BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PUDDING...

For all the dark chocolate lovers out there!

Bittersweet Chocolate pudding (adapted from Epicurious)

·       1/3 cup sugar

·       1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·       2 tablespoons cornstarch

·       1/8 teaspoon salt

·       1 3/4 cups whole milk, divided

·       1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

·       4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), finely chopped

·       1 tablespoon dark rum

·       1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.     Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt to blend in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add 1/3 cup milk, whisking until smooth paste forms. Whisk in remaining milk, then 1/4 cup cream. Using flat-bottom wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir mixture constantly over medium heat, scraping bottom and sides of pan until pudding thickens and begins to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Add chocolate; stir until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in rum and vanilla.

NOTES:

I did not use any whipping cream  or rum in this recipe, and it turned out fine.  For the 4 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, I actually used a couple of plain Hershey bars that we had on hand.  I also added a spoonful of espresso powder to give it a darker flavor.  Can be poured into a baked crust.  Refrigerate.  . 

Made 4 pudding cup servings or perhaps one small pie.

GREEN PASTURES...

Psalm 23, probably one of the most well-known scriptures, has been on my mind lately.  I've been in a Wednesday night ladies class with a video by Jennifer Rothschild on the subject.  It may seem tedious to some, but looking at such a wonderful passage verse by verse can really help you focus on the real meaning of it.  It helps you get into the mind of the author.  It help you realize how it affects your life.

We were focusing on the meaning behind what shepherds do with their flock - their care and leading of them to green pastures.  They lead them to what's best for them.  And we got down to the real application for us...

WHAT ARE MY GREEN PASTURES?

Then Jennifer asked, "Are your green pastures your home?  Your family?  Your cars?  Travel?"  Are you leading yourself to those things?  Or are you letting the Shepherd lead you?  Are you letting Him take you to what is best for you?

WELL, THAT WAS A GUT PUNCH!

For a while now my life has been focused on ME, and my own green pastures of the excuse of a woman who has raised three kids with all her energy and now is ready for rest.  To sit in my own green pasture of relaxation and recreation.  Yes, I do have projects going outside of myself, but I'm not sure I'm letting the Shepherd lead.

I had to give myself an attitude adjustment earlier this year when we had to cancel our January plans to go to the beach for a couple of weeks (the Hubs would still work out of the condo).  His need to travel to other offices for work and also to help with a project at church just made that impossible.  So  I reluctantly cancelled our reservation.  I was not too happy but tried to focus on the blessings I do have (which are many).

Then we started thinking about a summer vacation.  The Hubs wanted to go to North Dakota, of all places!  It would be his 50th state to visit!  Really, what fun is there in North Dakota? Needless to say, I was a little disappointed but tried to get over it. After some research, I actually found some interesting things we could do on this lengthy road trip, so I was getting excited about it.

Then a funny, amazing, exciting thing happened! Three days ago I heard him talking on a conference call about some meeting in London.  I started wondering...then he said at dinner that it looked like he would have to go to London 2 days after we got home from North Dakota!  Well, long story short, we cancelled all those North Dakota road trip reservations and are now making reservations in Ireland and London!  So, my grateful heart is excited to travel with my husband to a new place, but I also have realized I must be careful and not let pleasure become my green pastures.

OUR TRUE GREEN PASTURES,

OUR TRUE SOURCE OF NOURISHMENT,

PEACE, AND CONTENTMENT

 CAN ONLY COME FROM THE SHEPHERD.

LIFELONG LEARNING AND TEACHING...

We recently had a Wednesday night class series at church called "Then Sings My Soul."  It was such a joy for me to get to teach a couple of the lessons!  This was a class for women, and we highlighted hymns by women authors for half the hour, then sang other songs ladies chose out of the songbook for the rest of the time.  It turned out to be quite interesting and lots of fun!  I really looked forward to every Wednesday night.  

