Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Because sometimes, you just need some cinnamon toast in your life...

We interrupt this attempt at a low-carb lifestyle to bring you...


Cinnamon Toast!!!

I worked around the house for a couple of hours without eating anything for breakfast this morning, and when the hunger pangs hit, I just had a powerful craving for cinnamon toast! And not just any cinnamon toast -- my Dad's cinnamon toast. And while this was pretty good, nothing quite measures up to the cinnamon toast prepared by J.H. Martin. Here's my attempt, however:


The cast of characters -- pretty straightforward. Cinnamon, sugar, butter (real butter, please) and bread.
First step: Toast the bread. 


You want it to have a little umph to stand up to the onslaught of butter that awaits.

Then -- slather on the butter. (I'm pretty sure this is where my toast-making falls down. My mom says dad uses about 1/2 a stick per slice. I think she's exaggerating...)


The combination of warm, toasted bread and softened butter results in some immediate "pooling" of the butter in places. This is the effect you're going for.

Next - sugar. (Hey, don't judge me. It's only 16 calories per teaspoon and a teaspoon per slice usually does the trick!)


Now, cinnamon. (Looking back at this, I could've had a heavier hand with the cinnamon. It looks like a lot, but it blends in quickly. And cinnamon is good for you!)


Now, this is key. Run the toast under the broiler -- just for a few seconds, long enough for the butter to bubble...


and....voila! Cinnamon Toast! 
(See that shiny, pooling effect? Yes!)


And there you have it. But it still wasn't quite as good as Dad's. What do you think, J.H.? Not enough butter? Your tips are welcome here!

(We now return to our regularly scheduled attempt 
to reduce bread, pasta, sugar...boo.)


-------

Update: The MAN himself -- my Dad, 
Julian Hamilton (J.H.) Martin -- 
read this post and offered the following suggestions: 

The contents are ok, maybe a little more butter and sugar and lots more cinnamon. Should cover the slice. 
Keep trying. 
Dad 

(Well, if my Dad thinks I need to keep trying, who am I to argue?)

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Set the world right...



Memorizing an unfamiliar version of a very familiar passage. The choice was based on a couple of things...mainly, a recent conviction about lack of attention to prayer in this season (thanks, Andrew!). As I was looking at Scripture about prayer, I was also learning the horrible news of the bombing in Boston. The Message translation of our own Lord's prayer struck a chord.
So, this is my prayer.

Monday, April 1, 2013

An anchor for the soul...

I was drawn to this verse (partial verse, actually) for April 1 Scripture memory:

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, 
firm and secure." 
Hebrews 6:19a

We know what an anchor is --  a "device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current." (thank you, wikipedia!) A secondary definition is "a reliable or principal support; mainstay; something that holds an object firmly."

This life can be filled with winds and currents that toss us around, threaten to blow us off course or into a rocky, uncertain coastline. And what is our anchor? Our reliable support that holds us firmly? Our mainstay?

Hope.

The beauty of that word takes my breath away. Ours isn't a wispy, misty, vague, wishful hope. Our hope is an anchor -- weighty, sure, solid. In context, the Scripture is referring to the promises of God, tied to the unwavering nature of God. God embodies truth, so His promises are sure. Our hope is an anchor, connected securely to God's Word, His promises, His very nature. 

I'm flinging that anchor out of my little boat so it will hold me firm and secure. How about you? Are you memorizing Scripture? Join us over at Beth Moore's site for some inspiration!