Caramel Corn

This must-try recipe for caramel popcorn is from my sister, Helen.

Caramel Corn

8 cups popped popcorn                                1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar                         1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons butter or margarine                  1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Put popcorn into baking pan. Remove any unpopped kernels.  Measure brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt into 1 1/2 quart saucepan.  Put pan on burner.  Turn burner to medium heat. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon till butter melts and everything is mixed.  Continue cooking till mixture starts to boil.  When mixture boils, stop stirring. Cook for 5 minutes. Move pan off burner and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Pour mixture over popcorn using a rubber scraper to scrape pan.  With spatula, gently stir the popcorn and hot mixture so all the popcorn is coated.  Put pan into oven of 300 degrees and bake 15 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and stir mixture with spatula. Put back into oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer. Pour it out onto a clean counter top and separate it before it cools then put it in a Tupperware container with a good seal and it will last a long time. Makes about 8 cups.

Come ye thankful people

This wonderful hymn about the onset of autumn parallels the future return of our Lord.  Enjoy...

Come ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field
Fruit unto his praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of the harvest! grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

God shall come,
And shall take his harvest home;
From his field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Give his angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In his garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
Bring thy final harvest home;
Gather thou thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
Come, with all thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

"Free from sorrow, free from sin!"  My favorite line in the hymn.  What a glorious future we have been promised.  This autumn, may you be freshly amazed at the inheritance we have through the blood of Jesus Christ.

A Girl’s Favorite Activity

As many of you already know, the annual Mahaney women’s shopping trip is a fixture on the calendar. For the past seventeen years we’ve stolen a weekend in October to do our Christmas shopping together. We travel to a nearby city with a large shopping district, stay in a hotel, and shop, then drop, then shop some more.

It’s great to enter the Christmas season unhurried and free from the pressure to purchase all the gifts and decorate the house and make all the food. Not to mention the extra time it leaves to find just the right gift at just the right price. And while it might take family members and friends a little while to get used to thinking up a Christmas list in October, they’ll catch on.

Consider making this your mother-daughter tradition, or grab a couple of friends and split the cost of a room. For a sneak peek into our annual trip from the introduction to Girl Talk, click here.

Applesauce

Here's a simple but yummy applesauce recipe from my good friend Clara--

The best apples to use are summer transparents, like Lodi - but they are only available for a brief time mid-summer.  I usually use Granny Smith for their tart flavor; McIntosh are another choice.

Cut apples in half, core, and pare. Rinse apples, cut into quarters, and put in large saucepan. Add about an inch of water and bring to boil (make sure they don't boil dry). Turn heat down far enough to maintain low boil and cook apples until they are soft (test with fork).

Pour the hot apples, with the juice, into a food processor. Puree the apples until they have a smooth sauce texture. Add sugar and sweeten to taste (the more tart the apple, the more sugar--that's what makes it so good!) We always sprinkle cinnamon on top, but some people like to stir it in. You can enjoy the applesauce hot or cold.

The Glory of Autumn

I always used to drag my feet into fall; and I failed to understand those who ran to meet the crisp air and the shedding trees. Fall meant one thing to me: cold. It meant that a chill would enter my bones and I wouldn’t thaw out till mid-July.

But then I married one of those autumn-lovers. A guy who loves to climb mountains, rappel down them head-first, and drive his Jeep with the top off in only his shorts and a long-sleeve shirt—in thirty degree weather! (Can you imagine?)

Being married changes people. Steve drinks his coffee black, but he’s also learned to appreciate a fine Earl Grey. And I, I love autumn. Yes, I still get cold. But Steve has taught me to marvel at this extravagant display of God’s glory--the brilliant colors, the migrating birds, the smell of wood-fires, and yes, even the nippy weather. All the sounds and sights and smells of fall, were intended for our enjoyment, but also as an arrow, a marker, a reminder: pointing us to God.

As John Piper writes in his book When I Don’t Desire God: "Joy in God can be awakened by the physical display of God's glory, and that very joy enters and transforms the physical experience of it" (p. 185).

Scripture reveals to us a secret…something we otherwise would never know: the wonders of nature are incessantly speaking to us, urging us to find our joy in God:

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Ps. 19:1-4).

This portion of a poem by Anne Bradstreet entitled Contemplations is one woman’s experience of this truth. It may need a second reading to be fully absorbed, but it’s worth the effort. (Note: Phoebus refers to Apollo, or the sun.)

