Oct 20, 2012 |
I’ve been having this craving for weeks now. Something sweet. Something other than chocolate. Something that lends itself to the Fall feeling that’s going around. Plus, I needed a reason to use my Wilton Harvest Mini Cutter Set.
Wilton Harvest Mini Cutters
This will go in my Semi-Homemade Recipe Box. These fun little shapes are flakey, sugary, and just the right amount of sweet.
After preheating the oven to 400, I rolled out one box of room-temperature premade pie crust (two rolls) onto wax paper. Setting them as close together as possible, I continued to use the Cutters to fill up the entire crust with shapes.
Close Cutters
When there was no more room for cutting, I gently lifted the extra crust from around the shapes. This can easily be balled and rolled for more cutting!
Crust Trimmings
The crust held itself together quite nicely as I transferred the shapes from the wax paper to my cookie sheets. Because these aren’t like cookies that spread, I again could place them close to each other.
Before Basting
In just a few minutes, I had them basted with melted butter and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. It took just seven minutes in the oven to crisp them, and five minutes to cool before they were ready.
Baked Goodies
And the clean up? How hard is it to throw away wax paper and clean a cookie sheet? Super easy, just in case you doubted yourself.
They may be tiny, but each bite is more than satisfying. Paired with my favorite cup of coffee, and it’s a most wonderful snack.
Snack Time
Goes Well With Coffee
This is a fun snack to make and nibble. I’m looking forward to using colored sprinkles on other shapes for Christmas. What kinds of shapes would you use?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 19, 2012 |
[For more posts like this, visit my FAITH Page.]
I love the stories in Exodus. I love how God can take a socially inadequate murderer like Moses and turn him into the rescuer of an entire nation. I love how He never condemns Moses… yes, He gets frustrated with the man, but He never condemns him. There are cause-and-effect, actions and consequences… but no condemnation. Moses doesn’t get to party in the Promised Land, but he does enjoy his Salvation.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Or rather, the Story. You see, my church is reading through the Bible this year. Start to Finish. All 66 books. Pastor Tom calls it Route 66. Kind of a take on the Mother Road that winds its way through our not-so-little town. In the beginning of the year, I wasn’t too good at keeping on track. So as I (try to) do my daily readings, I also try to catch up on one or two of the Missing Days.
I also listen to the Bible online at night. It helps me sleep. It helps me process what I’ve read, and what I’m going to read. As you’ve probably guessed by now, this week I’m concentrating on the Book of Exodus.
Tonight I read Chapters 7 – 9. The start of the Plagues. And this is what I’ve learned:
Moses and Aaron were old. Old. Great-grandparent Old. Really, God? You’re going to save the nation through two old men? Whatever… and not just old men, either. Moses was a murderer! Remember way back in Chapter 2 when Moses killed the Egyptian who was beating an Hebrew? And then he ran away. Poor Moses! Hebrew by birth, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. No wonder he couldn’t talk straight!
And then there’s Aaron. The older brother. The one who became lesser. The one who had to speak for God’s chosen one. Do you think that may have caused some sibling rivalry? I’m thinking maybe just a tad.
But don’t worry. It gets better. Because this was a Real Band of Brothers. They joined forces and together approached Pharaoh in the Name of God and asked to be set free to worship God properly. God told them. They asked. Pharaoh refused. You could prob’ly set your sundial by it.
Pharaohs were usually succeeded by their first son through the Queen [Pharaoh’s wife]. If Pharaoh’s first wife didn’t have a son, then the next wife’s son was chosen, and so on. It’s quite possible that the Pharaoh Moses went to confront was known to him through his early upbringing. That alone could be a huge part of the strife. “Hey, you know me, but there’s this God I’m listening to now. And, well, basically, as a ruler, you stink. Lemme go.” I’m just thinkin’…
Here’s what else I learned tonight: God never promised them freedom at the onset. He only instructed them to ask for it, and expected their obedience. He told them from the get-go what Pharaoh’s response would be. And guess what? Yup. It happened. Just.Like.That.
Every time Moses and Aaron performed a “trick” like bringing frogs out of the Nile or turning water into blood, Pharaoh’s sorcerers did the same thing. Now, I’m not a real theologian or anything, but I gotta wonder… how is doubling a curse on your land proving your point? I mean, if God brought gnats into your house, and a sorcerer doubled them, would you be all “Oh, thank you for the gnats, Great Pharaoh!”? Yeah. Me, neither.
But with each test, each Plague, something was happening in Egypt. God was getting their attention. At first, all of Egypt was against the Hebrews. After a few Plagues, even the sorcerers admitted God was greater than their own powers. And by the Seventh Plague (hail storms), the Bible says, “Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside.” [Exodus 9:20, NIV.] Even Pharaoh’s own officials recognized the power of God!
