TIRAMISU BROWNIE SQUARES by Brenda Riden

1 package (19-21 ounces) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)

1 cup milk
1/4 cup instant coffee granules
1 container (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling
20 chocolate crème-filled sandwich cookies, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels, grated
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray rectangular baker (9 x 13) with oil. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies; pour into baker, spreading evenly. Bake 25-30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to cooling rack; cool completely.

2. In a bowl, combine milk and instant coffee granules; stir until dissolved.

3. Add half of the whipped topping and all of the pudding mix; whisk until smooth.

4. Coarsely chop cookies; fold into pudding mixture.

5. Spread filling evenly over cooled brownie.

6. Take the easy accent decorator; fill with remaining whipped          topping. Pipe something that would remind you of a wedding (or       just spread the whipped topping on top).

 7. Grate chocolate morsels over whipped topping. 

 8. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

 9. Chill 30 minutes. Slice and serve.



Brenda Riden
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/brendariden

WORD FOR THE WEEK

How hard it is to just be still! My mind has a million thoughts a minute, I'm anxious thinking about the what-ifs, I'm planning all the possible scenarios and what I would say to each of them. 

Right now I am going to just be still...and wait on God to be my protector and provider. 

KRISTI'S KRAFTS Bronze Embellished Initial by Kristi Childs

Bronze Embellished Initial

This is a Pinterest inspired project that is fairly easy to make. You can use the finished project as a beautiful and inexpensive gift or as a nice addition to your home decor. I gave this example as a wedding gift.

Supplies that you will need:

Paper mache letter - (can be found at most craft stores)

Thick craft glue

White craft paint

Paintbrush

Brown shoe polish

Paper towels

Wipe on Polyurethane

Soft cloth - (use something that you don’t mind trashing afterwards)

1. Take the paper mache letter and draw designs on it with your glue. (This is the most time consuming aspect of the project. I think it took about 20 minutes.) Be sure to work top to bottom and left to right so that you don’t smear your glue designs. Don’t worry if you make a mistake, just wipe it off and try again.

2. Let this dry completely. I suggest letting it dry overnight.

3. Put a light coat of white paint over the entire letter.

4. Allow time to dry. Maybe 20 minutes or so. You’ll know it’s dry

when it doesn’t feel sticky to the touch.

5. Wipe on brown shoe polish (over the entire surface) making sure to get plenty around the glue bumps. If you put too much, you can always wipe the extra off.

6. Allow the shoe polish to dry.

7. Gently wipe on the poly over the entire surface.

8. Allow time to dry (follow the directions on the poly.)

9. Add one more coat of wipe on poly.

10. Allow to dry overnight.

11. You’re done! Gift it or display proudly in your home!

TODAY'S THOUGHT ABOUT BROKEN THINGS

He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

DID YOU SEE IT? by Cathy Westmoreland

I enjoy taking photographs. My pictures pale in comparison, though, to the ones GOD shows me each day. The greatest pictures ever viewed are pictures that GOD places in the sky every day for me and others to enjoy. Did you take the time to look up at the majesty He painted this morning? This evening? Are you pointing out to your children the beautiful sky, sunrises, and sunsets that GOD provides us each day? He changes the picture all day long, yet we miss so many great scenes. Shouldn't I be more excited to see the pictures my Creator makes than the ones I take?

Please teach me, Lord, to be more grateful for the wonderful creation You have made.

Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."

PUMPKIN OATMEAL by Paula Roten

I love everything pumpkin, so when I saw this recipe at allrecipes.com, I knew I had to try it. It is a wonderful breakfast to usher in the fall season. Of course, I changed it a bit, but I think for the better!

Pumpkin Oatmeal  - serves 1 (original recipe can be viewed here)

1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 cup + 2 T. milk, or as needed (and you WILL need more milk)
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/8 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp. cinnamon, or to taste (I used 1/4 tsp.)
Coffee Mate's Italian Sweet Cream liquid creamer, to taste

1.  Mix together oats and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring once, adding milk if needed.
2.  Add more milk to achieve the desired consistency and cook for another 30 seconds. 
3.  Stir in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. 
4.  Heat through.
5.  Stir in liquid creamer and heat again if needed. 

WORD FOR THE WEEK

I have to re-evaluate my life every now and then just to make sure I am still seeking God and his righteousness first and not the world and its pleasures. What about you?