Sometime now past in the Autumnal Tide,
When Phoebus wanted but one hour to bed,
The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride,
Were gilded o're by his rich golden head.
Their leaves and fruits seem'd painted but was true
Of green, of red, of yellow, mixed hew,
Rapt were my senses at this delectable view.
I wist not what to wish, yet sure thought I,
If so much excellence abide below,
How excellent is he that dwells on high?

How excellent is he that dwells on high? We cannot comprehend. And yet, we can see a glimmer of His glories here on earth--in autumn.

Autumn Romance

Attention wives. If you’re like me, you want to bless your husband, but at times you have trouble coming up with ideas. Here’s one that’s sure to be a hit—surprise your husband with a fall picnic. (And do it soon, before the weather gets too cold!)

If possible, check with your husband’s boss to see if he can leave a little early. Or, be ready to go (babysitter already prepped) when he walks in the door. Then whisk him away to a nearby park. Bring a blanket, some candles (in fire-safe containers), and a yummy dinner for two. For dessert, consider the “Caramel Apple Crisp To-Go” from the previous post.

But also make this the beginning of a new tradition. Purchase a book you would both enjoy reading together. Present it to your husband with the suggestion that you read it aloud to each other and try to finish the book by Christmas. Not only will this keep your picnic memory alive, but it may become a new tradition you enjoy for years to come.

Caramel Apple Crisp To Go

This recipe would be a perfect addition to a fall picnic...

Caramel Apple Crisp To Go

1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp. light-colored corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
4 to 6 apples, cored and sliced
1 cup crushed cookies, such as biscotti, pecan shortbread, peanut butter, oatmeal, snickerdoodle, or chocolate chip.

1. For caramel sauce, in a heavy medium saucepan combine whipping cream, butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup.  Bring to boiling over medium-high heat (about 5 to 6 minutes), whisking occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium.  Boil gently for 3 minutes more.  Stir in vanilla.  Transfer sauce to a storage jar with a lid.  Let cool for 15 minutes.  Cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.  Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
2. To serve, place apple slices in individual bowls.  Drizzle with caramel sauce.  Top with crushed cookies.  Makes 8 servings.

Birthday

For every birthday when we were little, Dad and Mom would put up a banner over the garage.  It would read "Happy Birthday Janelle" or "Hurrah It's Kristin's Birthday."  So every car that drove by and every neighbor that came outside knew there was a birthday celebration at the Mahaney home. It was one of the many ways our parents sought to honor and bless us on our special day.

Today we want to post our own banner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND AND FATHER IN THE WORLD!

We love you, C.J./Dad.
Carolyn, Nicole, Kristin, Janelle, and Chad

Fall Friends

The autumn season is a great excuse to have a party. Whether married or single, consider a progressive dinner as a unique way to experience the personalized hospitality of friends. Select a limited number of participants, and assign each person a course of an autumn menu (Appetizer, Main, Dessert, etc.). Each host/hostess will be responsible for preparing, decorating, and hosting that portion of the evening’s festivities. Oh, and make sure to map out the shortest route—gas prices being what they are these days!

As a way to encourage laughter and fellowship, have an assigned question for each stop. Here are a few kitchen-tested questions that have received some surprising answers:

Describe your high school experience. Public or private school? Popular or nerd? Embarrassing moments?

Share any “hide under a rock” moments. Family vacation disasters? Bad trip to the hair salon? “Clean up on aisle 3?”

How did you meet your husband? How long was your engagement? Funny or embarrassing courtship tidbits?

Honeymoon details. Where did you go? How long did you stay? Funny moments?

Any parenting adventures? Moments when tempted not to identify yourself as child’s parent? Days when going back to sleep seemed like the best course of action?

Caramel Layer Chocolate Squares

A delicious family favorite...

Caramel Layer Chocolate Squares

1 (14 oz.) pkg. caramels
1 pkg. German Chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup evaporated milk, divided in equal portions
1 cup chocolate chips

Combine caramels and half of evaporated milk.  Cook over low heat, stirring often until melted and smooth.  Grease 9"x13" pan.  Combine dry cake mix, butter and rest of the evaporated milk, and chocolate chips.  Stir just until mixed.  Press half of dough firmly in pan. Bake 6 minutes at 350*.  Spread caramel mixture overall.  Top with remaining half of dough.  Spread gently to cover.  Bake at 350* for 15 minutes.  Let stand until cool before cutting.

From Roxie Kelley and Friends, With Heart & Soul (Maryland Heights, Missouri: Cracom Pub., 1995), 90.