Now, my reading for today stops after the Plague of Hail… but not the story. And I know how it ends. Wanna know?
God wins.
Simple, right?! I think so. I find peace in knowing the ending. In knowing that all God required of Moses and Aaron and the rest of the Hebrews was persistent obedience and faith. And in knowing that God kept His word in their lifetime. And more than that, told them ahead of time what to expect.
I think that’s a pretty well thought-out battle plan, don’t you? Of course there’s a few more Plagues to deal with and the whole Red Sea parting. And let’s not forget that even with these great signs and miracles Moses lost his temper. When he struck that rock in frustration, he directed the Hebrews’ attention away from God and onto himself and therefore was not allowed into the Land of Milk and Honey [Numbers 20:12].
How many times do I lose out on earthly blessings because I’m too stubborn and frustrated and afraid? How often has God instructed me just to follow Him and obey, and I embellish? How often do I try to claim the glory and the credit for His good works?
How often do I stop in my tracks, afraid to move on? How often am I worn down with the weight of my world, wondering when my help will arrive?
Take note from Moses and Aaron: You’re never too old. You’re never worthless or unable to be redeemed. You’re never alone. You always have direction.
And always, always, always
Keep On Keepin’ On.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
EXODUS
Oct 18, 2012 |
Remember my hair cut horror story from a few days ago? It was a lot worse than I reported. As Dot says, “How can you trust your hair to people who don’t even take care of their own?”
Ever since walking out of that discount haircut place I’ve been trying to find a salon-quality location that doesn’t charge salon-quality prices.
A handful of phone calls later, and I realized I was either going to pay $40 for a great haircut, or take my chances elsewhere. That’s when I was referred to HEAD TO TOEZ in Hesperia.
Melanie Fuentes. Isn’t she cute?!
As of this posting, their starting rate for a woman’s haircut is only $22. $22 ! At that low price, I was a bit of a skeptic, but my hair couldn’t take another day, and my wallet wouldn’t afford another dollar.
So I went. Centrally located at 15800 Main Street, Suite 180, in Hesperia, it was very simple and easy to get to. No navigating tricky corners or turns. No follow-here-to-get-there. Just Main Street. Boom. How easy is that?
Tucked nicely into the corner, this large, full-service salon exceeds all expectations. But don’t take my word for it. Go for yourself. Listen to the other patrons who are there. While sitting in my chair, I was comforted by the friendly banter offered by the staff with their clientele. Carefree. Relaxed. Familiar. Like everyone was family and getting together over a cup of coffee.
The Salon is welcoming with its warm colors, natural wood tones, and clean, open spaces. There’s no feeling of “walk-in/rush-out”. True to their name, they offer services from Head to Toe: Hair cuts and styles, waxing (face and body), massages, manicures, pedicures, permanent make up applications. They also sell the products they use. Each service has its own section, yet the Salon never feels crowded or closed off.
A little internet research, and I found they are avid supporters of LOCKS OF LOVE: If you donate ten inches or more of your hair for wigs for cancer patients, they’ll give you a free haircut as well!
As I was referred to HEAD TO TOEZ, I’d been told they decorate the Salon for every season and holidays. With Hallowe’en coming up, I half expected those costume-store ghouls to greet me. Not here! It’s cute, friendly, welcoming.
Hallowe’en Tree
I was greeted by all the staff. Everyone makes eye contact and smiles. As a walk-in, I was lucky Melanie was immediately available. And when I say lucky, I mean it!
Melanie is the kind of stylist you want for all your hair needs. Let me explain: I am horrible at explaining haircuts. I’ve never found one photo that is exactly what I want. So I showed her six photos and tried to explain “these bangs” with “that volume” with “those angles” and “this stack”… thankfully, she listened. She looked. She asked questions, and she made sure she understood.
She explained the entire process, and when my choice of style wasn’t going to work, she told me so. How refreshing! Someone who has an eye for what works and what doesn’t, and isn’t afraid to make suggestions! I’d much rather be told what works instead of walking out with my chosen style that doesn’t.
Melanie at Work
I stuck to my main idea (a pixie), and she was great. After a bit of discussion, she rightly convinced me that a shorter pixie would be a “shock”. Since I’ve had the medium-length hair for a while now, I opted to keep it a few inches longer. And I love it!
Let me say that again: I. Love. My. Hair!
