!!!! Post as many as you wish…All I ask is that you place my button (located on the sidebar) to your posts. Tweet and FB away for more visitors!

I will begin next Friday featuring my favorite linked up posts of this week!

 

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Unequally Yoked?

Hi Ladies!
This is a very common questions that my friends and I get asked…”what do I do if my husband is a non-believer?” When we were at Relevant, we decided to get together and answer the question as a group. We hope that if you or anyone you know is struggling in this way that this will help.


Women Living Well, Peak 313Time Warp WifeComfy In The  Kitchen and The Better Mom
Resources:

Courtney from Women Living Well’s article: Thriving in a Spiritually Mismatched Marriage. 

The book Power of a Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian

The power of prayer helped in my own marriage! See Baptizm.

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Low Fat Pumpkin Trifle

(this is a guest post from www.womenlivingwell.org)“I brought this dessert to Courtney’s house when she hosted a wonderful Thai meal last week. I had so many ladies come up to me and ask me for the recipe….so here it is! A beautiful, delicious, festive and low-fat (yes, I said it!) dessert for the holidays!

 

This is a recipe I used from my “Taste of Home Entertaining” book. It is the most requested recipe from “Taste of Home’s, Light and Tasty ” magazine.

I pray you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless all of you who are preparing meals for your loved ones-may He give you strength, time management, and the ability enjoy sweet fellowship on this special day.”

 

Start off by making the cake part of the Trifle: Combine spice cake, 1 egg, water and mix wellPour into an ungreased 8 inch baking dish and bake at 350 for 35-40 mins until well set. Let cool.

Then, to make your filling: 4 butterscotch instant pudding mixes, 1 15 oz can of pumpkin (you can use EASY pumpkin mix -”with the spices”, or you may add 1 tsp of pumpkin spice to this step)

FIRST make just the pudding- beat the pudding mixes with the milk

It will begin to thicken -let set for about 5 mins until it is of pudding consistency.

Add pumpkin and spices (if applicable)and stir well (you may use an electric mixer on low if you desire)

Get out your Trifle bowl and start layering (you will need to get out your Cool Whip at this time!) Begin with the Spice Cake- crumble with your fingers and lay at the bottom of the bowl (if you don’t have an “official” trifle bowl-have no fear, I used a regular old mixing bowl for years until I found this one at JCPenny Outlet-Wohoo!)

Spread your pudding/pumpkin mixture on top and then crumble more cake on top of that

Add in a layer of Cool Whip

Do as many layers as you can- I topped mine with Cool Whip and dotted with the pumpkin mixture and sprinkled extra cake on top. You are going to LOVE this!!!!!! OH YUMMM!!!!

 

Pumpkin Trifle(18 servings)Cake:

1 box Spice Cake

1 ¼ cups water

1 egg

*Mix all ingredients and bake in an 8×8 pan at 350 for 35 mins or until set. Cool on stove or wire rack.

Pudding Filling:

4 cups skim milk

4 packages (1 oz each) instant butterscotch pudding mix

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin mix- you can use EASY, but eliminate the spices below

1 ½ tsp Pumpkin Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp of each: ginger, nutmeg and allspice)

* In a large bowl mix milk with pudding mix. Let sit until it thickens (appx 5 mins). Add pumpkin and spices and mix well.

1 carton (12 oz) light whipped topping

Layering Process:

In a Trifle bowl (or any large bowl) layer:

1. A fourth of the cake crumbled with your hands

2. Half of the pumpkin mixture

3. A fourth of the cake crumbled

4. Half the whipped cream

5. Repeat the layers

6. Garnish with whipped topping and cake crumbs

7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Feasting In Fellowship Friday Potluck! 10/7

Happy Friday!!!

And a happy Friday it is…we are enjoying a beautiful Indian Summer in our neck of the woods! Oh, how I just love this weather. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing color…it’s just BEAUTIFUL outside! My husband and I get to join our daughter on a field trip to a local pumpkin farm today…then he is off to golf with the guys (their last hoorah before the cold weather sets in). My son’s last football game is tomorrow and boy will I be glad to trade in our cold and rainy weather from last weekend for a warm sunshiny day! Wohoo! Go Broncos!

Wondering what to make for supper Sunday evening? Try these delicious Soda Pop Chops that my friend Courtney from Women Living Well is sharing today…take a trip to your local butcher today and marinate them tomorrow evening. They are SO good!

Friday’s Top 3 Picks!

Thanks to all who link up! I love to see what YOU have cookin!

 

 

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Nuts
Made By: Joyful Homemaking

Easy Chocolate Pie

Made By: Peonies and Butttercups

Special Seasoning Popcorn

Made By: Whole.New.Mom

Homemade natural popcorn seasoning recipe

Please link up as many recipes as you wish! All I ask is that you place my button (located on my sidebar) onto your post. I also love when you share Feasting in Fellowship with your friends…tweet and share away. The more the merrier! Thank you – have a blessed weekend!

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Pumpkin Waffles with Spiced Whipped Cream

 

If you love pumpkin..these waffles are a must on your menu! It was such special treat making these for my family this week…the children ate them up and Julia even licked her plate, bless her heart. I loved the smell of my home making them while listening to the sounds of my children getting ready for school on this “Indian Summer” morning. I saved the batter for the next day and they were even better. Some of you saw my ” Kitchen Blooper” on Facebook…and as you can guess, my morning had a little hiccup…haha. But, the hiccup was worth the blessing. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.

