Sunday, March 14, 2010


In the Mood for Food

OK, here we go again: another recipe blitz. The first one I've tried personally. Kathryn and I loved it, Alex was ambivalent, Nathan looked at me in horror and rushed for the nearest trash can. Truly. It has a somewhat peanut buttery, caramel-ly flavor that he despises in desserts. Oh, well. More for ME- heehee (picture my most evil-y grin!). Don't be put off by the butterscotch pudding. I don't even like butterscotch, but the combo is really pleasant. A cup of marshmallows will be going into my next batch- yum!

Caramel Fruit Salad
1 small box fat-free, sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix (dry mix! do not prepare)
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 apples, chopped
1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts (optional)
1 small container fat-free cool whip

Mix well, chill, serve.

And I found another version. Similar, but far more calories, no doubt.

6 (2 1/4 ounce) Snickers candy bars, chill and chop
6 apples, cored and chopped into bite sized pieces (Granny Smith and/or Red Delicious)
1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip
1 (5 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding or butterscotch pudding mix (dry mix – do not prepare!)
Garnish:
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping or caramel apple dip (optional)
1/2 cup chopped peanuts, can also sprinkled on top (optional)
Directions:
Mix cool whip and dry pudding mix together. Chop apples and chilled Snickers. Mix together.
Heat caramel sauce a bit in the microwave- just enough to drizzle, not enough to heat up salad.
Drizzle caramel sauce over salad and sprinkle peanuts on top. Chill for at least an hour.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Grace By Which I Stand

I stumbled upon this old Steve Green song today. OK, so the music sounds like something out of a red light district in the 1980's (and before you ask, no- I have no personal experience with such- the music is just weird) ;o) Anyways, I found the reminder of our complete dependence on the grace of God just what I needed for the day. We are saved by grace in Christ alone through faith in Christ alone. And we 'stayed saved' the same way. Not by works, lest anyone should boast. (That means to us CHMers, not even lining up with the discipline will keep us saved)- and lest you think that odd, how many people have you heard say, "I stay saved by obedience." Nope... we stay in a right relationship with Christ by grace through faith. It's the old balance of faith vs. works and the "faith that saves is the faith that obeys" and all that good stuff. It's His Grace by which I stand! Thank you, Father!

Lord, the feelings are not the same
I guess I'm older
I guess I've changed
And how I wish it had been explained
That as you're growing
You Must remember
That nothin' lasts except the grace of God
By which I stand in Jesus
I know that I would surely fall away
Except for the grace by which I'm saved

Lord, I remember that special way
I vowed to serve you
When it was brand new
But like Peter I can't even watch and pray
One hour with you
And I bet I could deny you too

Well nothin' lasts except the grace of God
By which I stand in Jesus
I know that I would surely fall away
Except for Grace by which I'm saved

Well nothin' lasts except the grace of God
By which I stand in Jesus
I'm sure that my whole life would waste away
Except for grace by which I'm saved

Written by Keith Green
Copyright 1980 Birdwing Music