Auntie Laura's Yam Rolls

The holidays are right around the corner, and I feel the need for things to s.l.o.w. way down as opposed to accepting the rush and all the bustle that undoubtedly comes along with this time of year.

One of my favorite things to do is to bake bread.  There is just something about the smell that greets those who stop by for a cup of tea or for those who join us for dinner.  When I take bread out of the oven, it is almost like our home beckons for guests to come in, sit, get cozy and stay for awhile!!

Thank you, twinsie for making these for me...they are my favorite!!

Auntie Laura’s Yam Rolls

HEAT:

½ cup milk                 

¼ cup butter

ADD:

¼ cup sugar               

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. nutmeg...freshly grated

¼ tsp. cinnamon

¼ cup cool water

1 tbsp. yeast

ADD:

¾ cup mashed yams         

1 egg

3 ½ cups flour

Heat butter in milk until butter is “melty”

Add the rest of the ingredients into the milk in a stand mixer bowl.  Mix.

Form into rolls with oiled hands.  Let rise until rolls are fluffy.

Bake at 375* for about 23 minutes or until rolls are golden.

This makes one pan of about 9 rolls.

Variation:  Use this dough for cinnamon rolls.  Simply roll out into a rectangle.  Spread dough with softened butter and add lots of cinnamon sugar.  Roll up like a snake and cut into pinwheels.  Bake in greased pan and bake for about 25 minutes.  Frost with cream cheese buttercream and ENJOY!!

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Hospitality Is...Homemade Blueberry Lemon Scones

Okay girlies...here is your chance to make and take something really easy and yummy!

Our blueberries are ripening quickly now which is quite shocking due to the lack of something called "sunshine".  :}

HOSPITALITY:

Sometimes hospitality has nothing to do with having people into your home...I know not all of us are up to having people over and that is fine. There are times when I know God puts someone on my heart and I want to do something and I may just have a little bit of time to do something. There are also quite a few times when I would like to take a meal to somebody and the timing is not good.  Scones are something you can easily make up ahead of time and grab from the freezer. You can bake a few scones,  pack some milk or orange juice, and a jar of jam and take it to whomever for a light breakfast or for a pick-me-up during a move. It is also great to have on hand if you have guests who show up without a lot of time on your end to prepare. Just being ready and anticipating the unexpected will put you at ease this Summer and will make your company feel appreciated and planned for. It really is a treat for you to be able to pamper and a treat for the recipients of your good old fashioned genuine spirit of hospitality!

Blueberry Lemon Scones
Lisa Pearson

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

5 TBSP. butter, cut into smaller pieces

¼ cup sugar

2 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. sea salt

1 Tbsp. soy flour {or 1 egg yolk}

1 cup full fat Daisy Sour Cream or plain yogurt

½ cup dried blueberries or chocolate chips, currants, dried cranberries or whatever floats your boat!

Zest of 1 small lemon {I use orange zest, too, for differnt flavored scones}

*heavy whipping cream and coarse sugar for tops of scones

Directions:

Whisk together dry ingredients.

Add butter and blend with pastry cutter or with flat beater in stand mixer.

Add wet ingredients together to flour mixture.

Add berries and zest.

Blend until ingredients come together.

Transfer to lightly floured surface.

Pat into a disc about the size of your hand spread out.



Cut into 8 triangles.



Place scones on SILPAT or parchment lined pan.

Brush with heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar.



Bake at 4oo* for 12 to 14 minutes…or until golden.

Top with something very YUMMY!

If you want to make up several batches, you can pre-measure all your dry ingredients at one time and store individual batches in the freezer. This will save a ton of time.

Just mix up dry ingredients and follow directions from that point on when you decide to make the rest.