*This recipe was featured on www.womenlivingwell.org 

 

Before preparing turn on your waffle iron so it is hot before you pour your on your batter

Have your flour, brown sugar, canned pumpkin, milk, eggs, salt, butter, baking soda and pumpkin spice mix (you can buy already spiced pumpkin-it is very good too)

Then add your liquid ingredients..pumpkin, eggs, butter, milk

Make sure your iron is very hot, spray with Pam and ladle about 1/4 cup of your batter onto the iron. I would rather you have too little than too much so try not to over pour-you will have soft waffles.

I soooo wish you could smell the aroma these waffles made while cooking..steam was coming out of the iron..Ahhhh…Top with warm maple syrup, butter, spiced whipped cream and nuts of your liking. Enjoy this special breakfast. Remember, these waffles can be frozen and easily thawed -you can also save batter for the next morning for fresh waffles.

Making whipped cream! 1 pint of whipping cream, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp of pumpkin pie spice and of course a mixer!

pour the entire pint of whipping cream in a mixing bowl

and pumpkin spices

Now add “air” to it by beating on high speed with your mixer. I am not one for name brands, but I have to tell ya that Kitchen Aid makes a slamming hand held mixer.

 

After you have gotten a dense consistency you may add your sugar

Beat in to the whipped cream – just waiting for a finger dive!

 

* Tip – Add spiced whipped cream to your coffee to replace your typical cream, it is delicious!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Waffles with Spiced Whipped Cream
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • Spiced Whipped Cream:
  • 1 pint whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin spice
Instructions
  1. Preheat waffle iron.
  2. Make your whipped cream first by beating just the whipping cream until stiffens.
  3. Beat in ¼ cup of sugar and 1 Tbsp of pumpkin spice at very end.
  4. Store in refrigerator.
  5. To make waffles add all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, spice, salt, brown sugar) and mix. Then, add your wet ingredients (pumpkin, milk, eggs, butter). Mix well.
  6. Spray waffle iron well with “Pam” and add about ¼ cup of batter.
  7. Close down lid and let steam/cook until crisp.
  8. Serve off the iron with warm maple syrup, butter, spiced whipped cream and nuts if desired.
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Feasting in Fellowship Friday 9/22

Happy Friday Ladies!


Come visit me over at Women Living Well  where Courtney is baking my favorite Meatloaf! This is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly autumn weekend. Enjoy! 

Friday’s Favorites

What a line up we had last week! Thanks to all who shared.

Mini Boston Creme Pies

Made By: Joyful Homemaking

Pumpkin Dip

Made By: The Unworking Mom

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Made By: Hospitality at Heart

It’s a Feasting in Fellowship Friday Link-up! You make link up AS MANY RECIPES as you wish! I love to see what YOU have cookin! All I ask is that you please place my button located on my sidebar on your post. You may also simply link back to Comfy in the Kitchen. I appreciate you girls very much and am sending you love and blessings for a great weekend!

 

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Photos of YOU gettin “Comfy”!

#Comfyinthekitchen
Hashtag me on Instagram so I can see what you’ve got cooking!

I get so much joy from seeing my readers getting “Comfy in the Kitchen”! Here are some of my favorites.

Carly getting “Comfy in the Kitchen” with “Best Ever Banana Bread“! {How cute is she?!} She blogs at ryandcar.blogspot.com (main blog) and started another one last year reachingforfringe.blogspot.com to chronicle her family’s health crisis and to have a resource for others who face the same reality.

Better than a hug cake

Lisa from Blessed with Grace says “I love your site and all my friends now LOVE your “Better than a Hug Cake!” Thanks, Lisa!

Sweet Potato Casserole 

“My Thanksgiving wouldn’t have been the same without it! Big hit 🙂 Love your stuff!”
Samantha
Manassas, Virginia

 

Machele made Grandma Ruth’s Spaghetti and Meatballs! (This is one of my favorites)

Tina made  this beautiful Sweet Potato Casserole!

Check out THIS feast “The Calm After the Storm” shared with me. She made Comfy cornbread, mashed redskins, AND stuffing!

 

 

Jamie (my cousin!) made “Bow Tie Pasta w/Italian Sausage and Veggies“!

Michelle from Sweet Treats and Inspiration baked “The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies“!

Ingrid from “Reaching His Kids” made “The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies!”

Her son is holding up my very first cookbook! (isn’t that the sweetest thing?)

Lindsey made “Crescent Chicken“!

My sweet friend Courtney from “Women Living Well” made “Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie” for our Good Morning Girls Play date!

Helen made “Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes“!

Sue made “Chicken Enchiladas“!

Liz and her daughter made “Sweet Potato Homefries“!

Leah from My Father’s Daughter made Homemade Cornbread with Honey Butter! 

Gina and her daughter Brianna from Keepin It Real makes “Better than a Hug Cake” every year on vacation! Sounds like a very yummy tradition to me!

Marsha from An Imperfect Woman made “Grandma Ruth’s Lasagna”! (looks like she did a ‘perfect’ job to me!)

Cheryl from Rooftop Ministries made these adorable Piggy Cookies!

My friend Molly and her daughter made this beautiful Pumpkin Trifle!

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Laura and her sweet little one are getting “Comfy” making Crescent Chicken! YUM!

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Homemade Cornbread with Honey Butter

What better thing to do on a fall day than clean the house and make a Crockpot dinner? I have my windows open, the cool breeze coming in, and the smell of chilli is filling up the house! Ahh…I love fall. Can you think of something that goes well with chili? I sure can…

There is nothing quite like freshly baked cornbread warm out of the oven…cut out a slice and slather it with homemade honey butter and you just may wonder why something so good could be so easy! 

This recipe is a staple in my home along side of a big Crockpot full of  Chili!




