Mamaw’s Blueberry Buckle

Yesterday on facebook, I wrote that I loved baking my mamaw’s blueberry buckle recipe in her pan (one of daily use treasures). It was a New Year’s Day tradition to walk the gravel road from our house to Mamaw and Papaw’s for breakfast. The menu was always the same, egg and ham casserole with juice, coffee, or milk and blueberry buckle. She had the best recipe for it. And it appears I’m not the only one to share that feeling. A long time family friend and cousin both asked me to share the recipe.

First though, I have to share a picture. Hopefully one day my kiddos will look over this blog and have some great memories and learn some new stories about their heritage. And I just happen to think my grandparents were some of the most beautiful, wise people I’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing. Just my humble opinion of course!  

Blueberry Buckle

1 1/4 C Sugar

2T Shortening (I use coconut oil)

Cream these together and add::

2 eggs

3/4 C milk

In a separate bowl mix together:

3 C flour

3tsp  baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

Mix into wet ingredients then add.

3 C blueberries fresh or frozen

Pour into a greased 9x13, sprinkle with topping and bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

For topping, cut together

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 C flour

1 tsp cinnamon

6 Tbsp butter

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It’s super easy and great to make the night before and it keeps really well for a few days…if it lasts that long. Let me know if you make it!

 

The Living Christmas Story

Our family is, once again, participating in our church's Christmas program. This year has been a little different from the last two. Although I knew it would be harder this year, I just wasn't expecting this much of a challenge. But, you know what they say about men and rivers right? 

Taking the easy way makes them crooked.

I think God has a little (or a lot) of character straightening that He wanted to do in me this fall.

This year, Hope plays the dead girl. During the scene that depicts Jesus ministry and the many miracle's the final and most climatic scene is of Jarius' daughter being raised from the dead.  It's a treasured part for most of the young girls on the cast and we were pretty sure she would love to have the role.  When asked, we said "Sure, she'd love to." 

Um, we were wrong. Really, really wrong.

For the next 20 minutes or so, Hope shrieked, as we practiced. I knew in my mama heart that she wanted to do this, I just had to figure out what was going on. When we got to the bottom of it, Hope was worried she'd have to die and really need a miracle to come back to life.

We reassured her that she didn't really have to die. That she wouldn't even have to be seriously injured (her next big concern), that she simply must act the part. Lots of practice in her daddy's arms later, she's got the role down and did an incredible job tonight on opening night. 

As I have taken pictures and watched this transformation in her, I've been amazed. Not that my daughter is so great at this role (anyone who knows her knows she has a flair for the dramatic), but at the revealing nature of her fear. Because it's my fear too. 

Jesus assures us that he is there for us. His arms are a safe place for us. That he would rather die than spend eternity without us. He asks us for one thing, complete and total surrender. He wants us to fall on him and die to...ourselves. 

Oh, how that hurts. "Die to myself, Jesus. Can't I just play 'possum in your arms?" "Can't I just be mostly dead?" 

But truly die to myself. Truly fall totally on him. Truly cry out to him every last bit of my being. Truly want him more than I want ANYTHING on this earth. 

Sometimes I would rather scream and cry like a child than

give in to what He wants.

And as I ask myself why, the answer is simple: I forget His goodness.

What he's asking is everything I have and what he's offering is more than I can imagine. Tonight as I sit here remembering the love he poured out for us, I want to throw myself into his arms and surrender to the God who is truly good. Truly kind. Truly loving. 

And who can make my mess straight.

Making a Commitment

A few months ago, Tyler made the decision to be baptized. The last of August we celebrated this huge step of faith with him. We are so blessed to see God’s work in our son’s life. Below is the testimony Tyler wrote for his dad to read before his baptism.

Tyler, we are so, so grateful that you are choosing to walk in the truth. We know that God is at work in your life and we trust Him to complete the good work He began in you. We pray that everyday you will choose to live in the truth of God’s love and the power of the Spirit.  We love you!

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I asked Jesus into my heart when I was three. We were singing songs about God and Mom told me that Jesus wanted to be in my heart. I asked if He was and Mom said “Not yet.” And she asked me if I wanted Him in my heart. I said, “That would be very nice of Him.” Then I prayed and Dad prayed.

God has worked in my life in many ways. He has given me friends and family to support me.

Dad and Mom have read Bible verses that have encouraged me and kept me motivated to keep working for God and not for man.

I want to be baptized to show God has made a change on the inside of my life. I want to trust God with my life because He died for my sin.

Being baptized means dying to my sin nature and living a life for God.

My favorite chapter is Psalm 23 especially the first verse.  “The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.”

 

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Thanks to all the family and friends who joined us to celebrate. We are grateful to our family and the church family who showed us love and helped make this a wonderful evening. Special thanks to:

Grammy, Papaw and Grandpa for being such awesome, loving, listening, encouraging grandparents. Words can’t express the gratitude we feel for teaching us how to teach our son.

Pastor Jim for being a part of our whole family’s life these past 7 years, showing up for us when it when you didn’t have to, and putting us on your short list, meeting with Tyler and baptizing him.

Pastor Tim for helping Ty find a place of service over and over, loving him so well, walking him through the process , coordinating everything that day and making sure all the details were in place.

Miss Chelsea for getting him the wonderful book, helping with accountability, loving on him this past year and being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in ways that changed his life.

We are blessed that there are so many others not on this list.  We love you all

Wordless Wednesday–A Look Back

Jonah’s Druthers

This spring Tyler and Becca were a part of our church’s kids musical. It was a fun western spin on the story of Jonah. Our children’s pastor did an awesome job of making sure everyone was included. Becca and Tyler joined over half way through the practices and they were each given individual singing parts as well as some minor rolls.

Becca was loving the western costume she got to wear. She and on of her friend’s were able to not only sit side by side in the “choir”, but got to sing solos in the same song. It was a fun experience for her.

Becca also did an awesome job singing her solo part as well as filling in for other during the sneak peaks at church. I was so proud of her poise.

Tyler also had a solo performance. He was so determined to get his part exactly right that he went out with a very serious expression on his face. We kept encouraging him to enjoy his time on stage and not worry too much, but it was his baby sister who made him finally relax. As he went up to take his place at the microphone, Bree kept yelling “Dy-dy”. (Her version of Ty-ty.) We were all laughing (and trying to hush her), but it was fun to see him let loose a little.

Ty’s other role wasn’t a speaking role, but it got a laugh anyway. At one point in the show they introduced “Jonah’s Brothers” and he came out wearing this wig. I think he could totally do longer hair.

We loved having all three grandparents, aunts, cousins, great-grandparents, friends and neighbors all come to the show and love on the kids. It was an awesome weekend.

Spoiled

No, not one of my kids. Me!!!

I’ve been wanting this lens for about a year. For any other photo geeks out there it’s the Tamron AF 28- 75mm  f/2.8. I can’t wait to take some pictures with this! Thanks, Babe!!!

Golden

That moment before the sun slips below the trees is my favorite time of night. It also happens to be one of my favorite lights for photographing too.  Mostly because I’m too lazy to get up early and shoot in the other golden light.

Dinner was over, Doug was blessing me with doing the dishes while I did a few of my favorite things (Anyone else just sing that in their heads?) – playing in the garden and taking pictures of my kiddos.  Golden moments.