Pumpkin Torte

INGREDIENTS:

1 package yellow cake mix

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin – note: will be Divided

½ cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs                 

1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice – note: will be Divided

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 carton (16 oz.) cool whip, thawed

¼ cup caramel ice cream topping

1/3 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

Mix cake mix and only 1 cup pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs, and only 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Using an electric mixer, beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Then switch to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch cake pans. Put in oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Cool completely ( takes approximately an hour)

To make the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar and the rest of the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Then

fold in cool whip.

Carefully take the cooled cakes and horizontally cut them to make 4 layers.

Lay the first layer down on your serving platter. Spread ¼ of the filling evenly on this cake layer. On top of this lay down a second layer of cake and then spread ¼ of the filling. Continue laying down cake and filling until you’ve sandwiched 4 layers of filling with 4 layers of cake layers. Note: To stabilize building these cake layers that may not cooperate on its’ own, use skewers/baking pins  to maintain the cake to stay put-one on top of the other.

Top with caramel and nuts.

Chill for at least 4 hours.

Potato Rolls

INGREDIENTS:

2 c. milk scalded                                                   1 c. potatoes mashed

½ c. sugar                                                              ½ c. shortening

2 eggs                                                                    2 pkg. yeast, dissolved in ½ c. warm water

1 T. salt                                                                 8 c. flour (or more)

DIRECTIONS:

Pour scalded milk over shortening, sugar and salt.

Add mashed potatoes, cool to lukewarm.

Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to first mixture. Add eggs and flour.
Knead until smooth. Let rise until double in bulk. Shape into rolls and let rise again.

Bake at 350^o for 20-25 mins.    (1^st rise: 1-1/2 —2 hrs; 2^nd rise: 30-45 mins.)

Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 to 2 teaspoons paprika
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 to 8 boneless pork loin chops (1 inch thick)

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons lemon juice
Hot mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS:

In a large re-sealable plastic bag, combine the first four ingredients.

Add pork chops, one at a time: toss to coat. Set remaining flour mixture aside.

In a large skillet, sauté chops in butter until golden brown; transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.

In the same skillet, sauté the onion, green pepper and mushrooms until tender.

Stir in reserved flour mixture: gradually add milk until blended. Bring to a boil: cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. Pour over chops.

Cover and bake at 350" for 50-60 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.

Serve with potatoes. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

INGREDIENTS:

16 oz cream cheese, softened

8 1/2 oz crushed pineapple, well drained 

1/4 c green pepper, finely chopped

1 Tbsp Lowery seasoned salt

2 c chopped pecans

Crackers

DIRECTIONS:

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl.

Shape into a ball and chill (overnite is best).

Just before serving, roll in the chopped pecans.

Serve with Triscuits or your favorite cracker.

The Squire and the Scroll

This captivating adventure follows a young squire who travels a long, dangerous road beside his brave knight, on a quest for their king. The action builds until the final face-off with the monstrous, evil dragon. Only then does the squire learn of the secret beyond the cave that ends in a joyous celebration for the entire kingdom.Children will gain valuable insight as they learn, along with the young squire, what it means to face the dangers of temptation, and what it takes to guard one's heart from all that is impure.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

The Princess and the Kiss

A loving king and queen present their daughter with a gift from God - her first kiss - to keep or to give away. The wise girl waits for the man who is worthy of her precious gift. Where is he and how will she ever find him? The surprising answer in this marvelous parable will touch the heart of parent and child alike.The Princess and the Kiss beautifully portrays the ageless message that "love... comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5 NIV)

Ladies, What Do Your Clothes Say About You?

         I wanted to send you a really good sermon excerpt from C.J. Mahaney on modesty. It also discusses confronting a Christian woman who is dressed immodestly as well as the subject of how to interact with a non-believer visiting church who is dressed immodestly. I hope this is helpful and encouraging. I thought it was amazing and could be really good for bringing up the topic of modesty with younger ladies such as middle school and up. Hope you all are blessed. Hope you all have a great week!

S.L.