The process of grieving is painfully long and the journey for many is still just beginning.

Although words continue to fail me after this horrific event, I did want to share with you the wise words that my Pastor wrote last Friday…

Pastor Ray Johnston’s response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School:

Today is a heartbreaking day. Our nation experienced the second-worst school shooting in American history. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. I, like all Americans, am devastated.

During tragic times like this, there is inevitably a mad scramble for clarity. How could this happen? Why would a good and loving God let this happen? Who’s to blame for this senseless violence?

The problem – shallow Christian clichès fall short and ultimately Clarity never comes…because at best, we see ‘through a glass dimly…’ During times like this we think we need Clarity when what we really need is Certainty.

I am certain that this senseless act breaks the heart of God because…

• I am certain that God understands what it means to lose a son

• I am certain that every one of today’s victims was precious to God

• I am certain that God is near to the brokenhearted

• I am certain that no life is ever devoid of meaning no matter how short

• I am certain that Jesus meant it when He said, “Let the little children come to me”

• I am certain that life is precious and that every day with your kids is a gift

• I am certain that America needs to rediscover a reverence for life

• I am certain that a day is coming when suffering will cease and God will reign

• I am certain that when anyone closes their eyes here for the last time and wakes up in the arms of Jesus – they will be more alive than they have ever been.

Of all the words I have read this past week, these are the ones I go back to again and again.

In the midst of all the horror, there truly is no clarity but I strongly believe and echo each of the certainties that my pastor proclaimed.

Today I am remembering the lives that were lost by participating in “Cookies & Crafts for Sandy Hook”

A small gesture to show my love and support to the Newtown community.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup Cocoa Powder
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag White Chocolate Peppermint M&Ms
Powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, oil and cocoa powder until well blended.

Beat in eggs one at at time.  Then stir in the vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the cocoa mixture, until just blended.

Add the Peppermint M&Ms.

Stir until evenly mixed.
Cover the dough and refrigerate until firm, about 6 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar to coat.

Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 10 minutes.
Cool completely before serving.

Enjoy!

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My good friend Tanya made these brownies last Christmas and they instantly became a favorite of mine!  I absolutely love the chocolate peppermint combination and the candy cane topping makes them the perfect treat to serve at Christmas time.  These brownies are the best!  Merry Christmas!

Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies

Brownies:

4 squares unsweetened chocolate (4oz)

1 C butter

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1t vanilla

1 1/4 C flour

1/2 t baking powder

Frosting:

2 C powdered sugar

1/2 C butter, softened

1/2 t peppermint extract

2 T milk

pink food coloring

Chocolate Glaze:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

6T real butter

Topping:

Crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a saucepan over low heat.

While the chocolate is melting, use a mixer to beat the eggs for about 3 minutes until thick and frothy.

Add sugar and vanilla

and beat to combine.

Then add in the melted chocolate and butter that you set aside.

Mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder

and stir into brownie batter

until just combined.

Pour into a 9×13 pan lined with foil.

Bake for 20 minutes.

When brownies are done, cool on a cooling rack.

When completely cool, place in the fridge to chill.

Combine all frosting ingredients and beat until light and fluffy.

Spread evenly over cooled brownies

and place back in the fridge to chill again while you do the final step.

Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

Cook in 30 second intervals until smooth.

Spread the melted chocolate over the frosting.

Top with crushed candy canes.

Enjoy!

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These are the sugar cookies that I grew up on.  My mom would make them every year along with Christmas Fudge to pass out to our friends and neighbors at Christmas time.  They are the perfect Christmas cookie.

Press cookies with a fork.

Sprinkle generously with sugar.

 

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I love Christmas!  I love the Christmas season!  and yet sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all… There is so much to do and only a month to do it all. 
My mom always taught me when I had a lot to do to write a list.  My mom is a  “list maker”, my sister is a “list maker”, but me not so much.  I am the kind of girl who writes a list and then loses it and can’t remember what was written on the list. 
However, times are changing and this Christmas season I am going to be an organized list making kind of girl!  The kind of girl who is able accomplish all of my holiday tasks and remain focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  I will not get stressed out.  I will be organized.  I will relish in the season.  I will enjoy each and every moment.  I will start by making some cookies and writing my list of course :)

My Christmas to do list:

• Buy Christmas tree
• Hang lights
• Buy 3 chocolate filled advent calendars
• Trim the tree
• Hang the wreath
• Decorate the house
• Write my gift list
• Shop, shop, shop
• Wrap presents
• Bake cookies
• Make fudge
• Attend Play Group Christmas Party
• Host a wrapping party
• Make Christmas cards
• Mail Christmas cards
• Buy an ornament for the MOPS ornament exchange
• Make something yummy for the MOPS celebration
• Buy or make teacher appreciation gifts
• Go to Bella’s Christmas performance
• Go to Caleb’s kindergarten caroling
• Volunteer at Caleb’s class party
• Attend Bella’s preschool party
• Take the kids on a holiday lights tour
• Read books under the tree
• Snuggle by the fire
• Read the Christmas Story
• Watch Christmas movies
• Go see Santa and get pictures
• Attend the Christmas Eve Service
• Enjoy every moment of the season
• Thank God for the miracle of Christmas

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