Homemade Shortbread Cookies

Yum. I {heart} shortbread cookies. So, SO much. They really go with anything, and even the WORST bakers/cooks can make them. I always say, if you can make a good shortbread cookie, you can bring something to any event: Coffee with friends, Bible Study, Potluck, Brunch...you name it-shortbread belongs there.

So! For our local MOMS Club Chapter last week, we did a cookie exchange. There were some marvelous concoctions...Cranberry Bliss Bars, these little cookies with apricot jam in the middle...Delish! I decided to do the basics and make some white-chocolate dipped shortbread cookies! Here is my recipe, in case you need a good one!

Ingredients

3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 to 7 ounces white chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a 3 by 1-inch finger-shaped cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.

When the cookies are cool, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put 3 ounces of the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. (Don't trust your microwave timer; time it with your watch.) Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second increments until the chocolate is just melted. Add the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is smooth and slightly cooled; stirring makes it glossier.

Drizzle or Dip 1/2 of each cookie with just enough chocolate to coat it.

I always use this recipe, which can also be found here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/shortbread-cookies-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Enjoy!!

Parental Responsibilities (according to God)

Man. This world just gets scarier and scarier.

Today, there was a discussion going on in the "Fresno Mamas" group on Facebook regarding the new Trans-gender Laws for public schools. Some responded with Christian opinions and points of view, others with very affirmative responses about the law. As everyone began flooding the thread with their opinions, my heart sank.

One woman, mother, responded with this:

"I find it really strange that so many of you want to instill your beliefs on your children. I want my daughter to think for herself, even if her views are different from mine."

Oh dear, if only she knew that that is exactly why this country is falling through the cracks. The parenting styles of today allow our children to make their own decisions, run the circus, and have a free for all, because, well, they need to just "be who they are", right? Wrong. So, so wrong. And scary.

To allow our children to just 'think for themselves' means they will be learning about sex, drugs, alcohol, trans-gender, gay, lesbian, rape, murder, shootings, etc. from their friends, and possibly from their own experiences, in ways that are not safe. Fifteen-year-olds will learn about sex from their teachers or friends, whom you probably don't even know.

It's just so incredibly scary, because these people who want to let their children just run free, with no consistent guidance, values, and necessary discipline are being brought up in a way that is AGAINST the way God says to do it.

I was studying Proverbs 11 today during my quiet time and my bible (I read out of a NKJV Bible so as many verses are left intact as possible) listed some verses in regards to the responsibilities we have as parents.

~Demonstrate God's Pattern for Christian Marriages. As you may have read in a previous post of mine, I WANT to let my children see that his parents are in love, respect each other, that his father is a wonderful leader of the home, and his mother is his helper. For our children's marriages to be this way, it is crucial that we model this for them! Scripture which backs this up includes the following:
 
"One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence"
~1 Timothy 3:4

"Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well."
~1 Timothy 3:12

"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—  that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
~Titus 2:1-5

~Teach Your Children Spiritual Truths. We simply cannot rely on church and even Christian schools to do this for us. According to God, it is our responsibility as parents to teach these things. This is WHY (to answer that lady's question) we instill our beliefs onto our children.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
~Deuteronomy 6:4-9
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
~Ephesians 6:4

~Lead children to go God's way through loving, yet consistent discipline. So many have forgotten the discipline part of parenting, and feel that being 'friendly' with their children will be a positive for the child. This is not only true, it is WRONG according to God. While this part isn't fun, we are directed as followers of the Lord to discipline our children in a consistent and loving way.

"He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."
~Proverbs 13:24

"Chasten your son while there is hope,
And do not set your heart on his destruction."
~Proverbs 19:18
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
~Hebrews 12:11


As a mother, I am choosing to parent according to the word of God. Yes, it is different than the "norm" of today, but God made us to stand out. Not conforming to the ways the world has unfortunately turned. Today I am praying for our country, new/old parents, and children as they continue to grow up during this time. I am praying over the schools, that they would be safe for our children and not harm them physically, mentally, or spiritually. It's such a hard thing to deal with and talk about, especially for me as a new mother, trying to figure out what is best for my son! So I am choosing to go by the Book, His book, as my personal manual! ;)

Prayers and Love to your family!!

~Kaila

Eww! Mom and Dad, Get a Room!

I just KNOW I am going to hear the above statement from my little boy and his future siblings as SOON as he realizes Mommy and Daddy are goo-goo, ga-ga over each other. Too bad buddy, Ha!