Blogger is not letting me comment, so I will answer a question on here. The yogurt and sour cream do not HAVE to be full fat, but I just think it tastes better. Reduced or lowfat is fine...fat free is NOT.OK. It truly is NOT. :) Plan on walking before beddie bye time...it is worth it in flavor and texture. :)



Shared with:  comfy in the kitchen

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Hospitality... A Make and Take Meal

Showing hospitality by taking meals to people when they are sick, have had surgery or just need a little extra tlc when life gets overwhelming can be such a JOY! Sometimes it is easy to become so focused on our own families that it becomes difficult to think of others around us who are in need of our encouragement and help.

There have been PLENTY of times in my life when I have been taken under the wings of others and have been shown mercy. It is still a blessing thinking back to so many times others have cared for me and for my family. I can't help but to think of how it feels to be taken care of. It is one of the best feelings in the world!

When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word "hospital". So, I looked it up...just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: "a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care."

While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, taking a meal to someone is comforting beyond words and it is always appreciated and welcome. For those of you who may struggle having people in your homes, this is the perfect alternative for you!

If your palms are starting to sweat, hold on. Showing hospitality to others does not mean fancy schmancy. It does not have to be homemade and it certainly does not have to be a complete meal...unless you signed up for it. If you did commit and are feeling like it is more than you bargained for, ask a friend to help. Maybe you can split the meal.


What is the first thing you do after you commit to taking a dinner to someone? Do you start to stress and wish you would have never offered? Do you ask a friend to trade dates in hope that the recipient will no longer be in need when it rolls around to your turn? Anyway you look at it, it can be a daunting task, to not only need to fix your family dinner but somebody elses family as well!

I think my favorite binder is the "MEALS TO GO" binder. It has made taking meals to people so easy...and might I add...FUN! I am not even kidding! Taking the guess work out of what to prepare and take allows me to make quick decisions and spend a little extra time embellishing it. It is a great way to pamper people and I no longer feel like I am just doing crafts "to do" crafts, but it allows me to be a little creative while being able to share with those who are in need!




Here is what works for me, but I would love to hear what works for you. Others ideas are always welcome and appreciated!!! I think we all enjoy hearing how other people do things!

BINDER ORGANIZATION:

Label your binder

The first page has the list of meals I choose from...if your recepient loves something in particular that you are aware of it makes it even easier to decide!
Keep this list simple and doable. If it is a chicken from Costco, a loaf of bread, bag-o-salad and lemonade, write it down. If it is a box of cereal, milk and bread write it down. This has to be what works for YOU! If it is having a pizza delivered write the phone number down so that you can call and have it DELIVERED! Are we all on the same page? Onward we go!

Each Meal has a complete list of what I will be taking to make it a "meal".

I would encourage you to come up with one menu for each season...start with one meal that will be a JOY to make!




The next page has the recipes, so I am not spending all my time flippin' through different binders trying to track down what I need to make dinner.







Have you ever thought about taking breakfast the evening before? This is AWESOME. You can deliver it in the evening after your evening has "settled" down and it might be a very welcome change for one VERY happy recipient. You may want to try it!

While we have been talking about "meals to go", I wanted to make sure that I mentioned this: there are certainly seasons in life  where it is easier to help others and definitely seasons where it is not possible.  Showing hospitality is nurturing. It is showing you care. Simple as that.  It can look very different and can vary from person to person.

A few of my favorite things I have received as a "bedridden Momma" are: {1}a little bag with a card, a peppermint plant and a box of tea, {2}a bottle of sparkling water and a fresh lemon, {3}a bag of epsom salts etc. Even a sleeve of Saltine crackers and Sierra Mist is something you could keep on hand to deliver when the need arises!

Simple meals to go:

taco salad

pulled bbq beef or chicken

roasted chicken from the deli, a salad and bread

potato salad and chicken strips

pizza

pasta salad and crusty bread

tortilla soup and cornbread

So, as we have all been given the gift of TODAY, I hope that you, too, will find JOY in showing hospitality in a very real way wheather it be a meal, a note or a cup of lemonade!

Oh Happy Day!








Shared with:  comfy in the kitchen, imparting grace, organization made fun

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"Meet My Friend Monday"...Janelle from Comfy in the Kitchen

You all know by now how much I love to share my friends with YOU and Janelle is no exception!

