TWO WINNERS IN ONE WEEK - WOW!!

TO do something right is so rewarding - when others are pleased!  On Monday night the Pilot Club met at Sweet Gourmet for a special night planned just for them!  Pam Gabriel, owner, her staff, and Chef extraordinaire, Alyssa (graduate of Cordon Blue Culinary school) created a perfect evening.  They set up their classroom with chairs for all 23, had a wonderful meal of tasting creations from the products the store - and to top the event, gave us all 15% off on anything we bought!  I think all but one of us bought something - some of us buying more than others!  The chef demonstrated a wonderful Pomegranate Vinaigrette for a big nice (and delicious) salad they had prepared for us.  Then she demonstrated  a delicious Bread Pudding Sauce for the most fabulous bread pudding she had prepared!  There was also a Shrimp bisque and Olive Loaf Bread demostrated by Deb, a wonderful lady on staff.  All in all - a gourmet evening!!

Now that was on Tuesday evening -- and while I was enjoying the wonderful evening of tasting and shopping - Travis, friends Pam and Harry were working away - following instructions I had written - preparing for our meal on Wednesday evening at church - which turned into the second win of the week.  Well - win - based on the smiles of the partakers!  Travis grilled the chicken at home and it was done to perfection!  I have taught him well - no actually  - he has learned to follow his heart and do it his way - just as I do it my way.  He is much better at grilling than I am!  We also had a creamed corn - that is suppose to be Rudy's recipe - a barbeque place in San Antonio, and the Crock Pot Beans that I prepared once before.  But - the real hit of the evening was the Baked "fried" pies.  I don't fry anymore because of health and fitness - but eyes lit up when they saw their choice of apple, peach, chocolate, lemon, or cherry pies.  One little boy said "Oh look pies - they've never had pies before!"  Oh did I mention, we also had freshly risen hot rolls!  I heard no complaints!!!!

Oh course, so much thanks goes to the good Lord for giving me the insight to prepare such a meal, to Travis for the wonderful job he did, and to Pam and Harry for all the hard work they did on Tuesday night, and to James and JoAnn for all of their help! 

Here is the recipe for the creamed corn - the shorter version - not the 15 lbs. of corn I made, 48 oz. cream cheese, quart whipping cream, etc.

RUDY'S CREAMED CORN

4 lbs. frozen sweet corn
2 -8 oz. blocks creamed cheese, diced into 1 inch squares
1 stick (4 oz.) of salted butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS

Throw all the ingredients, without any sort of ceremony or circumstance, into a crock pot on medium or low for at least 4 hours.  If you need it done faster, cook it on the stove or on high in the crockpot, but be prepared to sacrifice a little of the savory goodness that results when corn is allowed to soak in dairy for hours.  All of the cream cheese pieces should be completely melted and will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the "gravy!"

Do not over -salt.  There is plenty of salt in the butter and cream cheese.  Over- salting will ruin this dish!!!

NOTE:  Everyone said it was delicious!!!

Here are some thoughts for you! 

    Valleys and Mountains in the life of a Christian

                                                                      Psalms 46:1

           “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Some of my family’s most memorable experiences have been spending time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Sitting out in front of the cabin just before dawn listening to all the night sounds with a cup of hot coffee looking at God’s great wonderful mountain come to life, an eagle soaring overhead wow, that’s living.

Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? They are beautiful complements in God’s grand creation.

 The valley that we find ourselves in so often is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection. Where you can take a real good look at you! I thank God for my valley experiences. “Yea thou I walk through valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thou staff they comfort me.”

The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong. Oh, that we could spend more time on the mountain. I am not a hiker, my wife loves to climb, I try my best to stay up, so the bears won’t get me. And then we reach the top, and look back down at all the beauty, the climb was worth it.

If you find yourself in a valley, it is because you have come down from a mountain. If you’re on a mountain, you came to that place by the way of the valley.

        “May the Lamb that was slain receive the rewards of His suffering.”

This was sent to me by my cousin.  I hope you can relate!  Have a wonderful evening - try the corn - your family will thank you!!  Do a good deed for someone!!!