See, I want my son to grow up knowing and understanding that loving on his wife is a GOOD thing. Of course, we will save our more intimate endeavors for the bedroom...we aren't sick-o's! However, I am commited to showing my children that love and affection is how God wants us to behave in a marriage. I want my son(s) to cherish their wives and have eyes only for them, and to be respected by their wives. I want my daughter(s) to feel loved and adored by their husbands, and to be the helper to their husbands that God has created them to be.

I began a few days ago studying a Proverb a day for the month of Decemeber, in addition to my weekly Bible Study and the Advent readings through GMG (get the Advent Reading Plan I use HERE). During my quiet time with the Lord this morning, I studied and mediated on Proverbs 5. In this, God discusses His laws regarding sex in marriage and the peril of adultery. You see, God likes sex. He WANTS us to have sex, and lots of it too! In fact, God wants sex to be erotic and exciting! Good news here, right?! I mean, God said so...so I guess we better do what he says! Hehe. The thing is, God wants these things for a MARRIED couple, and that married couple only.

Uh-Oh. I am the first to say, I messed this up already. I would love to be able to tell you, and more importantly, my children, that mommy and daddy waited for marriage like God wants, but it's not true. Good news, though, God is a forgiving Father, and we can now tell our children that even though we made a mistake, we wish we would have followed God's commands and that they have the opportunity to follow God's Word!

Anyway, back to the fun stuff; sex! So God has given us all the blessing to have fun, exciting, kinky sex, with our husbands. NO. ONE. ELSE. In Bible times, each family had a well which the household would get their drinking water from. This was not a 'shared' thing, it belonged to the family only. God explains keeping sex inside the marriage this way:

"Drink from the water of your own cistern, and running water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you." ~Proverbs 5:15-18

Don't you love when the Lord explains what He means in 'plain Jane' terms?? Thank you, Lord, for making this simple enough for even little ol' me to understand.

I am so thankful to have a God who is:
 A. Forgiving
 B. Wants my husband and I to desire each other

I want you to know that if you have 'messed up' it is not too late to make things right, whether you made a mistake (or many, like me) prior to your marriage, or even in your marriage. God wants you to be with Him. He is not going to cast your out. He knows we will sin and make mistakes. Calling on Him is the only way to be sure you can keep your path straight!

Alright you love birds. Go 'get a room', get creative, and love on your hubby!

Blessings,
Kaila

Child-Like Joy

My son is such an amazing little boy. At only 7 months of age (well, 7 months tomorrow!), he has such a cheerful spirit, always smiling, his heart full of joy. Even when he is sick or hungry or needs a diaper change, it is almost as though he is straining to even complain about that! This is something I truly admire about my sweet baby boy. I crave to feel the joy he naturally feels all day long!

Yesterday at bible study with some friends we all committed to a daily 'quiet time' with God. Mind you, ALL of us are mothers and homemakers, most have two or more children, I am in school; bottom line, we are ALL busy and finding 'quiet time' with God during the day is truly a challenge. However, it is absolutely necessary.We are learning through our study, Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph, just how crucial this quiet time is to be create a healthy, happy home, raise healthy, happy children, and for your relationship with God to be solid. This one on one time, praying over your home, husband, and children daily, worshiping throughout your daily chores, school work, errands, dinner prep, and everything else we do during the day is in fact the ONLY way this craving for joy will be fulfilled!

Take a look at what the bible says about having quiet time with God:

--But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ~Matthew 6:6

--But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.~Psalm 1:2

--Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ~Matthew 14:22-23

This is just a teeny tiny glimpse into the importance of getting alone with God. As Courtney Joseph said in last weeks study, if JESUS needed quiet time with God, we surely do!

The fact is, friends, that natural, true cheerfulness and pure joy, like that of a child...like that of my own child, cannot be satisfied until we are fully engulfed in Him. Until we set aside the 5, 10, 15 minutes a day to be with Him. Until we begin to pray and worship not only on Sundays, but throughout the entire day. How easy is it to just whisper, "Thank you Lord for the clothing you have provided for me and my family." while doing your laundry. Or "Lord bless this bedroom where my child sleeps" picking up their toys.

Our Lord God IS the joy I have been craving; why on earth has it taken me so long to 'get it'? I have no idea, but I've got it now! I have decided to challenge myself to pray throughout the day, in addition to my quiet time and in addition to my bible study. I have done so the past few days and the perspective God has given me, the new appreciation for my home and my family, has already given me such joy. I am looking forwards to the many, many prayer times ahead today!