Her love for her family and for others radiates through her blog and into the lives she touches in her community. She is one bloggy friend I would LOVE to meet in person. Please welcome my friend, Janelle...

"Oh, how I love to cook…just the thought of cooking gets me so excited! Some of my favorite memories have started by being in the kitchen preparing meals for a celebration, a person in need, or simple meals for my own family. I have also been blessed to share these memories with my children on chairs, pulled up to the kitchen counter, eager to help and learn.

Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Cooking is one of my favorite ways to serve our Lord and I truly believe it is a gift he has given me to share with others."

HOSPITALITY IS...Blueberry Lemon Scones

Okay girlies...here is your chance to make and take something really easy and yummy! If you are still looking for teacher gifts, these may just be what you are looking for. Wrap them in little bags and don't forget a chilled Starbucks Coffee Frappuccino and you will have a sweet little gift that any teacher will appreciate and your little elves will be proud to deliver...

HOSPITALITY:

Sometimes hospitality has nothing to do with having people into your home...I know not all of us are up to having people over and that is fine. There are times when I know God puts someone on my heart and I want to do something and I may just have a little bit of time to do something. There are also quite a few times when I would like to take a meal to somebody and the timing is not good. Scones are something you can easily make up ahead of time and grab from the freezer. You can take a few scones, some milk or orange juice, a jar of jam and take it to whomever for a light breakfast or for a pick-me-up during a move. It is also great to have on hand if you have guests who show up without a lot of time on your end to prepare. Just being ready and anticipating the unexpected will put you at ease and will make your company feel appreciated and planned for. It really is a treat for you and for the recipients of your hospitality!

Blueberry Lemon Scones
Lisa Pearson

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

5 TBSP. butter, cut into smaller pieces

¼ cup sugar

2 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. sea salt

1 Tbsp. soy flour {or 1 egg yolk}

1 cup full fat Daisy Sour Cream or plain yogurt

½ cup dried blueberries or chocolate chips, currants, dried cranberries or whatever floats your boat!

Zest of 1 small lemon {I use orange zest, too, for differnt flavored scones}

*heavy whipping cream and coarse sugar for tops of scones

Directions:

Whisk together dry ingredients.

Add butter and blend with pastry cutter or with flat beater in stand mixer.

Add wet ingredients together to flour mixture.

Add berries and zest.

Blend until ingredients come together.

Transfer to lightly floured surface.

Pat into a disc about the size of your hand spread out.



Cut into 8 triangles.



Place scones on SILPAT or parchment lined pan.

Brush with cream and sprinkle with sugar.



Bake at 4oo* for 12 to 14 minutes…or until golden.

Top with something very YUMMY!

If you want to make up several batches, you can pre-measure all your ingredients at one time and store individual batches in the freezer. This will save a ton of time. Just mix up dry ingredients and follow directions from there when you decide to make the rest.





Blogger is not letting me comment, so I will answer a question on here. The yogurt and sour cream do not HAVE to be full fat, but I just think it tastes better. Reduced or lowfat is fine...fat free is NOT.OK. It truly is NOT. :) Plan on walking before beddie bye time...it is worth it in flavor and texture. :)

Shared with: women living well, raising homemakers, at the picket fence, comfy in the kitchen, homemaker by choice, titus tuesday

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HOSPITALITY IS...a welcome sign

I have to admit, the outside of our home has NOT been on the top of our priority list. We live in Oregon and it seems that we have way more inside days than outside days and since we do alot of entertaining, the inside is where we spend our time and that is what gets maintained before the outside!

On our recent vacation, though, I was reminded of how simple it is to make your guests feel welcome before they even knock. It doesn't have to be a beautiful cobblestone path trimmed with flowers and a babbling fountain...freshly-painted shutters and flower baskets...a porch with white wicker rocking chairs and matching pillows garnished with ball fringe.

