With fall upon us, it seems appropriate to start baking with pumpkin again. I took a study break today to make some pumpkin bars so I can have some yummy snacks. I thought I'd share it with y'all.
1 cup pure cane sugar
15 oz can of pumpkin puree
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, mix sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Stir until smooth. Blend in flour, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and apricot pieces. Pour into pan and bake on center rack in oven.
3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
Happy Fall!
I know it has been very quiet, but I have not been able to craft or create very much at all lately. I have been completely overwhelmed with homework, exams, papers, and the like.
On one particular day that was tiring with school, I saw a gorgeous butterfly on the loading dock where I work. It was Jesus' quiet reminder for me to open my eyes and see all that was beautiful in my life that He has given me. While I don't have any new crafts I have worked on or tutorials to share, Jesus has been doing a lot in my heart.
Reminding me of His gorgeous glory that is EVERYWHERE.
Reminding me of His grace for me.
Reminding me of all the lovely, sweet people He has given to me to have as my friends.
Reminding me to breathe and remember that He loves me.
No matter how crazy life seems.
No matter how I feel about a test.
No matter how a presentation goes.
Tonight in my girls' small group, we talked about John 2:1-12, where Jesus turns water into wine for a wedding that has run out of wine for their party. It just struck me how Jesus took time and made a miracle for something that in the scheme of eternity is not a huge deal. He took the time to listen.
He listens. Jesus listens to me. About whatever I ask. And I can sit there and simply be in His presence, because I know that He knows my heart more than me and He is here speaking to me.
And His voice speaks when I am still.
So I need stillness. Just to sit at His feet.
He makes beautiful things out of broken people. But I have to listen to Him and be quiet enough to hear His voice.
And then I have to speak. Because He wants to use me and use you to speak His truth and grace.