Joy and Blessings on your day!
~Kaila

At The Kitchen Table: An Introduction

This blog is a mish mosh look into my family's journey through life in general: our walks with God (mostly mine for now), growing our son and future children up to be obedient servants of the Lord, being a new mother, health and wellness, nourishment of our minds, bodies, and hearts through good food and our Savior-- You know, things that occur at the kitchen table.

Friends come together here, families break bread here. Prayer happens, joy happens, struggle and pain. Good meals, burnt meals, homework, bills, laughter, sorrow...the kitchen table is a place to come together, to share, and learn from one another. It is also a place to be alone with God. The kitchen table is a symbol representing how the Lord is always there for us, regardless of the 'stuff' that goes on in life. Regardless of the stack of bills tossed on it, the burnt chicken eaten on it, the deep scratch down the center of it because your father in law forgot to use a placemat...there it stands; Ready and waiting for you to use.

The last three years have been rough for my husband Jeff and I. In 2011, we suffered the loss of our first son, Hayden James to stillbirth, followed by two early miscarriages. We have experienced truck loads of unforeseen bills coming all at once, had our car repossessed, borrowed money from my mother and Jeff's father that we know we can't pay back, even though we want to, and eating literally EVERYTHING in the pantry and refrigerator because we couldn't afford to grocery shop. Our marriage has been tested by temptation on several occasions, been surrounded by sinful over indulgences such as alcohol and even 'less sinful' indulgences such as Facebook and video games. In the short three years Jeff and I have been married, there has been a lot and I mean a LOT of 'stuff' happening at our kitchen table. Yet here we stand, strong as a brick house. This can only be by the workings of God himself because let me tell you, Jeff and I couldn't have done it alone.

The amazing thing of it all is though I knew during all the 'junk' we were going through that I wasn't right with God, my faith never waivered. I knew what I was doing was wrong. I knew it hurt God that I hadn't chatted with Him in a while. That I hadn't handed over my junk to Him and laid it all at His feet. But I was a big girl with thick skin and could handle it myself, right? Oh, dear, I couldn't have been more wrong.

I have to be completely honest that even after growing up surrounded by the Lord, in church, and having those roots and foundations, it took my stubborn self three years to give up my junk! The birth of our son, Hudson Eugene, on May 6th, 2013 changed everything. It wasn't about me anymore; he was my responsibility and it was my job as his mother as stated by God himself to teach him the ways of the Lord. Man. For the first time in a long time, I had to admit that I could not do this alone. I had to give it all to God, ALL of it this time, so that I could finally be the wife, mother, sister, friend, and daughter God wanted of me.

As I sat down last week printing out the worksheets for the bible study a few friends and I are doing called, "Women Living Well" by Courtney Joseph, God told me to start a blog. My response, to a T was: "Really, Lord? I have like 4 other blogs I can't even keep up with, and you want me to start another one? As if school, Hudson, homemaking, etc, aren't enough already!"

Seriously? Did I just QUESTION my Lord? My Savior, who sacrificed His Son?? I asked HIM if HE was SURE?! Who does that?!? LOL! Who on earth do I think I am?

So, I said yes. I prayed about it all week. I didn't know what to call it. I didn't know what to write about. First I thought He wanted me to write about recipes and food. Then I thought He wanted me to write about being a first time mother. I had no idea what to call this thing or where to begin. As I was cleaning up after dinner last night, it was really pulling on my heart to clear off the kitchen table, but I really wanted to play Hay Day on my iPad! I had orders to fill!! LOL...But instead of sitting there, I got up and begin clearing off the table. As I put away the place mats, wiped the crumbs off the table, stacked the bills up and put them away, I ran my fingers along the grooves dug into the soft wood. I thought about everything Jeff and I had been through together at this table. I thought about how my relationship with God had grown at this table. I thought about the good meals, discussions, board games, crafts, and memories made at this table. God then gave me the confirmation that I was to write a blog about my journey. The everyday things that go on at my 'table', whether its a struggle with something spiritual or a literal meal being served at my table, I'm just going to blog about it!

So! Isn't that exciting!? I pray that someone who needed to read this or needs to read my future posts finds it soon and that it helps them in the way God intended. This post was so all over the place, but I know it was supposed to be written, and hey, I warned you it was a mish mosh of stuff ;) Looking forward to writing again soon!

In obedience to the Lord,
~*Kaila*~