Most of the women authors we highlighted were born in the 19th century.  Some of them were poor, some were privileged.  Some were disabled, some were physically strong.  Some were from Europe, some lived here in the US.  Some were married, some were not.  It was really interesting to learn more about these women and how their songs came to be.  It gave me more insight and feeling for the words they wrote and their relationship with Jesus.

For instance, Anna Barbauld wrote Again the Lord of Light and Life, and she was well known in England for many writings during her lifetime.  Her song is about the resurrection and would be a great one to be sung on Easter.  But her life was also very hard in that her husband had a mental breakdown and she carried on despite their difficulties.  Jennie Wilson wrote Will Your Anchor Hold and this bolstering song has gone beyond the hymnal and is the official song of the Boys Brigade (like the Boy Scouts) and of the Dollar Academy in Scotland.  One of my favorites that I researched is author of Hold To God's Unchanging Hand.  She was in a wheelchair from the age of four but wrote so many songs of joy and encouragement.

I'm thankful for the ability to read and research.  I'm thankful for classes and teachers.  Often times, the teacher learns more than anyone else in the class, so consider being a teacher when asked!  I think about the limitations of people a few centuries ago, like some of these women, and count my blessings.  I have modern conveniences that they did not have.  There are still difficulties but we all have one thing in common:  the salvation that comes from Jesus Christ and the joy we have when we sing about it!

WINTER READS...

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

I first heard about Rachel and started listening to her podcast, then following her on Instagram.  After reading her book, I can see why she has such a large following.  It's a book about  how to stop believing the lies about who you think you are so you can become who you were meant to be.  She's had a lot of different life experiences including overcoming a family tragedy, being on her own at 18, and building a successful company without a college degree.  She shared how her eyes were opened to diversity as a teenager on a trip, and how in her little hometown church there was only one "right" way to be.  This book helps you realize you need to GIVE YOURSELF GRACE.  She honestly made me feel a little more comfortable about some of my past experiences.  Her conversational approach to writing drew me in and I loved her practical tips at the end of each chapter. The chapters about body image and marriage were especially meaningful to me.  I'm not building a big business like she is, but her teachings are especially for women that are.

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

A topic I've been interested in for several years, Cait shares her personal story of addiction to shopping, alcohol and food.  She changed her personal habits and discovered what really matters to her.  She doesn't really describe steps to change, but it's an interesting read.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

An interesting book of self-reflection, Gretchen determined 12 ways she could make her life happier and set out to work on each area of her life, one each month of the year.  Some she felt benefitted her, some she did not.  One of the things I thought was interesting was the month she wanted to work on her relationship with her husband.  She decided to quit nitpicking and leave 3 things unsaid each day. She felt like she was happier not arguing over the little things and that her relationship with him did improve.  I thought that was a unique idea, and so I've decided that's something I could try.  Some things are better left unsaid.  It makes you think about some simple things you might do or improve in your life that bring a lot more happiness to your days.  I really like to check in on her blog - she's always discussing interesting things or sharing a new book she read.

Creative Courage by Welby Altidor

Anything on creative leadership piques my curiosity, and this one was really heady.  Welby was a creative director for Cirque du Soleil and reflects on leadership with creative people and even has suggested exercises for those looking to build a creative team.

A SOLUTION FOR LABELING CM ALBUMS...

For years, I have not been satisfied with how to label my Creative Memories photo albums. The labels I made would curl and peel off.  Why do you need a label at all?  Well, when you have 20+ you want to be able to see them at a glance and know what year it is or if it's a family or vacation album.  I perused the internet for a while and got inspired!  Here's my solution:

New label I made

Old labels curling off

How to make your own:

I used a Dymo label maker, white tape refill, vellum, and a paper cutter.

Print out whatever you want your label to say.
You could also write your own on a white sticky address label.

Cut vellum into strips 1-2 inches wide and 8 inches long.
Mount the label in the very middle of the strip.

