SortaCrunchy

I'm around. Really.

I just like to sorta go on vacation in the week between Christmas and New Years.

But for evidence that I am working and writing some, go check out my monthly column at Simple Mom.

And if you are here from O My Family - welcome!  Isn't Allison darling?  I think so, too.  Feel free to poke around and make yourself at home.  You can even look in my medicine cabinet if you want.  I will warn you, though - there are some things in my bathroom about which you may not want to know.

photo courtesy Optical Illusion

SortaCrunchy Recommends: Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day

I've had the revolutionary cookbook Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day in my Amazon cart for months - the idea of a no-knead approach to bread sounded so appealing. 

I love, love, love homemade bread, and I actually do enjoy the zen-like process of traditional bread baking - the careful measuring of ingredients, the satisfying sensation of kneading, the anticipation of the moment you cut that first slice . . . yum.  However, I find that as much as I love to make my own bread, I don't often make time to go through the whole process.

So, when the publishers of the new book Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day contacted to me to ask if I would be interested in a review copy, I enthusiastically responded that I would be more than happy to give the book a review.

Y'all.

This book is a treat.  I can't even tell you all of the things I love about it.  There is some very helpful, very accessible information in the beginning about how and why their no-knead method works, as well as some basic information on ingredients (including a great run-down on all sorts of flours) and baking tools.

Then the bulk of the book itself is just page after page after amazing page of incredible bread recipes! 

Here's a little more info from the formal press release:

"From the authors of the groundbreaking Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day comes a new cookbook filled with quick and easy recipes for healthy bread

Their first book was called "stupendous," "genius," and "the holy grail of bread making." Now, in their much-anticipated second book, Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë François have taken their super-fast method and adapted it for the health-conscious baker, focusing on whole grains and other healthier ingredients.

The method is still quick and simple, producing professional-quality results with each warm, fragrant, hearty loaf. In just five minutes a day of active preparation time, you can create delectable, healthy treats such as 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Grain Garlic Knots with Parsley and Olive Oil, Black-and-White Braided Pumpernickel and Rye Loaf, Cherry Black Pepper Focaccia, Pumpkin Pie Brioche, Chocolate Tangerine Bars, and a variety of gluten-free breads. And many of the recipes are 100% whole grain.

Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day will show you that there is time enough for home-baked bread, and that it can be part of a healthy diet. Calling all bread lovers: Whether you are looking for more whole grains, watching your weight, trying to reduce your cholesterol, or just care about what goes into your body, this book is a must-have.

Author Bios
Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., coauthor of Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients, is a physician with twenty years of experience in health care as a practitioner, consultant, and faculty member at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His interest in baking and preventive health sparked a quest to adapt the techniques of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day for healthier ingredients.

Zoë François, coauthor of Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients, is passionate about food that is real, healthy, and always delicious. She is a pastry chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America. In addition to teaching baking and pastry courses nationally, she consults to the food industry and is the creator of the recipe blog www.zoebakes.com. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons."

(You can check out their blog at HealthyBreadinFive.com)

Now, the basis of their book is creating these beautiful, lovely, inspiring artisan-style loves:

Pretty, right?  But maybe not that practical or appealing for those of us who are feeding toddlers more often than we are gathering loaves of crusty bread and bottles of wine for romantic picnic outings.  (I don't know why, but artisan bread always summons images of wine, cheese, and picnicking for me.)  The authors include practical instructions for preparing these healthy breads as loaves - perfect for sandwiches and toast.

If you are like me, your Christmas blessings may have included a gift card to a bookseller.  If baking your own healthy bread at home has ever been appealing to you, I highly recommend gifting this book to yourself.  In addition to the breads listed above, you'll find recipes for Apple-Barley Bread, Sweet Potato and Spelt Bread, Whole Wheat Brioche, Braided Challah with Whole Wheat and Wheat Germ, banana bread and doughnuts and even gluten-free cinnamon buns AND this lovely little recipe I get to share with you - Chocolate Espresso Whole Wheat Bread.

I've made this several times since I received the book, and I am IN LOVE!

Chocolate Espresso Whole Wheat Bread

by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë François,
Authors of Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients

"I was so pleased when the nutritional powers that be deemed dark chocolate and espresso 'good for you'. Considering what a large portion of my diet they occupy, I was relieved to know I no longer needed to feel guilty, not that I ever really had. So in an attempt to make you all a bit healthier and a lot happier I've come up with Chocolate Espresso Bread. Not too sweet but packed with flavor." --Zoë

Makes enough dough for at least two 2-pound loaves. The recipe is easily doubled or halved. Use any leftover dough to make cupcakes.