 1 1/4 c flour, 3/4 cup cornmeal, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter, 1 egg
Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, salt in medium bowl
Add milk
Add butter and egg
Stir until just combined
Pour into a greased 8×8 pan
Bake this in a preheated 400 oven for appx 20 mins or until golden brown.
I will give you two guesses what’s in Honey Butter…lol.1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/3 cup honey 
Mix well
Until creamy
Place in a glass serving bowl
Here it is…hot out of the oven..MMmmm
Homemade Corn Bread with Honey Butter
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 35 mins
Serves: 12 square slices
Ingredients
  • Corn Bread:
  • 1 1/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup cornmeal
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • Honey Butter:
  • 1 Stick butter (1/2 cup)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • Mix together honey and butter with handheld mixer and set aside in small glass bowl
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in milk, egg and butter. Pour batter into 8×8 greased dish and bake for 20 mins or until golden. Top with honey butter

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Baked Caramel Apples

Autumn is my favorite time of year…when the air cools, the sun shines, and the leaves turn color. One of the first things I want to do with my children is to take them to the many wonderful apple orchards we have in our area. We pick so many that our home is bursting at the seams with apples!! Here is one of my favorite apple recipes… you will LOVE the smell and taste of this comfort dish. Add it as a side, eat it alone, or top it “a la mode” (ice cream)…. enjoy!

(As featured on Women Living Well)

 

Water, brown sugar, flour, butter, salt, cinnamon and apples – looks like one got away in the background! Oops!

Start making your homemade caramel sauce by placing in the sauce pan the brown sugar, water, butter, salt, and flour.

Heat until bubbling-it will thicken.

Peel, core and cut apples into med sized chunks

Dot with butter and bake

Fresh out of the oven…

An amazing accompaniment to pork chops.

 

Baked Caramel Apples
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 60 mins
Total time: 1 hour 30 mins
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 8 apples peeled, cored, cut into chuncks
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • extra butter for dotting
  • spinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat Oven to 350
  2. Put all sauce ingredients into a saucepan and bring to soft boil-it will thicken and turn into a caramel/gravy texture.
  3. Place apples in baking dish and cover with caramel and stir.
  4. Dot with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.
  5. Cover and bake for 1 hour stirring at the 30 min mark.
Notes

You can use any kind of apple you wish. I like to use a mixture of green/red apples for a sweet and tangy combo.

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Pineapple Pretzel Fluff


This is my “go to” dessert recipe for large crowds…I have made this many times for the church. It never fails that I get asked for the recipe. In fact, this may be the recipe I get asked for the MOST! lol! It is SO easy to make and is deeeelish! My mother in law first made this and brought it over to my house…and since then I have made it more times than I can count!

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 cup sugar, divided

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

In a bowl, combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 minutes. Cool.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until creamy. Fold in pineapple and whipped topping; chill until serving.

 Break pretzel mixture into small pieces; stir into pineapple mixture and layer some along the top.

 

This recipe was featured on www.womenlivingwell.org 

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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Mem! (Delicious Thai Spring Rolls)

Mem and me at her house for lunch after our ladies bible study
It is an absolute joy for me to introduce Mem Luton…my sister-in-Christ, valued friend, heart-felt bible study leader, encourager, and yes…fellow “foodie” (this girl can cook Thai food like no one else!). Mem is pure at heart, shares God’s love with everyone she meets, radiates joy, has a passion for life, and has the kindest smile. Her testimony is one of the most unique testimonies I have ever heard. When I ever feel “not prepared”, “not good enough” or insecure about anything I try to accomplish in my life, I think of Mem. I am reminded of all of the obstacles she has had to overcome living in a “foreign” country, how much she puts herself out there for the Lord dispite language barriers, how she had to get used to a completely different culture, and how she has had to lean on God for strength in so many ways. Did you catch that she is my bible study leader? Yes….incredible for someone who has only lived in the United States for 10 years and was born Buddhist. God is that good. I am so blessed to have this sweet woman in my life…I could go on for days about how much I love her but will let her take it from here…
She is “Comfy in her Kitchen!”
leading bible study at our church; “Stepping Up” by Beth Moore. 
Mem cooked a delicious Thai meal this year for our
 bible study over at Courtney’s house (www.womenlivingwell.org)
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
By: Mem Luton
“And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.”—Col. 3:23

Cooking is like an art for me. Although there’s a lot of hard work involved, it’s more than just rewarding, especially when I see people enjoying what I’ve prepared and wanting more. I never dreamed when I came to America ten years ago that I would be as heavily involved in cooking Thai food as I am now, nor that there would be as many people who like my cooking as has turned out to be the case. I began learning to cook “American style” after I got married, but experimented with new recipes I was coming up with for Thai food at the same time. (Fortunately, I have a family here who are always eager to be my willing guinea pigs). This is one of the reasons why it has been such a delight to know Janelle Nehrenz, with whom I have so much in common. She not only loves the Lord, but also enjoys cooking as much as I do. As a full-time housewife and a stay-at-home mother of four, I experience a great deal of fulfillment and satisfaction in life. Nevertheless, I have also found it very fulfilling to have people over for dinner and to minister to others out of my home.

I enjoy cooking, not only for my family, but also for my friends at church and at the school where my children attend. Since I became an American citizen, one of the things that I have come to love about this country is the fact that here I am free to still be who I am while being an American at the same time. Consequently, while being fiercely loyal to the United States and the American flag, I enjoy introducing people to what is best from my former life in Thailand as well. Most important of all, it has been my desire to model the new life I now have in Jesus Christ ever since the day I surrendered my life to Him before I left Thailand. Considering my Buddhist background, however, people often find it surprising to learn just how I became a Christian in the first place.