Put another vellum strip right on top of the other one.
You do need to do this to protect the label from curling off.  

Now slide the end of the strips down into the sides of the album.

All done!  Look how nice and neat it looks!


Problem solved!

GOOD STOPS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY...

Last time I told you all about Longhorn Cavern and the Wild Cave Tour - that was definitely the highlight of our time in the Texas Hill Country, but there were a few other places worth a look!

Lampasas Sculpture Garden - Lampasas, Texas

 The World's Largest Spur - also in Lampasas

Kempner Brick Oven German Restaurant - Kempner, Texas

Actually their desserts were what was the BEST!  But sorry, no pic!  

A DIFFERENT KIND OF ADVENTURE...

We recently tried to escape the cold by heading south to Texas!  Turned out it was only about 20 degrees warmer, but hey, 20 degrees is 20 degrees!  Didn't plan a whole lot to do, but we enjoyed eating at new restaurants, walking along the Lampasas River near our Air BnB, and exploring little towns nearby.

Our adventure this week wasn't biking somewhere new or hiking.  It was a WILD CAVE TOUR!  We went to Longhorn Cavern State Park and explored the cave with a small group.  It's no ordinary cave tour.  Helmets, headlamps, kneepads, and old clothes are required.  We didn't take our phones (cameras) down into the cave because we were told we would get wet.  I really enjoyed this state park because it was small and no crowds, that is, in January!  It has a great history - it was excavated and cleaned out by the CCC's in the 1930's.  Over 3000 dump truck loads of animal bones, dirt, rock and debris were carried out by wheelbarrow by these men.  Rock steps were built down to the mouth of the cave, along with an administration building and lookout tower.  After all this cleanup, formal dances were held in the cave!  Before it was cleaned out it has stories of the Sam Bass gang hiding out there, and even Indians using it.

(Beautiful architecture of the administration building built by the CCC's in the 1930's)

We were in the cave for 3 hours, exploring with our guide all the places the walking tour does not go (the walking tour is a mere 90 minutes).  We walked, climbed and scooted through tight spaces.  Many small spaces opened up into larger rooms.  We saw hibernating bats and lots of beautiful crystal formations.  Our guide was great - not forcing anyone to do anything they didn't want to do.  There were two places I opted out of, one was where you had to back in on your hands and knees, and the rock was like a saddle.  You were going uphill as well, then he said there was a 3 foot drop.  So think backwards on hands and knees for a few yards, then going down a ladder type rocky area.  Not for me....but The Hubs did it all!  There were 3 women in our group, and everyone else was in their 20-30's.  One other girl opted out of that one with me, so I didn't feel too bad about missing out on that.

At the end of the tour, by the cave entrance, sopping wet!

The last thing we did was pretty extreme, and he did tell us we would be in water up to our necks.  We were in a cave about 10 feet wide, but the ceiling was only 4 foot high.  So we walked, sloshing through water, hunched over for a good while, bumping our heads along the way.  Thank goodness for helmets!  Then the ceiling got lower, and we were on our hands and knees, sloshing through the muddy water.  We just kept moving and lots of talking and everyone looking out for each other, notifying when there was a drop off coming up or whatever.  The water was actually only up to my waist.  Anyway, we went through there a good 10-15 minutes or so, till we got to the end of it.  The Hubs thought it was about 200 yards long.  I don't know, but it was kind of scary and you wanted to keep moving.

All the walking tour groups were just staring at us, as we emerged sopping wet and muddy!  It was really a lot of fun, though.  They offer this tour every Saturday.  You also get a "finisher" t-shirt!

No lie, I did start second guessing what I had signed us up for several days in advance.  But I just kept telling myself, "If an 80 year old has done this, I can do it!"  At least that's what they had claimed.  If you ever want to take your spouse on a different kind of adventure, I would highly recommend this!  

This is after we cleaned up and put on our "finisher" t-shirts!  See that guy on our shirts?  That's what we did!