2 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1½ tablespoons granulated yeast, or 2 packets
1 tablespoon kosher salt (increase or decrease to taste)
¼ cup vital wheat gluten
1 cup lukewarm brewed espresso or strong coffee
1¼ cups lukewarm water
4 large eggs
½ cup neutral-flavored oil
¾ cup honey
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) for brushing on top crust
Raw sugar for sprinkling on top

1. Mixing and storing the dough: Whisk together the flours, cocoa powder, yeast, salt, and vital wheat gluten in a 5-quart bowl, or a lidded (not airtight) food container.

2. Combine the liquid ingredients and the chopped chocolate and mix with the dry ingredients without kneading, using a spoon, a 14-cup food processor (with dough attachment), or a heavy-duty stand mixer (with paddle). You might need to use wet hands to get the last bit of flour to incorporate if you're not using a machine.

3. The dough will be loose, but it will firm up when chilled. Don't try to use it without chilling at least 2 hours.

4. Cover (not airtight), and allow the dough to rest at room temperature until it rises and collapses (or flattens on top), approximately 2 hours.

5. Refrigerate it in a lidded (not airtight) container and use over the next 5 days. Beyond that, the dough stores well in the freezer for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Freeze it in 2-pound portions. When using frozen dough, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before use, then allow the usual rest/rise time.

6. On baking day, grease an 8½× 4½-inch nonstick loaf pan. Dust the surface of the refrigerated dough with flour and cut off a 2-pound (cantaloupe-size) piece. Dust the piece with more flour and quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all four sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go.

7. Elongate the ball into an oval and place it into the loaf pan; your goal is to fill the pan about three-quarters full. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest and rise for 1 hour 45 minutes.

8. Thirty minutes before baking time, preheat the oven to 350°F, with a rack placed in the center of the oven. If you're not using a stone in the oven, a 5-minute preheat is adequate. Steam is not needed.

9. Just before baking, Use a pastry brush to brush the loaf's top crust with egg wash, and then sprinkle with the raw sugar.

10. Bake near the center of the oven for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, until firm.

11. Remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool on a rack before slicing and eating.

VARIATION: Cupcakes

1. On baking day, grease a muffin tin. Dust the surface of the refrigerated dough with flour and cut off a 1½-pound (small cantaloupe-size) piece. Dust the piece with more flour and quickly shape it into a smooth ball by stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all four sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go.

2. To form the cupcakes, divide the ball into 12 roughly equal portions (each about the size of a golf ball). Shape each one into a smooth ball as you did above. Place the buns in the prepared muffin tins. Allow to rest, loosely covered with plastic wrap, for 40 minutes.

3. Thirty minutes before baking time, preheat the oven to 350°F, with a rack placed in the middle of the oven. If you're not using a stone in the oven, a 5-minute preheat is adequate.

4. Just before baking, use a pastry brush to paint the top crust with egg wash, and then sprinkle with the raw sugar. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cupcakes are richly browned and firm.

5. Remove the cupcakes from the tin and allow to cool on a rack before eating.

*Note from me: These make delicious cupcakes/muffins - especially when served warm with a bit of cream cheese on top!

Finally, I wanted to share this quick video with you so that you can see how insanely, ridiculously easy it is to follow the bread-making method this book teaches.  I hope you enjoy it, and if you make the chocolate espresso bread or get a copy of the book for yourself, I would love to hear about your experience!

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About . . .

. . . how we celebrate Christmas, but didn't care enough to ask.

(Completely and unceremoniously ripped-off of my lovely friend Missy's original post here.)

If you could imagine that the inner workings of my sweet little head were a snowglobe right now, and if you took that snowglobe and gave it to a two year old and let her run a-muck, you'd have a pretty accurate picture of the swirling nature of my thoughts right now.

So many things to talk about, so little time to put words to thoughts.  So, I'm accepting Missy's invitation to share copious amounts of unsolicited information about how our family does Christmas.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

If you love me at all, you'll be kind of enough to step away from me with the egg nog.  Gag.  Please don't even come near me with your egg nog breath. 

There are not many foods or beverages which I will turn down (and unfortunately, I have an entire wardrobe of size 8 clothes growing more unfashionable by the day in a cardboard box sarcophagus in storage that can testify to this charming character trait), but egg nog?  Texturally abhorrent to me.

