Snow

Or as some would call it "Schnee". Someone will have to clue me in on that one...

So, we were supposed to drive out to the lake for New year's. Hubby woke up on Sunday morning, got ready to go to church (which probably ended up being cancelled), went outside and realized he wouldn't be able to drive anywhere, so he shoveled for the next 45 min. I woke up half an hour into his shoveling to utter disappointment and thoughts of beauty and wonder...

I can't take credit for that pic, it was hubby!

So, we stayed in all day and relaxed while thinking how beautiful it must have looked at the lake with all that snow. The in-laws came over for a bit in the evening, and then we went to my sisters for a few hours to ring in the new year. By then we could at least drive on the main roads to get to her place. My other sister actually had to walk there and went in her snowshoes :) So, all in all, it turned out to be fun. The lake will have to wait 'till summer...

Another Yum, Yum!

I know I've been a terrible blog tease. Many reasons - here are two:

1. We've been crazy busy doing stuff with family, friends and working on the house.
2. I feel totally creative challenged and figured it was better to not write anything, than to write something completely boring!

But, I did promise another recipe, so here goes...

Popcorn Cake (simply marvelous)

Melt:
1 cup butter
1/4 cup oil
1 pkg. (500g) Marshmallows

Add in a big (by big it means really big) bowl:
16 oz. baking gumdrops
1 1/2 cups peanuts
24 cups popped popcorn

Mix all ingredients (I suggest pouring the melted on top of the other stuff)
press into angel food cake pan
Let cool for at least one hour

Here's a tasty pic:

Yum, yum!!

My new favorite dessert: Chocolate Raspberry Torte! O my goodness, this is so amazing (I think I can say that even though I made it, right?). It's not too sweet and not too bitter, just the perfect amount of icing, and nice and thick (I don't like fluffy cakes). I decorated it all by myself, I was really proud! Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Raspberry Torte

1 package semi-sweet baker's chocolate
3/4 cup butter
1 package raspberry jell-o powder
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/3 cup flour
2 cups whipped cream (1 cup liquid to make 2 cups whipped [I add some icing sugar and vanilla to make my whipped cream])

Melt butter and 4 squares chocolate
stir dry jelly powder and sugar into chocolate until well blended
mix in eggs
stir in flour
pour into lined (waxpaper) 9" round cake pan
bake at 350* for 40 min (in my oven it's only 35)

Icing:
Melt remaining 4 squares of chocolate
stir in whipped cream until smooth
frost the cake once it's cooled

More great recipes to come...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I know it's a little late, as most of you won't read this until after Christmas. Hope you enjoy time with friends and family celebrating the birth of Christ and His amazing gift to us. The gift of salvation and eternal life!

Love Alison

A friend lost...

On Sunday, my friend Michael passed away. I find it hard to deal with this death as so many people were praying for healing and a miracle for Michael. The weekend was a roller coaster. There were many times where the doctors thought he would make it, and then it just went downhill. We didn't find out about his death until last night, as his wife had to fly home to tell the children. I know the Lord has a plan in all this, but it will be hard for his wife and 2 children to understand at this time. The picture I chose to post is symbolic of something that we all need to remember. Michael (the small tree and only one lit) is in heaven rejoicing with God and the Angels, while we (all the other trees around him) are on earth in a dark and dreary place. We need to remember that he was in pain here on earth, and will be much happier in eternity with God. This is a hard concept to grasp for those who are grieving... please pray for peace in their hearts and healing in their souls that can only come with time. I thank you guys for your prayers and ask for continued prayers for their family and friends. I also wanted to post a few verses that have helped me in the last few days, that will hopefully be of use to some of you! These verses are from the Amplified Bible:

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find recreation and blessed quiet for you souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Isaiah 40:28-31 ...The everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength, causing it to multiply and making it to abound. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and selected young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted. But those who wait for, expect, look for, and hope in the Lord shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.