It can be as easy as sweeping out around the front door, washing down the outside of the front door, maybe purchasing a new front mat, a potted plant and a sign.

How nice is it to see a "welcome" sign? I think it is the first glimpse of HOSPITALITY you are extending to your guests.


SOOOO...since spring and summer are around the corner {only because it still feels like winter around here!} I thought it may be fun to make a welcome sign.

We had tons of molding left from home improvements around here, and when my hubby was getting ready to send it to the curb, I begged him to save it for a project! I am so thankful he doesn't mind storing all the junk from past projects!


Here is the how to:

1. Get a small piece of molding



2. Using your computer, switch the setting to landscape for a longer sign. Choose a font and size and make sure it will fit on your piece of wood. Print it off and center it on your sign.



3. Use a piece of carbon paper under your paper and using a pencil, trace over the printed piece of paper. It will be pretty light, so be sure your lighting is good.



4. Use a fine point SHARPIE and trace over the word that was traced. Usually I use paint, but I wanted a clean, simple sign that I can use for showers, birthday parties etc.



5. Plug in your glue gun {you know you have one!} and attach ribbon to the sign. That is it!



***I had my hubby drill holes for the ribbon because I wanted the little posies to add to the sign. All you need to do is change out the ribbon for different parties or occasions. I was experimenting and thought it would make a cute baby shower gift...I am sure you could come up with lots of fun ideas. Can you imagine how nice this would be for a friend coming home from the hospital? Just a thought!

Happy Crafting! {with a purpose}

Shared with: simply homemaking, raising homemakers, inspiration friday

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Hospitality is...Lemonade

Have you ever walked into somebodys home...even to quickly drop off something...and been offered a drink of water or a cup of tea? It is the most welcome and kind guesture anybody could offer a guest. Even if you are on the run, it is the thought that counts! It is one way of saying: "Stay. I care about you. How are you?"

When you have guests in your home...YES, even family!!!! It is your chance to comfort and to offer hospitality. It is your opportunity to love and to listen. I know. We all have days where we are running a million directions, trying to balance family, friends, sports, laundry, grocery shopping, work, dental appointments and everything else, but it is vital that we stay in the WORD so that at any given time, we are able to offer comfort to those who enter our homes...even if we feel like we have nothing to offer!
Remember, sometimes we just need to listen!

Here is a little assignment for us. I am not telling you what to do...but I want you to see how great it feels to do something very simple in offering the next person who graces your home with a drink, okay? What do you think? Are you up for it? I'm doing the same thing!

Let's make it fun! Since picnic season is here...it will serve two purposes.

READY?

Now remember, we are anticipating. That means we are planning for and looking forward to someone dropping in. SO, since my dishwasher always seems to be full...and not everybody likes drinking water or lemonade out of champagne flutes...I love to fill glass jars. {My friends always give me grief for my glass jars, but hey...!} Mason jars are great or you may recycle other glass jars, too. Go ahead and fill them with ice water or whatever else you would like.

A half gallon of Newman's Own Lemonade is less than $2 and it fills about 7 pint jars. I fill the jars with ice, top it off with lemonade, add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint {thank you, Jess!} I screw the lids on and put them all in a glass 9X13 pan, so they are ready to go. This eliminates sticky bottoms all over the fridge.




Have your children help you with this. It is a great way of letting them know that you will be exercising "hospitality" to your guests by offering them a drink. This is the perfect time to explain hospitality to them. They will become hospitality minded very quickly!

Having these drinks ready will also be great to grab before sports activities picnics or for your children to offer their friends. Another thing I do...which saves on glasses is to have punched tags {I make them out of scrap paper!} available...that way, when your children are done with their drinks, they can mark them with their initial or name and keep it cold in the fridge for later use!







SO, if it is water, lemonade or iced tea you will be serving...the most important thing is that you will be SERVING, comforting and caring!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

IF YOU LIVE IN THE AREA: I will be offering a HOMEMAKING 101 CLASS on Thursday, MAY 26th from 7-9. The class is $20 and I have four spots left. The topic for the evening is PICNIC PACKIN'. I am really excited about this. It will be a fun evening of ideas, snacks, recipes and a couple of drawings! Please e-mail me for the details! Hope you can join us!