Hot chocolate?  Sure!  Let's make it Sweet Ground Chocolate from Williams Sonoma and I'm just holly jolly.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 

Santa stuffs stockings and leaves one unwrapped present 'neath the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? 

How about none?  We are the anti-Griswolds.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

The last time we did that, we ended up with this.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Sometime after Thanksgiving but before Christmas Eve.  They went up in early December this year.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? 

My mother-in-law makes a houska bread that thrills me to my very core.  It appears at holidays only, and I savor every last crumb.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? 

Dad reading Luke chapter two to us each Christmas Eve.  Then we all got to open one - only one! - gift before bed. 

Also, one year we spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents.  As I lay awake trying to will myself to sleep, I could just swear I heard the far away tingling of jingle bells.  It was magic.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I honestly don't remember.  That's how completely and totally not tragic it was to me.  I do remember getting a sneaking suspicion when one year Santa forgot to remove the neon green Wal-Mart sticker from the bottle of Barbie bubble bath in my stocking . . .

(Raise your hand if you remember the neon green Wal-Mart stickers!)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Apparently, this is how we are going to do our family Christmas: open all gifts from family and friends on Christmas Eve.  Santa comes and on Christmas morn, we discover one small gift and stuffed stockings from He Who Is Jolly.  This is how Kyle's family did gifts, and I'm pretty whatever about the opening of gifts thing, so we'll do it his way. 

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Open the box.  This pole goes here, this pole goes there.  Fluff the (pre-lit) branches and turn the girls loose.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

Kill me now.  HATE IT.  I hate cold.  Hate, hate, hate.  It must be frigidly cold for snow to appear, thus, I hate snow.

Snow - when falling - is beautiful.  To that fact, I acquiesce.  The aftermath amongst people who have never been taught how to drive on or in snow is just a big mess.  And then it gets all slushy and dirty and I'm pretty sure it starves birds and freezes the paws off of cats.  Horrible stuff.

I think I was created for the tropics, my friends.

12. Can you ice skate?

I'm guessing no.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

As a child: It was the early 80s and Santa brought me a Cabbage Patch Doll.  The sole object of my obsession for weeks preceding.  I'm pretty sure one of my parents had to punch, scratch, or eye-poke another parent at a Toys R Us somewhere in the Midwest to get it, but oh.  I was so happy.

As an adult: One Christmas (pre-children era), Kyle surprised me with a pair of diamond stud earrings.  My entire growing up years, my mother wore a pair of diamond studs, and I've always thought they were the quintessential grown-up thing to wear.  The only times I've taken them out since then were to give birth to our daughters (stupid hospital surgery rules!).  I love them, and I love him.  (With or without the diamond studs.)

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?

The celebration of Immanuel, God with Us.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Any.  All.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Not putting up outside Christmas lights. (<---- Missy's answer, and I can't top it)

17. What tops your tree?

*music swells* A STAR! A STAR! DANCING IN THE NIGHT . . .

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

GIVING.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Like Missy, every single Christmas carol makes me cry.  All of them.  How could they not? 

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus:

    Come, thou long expected Jesus,
    born to set thy people free;
    from our fears and sins release us,
    let us find our rest in thee. 
    Israel's strength and consolation,
    hope of all the earth thou art;
    dear desire of every nation,
    joy of every longing heart.

Are you even kidding me?  Joy of every longing heart . . . I can barely get the words out.  

I've been known to greatly, greatly enjoy Amy Grant's "Tender Tennessee Christmas," and certainly I love her breathy rendition of "Breath of Heaven." 

I'm not gonna lie, though.  I can't resist "Baby It's Cold Outside," (even though I hate the cold.  Go figure.) and I've been known to shriek with happiness a little bit when Pandora serves up Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas is You."

So much goodness in the Christmas songery.

20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

Meh.  Better than egg nog, that's for sure.

21 Favorite Christmas Show?

Show?  Well, I wrote a paper on The Mythography of Charlie Brown's Christmas for my Greek Lit class when I was an undergrad, so yeah, I like that one.

Movies?  I can recite Christmas Vacation word-for-hysterical-word.  Elf tickles me.

I have to tell you all though - we watched a movie on Sunday morning in Sunday School that was amazing.  I think everyone should see it.  SERIOUSLY.  Every.One.

It's called The Star of Bethlehem and it is AMAZING.