I was born the youngest of 7 children in a strong Buddhist family in southern Thailand. My father was the second richest man in the area, but I never saw those riches. By the time I was born, my father had lost everything. He and mother were separated before I was born, so one of my greatest desires was for a loving father and a happy family.

I almost died at birth because there was no doctor. My father just happened to be home that day and delivered me despite having no experience. When the local midwife discovered how badly he had performed the delivery, she said that both my mother and I were lucky to be alive. That would not be the only time I almost died.

Soon after I was born we lost our house, and my mother and I moved in with my grandmother who lived deep in the jungles of southern Thailand. We had no electricity or running water, and lived in very primitive conditions, but it was a lot of fun for me. I loved seeing the elephants, watching the monkeys in the trees, and being able to swim in the nearby river, but I always had to watch out for alligators. One time when I was 4, I was bitten by a cobra while walking through the jungle. My leg began swelling greatly and I began to fall into the “death sleep.” My brother ran as fast as he could with me in his arms to a village to get help but was told there was not much hope. Cobra bites are usually fatal, but somehow I recovered instantly. Some people said it was a miracle.

My great-grandmother belonged to royalty, but fell from grace when she married a commoner. Her daughter (my grandmother) continued to teach us to speak the cultured Thai dialect anyway, even though we were poor. She always took me to the temple and taught me in the ways of Buddha—that good deeds were important to atone for past sins and go to heaven. One day in the temple I saw several pictures of hell showing lost souls suffering in the fire and being tortured by demons. I was so terrified that I devoted myself to doing good deeds and being a good person so that I would not go there when I died.

When I was eight, my grandmother died. She had a servant’s heart, was deeply loved by all who knew her, and was very devoted to Buddha. Her funeral was very sad for me, because I had no way to know if she was in heaven. To add to our grief, someone cheated my mother out of the property my grandmother planned to give her. My father had left us nothing, and my grandmother’s death now left us penniless. Most of my brothers and sisters had moved to Bangkok to find work, so my mother and I moved there too.

In Bangkok, I determined to do my best in school so that I might somehow regain the riches and prestige that had once belonged to my family. I let people see only the bright side of my past and tried to hide our poverty. As a result, I became very skilled at lying, and would fight anyone who provoked me. I boasted about how rich my father was and about my great-grandmother’s famous royal name of “Nahtnakorn.”

I also became a thief. If there was something pretty in a store, “I came; I saw; I took.” I first stole a toy ring, but my conscience bothered me because of what my grandmother taught me. After a few days, however, my guilt feelings faded, and the next time I stole something, it was easier. One time I stole a pair of shoes in a Buddhist temple, but those pictures I had seen of people burning in hell so bothered me that I returned them. From then on I only stole “little” things—like money out of pay telephones. My soul felt unclean. I was happy-looking on the outside, but very unhappy on the inside. I had no assurance that I would ever go to heaven, because I just could not become the kind of “good person” that deserved to go there. Thai people believe that babies are born clean and develop bad behavior only because of outside influence. But no one had ever taught me to lie or steal. Yet these had become regular habits. I wondered if I could ever earn my way to heaven. Just how many good deeds would it take to atone for my sins?

Praying to Buddha brought no satisfaction for me, because our prayers were not even in the Thai language. I wondered, “If Buddha is God, why is he dead and if his idol is alive, why can’t he eat the food we place before him?” We continued making offerings to idols, but were terrified of demons and erected a spirit house for them to live in. We burned incense daily, but nothing seemed to take away our fear of them. I will only say that my family’s experience with demonic spirits has been real and terrifying.

To satisfy them once, my mother gave me away to her sister who was a practicing medium and conducted séances. I had become very sick, and my mother believed that the spirits wanted her to give me to my aunt to raise. It was only when I suddenly recovered that my mother changed her mind and took me back. God had miraculously showed up to save my life again—this time from a life in the occult. Little did I know at the time that on the other side of the world a woman was praying for me every day for 50 years—even before I was born—that God would protect me and that I would be saved. I would not discover this until many years later after I got married. 
This woman was Edna Luton, my mother-in-law.

My oldest sister was largely responsible for providing for the family. In the absence of a father, she imposed discipline, which we hated. We feared her and called her the “black witch.” Therefore, I was surprised when I came home one day and saw her showing love and telling the family about Jesus. An American missionary had told her about Jesus, and now she was telling us about Him. She said that, according to the Bible, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” but that God loved me, sent His perfect son to die on the cross for me, and wanted to become my Heavenly Father. Not having even seen my earthly father more than twice in my life, these words flooded my soul with hope and joy. She shared John 3:16 with me and told how Jesus paid my sin’s penalty and that I could invite Him into my heart through prayer. Without hesitation, I eagerly prayed asking Jesus to come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life. I had no reservation about leaving Buddhism to become a Christian or, as the Bible says, a child of God. And, best of all, it was all free!—not something I had to earn or work for. I knew then that I wanted to be a missionary and tell others about Jesus.

Unfortunately, I had little follow-up or discipleship for two years until I was 14 years old when an American school teacher was invited to help with the ministry. He not only taught us the importance of Lordship, but he showed us how to memorize and meditate on God’s Word, how to have a daily quiet time, and how to put the Word into practice. He continues today helping me grow as a Christian. He’s my husband—Bryan Luton.

Living the Christian life was fun for me. I was taken out of school to live in the ministry center, which my sister and brother-in-law had set up in our house, and I was constantly surrounded by short term missionaries from America who came to help with the ministry. When my brother-in-law and sister moved back to America, however, I felt devastated and alone. I was about to learn two very painful lessons—that we must walk by faith, not by sight, and that my worst enemy was my own pride, which resisted God’s grace.

