ANOTHER WEEK - ANOTHER BLOG

Good evening!  Already after 9:30 - but just had to tell you again about the impact the two speakers I heard last week have had on me!  Both talked about us doing what we can for others - spiritually - by either telling someone "our story" or "Jesus stories that relate to their situation," and the other about the seeds in us that need to be sowed.  He said each of us had something (a talent) that we might not even recognize or realize we had - or have refused to use it because we are either afraid or lazy.  That has haunted me -- I know there is more I could do!  I love to cook - and want to do a cookbook - but not just a cookbook but one that will be used!  If you have read of much of my blog - you know I love to write - I am sure I am not the best - but words do seem to flow through me.  Sometimes I don't even know what I am going to say and then the words start to come!  So I've been thinking about "our story" and how our life with Michelle might help others.  I certainly have made many mistakes during this life of raising her -- but I feel we have done a lot right too!  So I've started writing the story - amazing how the years melt away and memories of even the first months and years come flowing back!  I am not sure how long it will take - but if the blogs are shorter - time is divided!

Michelle's birthday is Tuesday and I am planning a small party for her.  I want it to be special though and am pulling out all the recipes - old and new to make lots of goodies. Of course the cake needed to be a decorated one, so Chez Bazan is doing it - but I am doing the rest!   Several of the recipes are coming from Paul Dean's new Christmas book.    Michelle had said she wanted red punch so I am making Cranberry - Pomegranate Punch from Paula's book.

CRANBERRY - POMEGRANATE PUNCH
  (Makes 17 servings )

Ice cubes:
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Distilled water.

Punch:
1 - 64 oz. bottle cranberry pomegranate juice, chilled
1 bottle sparkling apple cider, chilled
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup tonic water, chilled*

(1) To prepare ice cubes:
Divide pomegranate seeds and cranberries between 2 ice cube trays.  Add distilled water to trays until nearly full; freeze for 8 hours or until solid.

(2) To prepare pnch:  Unmold ice cubes into a punch bowl.  Add cranberry-pomegranate juice, apple cider, pomegranate juice and tonic water, stirring gently to combine.  Serve immediately.
* I don't really like the taste of tonic water, so I will probably substitute ginger ale. 

Another recipe I am making is:

SAUSAGE AND APPLE BITES

2-1/2 cups baking mix  (Jiffy is good as well as Bisquick)
1 pound raw bulk breakfast sausage, hot or mild
1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons grated onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 medium apples, finely chopped (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped finely)

Preparation: 
Combine all ingredients, knead until well blended.  Form into  1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet.  Bake in 20 minutes, or until browned; turn after 10 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen.

Part of the table will included Sue's wonderful Chocoate Covered Strawberries and my sister is making a Chutney Chicken Salad to be served on Pita chips!   The rest of it will be decided by how long it takes for me to make the other six or seven things!!  I know - I am crazy - but I love that daughter of mine!!!

Ok - so start thinking about "your story" or the seed you are keeping hid that just might help someone else if you let the seed grow!  Even today coming home this morning from church - there was a preacher from a cowboy church that was saying "Each of us has a talent - and we need to use it!" 

So have a great Thanksgiving week, remembering to thank the ONE that gives us all we have - all the blessings!!!