Unexpected Joy

The unexpected. Life often throws something completely different at us than our plans. Often its challenging to adjust but by God's grace we make it. We walk through the rough dreary days to be able to step out into the sunshine and laugh. The unexpected quite uncomfortable at times. and other times so much better than the expected.

I expected to have Bible study and supper with 4 of my friends the other night. I never would have guessed the unexpected was coming.

My hand touched the door knob and opened the door to the family room. Unexpectedly my ears were greeted with "surprise"! The exuberant group of girls broke into celebratory song of "Happy Birthday". Slowly it began to sink in. Nearly all of friends from our church fellowship were there for a surprise birthday party for me. Cameras were flashing and I couldn't find a thing to say. Never in my entire life had I received something so unexpected.

Let me pause here before the party commences to tell you I was absolutely thrilled to be surprised. I always thought it was the most romantic thing to be given a surprise party, just like the books. Yet I never thought it would happen because of my keen sense of awareness. As I assured my friends many times I was completely caught off guard! On another note without knowing my friends had thwarted my own plans for a party. I planned to host a birthday party for me but determined to let the birthday part remain secret. If I thought I was going to be sly my niece Abi was even more so:) Now for some details for those who would like to hear.

As my brain started functioning again I began to remember what a mess I looked! Oh was I glad that I discovered at home that my shirt was on backwards:) But I didn't care because the first event of the evening was being announced.

The stage was given to me for my very own cooking show. I would be baking my own birthday cake! Without a recipe no less.
Normally very talkative I think I was too in shock to be thinking about baking a cake. Nerveless I added what I was sure was of the staple ingredients and lots of baking powder was added to ensure that it would rise. I dumped in a rather extravagant amount of vanilla for flavor. Making sure as well to put in a good dose of chocolate:) While the cake baked we were divided into teams and sent on a digital scavenger hunt. Our main goal was to take pictures of the detailed ideas given to us. Among the more challenging one's was catching the 5 very petrified kittens so they might be photographed in one place.

Capturing three girls bathing in a tub was easier once we found a real claw foot tub instead of the stock tank. Our group picture proved to test our flexibility yet didn't score many points with the judge.

After the other team was declared the winner everyone got to sample my cake. My niece said it was best eaten with ice cream on the side. I'm thinking someone put a little too much vanilla in:) Gratefully there were brownies to suffice our chocolate desires.

A plethora of fun had been enjoyed but before the party dispensed my nephew insisted my gifts should be opened. So many pairs of earrings were added to my jewelry box that I think I may need to get my nose pierced to show case them all. Just kidding mom!
Chocolate is always a sure favorite of mine but I found the cards to be the very best gifts. I'm savoring the very lovingly written notes, reading only one or two at a time.

Words can't express the love I felt. I came home and just wanted to cry from the overwhelming feeling of gratefulness. I'm not any more perfect or special than any of my other friends. On the contraire I'm just the opposite at times. Yet my friends took time and effort to bless me in a very special way. It reminded me so much of God's grace so undeserving are we of it. Yet God expects to take it on our knees as we worship Him

My precious friends I love you. Your love was shown to me in the most unexpected way. Whenever I think of my 19^th birthday in coming years I'll remember the friends who showed me the love of God.

Giggle + Giggle = Girl Time

March 27, afternoon

Warning: If there be any male readers don't bother wasting your time for it will only make you become very frustrated at the opposite sex. If you do dare read I offer no explanation for the following behavior described only that it is completely natural.

I can hear the plink of the ice has its hits the windows. I'm glad to be in our cozy house next to the woodstove. The vegetable soup from dinner is still keeping me warm. When I get cold again I think it will be time for a tea party. Sadly the ice will spoil my plans for a little girl time tonight. But that’s okay because the company of females has been enjoyed plentifully this week by me.

First you see there was the party where I just knew it was going to lovely as soon as I drove up the Bradford tree lined lane of my friend's house. Blossoming trees in full spring bloom no less. We giggled and talked over Mexican food and chocolate fudge. Conversing while sitting at a round table, very elegant I thought. Between shared glances of radiant smiles I gazed out the tall French doors past the deck and looked at the lush green of the wheat crop covering the surrounding fields like an emerald valley.
Lovely, just lovely.

Until we were interrupted out of our secret sharing reverie taking place in the darkness of night on the trampoline, by a rather horrid looking ghost mask worn by a very naughty boy. Since we were girls we screamed loud enough to be heard in the next county. Scared us right out of our flip flops.