Feeling very alone now, I decided to go back to school and complete my high school education. I began making many friends among unbelievers and, although I knew better, I began dating an unbeliever, thinking that I could win him to the Lord. I neglected God’s Word, because it was too convicting, and I stopped going to church. Instead of influencing my friends for Christ, they were influencing me. I was letting go of God, but God did not let go of me. Time after time, God protected me from destructive temptations because of His mercy and the prayers of His people.

Longing for the fellowship that I had once enjoyed with the Lord, I accepted an offer to enroll in a Bible training college. God “showed up” again and provided my expenses. I now spent most of my time in God’s Word. Verses I had memorized years earlier ministered to me again with a new freshness, especially Romans 8. Reading, meditating and applying this chapter marked the turning point in my Christian life: There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. I prayed a prayer of genuine repentance, and the joy of my salvation returned. I set Jesus apart as Lord of my life, and this time surrendered ownership rights of my life to Him. I began making restitution to those from whom I had stolen, and I began confessing and asking forgiveness of those to whom I had told lies. This also meant forgiving those who had wronged me, even if they don’t apologize. I was learning to be a doer of the word, not a forgetful hearer, and to walk by faith, not by sight.

I am far from what I once was, but I am also far from what I hope some day to be. God continues to expose my areas of weakness (and often uses my own children to do so). But because of the assurance I have from God’s Word, I have no fear of where I will spend eternity when I die. I have something now I always wanted but never had—a Father—a loving “Heavenly Father,” who is more than any earthly father could ever be. It’s also no longer important to me that my earthly father was rich, because my Heavenly Father has given me riches in Christ. It’s no longer important to me that my great-grandmother had belonged to royalty, because I am a child of the King of Kings. And I also have the joy of a stable family, not just my husband and children, but the family of God. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me.—Gal. 2:20

Mem has been so kind to share with us her very own Spring Roll recipe! You will never taste Spring Rolls better than these. I have to tell you Ladies this (I am giggling)…I was at the grocery store today and I brought with me Mem’s recipe. I was a little bewildered at some of the ingredients so I called her. She said “Janelle, why don’t you let me bring the ingredients over to your house…better yet, why don’t you let me stay and help you make them!?”So, sure enough an hour later we were at my house making this delicious recipe together! What sweet fellowship…I am one lucky girl to have such kind people in my life. So, here we are…


Mem’s Thai Spring Roll Recipe Adventure


Spring Roll wrappers are a bit thinner than wonton/egg roll wrappers- 
but you mayuse whatever you are able to find, Mem suggests this kind.

This is a sweet and sour dipping sauce -Mem pours it in a serving
 dish and adds a squeeze of lime juice to it…She purchases this at 
“World Market”If you cannot find this particular brand, you may use any 
sweet and sour sauce.

These are “bean threads” that Mem purchases at an Asian store.
 You may use rice noodles or bean spouts if you wish.

In a food processor, chop raw chicken- isn’t that interesting? I love it!

This is what it looks like…
Then she adds about a Tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tsp of cajun 
powder to the chicken and lets it marinate while she prepares the other parts
 of the recipe

Just a simple Cajun seasoning you find anywhere

boil the noodles (or bean threads) until tender- this does not 
take long!

Mem with my daughter. They have a special bond 
(and both appreciate pretty shoes! lol).

chop carrots and green onion

Add about a Tablespoon of the green onion mixture to the chicken 
and mix it up

Then, in a wok heated on medium high with peanut oil add the 
chicken and the carrots, onions, and pre-chopped cabbage. Press down 
on the chicken with a spatula and stir…continue this pattern until cooked through.
Let the water out of the boiling noodles

Then add the noodles and additional Tbsp of soy sauce to the chicken mixture and 
stir well.

Take the Spring Roll wrappers out of the package and wet slightly
 with water

A quick video on how to roll up the Spring Rolls…

Cover in a damp cloth 

Roll em up! 
In the same wok (but cleaned out of course), I heat more peanut oil (appx 2 cups) on med-high to high heat and fry the Spring Rolls for about 1 1/2 mins per side until lightly golden. Then, place on a paper towel in a colander and let them dry before serving on serving dish.


Whala! Serve with a side of delicious sweet and sour dipping sauce.

You may also cut them at an angle for a smaller bite-sized portion

Mem’s Thai Spring Roll Recipe
(makes 24)

1 package of spring roll wraps
2 chicken breasts (processed/chopped raw)
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup pre-chopped cabbage (slaw)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 (2 oz) package of glass noodles (bean threads)
1 tsp cajun seasoning (or just cayenne)
2 Tbsp soy (separated)
2 1/4 cups peanut oil (1/4 cup to stir fry chicken; 2 cups to fry spring rolls)
(sweet and sour sauce/ juice of 1/2 a lime- for dipping)

Boil water in a small saucepan; add noodles, cook until tender, drain and cut up into 2 inch pieces. Chop carrots and green onions; set aside. Rinse raw chicken and place in food processor-chop well. Open processor and add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tsp cajun seasoning, and 1 Tbsp of chopped carrots and green onions to raw chicken, stir. Heat wok and 1/4 cup oil on med-high. When hot, stir fry chicken, and all of the carrots, green onions and add additional Tbsp of soy sauce together. Press down on chicken with spatula, then stir…continue this motion until cooked through. Add noodles and stir.

