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Homemade Goodness....

Blessing and I did lots of fun things today! Some of the highlights included making Grandpa a Chocolate cake with homemade Caramel Icing and making homemade Jam from our wild black raspberry patch.

For the cake we just used a Devil’s Food cake mix from Pillsbury (the one with pudding). The icing is a family recipe from Andy’s family. It is a HUGE family favorite. It is NOT healthy, but an occasional indulgence is wonderful! Here is the recipe!

Caramel Icing

Melt ¼ C. butter

Add ½ C. brown sugar

Bring to boil and stir 1 minute or until slightly thick.

Cool slightly.

Add 1/4 C. milk and 1 T. Pure maple syrup. Stir until smooth.

Stir in about 1 3/4C – 2 C. confectioner’s sugar till of spreading consistency.

Frost the cooled cake IMMEDIATELY! This frosting sets up very quickly!

ENJOY!!!

We took the cake over to him yesterday and enjoyed a piece with him. He was delighted!!!!

Blessing making Grandpa’s cake!

During the afternoon, Blessing and I went a picked black raspberries. Then we mashed enough until we had 1 2/3 C of crushed berries. We added 4.5 t’s of pectin to it. Then I added 2/3 C of Palm Sugar. Palm sugar (also called Coconut Crystals) is an unrefined, low glycemic healthy sweetner made from coconuts! After adding the Palm sugar, I poured it into a pint jar and let it set for about a half hour. At this point, it was time for a taste test!!! YUMMY! It was soooo good! It will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-4 weeks like this or you can also freeze it. I’m not sure it will last that long, though.

Finished Product

Joyful and Fulfilled

I just want to say that I am having the time of my life on my own little "mission field" right here at home. I love being a mother to our VERY active 5 year old (almost) daughter, Blessing and caring for other children as a foster parent! I am a SAHM (Serving at Home Mom). I know everyone else calls in a stay at home mom, but I prefer to think of it as serving.... I'm serving my Lord and Savior and my family!!! I love taking care of our home and keeping the household running although I don't like to clean and constantly pick up clutter, I do enjoy serving my family and sharing the love of God through these daily activities! I thank the Lord for giving this high calling to little ol' me!!!

Recent News...
We picked the first cucumbers out of our garden today! YUM!!!
We are doing respite care for a busy 14 month old baby boy this week/weekend.
Blessing is excited about turning 5 in less than a month.
I lost 4 lbs this week and God is totally helping me take control of my emotional eating.
My brother Gene got married to Leah on June 11th and Blessing and I were delighted to celebrate with them by being in their wedding!
My brother Len was hurt while fighting bulls on Thursday, but seems to be doing okay now.