But that’s okay because there were 5 girls (strength in numbers) who walked each other to our perspective cars after a rather sad adieu.

That was only the beginning however.

I don't know how all the silliness started after church. I think it had something to do with trying to keep warm while standing in a tight circle. Swaying seemed to help, yes a circle of 11 swaying girls going in the same direction. The boys thought it was slightly odd.

Presently the form of movement grew boring so we decided to pop up and down one at a time in quick fashion.

Now the boys were really staring at us.

Such frivolous activity soon found its end for a new much more purposeful game was brought to light. Let me explain, it was like Musical chairs, only with no chairs, lots of slapping of hands, and singing. Makes perfect since doesn't it? The game of course couldn't be played without a good deal of jollity. By now the boys were so shocked and perhaps even embarrassed at our behavior they pretended not to notice. Except for occasional applause at our “singing”. Then we were embarrassed.

So we laughed until others compelled us to return home. I danced beneath the moon with my friend giggling away feel altogether entirely too silly. I drank it all in, longing to fill the dry dessert of my soul. Parched from so many times of loneliness and tears. Now distant memories erased by the shared laugh and touch of a friend.

The smile remained on my lips days later, the memory new just as if it were yesterday. Sadness only felt when I remembered my friends weren't by my side. But they will be again perhaps here on earth but most assuredly in heaven. Beautiful laughter will be shared every moment then.

Love, Chocolate, and being Single

Valentine's day happens to be just around the corner. A chance for lovers to celebrate their love, as if they needed an excuse:) A very wonderful excuse to eat chocolate! Opportunity for the single girls to be reminded that true love hasn't found them.

I don't call myself single. Single people are mature capable young women I tell my mother. When I am 21 I'll be single and when I'm 30 I'll be a spinster I say.

Valentines means to me time with family and friends. The delicious date at Arby's with a very good friend last year will never be forgotten. Because girls don't let girls drink Jamocha shakes and eat curly fries by themselves.

Read about our annual mom and dad's night out party here.

This year I shall celebrate my ability to continue with my Valentine's tradition. Baking a very chocolate, chocolate cake. Several years back with much help I baked my first cake and I was hooked. Chocolate has been our Valentines menu ever since. One year I made an impressive torte. With layers of chocolate pudding between the cakes slices accented with real whipped cream. Even my chocolate boycotting brother enjoyed it. Shamefully one year I baked a cake mix. I won't do that this year though, I promise;)

Tell me how will you be celebrating Valentines day? I think a girl party with of course chocolate is in order wouldn't you say?

My Secrect Adict; Or Maybe not so Secrect

I love chocolate. Taken that I also love cooking it's not hard for me to come up with an excuse to make a chocolate recipe. I even plan chocolate parties and chick flick's of course!
Here is one of my favorite recipes. Being myself I couldn't make the recipe as is but had to change to suit my time and tastes. Enjoy!

Brownie part

Make a brownie mix or use this recipe.

Chocolate cake mix
1 egg
1/3 cup oil
Blend all together and press into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15-10 minutes @ 350 degrees. It's tricky to know when it's done because of the dark color. I probably could have baked them a little less.

MINT CREAM Topping: Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine and 2 tablespoons green creme de menthe (OR 1 tablespoon water plus 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon mint extract and 3 drops green food color may be substituted for creme de menthe) in medium bowl; beat until smooth.

I drizzled the top w/ chocolate syrup however the recipe has a yummy chocolate topping.

Original Recipe.


Chocolate Mint Dessert
Ingredients:

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
* 4 eggs
* 1-1/2 cups (16-oz. can) HERSHEY'S Syrup
* MINT CREAM CENTER(recipe follows)
* CHOCOLATE GLAZE(recipe follows)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2. Combine flour, sugar, butter, eggs and syrup in large bowl; beat until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Spread MINT CREAM CENTER on cake. Cover; refrigerate. Pour CHOCOLATE GLAZE over chilled dessert. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Cover; refrigerate leftover dessert. About 12 servings.

MINT CREAM CENTER: Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine and 2 tablespoons green creme de menthe (OR 1 tablespoon water plus 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon mint extract and 3 drops green food color may be substituted for creme de menthe) in medium bowl; beat until smooth.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE: Melt 6 tablespoons butter or margarine and 1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in small saucepan over very low heat. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.