Rolling
(see youtube video above)
Take spring roll pastry out of package sprinkle with water. Wet dish cloth with water and wrap pastry in it. Carefully peel one pastry at a time. Lay out one pastry and place a heaping tsp of chicken mixture at the bottom corner. Roll bottom corner over chicken mixture. Roll the right corner in, then left corner in, then roll up into finished. Do this until ingredients are gone.

Frying

Heat 2 cups oil in wok (or fry daddy) and place 4-6 spring rolls in at a time. Fry for appx 1 1/2 mins per side then flip over. Fry until lightly golden. Place paper towels in a colander, drain, and serve on serving platter.

Sauce

Mem suggests purchasing Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce from “World Market”, however any sweet and sour will do. She squeezes the juice of 1/2 a lime into about 1 cup of sauce.


Thank you Mem for sharing your testimony and delicious recipe with all of us! 
Love to you,
Janelle 


Questions for Mem? Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com and I will forward them to her! She is praying for you and is willing to help through her testimony! 

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



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Beauty and Bedlam

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Feasting in Fellowship Friday and Friday’s "Featured Recipe"

Come visit Courtney and me over at www.womenlivingwell.org where we share the simple yet classic recipe of egg salad. Dress it up on a croissant or serve it casually on fresh bread…either way it tastes great, is quick, easy, and thrifty!
(Tis the season for extra eggs Ladies! Save this recipe!)



Feasting in Fellowship Friday!!!!!!

Link up with Feasting in Fellowship Friday! 
Simply copy and paste this button to your post. Then, include the link below that takes us directly to your recipe! Thank you for sharing…I love seeing what you  have cooking! 
~Love, Janelle 

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Feasting in Fellowship Friday/Cream Puff Dessert

  Come join me at  www.womenlivingwell.org to find out how to make it this delicious 
Cream Puff Dessert!!!  


(P.S.- Ladies, I need some serious grace today- we have had 2 snow days and I didn’t realize it was already Friday! lol…has anyone ever been there? Oh mommy brain go away!)




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Love to you, Janelle

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Minestrone Soup and Feasting in Fellowship Friday!

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

                                              -1 Corinthians 10:31

My sweet friend Courtney and I are in her kitchen simmering up some delicious and healthy Minestrone soup!  Come join us at  www.womenlivingwell.org to find out how to make it!
While you are there, make sure to scroll down…her blog posts on the Sally Clarkson Mom Heart Conference have been so inspiring and helpful to me this week! 

What a blessing Sister’s in Christ are to one another…


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Love to you, Janelle
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Feasting in Fellowship Friday/ Featured Recipe







To learn how to make quick and delicious calzones, come visit me over at www.womenlivingwell.org! (If you love cheese, this is the recipe for you!)

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Baked Potato Soup


Isn’t it funny how at 9 am in the morning I am already wondering to myself “What am I making for dinner tonight?”
It is a brisk day in February… there is still snow on the ground, the wind is blowing….and I am blessed to be in my warm home.  I think I will take the day to spend at home with my sweet little girls and make our favorite “Baked Potato Soup”.
Potatoes, cheddar cheese, milk, chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, flour,
 salt/pepper
Prep your veggies by dicing carrots, celery and onions

 

Fry bacon in medium sized pan until done (med/high heat)

 

 
Drain on paper towel covered plate
Leave bacon renderings (grease) in pan and add veggies.
Saute veggies until tender.
Add flour to make a paste on top of veggies 
Add broth and whisk well
Add milk
Add diced potatoes
Simmer on reduced heat for 20 mins until potatoes are tender
Add Cheddar cheese
Stir well
Garnish with green onion, bacon and cheese and salt and pepper as desired
Baked Potato Soup
 
Author: Janelle Nehrenz
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • ½ lb bacon
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup chopped carrot
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups canned chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 10-12 russet potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Garnish- chopped green onions, additional cheese and crumbled bacon
Instructions
  1. Fry bacon in a skillet, place on paper towel to drain and preserve 2 tbsp of bacon grease in skillet.
  2. Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté until they soften (5 mins).
  3. Add flour and stir.
  4. Whisk in broth and milk.
  5. Add potatoes and bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 mins.
  7. Add cheese and stir.
  8. Season as desired with salt and pepper.
  9. Add garnish as desired.
 

Baked Potato Soup
½ lb bacon
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped onion
3 tbsp all purpose flour
2 cups canned chicken broth
2 cups milk
10-12 russet potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Garnish- chopped green onions, additional cheese and crumbled bacon

Fry bacon in a skillet, place on paper towel to drain and preserve 2 tbsp of bacon grease in skillet. Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté until they soften (5 mins). Add flour and stir. Whisk in broth and milk. Add potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 mins. Add cheese and stir. Season as desired with salt and pepper. Add garnish as desired.

This recipe was featured on www.womenlivingwell.org

For more “featured” recipes please check this site every Friday!
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Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes and Link Up!

Check out this delicious recipe for Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes at www.womenlivingwell.org!
The perfect dessert to make for your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day!
Jesus Replied “Love the Lord, Your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'”

-Matthew 22:36-39

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Thank you for sharing and God Bless you! Keep those recipes coming!
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10 Things my children have learned while cooking with Mom





10 Things my children have learned while cooking with “Mom”
  1. Putting on an apron turns an ordinary child into a “Jr. Chef”
  2. 1 cup of flour really means 2 half cups of flour when cooking with 2 children.
  3. Flour and sugar look similar, but they don’t taste the same.
  4. Vanilla smells soooo good, but if you sneak and taste it, you will be sorely disapointed.
  5. Mom has invisible eyes on the back of her head, when she turns her head, she still sees you sneaking cookie dough out of the bowl.
  6. Wash your hands before you cook, don’t lick the spoon until we are done, don’t pick your nose, and finally..sneeze into your elbow and NOT into the brownie batter.
  7. Vegetable oil is not fun to clean up.
  8. Raw eggs and raw meat have “germy bugs” in them- don’t touch!
  9. Turning on the inside oven light is SO cool.
  10. Don’t hit your sister or attempt to push her off her chair..you will be demoted from a “Jr. Chef” to an ordinary boy again.