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HOSPITALITY IS...a meal to go

Showing hospitality by taking meals to people when they are sick, have had surgery or just need a little extra tlc when life gets overwhelming can be such a JOY! Sometimes it is easy to become so focused on our own families that it becomes difficult to think of others around us who are in need of our encouragement and help.

There have been PLENTY of times in my life when I have been taken under the wings of others and have been shown mercy. It is still a blessing thinking back to so many times others have cared for me and for my family. I can't help but to think of how it feels to be taken care of. It is one of the best feelings in the world!

When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word "hospital". So, I looked it up...just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: "a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care."

While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, taking a meal to someone is comforting beyond words and it is always appreciated and welcome. For those of you who may struggle having people in your homes, this is the perfect alternative for you!

If your palms are starting to sweat, hold on. Showing hospitality to others does not mean fancy schmancy. It does not have to be homemade and it certainly does not have to be a complete meal...unless you signed up for it. If you did commit and are feeling like it is more than you bargained for, ask a friend to help. Maybe you can split the meal.


What is the first thing you do after you commit to taking a dinner to someone? Do you start to stress and wish you would have never offered? Do you ask a friend to trade dates in hope that the recipient will no longer be in need when it rolls around to your turn? Anyway you look at it, it can be a daunting task, to not only need to fix your family dinner but somebody elses family as well!

I think my favorite binder is the "MEALS TO GO" binder. It has made taking meals to people so easy...and might I add...FUN! I am not even kidding! Taking the guess work out of what to prepare and take allows me to make quick decisions and spend a little extra time embellishing it. It is a great way to pamper people and I no longer feel like I am just doing crafts "to do" crafts, but it allows me to be a little creative while being able to share with those who are in need!




Here is what works for me, but I would love to hear what works for you. Others ideas are always welcome and appreciated!!! I think we all enjoy hearing how other people do things!

BINDER ORGANIZATION:

Label your binder

The first page has the list of meals I choose from...if your recepient loves something in particular that you are aware of it makes it even easier to decide!
Keep this list simple and doable. If it is a chicken from Costco, a loaf of bread, bag-o-salad and lemonade, write it down. If it is a box of cereal, milk and bread write it down. This has to be what works for YOU! If it is having a pizza delivered write the phone number down so that you can call and have it DELIVERED! Are we all on the same page? Onward we go!

Each Meal has a complete list of what I will be taking to make it a "meal".

I would encourage you to come up with one menu for each season...start with one meal that will be a JOY to make!




The next page has the recipes, so I am not spending all my time flippin' through different binders trying to track down what I need to make dinner.







Have you ever thought about taking breakfast the evening before? This is AWESOME. You can deliver it in the evening after your evening has "settled" down and it might be a very welcome change for one VERY happy recipient. You may want to try it!

While we have been talking about "meals to go", I wanted to make sure that I mentioned this: there are certainly seasons in our lives where helping others is easier than others. Showing hospitality is nurturing. It is showing you care. Simple as that.

A few of my favorite things I have received as a "bedridden Momma" are: {1}a little bag with a card, a peppermint plant and a box of tea, {2}a bottle of sparkling water and a fresh lemon, {3}a bag of epsom salts etc. Even a sleeve of Saltine crackers and 7 UP is something you could keep on hand to deliver when the need arises!

Simple meals to go:

taco salad

bbq beef or chicken

roasted chicken from the deli, a salad and bread

potato sald and chicken strips

pizza

pasta salad and crusty bread

tortilla soup and cornbread

So, as we have all been given the gift of TODAY, I hope that you, too, will find JOY in showing hospitality in a very real way wheather it be a meal, a note or a cup of lemonade!

Happy May!



Shared with: Domestically Divine,titus2 at the well, titus 2sday

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