22. Saddest Christmas Song?

"The Christmas Shoes."  I mean, honestly. 

It is really, really bothering me that this ends at 22.  Shouldn't we take it to 25?  Wouldn't that feel more structurally complete?  This bothers me.  Not enough to think up three more questions, but still.

Do you like our butterfly ornament?  The first year we put up a tree was when Dacey was almost three and obsessed with butterflies.  Kyle went out one morning and bought all of our tree decorations, and he found a box of three butterfly ornaments.  I smile when I look at those because it makes me think of a Daddy's love for his little girl.  Does the fact that there were three ornaments in that box foreshadow anything about our family's future?  Perhaps.  Time will tell, I suppose.

How is your Christmas-ing going?  Are you all egg-nogged out?  Have you built a gingerbread house or decorated cookies or gone caroling or any other lovely thing you want to tell about?

Carefree Clothes for Girls winner (and what I've been up to)

The winner of the Carefree Clothes for Girls book is Alexis who said

This is the exact book I was looking for in town for a girlfriend's Christmas present! Oh I hope I win so I can give it to a good home!

Oh good!  I'm so glad it is going to a good home. 

In the meantime, I've been whipping up some yummies for various Christmas gatherings.  I have to tell you the two revelations:

1) Truffles by Beth (I Should Be Folding Laundry): These are insane.  Ridiculous.  Follow her instructions exactly.  Don't deviate.  She knows of what she speaks.  Soooooooooo decadent, rich, and delicious.

2) Cake Balls (inspired by Bakerella's post here).  These were quite an experience.  I've taken pictures and I'm working up a tutorial of sorts on them.  Really somethin.

Merry, merry! 

oh, never mind. {and a giveaway}

So, yesterday I invited you to become a fan of SortaCrunchy on Facebook because I had planned to do a little giveaway over there.  Thankfully, my sweet friend Jamie of Steady Mom sent me a quick email warning with a link to this article on the ridiculousness that THAT would entail.

Having already endured the Great Paypal Fiasco of 2009, I have no intentions of tangling with Giant Greedy Corporations again (ever), so I'm resigned to just doing this old-fashioned way.

(And when I run into snags like this, it makes me want to high-tail it to the nearest yurt and leave all of this complicated online life far, far behind me.)

Anyway.

* * * * *

From time to time, I receive unsolicited books for review - either for SC or for Simple Kids.  Mostly I read and enjoy them or I pass them on to someone whom I think might enjoy them.  Such is the case with the book I wanted to giveaway on the fan page, but will now be giving away right here in this little spot.

The good people of Trumpeter Books sent me Carefree Clothes for Girls by Junko Okawa a few months ago.  I do have a sewing machine, but my skills are best described as rudimentary, so I wanted to send to a home where it will be fully appreciated.  This book would be a delight for those who like to create clothing for children - it's full of vintage-inspired frocks, dresses, and accessories.  It's really, really precious, and you can read more about it at makegoodbooks.

Would you like for me to send you my review copy?  It's in perfect (perhaps even giftable) condition - I've barely thumbed through the pages.  If you want a chance to receive it, just leave a comment here.  You can say hi or Merry Christmas or just a smiley-face emoticon.  I don't care.  Whatever.  We'll close this on oh, say, Friday sometime when I'll draw a winner at random.  Sound good?

since you've been meaning to anyway . . .

If you haven't already, why don't you click over and become a fan of SortaCrunchy on Facebook?  Tomorrow (December 15th), I'll be doing my first ever Facebook fan giveaway!

(Hint.  It's not Christmas tree soap, but it does fit into the handmade category.)

(Second hint.  It's not handmade by me.  You're welcome.)

pretty Christmas tree soaps photo by soapylovedeb

Do You Hear What I Hear?

photo by Monica Arellano-Ongpin

I'll tell you how my children would answer that question:

We hear a mother who is supposed to be celebrating an uncomplicated holiday sounding suspiciously stressed.  We think she's forgotten the call to "just show up" for Christmas.  We are pretty sure things would go a lot more smoothly around here if she would just chill out.

Yep, from the mouths of babes . . .  I do need a little space to slow down and breathe.  Have a lovely December weekend and I'll see you next week!

Meet Silpa

On June 16th, 2002, I turned twenty-five years old.

On the other side of the planet - in India - on that very day, Silpa was born.

This is Silpa today:

When I saw her picture, my heart swelled.  Those eyes.  That tender little face.  Everything within me wants to gather her in my arms and not let go.

