Posted in Uplifting

Seeing Everything Clearly

Have you ever had something in your eye that no matter what you did it was still there? You try everything and still it bugs you to the point of asking for help from someone who has a better vantage point. They may not feel the pain or discomfort but they can help because they see what you can’t.

I had that problem the other day. I have vision problems at times due to my health but this time was different, it was due to me being cheap and not wanting to throw away my mascara. I switched to a clean mascara and it works great, never flakes(unless its time to say good bye to it) but it does cost more. Maybe you can see why I was trying to stretch it. If you have ever wanted to stretch the use from mascara you know it can get flaky and those flakes sometimes go into your eye, the fun of makeup.

I was in a hurry, causing me to put my mascara on fast and run out the door blinking as I went because I felt like something might be in my eye. Driving along there was no might or denying it. I definitely had something in it. I had to drive with only one eye while the other one was shut but tears coming down my cheek, yes I looked beautiful. At least I arrived safety at the store. Looking in my mirror I didn’t see anything but I felt what was the size of a boulder in my eye. I blinked, rubbed, blotted but nothing helped. I tried to rub off the mascara on my good eye in hopes I didn’t look as lopsided but of course that didn’t help, instead I just looked like I rolled out of bed crying but into the store pretending all was fine.

I did manage to get my things from the store and back home safe with just my ego slightly bruised.

My face washed, my eye a little better and no mascara this time, giving my poor eyes some much needed rest, and yes the old one finally made its way to the trash. I started thinking on how sometimes we act as if everything is fine even when its obvious we aren’t.

Why do we all seem to have that in common? We all say we are fine when asked but inside we are falling apart.

On the morning of my mascara flake I read this passage, coincidence?

Mark 8:22-26 22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

I always thought how odd that Jesus healed the man but his vision was askew at first. I never got it until the day with the mascara. Just like the blind man that was able to see but didn’t see correctly. That is until Jesus asked how he was and the man was honest telling exactly how he was. He didn’t hold back but told Jesus everything, not just being grateful to see but the weird, different, strange parts too. In turn the man got the full healing.

What would it be like if we were all a little honest with how we really are. Notice the man didn’t start complaining and telling Jesus how he messed up but instead just honest with what was going on. Maybe the man would have lived the rest of his life seeing people as trees if he kept quite.

A lot can be said on being honest. You have to open up and be vulnerable, but think of the healing and blessing we miss keeping our problems to our selves.

Posted in Recipes

Christmas Cookies

christmas cookies

I thought I would do a post of a few of my favorite Christmas cookies. I did post the recipe for Deacon cookies but when I started my Christmas baking I realized it would be nice to add a few more. I know the basic recipe I use for my peanut butter kiss cookies can be found on the back of the Hershey kiss bag and I think I memorized it correctly, if not what I give below is a combo of what I remember from the bag, so a big thank you Hershey for such a good recipe.

Deacon Cookies are a family recipe that even those who don’t usually like to bake enjoy. They are a simple sugar cookie but so very yummy.

The last but certainly not least are called Christmas Snacks again these come from my family so I have no idea who to give credit to but I have seen some bars that look and taste a lot like my Christmas Snacks but they call them other names. What ever the name they are a really tasty treat.

Deacon Cookies:

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup of  Shortening (I like use 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening)

3 Eggs

3 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

2 1/2 Cups of Flour

In a large bowl cream together the sugar shortening and eggs then add you baking powder and flour. Mix together until you have a large ball. Put cookie dough in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

When the dough has chilled place half of it on a flat floured surface. With floured rolling-pin roll out your dough until desired depth. Now the best part use any of your favorite cookie cutters and cut out your cookies and place them on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

When cooled you may ice them. I did an easy drizzle of icing on my tree in the picture.

Icing glaze:

1-2 Cups of Powder Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

Milk ( add the milk slowly you just want enough to make it a glaze)

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies:

1/2 Cup of Butter Shortening

2/3 Cup of Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup of White Sugar

1/2 Cup of packed Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons of milk

1 1/2 Cup of Flour

1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Extra white sugar to roll the balls in

Preheat oven to 375. Cream together the butter shortening, peanut butter then add both sugars, vanilla and egg. Cream together then add the remaining dry ingredients. (Unlike some peanut butter cookie dough this one does not need to be refrigerated.) Form into about 1 inch balls then roll in the extra white sugar, place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 when done let set for about 30 seconds then place unwrapped Hershey Kiss on each cookie. Let cool then enjoy and give away to those who will be so grateful to have your homemade cookies.

Christmas Snacks:

2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs

14 ounce can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

12 Package of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 Cup of crushed Walnuts

1 Cup of Shredded Coconut

1/4 Cup of Sugar

1/2 Cup of Melted Butter

Preheat oven to 350 In a bowl add graham crackers, sugar and melted butter mix together then pour into a 13×9 pan press down making a graham cracker crust. Next  spreading each layer of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut then pour the sweetened condensed milk over mixture put in over and bake for about 30-35 minutes until it is bubbly and slightly brown. When the Christmas Snacks are about half cooled down cut into bars.