Poinsettia Drive

Esty

Line a 9-by 13-inch cake pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all four sides.

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Recipe Jiffy

Picture NewEngland.com

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When we are filled with agape love, we can walk into a room that's filled with hate, division and hurt and shift the emotional atmosphere.

Happy Thanksgiving friends. 

16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or sourdough (1 1/2 pound loaf)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 onions)

1 cup medium-diced celery (2 stalks)

2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large-diced

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Place the bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake for 7 minutes. Raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the bread cubes to a very large bowl.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the onions, celery, apples, parsley, salt and pepper. Saute over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Add to the bread cubes.

In the same saute pan, cook the sausage over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until browned and cooked through, breaking up the sausage with a fork while cooking. Add to the bread cubes and vegetables.

Add the chicken stock and cranberries to the mixture, mix well, and pour into a 9 by 12-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, until browned on top and hot in the middle. Serve warm.

2008, Ina Garten

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Wherever I go, I find that people are thirsty. 

People have gone through heartache; they've been pushed down by life. They may smile on the outside, but on the inside they're hurting, they're lonely, they're insecure. Many people have wounds from the past, wounds from people saying hurtful, judgmental words about them. You and I have something to offer them. Proverbs 18:4 says, "A person's words can be life-giving water." Our words can help heal the hurts and break the chains that are holding them back. Our words have the power to lift people up, to help them get through a challenge, to push them toward their destiny.

People are thirsty, and we have the water. The Scripture says, "A gentle tongue brings healing" (Proverbs 15:4). When you tell someone, "I love you, and I'm proud of you," you're not just being kind; those are healing words. It might be just a simple word of encouragement or a compliment, such as "I'm praying for you" or "You look great today." It's no big deal to you, but to them it helps heal a wound. It lifts their spirits, causing them to believe in themselves. Just letting people know that you care does more than you imagine. You have the power to put someone on their feet, to keep them from falling into depression, to cause them to pursue their dream.

Somebody needs your healing words today. Why don't you start with your own family? How long has it been since you've told your spouse, "I love you. I'm so glad that you're mine." Don't let strangers compliment your spouse more than you do. Don't let a teacher, a coach or a friend make your child feel more special than you do. Bless your children every day with your words. Tell them how proud you are of them. Tell them what they can become. Remind them that they are made in the image of Almighty God. Call out their seeds of greatness. They have enough people telling them what they can't become. They face all kinds of negative chatter on social media, bullying, people saying hurtful things. When you tell them you love them and are proud of them, that's not just healing the wounds, that's protecting them. That's what helps those hurtful words bounce off of them. Stay on the offensive. Develop this habit of speaking life-giving words over your family.

I love pumpkin and I love chocolate! What a perfect combo. This was so easy to make,
I'm sure you'll love it.

Cake

Directions

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Ina Garten

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These questions I ask myself during the Thanksgiving season, but in reality I should ask myself every week.

Picture Hymns & Verses

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Tests are meant to bring out the good. Temptations are meant to bring out the bad. God's intentions for us are always good. Satan's intentions for us are always bad.

The key to becoming "mature and complete, not lacking anything" is to become doers of the Word and not merely hearers. Being a doer doesn't mean we are saved by works; rather, we are saved for works.

Thank You, Lord, for guiding me on this journey of faith. I praise You because You're a good Father who gives good gifts. Grow in me the desire to know You more. May all I say and do bring glory to You.

Amen

Paula Deen Recipe

2 small butternut squash (about 1 lb. each)

1/4 cup butter

4 teaspoons honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

This is a Southern Living recipe and my favorite way to bake squash. 

Photo Paula Deen

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Yep.

1 pound thin bacon

16 russet potatoes

6 tablespoons canola oil

4 sticks (1 pound) salted butter, plus more for buttering baking dish

2 cups sour cream

2 cups grated Cheddar or Jack (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

2 cups whole milk

4 teaspoons seasoned salt

6 green onions, sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

This after-dinner dessert dip tastes just like pumpkin pie, but even more fun to serve at a party.

In the hard times, we discover our worth. Hard times can make us feel disqualified for ministry ... and sometimes we can even question our faith. But that's a lie Satan tells us. He's always wanting to stamp disqualified on our lives, but God gives us a different label - and that's worthy.

Photo Schwan's

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 extra-large egg

1/2 tablespoon water

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved

1/2 cup dry white wine

Sliced lemon, for serving

Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

2007, Ina Garten

 So true.

I've lived this over and over. Now if I could just remember this the next time I fear the future.