Copious Cupcakes

It all began in the depth of winter. With cold toes and an itch to grow, I succumbed to the farmer's blood running through my veins. Spring was forever away so I began to make plans...big plans for a big garden. Months later, the bounty was abundant....often more than I could handle. Then, an answer to my prayers. A contest. A contest with amazing prizes (scroll down) and involving Basil. The Iron Cupcake: Earth brings together some of the worlds most talented, and funny, bakers together to create a yummy cupcake from.....BASIL. It may seem like a strange idea to some, but out of desperation to use more of my copious crops I had already come up with a plan, and although I'm a little inexperienced in the cupcake world I couldn't resist the opportunity. Here is the result.

Copious Cupcakes

Mix together:
1 1/2 C Flour
1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Set aside.

In a separate bowl combine:

2 eggs, beaten

1 C sugar

1 C shredded zucchini

1/3 C cooking oil
Mix well.

Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and carefully combine. Then fold in 1/4 cup chopped cinnamon basil.
Pour into a dozen cupcake holders and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

While cooking mix together:
8 oz cream cheese
1 C powder sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Beat until smooth then gently mix in 8 oz Cool Whip and 1/4 C finely chopped cinnamon basil. Taste test just to be sure.

When cupcakes are done baking, let them cool, then frost and serve!

Every kid loves the frosting !

The real test comes when they get to the cake....still no slowing down.

Oh ye of little faith....

But in the end wrappers were licked and tummy's were full.

What a kick to try...hehe, and share my blessings through....well, cake.

Fumbling Around in the Dark

"Mom! I'm scared!" I'm out of bed before he finishes his plea. The house sleeps through his panic and I catch him as he comes barging down the hall. I steer him back to his covers and I lie down beside until I hear his breath come slow and even. He wakes up again calling for me..."I'm right here," I say softly. His response is questioning, "I can't see you." Still scared he fumbles around until his hand finds my face. What feels awkward seems to comfort and he sleeps again with fingers across my forehead. I offer up a groggy prayer that gets lost on my way to slumber.

...and so it goes on...more nights up and down, more tired frustration, more fumbling around in the dark, and prayer....believing in truth that can't be seen.

...according to our faith

I hear the creak of his bed, the thumping as he half climbs, half slides down his ladder, running down the hall tripping and banging the whole way he jumps on our bed and burrows down inbetween. I roll over to make room for the little one who is too big to be in our bed. I'm at a loss for any solution because I know why he is here.

Fear. How can I convince him he is safe? What parental strategy have I not tried to help him feel comfortable in his own bed, to know what I know:

"...evil beings have no real power over a righteous individual who has faith. They can threatn, confornt, even appear to be powerful and menacing, but unless one fears and yeilds, they have no power" ~Richard G. Scott

Such a connection between fear and powerlessness. My little man...so strong and good but not able to find the peace waiting for him.

I look to the Word for His help.

"...give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ.." (Alma 14:26).

I have seen this child's faith come so naturally...he feels and so he is. So we talk, and I look into his eyes as he tells me of faith, and I hold his callused little hand as I tell him of the strength he already has. And now I pray, for strength and wisdom...according to my faith.

Room Enough

..bucket after bucket hefted up the steep stairs, ducking to spare my head...up through the narrow opening and out into the dark night..dumping what should be held precious....

Water. Without it my home turns brown and useless, so we pray for rain and wait anxiously for our turn at the reservoir. And then it comes. It's an exciting day, the little ones in boots or even bare feet slogging through the field as I open and shut and readjust the gates trying to direct this much needed blessing. All to soon the excitement turns to panic as the water runs through our unprepared field and into our yard. More opening and closing and readjusting....but all no good..it's too much, too fast, and once again, I'm not ready. But the blessing continues to come...more than our share, more than we had asked for...

Hours after the water moves on to our neighbors, it continues to seep it's way into our basement. I can't help but think of a scripture ...

"Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it." ~ Malahi 3:10

So with aching muscles I continue to bail. Being alone with my thoughts and up to my ankles in blessings I wonder again about my faith...is trust in my Savior just my vocal expression, or do I really know Him so well that I daily prepare my field to receive all He has promised? What opportunities have I missed, what blessings run away wasted into the night because I didn't believe and prepare enough to make room for them in my home?

Today I bought a pump.