Silpa is an orphan in the care of the DAYA:

“DAYA” (Destitute Aged and Young Association), is a voluntary philanthropist non-profit making organization registered under the Societies Act of India with a mission to work for the poorest of the poor both in rural and urban areas in the state of Orissa, one of the most economically backward states of India.

I hadn't heard of DAYA until a woman in our church shared her passion for supporting this mission.  Our Sunday School class is adopting a child to support for the next year, but as I read and prayed and thought about the ChristmasChange project, my thoughts kept returning to DAYA.  When I clicked on the Sponsor a Child link, I saw Silpa and I knew what my ChristmasChange would be.

Because of the DAYA Children's Home Project, Silpa has a home, nutritious meals, medical care, and schooling.  It is my humble desire to sponsor her for at least the next year.  My ChristmasChange money will support her next month, and I am trusting that God will be faithful to provide a way for her to be supported after that. 

Here's a little more information about her:

Silpa takes good care of the other children in the girls' house. She is always comforting if someone is crying and tries to find and solve their problem. She is very honest. Silpa is a good student who works hard in school and is very interested in learning. She always asks for more assignments after she has done her homework. Silpa keeps her things neat and clean.

Comforting.  Compassionate.  Maternal.  I can't help but to think we are connected in a cosmic way that could only be orchestrated by God.

This time of the year, opportunities for giving abound.  Many respond to that call, and yet many wonder, as Amber wrote yesterday, "What if giving weren’t seasonal?"

If you've been wondering that as well, I would invite you to watch this video, observe the work being done by DAYA in India, and consider giving as you feel led.  (At the 5:07 point in the video, there is information about how you can sponsor.  Donations of any kind - blankets, pillows, clothes, school supplies - or amount are always welcome by Sister Shanti and the staff of DAYA!  There is more about the DAYA project that I would be happy to share but because of safety concerns, I cannot do so here.  If you would like more details on DAYA, just email me!) 

The desire of my heart in this was confirmed by Missy's post on Sunday.

"In You, the orphan finds mercy." Hosea 14:3

Warming Hearts and Filling Tummies: Tex-Mex Chili and Pioneer Woman's Tres Leches Cake

photo by adacito

Okay, I have to admit it.  If there is one redeeming aspect of the cold, it's the chance to prepare, serve, and enjoy the comfiest of comfort foods.

Saturday night, we invited friends over for dinner.  Because we are all still trying to acclimate to shivering, I thought chili would be appropriate.  Because I had run my first ever 5K Saturday morning (and I did it!  I ran jogged the entire course!), I decided Ree's Tres Leches cake was necessary for celebrating.

Because if after running 3.1 miles, you can't celebrate with cake, then may I ask, what is the point?

I pulled out my trusty Tex-Mex chili recipe, given to me by a fellow coach's wife when we lived south of Austin.  Once Kyle had tasted the chili she brought to the coaches' office, he could never settle for less.  Thankfully, like all chili recipes, it's easy, warming, and comforting.  And filling.  

Kim's Tex-Mex Chili

2lbs ground beef
chopped onion, bell pepper, whatever else you like to add
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz can of tomato sauce
14.5 can diced tomatoes
3 potatoes (more if you use more ground beef)
beans, if desired

Toppings of your choice

Brown ground beef with onion, bell pepper, salt and pepper. 

Drain grease, then I add a can of tomato sauce, about 3 cans of water (I use the tomato can), 1 can of diced tomatoes and Fiesta Brand Quick Chili Mix spice. (NOTE: I've only ever been able to find this at HEB in Texas.  I can't get it up here, so I have to settle for Williams brand Tex-Mex chili seasoning.)

Simmer this for at least 30 – 45 min. 

Then add diced potatoes (I've found 3 to be a good number.  Adjust according to size of chili batch you are making) (Note from Kim: I know that sounds weird but once you try it, it is hard not to have potatoes in it.   I grew up on chili this way.  My mom usually would always put a can of beans in hers, but we are not big fans of beans so mine did not have it in there.)  (Note from Megan: we don't put beans in ours, either.)

Simmer until the potatoes are tender - usually 20 - 30 more minutes.  You might have to add more water because the potatoes absorb the water.  Sometimes I add ketchup for more flavor or picante sauce.  It is all a trial and error.  And whatever else you like to throw in chili - just add it in!