Certification of Faithfulness

Preacher Charles Spurgeon once said in a sermon, “We are about to let autumn preach."  And we would do well to listen. In yet another sermon, Spurgeon elaborated on what the fall season reveals about God:

“To the Christian it should be great joy, by means of the harvest, to receive an assurance of God's faithfulness. The Lord has promised that seed-time and harvest, summer and winter, shall never cease; and when you see the loaded wain carrying in the crop you may say to yourself, "God is true to his promise. Despite the dreary winter and the damp spring, autumn has come with its golden grain." Depend upon it, that as the Lord keeps this promise he will keep all the rest. All his promises are yea and amen in Christ Jesus: if he keeps his covenant to the earth, much more will he keep his covenant with his own people, whom he hath loved with an everlasting love. Go, Christian, to the mercy-seat with the promise on your lip and plead it. Be assured it is not a dead letter. Let not unbelief cause you to stammer when you mention the promise before the throne, but say it boldly—"Fulfil this word unto thy servant on which thou hast caused me to hope." Shame upon us that we so little believe our God. The world is full of proofs of his goodness. Every rising sun, every falling shower, every revolving season certifies his faithfulness. Wherefore do we doubt him? If we never doubt him till we have cause for it we shall never know distrust again. Encouraged by the return of harvest, let us resolve in the strength of the Spirit of God that we will not waver, but will believe in the divine word and rejoice in it.”

“Every revolving season certifies his faithfulness.” This is a biblical perspective of autumn. So let this fall be more than simply a time to enjoy the beauty of the season. But let it be a fresh certification of the faithfulness of God to keep all of the promises of God. What promise can you confidently ask the Lord to fulfill in your life today? Remember, no stammering allowed.

(Taken from Charles Spurgeon, "Harvest Time, August 11, 1904 and "The Joy of Harvest, Farm Sermons)

Children Celebrating the Seasons

Like many Christian children growing up, we didn't participate in Halloween or get visits from the Easter bunny. But that didn't mean we missed out on all the fun. Mom believed there was something else to celebrate: God's kindness in the change of seasons.

So, on the first Saturday of autumn, we celebrated Fall Special Treat Night. Mom would invite a small group of our friends to participate. Everyone came dressed as a different character--usually a princess or Mary (Jesus' mother) if you were a girl, or a soldier if you were a guy.

We would have a dinner of hot dogs, chips, jello, etc.--but each portion of the meal was eaten at a different person's house. We would walk to designated homes nearby and a parent would drive us to homes further away. And not only did we get a meal, but candy at each person's house as well.

The most memorable stop was Grandpa and Grandma Mahaney's where Grandpa would have a bowl of pennies with dimes mixed in. We had to close our eyes and fish around in the bowl trying to come up with as many dimes as possible in our little fist. With candy, coins, and a full tummy, I think we felt as rich as any millionaire!

But more than that, from an early age we learned to mark and appreciate the change of seasons as a lavish expression of God's common grace to man. And that, indeed, made us truly rich!

Colonial Pumpkin Bars

This recipe provides a fun alternative to pumpkin bread...

Colonial Pumpkin Bars

3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup pecans, chopped

Cream butter and sugar together.  Blend in pumpkin and eggs.  Mix remaining ingredients together and add to creamed mixture.  Spread in a greased 10"x15" pan, or (for a cake) in a 9"x13" pan.  Bake at 350* for 25-35 minutes, depending on the size of the pan.  When cooled spread with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 lbs. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend cream cheese and butter well.  Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.  Add vanilla and blend well.

Roxie Kelley and Friends, Just a Matter of Thyme, (Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Pub., 1998), 115.

By the time you read this…

...the Mahaney, Chesemore, Whitacre, and Bradshaw couples, plus Chad, will be vacationing in Chatham, Massachusetts for the week. During our teenage years, this was the Mahaney family getaway spot each summer, thanks to a couple who owned a house in Chatham. However, it has been almost seven years since we've been back. Because of Dad and Mom's incomparable generosity, and the kindness of Nancy Whitacre, Kathy and Amanda Spiro, and Janice Dillon who are watching the four little guys, we're returning to one of our favorite spots in North America--and maybe even the world.

But not to worry, you won't have to go the whole week without a "Girl Talk" fix with your morning coffee. We've already got a whole week's worth of posts coming soon to you.

We want you to have a little fun along with us this week, and since the first day of fall falls while we are gone, we are inaugurating our own little "Autumn Festival" on the blog. Complete with recipes, activities, and musings--we hope you will enjoy the splendor of autumn along with us.

So don't touch that mouse. Stick close by to see what's coming up next...

Cosmetic Surgery

Our good friend, Dr. Al Mohler, writes with characteristic insight about cosmetic surgery on his blog this week. We thought it would be the perfect follow-up to Monday's post on beauty. Make sure to read Dr. Mohler here.