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The Jilly Bean

Pay It Forward Friday – The Storm Edition

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May 242013
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We all have storms in our lives. Whether it is a tornado that rips through our town, destroying the things that lie in it’s path or a storm that rips through your family destroying relationships. Perhaps your storm is the death of a family member, some unexpected news, a life-altering event.

The nature of the storm doesn’t really matter. We all have storms. Storms we feel like we will never be able to make it out the other side of in tact. Storms we feel like will rip us apart until we are no longer complete.

And well, that is the nature of a storm, to bring darkness. To riddle us with rain, soaking us , making us feel as if there will never be light again. But guess what, there is always light after a storm. The rain cleanses and makes things look new…and usually, we are ok. We may loose sight for a bit, we may lose some material things…but, if you are reading this…you survived. That isn’t to say it is easy. Storms aren’t meant to be easy. They frighten.. They scare. They take my breath away.

 

What does this have to do with Pay It Forward Friday? Well, it seems like the majority of people I know are going through one storm or another at this time. Last week I didn’t post a Pay It Forward Friday. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what I wanted to say and I couldn’t share what I did. It was too personal for everyone involved. And this week it seems to be the same. I have opened my home to a friend in need of refuge, I opened my heart to another friend in need of some extra support and love, I opened my schedule for a friend in need of some of my time.

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With the tragedies that befell Oklahoma this week there are many ways that you can pay it forward. Or, you can Pay It Forward by spending some time with a friend, neighbor or family member that just needs a little company. Or take a friend, neighbor or family member out for a cup of coffee and lend an ear without judgement on their situation. Perhaps you have big shoulders that can hold buckets of tears. Or a great smile that just brightens the day of everyone you come in contact with. All the little things make a difference to someone. And that my friends means the world to to them. And that is how YOU can help change the world.

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I came across this video the other night, it had such an impact on my day and hope it does on yours as well. Zach Sobiech got it. My favorite quote of his when he was talking about life: It’s all about making other people happy.Sadly, Zach passed away earlier this week, but his legacy will live on for years to come I imagine. I hope that you will take the time to watch it and see just what this young man was all about.

 Posted by The Jilly Bean at 11:03 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Lemon Buttons

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May 222013
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While I love to cook, it is no secret that I am not a fan of baking. I CAN bake, it just isn’t my favorite thing to do. It is more of a science that cooking. With cooking I can experiment and throw whatever suits my fancy together and add a pinch of this and a dash of that. Baking requires exact measurements, precise temperatures and paying close attention to the details. It also usually requires time. Not always, but usually. And that is something I am always short on…which is why I like short-cuts…quick and easy meals and desserts that don’t take away lots of what I am already short on.

These cookies are not only quick and easy, they are a HUGE favorite. And they disappear VERY quickly. I made a batch the other day for our Mother’s Day celebration and they were gone almost as quickly as it takes to make them…and I had a request from one of nieces to please bring several batches to her birthday party…so today I am getting ready to make 4 batches of these little bites of sunshine to take to celebrate a young ladies birthday this weekend. Come on in and join me as we get to baking.

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4 ingredients. That is ALL you need!

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Mix up the cake mix, egg and whipped topping until it forms a dough.

Place the powdered sugar in a separate bowl.

 

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Place teaspoon size balls of dough in the powdered sugar and roll around. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Lemon Buttons

1 package Lemon Cake Mix

1 large egg

4 ounces Cool Whip

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the cake mix, the egg and the cool whip in a bowl. It is going to form a very stiff dough, and be a little sticky. I then drop one teaspoon of dough into the powdered sugar and roll into a small ball. Place the dough on a greased cookie sheet, approx 2 inches apart and bake for 10 minutes. It will make between 5-6 dozen cookies, but they are small cookies.

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I know that sounds like a lot of cookies, but if your house is anything like mine, they won’t last long.

 

 Posted by The Jilly Bean at 11:07 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Orange Glazed Carrots

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May 172013
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Orange Glazed Carrots

This is a favorite side around here. We just love it beyond what words could describe. It is super easy to make and is also really quick for those nights when you need to throw something together for the family or to impress unexpected guests. I ALWAYS keep several cans of carrots on hand just for those times when I get a call at the last minute from someone inviting themselves to supper.

Yes, people invite themselves to supper at my house often. I am always asked…”Does that not bother you?”

No, it really doesn’t. There is always room for one more at my table. Always. I love nothing better than to spend time with friends and family…except being able to cook for them. So, let’s get to cooking!

Orange Glazed carrots ingredients

You will need 2 cans of sliced carrots, some butter, orange marmalade and just a dash of cinnamon. If you don’t feed the masses, or have a teenage boy living under your roof, both of which I do…you can cut this recipe in half to feed a normal amount of people. I am not sure what a normal amount of people for dinner is though, it has never happened here.

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Melt the butter, orange marmalade and cinnamon over medium heat in a saucepan until it is melted. It will look like a sauce and smell wonderful. Just make sure to stir it often so it doesn’t burn.

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Drain the carrots and then add them to the butter/orange marmalade mixture.

Simmer, stirring often until the carrots are heated through and glazed with the sauce.

Serve while hot.

This will be enough to feed 6-8 people, depending upon the appetites of the people that you feed.

Orange Glazed Carrots

2 (15 oz.) cans sliced carrots

2 Tablespoons butter

4 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Dash of Cinnamon

Mix the butter, orange marmalade and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it all melts and becomes a sauce, stir often. Add the carrots and heat until the carrots are hot and glazed.

Serve immediately.

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 Posted by The Jilly Bean at 9:30 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Strawberry Bread

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May 162013
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Strawberry Bread

When I make this bread it gets really quiet around my house. That means I make it often! Quiet around this place is SACRED! Usually there is a dull roar. But a roar none-the-less. And at times it is louder around here than a rock concert. So if I make something where everyone just sits around savoring the goodness and doesn’t say a word, I am going to make it often and just enjoy the silence that comes with it.

When I bake this bread it makes 3 loaves…1 large, 2 smaller. And those 3 loaves never last more than an hour.

Seriously, it is just that good.

You have to go make it now…and when it comes out of the oven and you cut into it, just sit back and listen. Listen to the silence. I will sit here and wait for the thanks…

ingredients for strawberry bread

To make this wonderful bread you are going to need self-rising flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, eggs, oil, and strawberries.

I am using frozen strawberries but you can use fresh and it will still work just fine.

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Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Mix all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Then mix the two bowls together.

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Grease and Flour your pans, pour the mix in and bake.

It is that easy! Even your kids could make this…perfect for Mother’s Day!

Strawberry Bread

3 cups self-rising flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

10 ounces of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed (or 1 1/2 cups fresh sliced strawberries)

Mix the flour, sugar and cinnamon together in a LARGE bowl. Then mix the eggs, oil and strawberries together in a separate bowl. Combine the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring until mixed well. Grease and flour 2 large or 3 small loaf pans. Pour batter into pans until they are half full. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

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Strawberry Bread

 Posted by The Jilly Bean at 7:12 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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