The longer you cook it the better it is.  Honestly, the next day it is even better after the potatoes have absorbed up the juice. I serve it over Fritos and put cheese on top.  Sometimes we might add chopped onion and jalapeños.  Really - just whatever.

NOW, I have to tell you we happened upon a new-to-us topping that Kyle and I both loved.  After we had fixed up bowls of frito chili pie on Saturday night, our friend J asked, "I know this sounds weird, but do you have any mustard?"  Like, regular yellow mustard?  Sure.  Our friends J and M topped their chili with mustard and a skeptical Kyle and I tried it, too.  OHMYGOODNESS.  Yum.  It makes complete sense if you've ever had a chili cheese coney with mustard on the hot dog.  It had just never occurred to me how well that would translate to frito chili pie. 

Seriously.  Yum.

Okay, so on to the cake.

Recently my friend Jaime essentially dared me to try The Pioneer Woman's Tres Leches cake. 

Have you ever had Tres Leches?

It's on the dessert menu of any respectable Tex-Mex eatery in Texas - especially Austin and southwards.  We've eaten it many times, but I had never attempted to make my own.  Ree's recipe looked easy enough, and tasty too, of course.  I figured serving it to four adults and four little girls who love some cake gave me the perfect excuse to try.

You can read the recipe at PW, but I'll share some insights I gleaned:

• The cake browned up almost immediately.  I thought there was no way  it would make it the entire 25 minutes of baking time without spontaneously combusting.  I worried quite a bit over that, and in fact turned the oven off and let the cake sit for the last 10 minutes of baking time.  What I discovered when the timer rang is that when the cake is truly finished baking, it will have pulled away from the sides of the pan (as you can see in Ree's pictures of her finished cake).
• I read through the comments (which I am now not seeing? head-scratcher) and noted that it's easier to pour the milks over the cake if you leave the cake in the pan for that part rather than when it is turned out onto the platter.  Considering the fact that I don't have a rimmed platter, this worked out nicely for me.  In fact, it allowed me to make sure I got those edges good and soaked.
• Ree suggests serving from the middle of the cake and perhaps trimming off the edges entirely.  I trimmed the edges before serving.  Approximately ninety minutes after I served the first piece of cake, this is all that was left:

Now, let me me tell what I did with that.  I piled up those edges on a plate, and it formed a sorta sloppy trifle.  It sat in the fridge over night and made a most excellent dessert, shared in secret the next day by Kyle and I.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

What was lovely about the Tres Leches is that it served as the perfect foil to the chili.  The heat from the chili balanced perfectly with the cool milkiness of the cake.  It was, if I do say so myself, a perfect winter meal to share with beloved friends.

So, potatoes in chili?  Topped with mustard?  Cake with milk poured on top?  Do you think I am weirder than ever?

The Heart of Our Father

Something stood out to me in my teacher's material from yesterday's Sunday School lesson that I can't help but to share today . . .

This passage from the material was actually only loosely connected to what the lesson was about (expectantly waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled), but this little paragraph had far more impact on my heart than the lesson itself.

The writer of the teacher's material wrote of the Parable of the Prodigal Son:

The parable's focus is not so much on the lost son - actually, the two lost sons - as it is on the loving father.  The  parable's key well may Jesus' statement that the waiting father - symbolic of God - saw his returning son in the distance and was "filled with compassion" (Luke 15:20).  In my prayers, I repeatedly thank God for Jesus' revelation that at heart, the Father is deeply compassionate.

In the amplified version, verse 20 reads

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him fervently.

I mean, what kind of crazy love is this?

When I've been off squandering my inheritance and serving the Kingdom of Megan rather than the Kingdom of God, when I come to my senses and realize I've been starving myself of the Bread of Life, when I put my foot on the road back to my Father's presence, I sometimes believe the lie that my Father awaits my return with pursed lips and disappointment. 

Or worse yet, with a turned shoulder and The Silent Treatment.

Oh, but this is not so.

In speaking of the heart of the Waiting Father, Jesus tells us that our Father God is filled with compassion, compelled by so much tender pity for His wayward child that He races down that road of redemption with shouts of celebration.

The second candle of Advent is lit that we might reflect on the Father's love.  The empty places in my heart and mind seek to be quenched with this truth all week long.

God is love.  God is love.  God is love.

Unthinkable, unspeakable, magnificent, exuberant, ridiculous, staggering, confusing, consuming, pursuing, relentless love.

Comments closed.  

Photo by Swami Stream