* We are making something SOOOO delicious right now for Valentine’s Day! Can’t wait to share…it will be on www.womenlivingwell.org this Friday! (Yes, it includes CHOCOLATE!) 




LOVE to you!
Janelle 


I am participating in Living Well Wednesdays at www.womenlivingwell.org! 

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Black Bean Soup and a Give Away!!

Feasting in Fellowship Fridays
Food is a extraordinary blessing… it involves every one of our senses. The smell, the sight, the texture, and yes–the sound of food is incredible! The cracking of a nut shell, soup boiling on the stove, ground beef frying in a pan, a small hand fishing in a bowl of chips… all bring their unique sound to the symphony of life.
Every bite, every sound, and every smell is a wonderful gift from our Lord, however, like all blessings if we misuse it, it can be destructive. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 25:16 that if we eat too much of a good thing we’ll get sick. So true in every area of our life, teaching us that moderation is key.
~Darlene Schacht
In Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness, authors Candace Cameron Bure and Darlene Schacht inspire us to take care of our earthly temple, enjoy food as a gift from God, and stop abusing it just because it tastes great. Using biblical principles and practical advice, Reshaping it All is a motivational tool that helps us get on track to a healthier lifestyle, and stay there!
Ladies, I have just received THREE copies to give away today!! Wohoo! Just leave a comment on this post, and I will enter your name in the draw. Tell your friends too!
I’ll announce the winners here on Monday!
Visit co-author Darlene Schacht at her blog, The Time Warp Wife.
Check out www.womenlivingwell.org for this delicious 
Black Bean Soup recipe….
Soup is the best comfort food to get us through the cold winter!  

Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!
* Please place on your blog post (with your featured recipe) that you are participating in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” with a link back to Comfy in the Kitchen! Thank you for sharing and God Bless you! Keep those recipes coming!

 

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We All Fall Short – "Burnt Happens"

“Burnt Happens”
Never in a BAZILLION years would I have thought I would display BURNT grilled cheese sandwiches on this blog, HA! But, ladies…I am here to tell you that we all fall short!  I am also here to tell you that burnt, spilt, and not-so-tasty happens to all of us. My hand is RAISED and proof is in my charred pan! I can also make an educated guess that some of the most amazing chefs in the world have also had TONS of kitchen bloopers!
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” 
Romans 3:23
If I had never made mistakes while cooking, I would have never felt comfortable offering cooking advice. Quite honestly, the recipes I have shared thus far have been “perfected” through many trials and errors. When we cook or bake a recipe that doesn’t turn out the way we had planned one of two things typically happens: either we have a learning experience for the next time and have a good laugh, or we discover something new about the recipe that adds some flare to it.
“If God intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn’t have given us Grandmothers” Linda Henley
Just think, if there was never a mistake while cooking the following foods would not be in existence: Potato Chips (were intended to be thin scalloped potatoes), Cream Cheese (poor William Lawrence of NY didn’t follow his recipe for Neufchatel-the bagel thanks him!), and hold on to your socks….the beloved Chocolate Chip Cookies (Ruth Wakefield of Toll House Inn RAN OUT of baking chocolate and chopped up a chocolate bar instead and placed it into her cookies-thank you Ruth!!!) Proof enough that our “mistakes” can turn out to be blessings?! Yeppers.
“Make failure your teacher not your undertaker”– Zig Ziggler
I am here today to cheer you on. If the thought of cooking makes you anxious because of bad past experiences…please know, I have been there…we ALL fall short.
*Big hug*, aprons on, pans out, now… LET’S GET COMFY! 
Blessings to you,
Janelle

I am participating in Living Well Wednesdays and Titus 2sdays 
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Feasting in Fellowship Friday January 14, 2011

My wonderful Sisters-in-Christ (our children go to school together)

It’s Feasting in Fellowship Friday!
 Bring a dish and make sure to check out a recipe or two!

Come visit me over at  http://www.womenlivingwell.org to see this Quick and Easy
Homemade Marinara Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta!
MMMmmmmm….
(Fresh garlic, herbs, and crushed tomatoes….oh my!)

Enjoy! ~Janelle

Thanks for linking up today! Can’t wait to see what’s cookin!

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* Please place on your blog post (with your featured recipe) that you are participating in Feasting in Fellowship Fridays with a link back to Comfy in the Kitchen! Thank you for sharing and God Bless you! Keep those recipes coming!