From this:
Pulled Back Hair
To this:
Before the Color
To this:
After Color
Here’s how hair-gifted Melanie is. I went in for my haircut yesterday. As she worked, we chatted and I told her my discount-hair-place horror story. I mentioned that I was also thinking of getting my hair colored, and how thankful I was I didn’t let that other place touch me. I asked how much she would charge. Again, I was blown away by how inexpensive this Salon is! We set up a color appointment for this morning. I simply told her, “auburn,”and let her take care of the details.
When I returned this morning, I asked which auburn did she choose for me? She explained the color perfectly: one that is more like a maple brown, with touches of darker red. She based her selection off my skin tones and how I explained my style (dressing in autumn-y colors). She told me there were several options available, and maybe closer to the holidays I might like to try one with violet undertones. Yes, Melanie, I think I might!
The best part about Melanie being my stylist? She took photos with her own cell phone. Front. Back. Sides. And she made notes of which color she used. So when I call her next month and say, “Melanie, I need a trim,” I don’t have to remember how to explain this style she came up with. I don’t have to remember how to explain this color she picked. She’s that efficient!
And she’s smart, too. We talked about finances and children and families and schooling and life… Melanie’s articulate, thoughtful, and brainy. She can comfortably hold a conversation no matter what the topic. This girl is goin’ places!
It took me less than fifteen minutes to ask if I could write her up on the Blog, to which she agreed. She thinks I’m doing her a favor with free advertising. Puh-leese, Melanie! Did you see those Before-and-After photos above? You so deserve this… and more!
If you live in the High Desert Area and are looking for a new stylist/Salon, contact Melanie Fuentes at HEAD TO TOEZ Salon on Main Street in Hesperia. Tell her I sent you. She’s waiting with skilled scissors. And, I suspect, a cup of coffee.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
[DISCLAIMER: All opinions and reviews in this post are my own. I was not compensated in any manner for this posting. I offered to write this as a result of the exceptional services I received from Melanie Fuentes and Head to Toez Salon.]
Oct 17, 2012 |
I’ve been waiting for this day. This day when I finally used my new OXO International Good Grips Little Salad and Herb Spinner. Right away, the size is perfect. My little two-person household doesn’t eat much salad so using a full head of lettuce or other greens can lead to waste.
Last week I bought a set of 4 oz. canning jars. They’re the perfect serving size for us. For desserts, a special beverage, and yes, even salads. I’ve been planning to make my Feta, Tomato and Spinach Salad since I bought them. Enter the ease of OXO.
I started with just four simple ingredients: fresh spinach, crumbled Feta cheese, cherry Roma tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil.
After tearing a handful of spinach leaves, I rinsed them in the basket then spun them. This spinner is unlike any other I’ve experienced. It’s so small and easy to manage. The solid push-down button works so lightly, so easily. And the non-skid base made it worry-free. [You try juggling a camera in one hand and a salad spinner in the other! OXO makes it easy!]
After just a few quick pumps of the spinner, I removed the basket and dumped out the water. The spinach leaves were fresh, vibrant, and ready to go into the Spinner Bowl.
Next I cut the tomatoes. With small cherry Romas, it was quick and easy. Just look at those juices pouring out!
Then I topped it with the crumbled Feta cheese and tossed.
Now comes the part I’d been waiting for: the “canning” of my salad. I put in several spoonfuls, making sure that each serving had a delicious mix of the spinach, Feta, and tomatoes. I then lightly drizzled each jar with the olive oil.
Doesn’t that just scream “flavor”?!
I now have six mini salads in my refrigerator, just waiting to be eaten! How simple is that?
A little added dash of salt, pepper, and maybe a few croutons, and you’ve got yourself a salad!
Thanks, OXO!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
[Disclaimer: I’m an active member of the OXO Blogger Outreach Program, as well as an Amazon Affiliate. I have not been compensated by OXO in any way for this post, and all opinions and reviews are my own.]
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Oct 17, 2012 |
I’m healthiest when I’m writing: it’s cathartic, imaginative, organizational, therapeutic. I just love writing. And lately, I love photography. With two brothers who are professional photographers and a daughter who’s a natural, you’d think it would be easy for me. But it’s not. So I spent the better part of a thirty minute phone call with one of my brothers having him explain the simplest terms like aperture and shutter-speed. Now that I have a basic understanding of this and more (automatic white balance, anyone?), I’m very excited to see great improvements here at Frankly, My Dear…
For instance…
THIS
Became THIS
And THIS
Became THIS
Pretty cool, eh?
I certainly think so!
My brother checked out my camera online. I was crazythrilled when he said, “(Almost an expletive!) Mol! You’ve got a great camera!” Coming from a professional, that’s sayin’ something. Now all I need is this:
[Amazon Affiliate Link]
For this week, I’ll start with reading more of the owner’s manual. Anything I can’t interpret? I’ve got an app for that: I call it the iBrother.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
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