Sunday Sweets - Life's Ups and Downs

It's not fair! How many times do you hear that in a week?

I hear it at least once a day from my kids. 

And you know what? They're right. Life's not fair. 

It can be pretty crappy sometimes. 

We all have experienced the up and downs of life. And, at times, I'm sure we're tempted to scream, "IT'S NOT FAIR!" It's during those times that this particular scripture comes to my mind.

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

~D&C 121:7-8

I love this scripture. It reminds me to hang in there, because the not-so-fun moments in life won't last forever. It also encourages me to remember my blessings and to look on the bright side of things. I know that last part is often easier said than done when you're right in the middle of one of life's many tests.

Now, I realize my last couple of Sunday Sweets posts have been about having a happy attitude. Maybe it's because I need the reminders on a daily, weekly, and sometimes hourly basis. Maybe you do, too.

Hang in there! There is light at the end of the tunnel!

And, while you're hanging in there and you think you can't hang in there anymore, just remember this:

Chocolate always makes everything better. Don't you agree?

Ok, folks. Are you ready for the second part of Sunday Sweets? I know I am.

I made these little morsels of yumminess (is that even a word?) for our Geography Co-op class this past week. We've been studying Israel, and decided to have a Passover meal for our lunch. They're called Matzo Caramel Crunch, and let me tell you, they are SO good.

If you've never heard of Matzo before, here's a mini lesson. Matzo, Matza, or Matzah, is an unleavened bread traditionally eaten by Jews during the week-long Passover holiday, when eating chametz--bread and other food made with leavened grain is forbidden according to Jewish religious law. (Wikipedia)

Guess what? There's chocolate involved! Ready? Let's go.

Matzo Caramel Crunch

Ingredients:

Enough Matzos to cover the bottom of a jelly pan (I found them at our local Winn Dixie--Walmart didn't have them)

2 sticks of butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used sliced almonds that I toasted in the over for a few minutes.)

2 cups chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Cover a large jellyroll pan or cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spray well with nonstick spray.

2. Lay matzos flat in the prepared pan. Be sure the entire bottom is covered with matzo, trimming them to the right size if needed.

3. Combine butter and sugar in a pot and heat to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. Pour butter-sugar mixture over matzos. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. (I didn't let mine go past 10 minutes.)

5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot brittle. Let the chocolate start to melt a little and then spread with a knife.

6. Top with nuts.

7. Refrigerate until set. (I had to put mine in the freezer for a few minutes to get it to firm up all the way.)

8. Break into pieces and serve.

These would be great for party treats, family home evening treats, or anytime treats. Enjoy!

Sunday Sweets

I know I've explained the meaning of Sunday Sweets before, but since it's been over 2 years  a few weeks since I've posted one, I'll explain again.

I found this idea on another fab blog somewhere, but I have no clue where. So . . . we'll just say it's my idea. Comprende? *wink wink*

Ok, getting on with the explanation. 

I like to think of it as a two for one deal. You get an inspirational thought AND a divinely yummy recipe from yours truly. 

Work for you?

Works for me. 

Now that we understand each other, lets get to it. 

Today at church, a sweet sister shared with us how this past year hasn't turned out quite like she expected. Her family has had many trials during the last part of the year, but she's determined to keep her chin up and move forward with faith. Her courageous words made me think of these two quotes I found on Pinterest.

Isn't this so true? I love this one. Have you ever noticed how bright everything is after a good rain? The grass, the leaves on the trees, flower and vegetable gardens? Everything is so vibrant and perks right up after nice, soaking rain. I think that's also how life is sometimes. Without the clouds and the storms of life, we might not notice and appreciate the the brightly colored happy moments . . . the rainbows.

My little family is also facing some trials (whose isn't?), but I know as I strive to handle these things with a positive attitude and a happy spirit, we will see our rainbows . . . and they will be all the more beautiful. I know things will work out the way they should.

And now for the second sweet. YIPPEE! 

This recipe is from a dear friend from our military days, and boy are these things F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S. And addictive!

Are you ready?

Golden Delights

1 box yellow cake mix

1 egg

1 stick of butter

1 box of powdered sugar

1 8oz. package of cream cheese

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 325. Mix the first 3 ingredients together and press into the bottom of a 15 x 10 in. pan to form the crust. Mix the last 3 ingredients together and pour on top of crust. Bake for 45 min. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Try eating only one. Enjoy!

Sunday Sweets

I'm trying to get into the habit of posting certain things on certain days in an effort to keep my blog updated regularly. I have a bad habit of letting it go for days, or weeks even, without posting anything. Bad blogger! I haven't come up with cute titles/topics for each day of the week because . . . well . . . that might be too much of a stretch for me. I have 'Dear So and So' that I borrowed from another blog I read regularly, but I wanted to do something on Sunday. I don't know why exactly, but here it is.

'Sunday Sweets will be a spiritual thought and a recipe. I'm calling it this because the spiritual thought helps to sweeten up my day(and maybe yours too) and the recipes will be something tried and true by my family. You know, those recipes that everyone in the family likes and doesn't complain about? Ok, almost everyone. On those rare nights I'm thinking, WOOHOO! NO ONE'S WHINING ABOUT WHAT I COOKED!!! See? That's pretty sweet! Doesn't happen often though.

So, to kick off my first Sunday Sweets, I'm sharing a spiritual thought from LDS Nuggets. Maybe some of you other LDSers get these in your inbox. I love them! The message that comes is usually what I need to hear at just the right time. 

This one is titled "Teach the Truth" by Elder Richard G. Scott. It's from the April 2010 General Conference.

"The vital importance of teaching truth in the home is fundamental. The Church is important, but it is in the home where parents provide the required understanding and direction for children. It is truly said that the most important callings in time and eternity are those of father and mother. In time we will be released from all other assignments we receive but not from that of father and mother."

This really hit home with me when I read it yesterday. I often 'let' myself get overwhelmed by my calling as a mom and I neglect to remember it's the most important assignment I will ever have.

And now for the other sweet-----Blackberry Cobbler. Mmmm, delicioso! Sorry. Too much Dora. 

Alright, here it goes. It's super easy, but if you must have step by step directions with pictures, go here. This gal so totally rocks, dude! Too much Nemo, I know.

You will need:

1 stick butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup milk

2 cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)

Melt butter in a microwavable dish. Pour 1 cup of sugar and flour into a mixing bowl, whisking in milk. Mix well. Then, pour in melted butter and whisk it all together really well. Butter a baking dish. Of course rinse and pat dry your blackberries if you're using fresh ones. 

Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle blackberries over the top of the batter, distributing evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar over the top. 

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden and bubbly. If you want, you can sprinkle an additional teaspoon of sugar over the cobbler 10 minutes before it's done. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you like. I like. I like a lot. What's cobbler without ice cream, right?

And when it's finished, you have . . . . . . 

 THIS!!!!

But not for long. Enjoy!