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Is She Really That Nice? No One Can Be Happy Like That All The Time…

My beautiful cousin Jen and me. (another nice girl!)
“Is She Really That Nice? No One Can Be Happy Like That All The Time…”
This is a comment that comes back full circle to me quite often…(if it is the worst thing ever said about me PRAISE the LORD! HAHA!) But, it is worth mentioning…
Each day I pray that God will allow me to see people through His eyes, even if it is just a small piece of “goodness” that I can find out about someone …I consider it a gift. Is it easier to find negative traits about people? Sometimes it is..because we are ALL sinners…However, people are God’s greatest creation with whom He made in His image, so I think we are pretty important in His eyes … we are all worth the extra effort. 
Jesus said “  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 
-John 13: 34-35
Loving one another is a COMMANDMENT! WOWSA! And guess what?!
We aren’t only to love the people who are loveable…
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
 -Luke 6:27-35
I have had my life experiences, but I am afraid if I wore them on my exterior all the time, I wouldn’t be very joyful and most importantly I certainly wouldn’t be very approachable. No one would want what I have…(CHRIST!). I have experienced tragic deaths (suicide, car accident, stroke), job loss (my husband was out of work for over a year!) , illnesses, divorce (my parents), post partum depression (with 2 out of 3 births) , heartbreak, disappointment, and much more. But, I chose to be joyful …Why? Because my Maker has given me instructions and I chose to follow Him and not man. Some days are easier than others…and some days I fail miserably, but I prayerfully get up the next day asking for Joy and mindfully seeking to help and be kind to others.
 Be always joyful
  1 Thessalonians 5:16

May my hard times make me closer to the Lord, may my pain and suffering give me testimony for others, and may my mistakes be someone else’s learning experiences.
May my gifts be shared with you and may we walk together with the Lord serving Him and serving others!
Be NICE!   
Much Love, Janelle


Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.  ~Marian Wright Edelman


It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.  ~Author Unknown


Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how.  ~Author Unknown


I have posted this video before on this blog…but wanted to share it again, the end of the video has some of my testimony. 


I am participating in Living Well Wednesdays and Titus 2sdays 


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Low-Fat Grape Salad



Come visit me over at www.womenlivingwell.org where I share a delicious “Comfy in my Jeans” recipe! You are going to LOVE this one!!! ~Janelle

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Ham Salad


If you enjoyed a Christmas Ham over the weekend you may be glancing in your refrigerator wondering to yourself “What am I to do with all these leftovers?!” This is a recipe I make when I have leftover ham…it is so simple, is great made into sandwiches, and as a spread for crackers. 
 leftover ham (with pineapple), sweet pickle relish, mayo
In your food processor, add your ham and 2 pineapple rings (optional)
Process to desired consistency
Add relish and mayo and run the blades a few times to mix evenly.
Spread on sliced bread topped with cheese for a delicious sandwich (I make these ahead of time and place them in Ziploc baggies in the refrigerator)
Or spread on crackers for a yummy mid-afternoon snack or appetizer!


Ham Salad


4 cups left-over ham (cut in pieces)
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/3 cup mayo
2 pineapple rings (optional to taste)


Place ham and pineapple in a food processor and process until desired consistency. Add relish and mayo and pulse until combined. Serve on bread or crackers. 
Enjoy!
~Janelle 


*Try this AMAZING Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche for another recipe using your leftover ham! (featured at www.womenlivingwell.org)
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Peppermint Bark


Please come visit me over at www.womenlivingwell.org to get this delicious holiday recipe- 3 easy ingredients it all it takes! I also have a short video on how we make these beautiful cookie trays for all the wonderful staff at the school my children attend! 

I Hope you are enjoying all of the festivities leading up to the day our Savior was born! 

~Janelle
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Soft Sugar Cookies with Homemade Frosting






Please come visit me at  www.womenlivingwell.org ! I am sharing a very special recipe this week…from my family to yours, enjoy!
 ~Janelle
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Chef Mickey’s Breakfast Pizza!

Hi, My Friends! Come visit me over at Courtney’s @ www.womenlivingwell.org to see one of my favorite Chef’s recipes! (haha) I will post more about what happened on our trip later in the week! “See ya real soon!”

~Janelle
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

 
 
 
 
 
This is a delicious recipe I make out of my Paula Deen “Just Desserts” cookbook. I typically have the ingredients on hand and am able to “whip it up” in no time! You can add nuts to this recipe as well. Serve warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream and you have yourself one incredible sweet ending! 
 
 
 
A pre-made pie crust frozen, eggs, butter, flour, vanilla, sugar, salt, chocolate chips 
Mix sugar, flour, and salt together in a medium bowl
Beat in eggs, vanilla, and softened butter (microwave butter only 15 sec)
Stir in chocolate chips
Place mixture in pie crust 
Bake in a 325 oven for 45-60 mins until set in the center
YUMM!!!! 
I made this at a bible study at my house at the end of summer and it was a hit! 
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
 
Author: Janelle Nehrenz
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 c. semi-sweet choc. chips
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 unbaked 9 in. pie shell
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325.
  2. In a medium bowl mix flour, sugar, and salt. Beat in softened butter, eggs, and vanilla.
  3. Add chocolate chips and pour into pre-made pie shell.
  4. Bake uncovered for 45-60 mins.
  5. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream! MMMMM!!!!
 
My sweet friend, Courtney,  gave it a thumbs up! (www.womenlivingwell.org)

 
I am participating in Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays@ www.blessedwithgrace.net , Tasty Tuesdays @ www.beautyandbedlam.com and gold star weds @ www.frommytinykitchen.blogspot.com for more great recipes check out their sites!
 
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Sausage and Fresh Herb Stuffing

Come visit me at www.womenlivingwell.org for this delicious recipe…just in time for Thanksgiving!

Bless you,
Janelle 
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Amish Style Cinnamon Chip Bread Pudding


  Come visit me over at  www.womenlivingwell.org for this delicious recipe! 
Enjoy!
~Janelle
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Chicken n Dumplins made EASY!

Come visit me over at www.womenlivingwell.org! This week’s recipe is Chicken n Dumplins made EASY..the perfect comfort meal for a cool autumn evening. So simple, yet sooooo delicious!! Your family will be blessed having this for dinner! MMMMmmmmm…..
Enjoy!
~Janelle 
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