How You Can Help Orphans This Mother's Day

   Mothers come in lots of packages. I have been mothered by more women than I can count and in more ways than I can even recall. It is unfathomable for me to imagine my life without one mother, let alone all the others. So, when I think about all the children in the world that don't have a mom to call their own, my heart wants to explode with hurt.

   Enter two precious girls that I have been blessed to know. These two just-out-of-college-beauties chose to delay the normal "get a job" "find a husband" life that most of us choose or fall in to and instead move to Botswana to become temporary mothers to 25 orphans.( Orphan Care Center ) I have tried to explain to them in words (that fail) how important this thing they are doing will be to those children. To give a child a home and a mom to call his own is such pure ministry.

   So, this Mother's Day, I am giving a personal gift to the Botswana Orphan Care Center in honor of my own mom, mother-in-law, and all the other women who have walked beside me and mothered me along the way. If you would like to join me, I've included instructions for online (or by mail) giving. No gift is too small, but if you can't give, pray. (Actually, if you do give, pray too!)

Here's how:
follow this link - First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS - Online Giving

• pay as a guest or registered member
• scroll to the bottom of the screen to "Designated Gift" and enter amount
• type "Botswana Orphans Project/Allison Hunter & Kasey Ambrose" in the "Designated Gift to" line
• enter payment information

OR send a check with "Botswana Orphans Project/Allison Hunter & Kasey Ambrose" in the memo. Mail to:

First Baptist Jackson

      Business Office

      P.O. Box 250

      Jackson, MS 39205-0250

Lazy-Day Quiche (otherwise known as a baked omelet)

Last week I had wonderful intentions of blogging about all the creative ways I had utilized our leftover Easter ham. Those intentions failed for many reasons. The most important of which is that I did not creatively utilize all of our wonderful leftover Easter ham!

Still, it did not all go to waste. I did freeze the precious bone (and I WILL post soon about making Ham Bone Soup). And the kids did have yummy sandwiches in their lunches for a few days. The one actual meal that I came from the leftover ham almost doesn't deserve to be posted...but then again, maybe it does.

My heart said that I wanted to make a quiche, but I just couldn't bring myself to make a crust. The result? I made a "Lazy-Day Quiche (baked omelet)." It was so quick to throw together, it baked in the oven while I did laundry and got the kids ready for church, and the whole family enjoyed it! This one is a keeper.

 Lazy-Day Quiche

Why Cast Iron?

Cast Iron is a true equalizer of southern heritage. It lives as contentedly in the great antebellum mansions as it does in the trailer out on mama and daddy's land (and every home in between). You would be hard pressed to find a southerner who doesn't own a cast iron cornbread skillet or stand to inherit one someday.

I personally feel a sense of "place" every time I use a piece of my (growing) collection. Many people dear to me have been nourished by these humble pieces of cookware - and that holds me near to my roots. Now my own children often help me make cornbread, and I love the feeling of past, present and future that collides in those moments...

The seasoning of cast iron is what makes it so useful and special. Just like our lives. God uses all of our history and stories and scorches and successes to sculpt something priceless out of an empty vessel. This blog is my way of sharing some of my successes as well as the scorches - and hopefully another person will be inspired or encouraged along the way.

Cheery Front Door - Or Total Miss?

This blog has moved, see the Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow Door here: http://castironmagnolia.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/my-front-door/

Life Gives You Strawberries...

We were recently given a pallet of Louisiana Strawberries. After the moment of being thrilled to have an abundance of strawberries was over, I realized that I had a short window of opportunity. I dare not allow these jewels to go to waste! So, what does any proper southern girl do with so many strawberries...why, make Strawberry Shortcake, of course! (I have no idea if shortcake has anything to do with being southern, but I thought it sounded good.)

Here's how I threw mine together.

The Strawberries:
-quarter about 2 cups of strawberries, add to saucepan
- sprinkle with about 1 cup of sugar (more or less to taste)
- add about 1 cup of water
-stir
- bring to a boil
- allow to simmer while you finish the rest
- resist the temptation to eat it all while "sampling"

The Biscuits:
- measure out 2 cups of all-purpose flour into a bowl
- add 1 tbsp baking powder and 1 tsp. salt (add a couple of tablespoons of sugar if desired)
- cut in 1/4 cup cold, cubed butter and 1/4 cup trans-fat free shortening (if can't find trans-fat free, then use another 1/4 cup butter)
-gently stir in about 1 cup of milk (buttermilk if you've got it)
- I use a food processor for the steps listed above, not necessary, just convenient
- gently knead on a floured surface until dough just holds together
- pat out until about 3/4 inch thick
- cut into desired shape and place on lightly greased pan
-sprinkle with sugar
-bake at 425⁰ for about 10 minutes

 

The Shortcake:

- split biscuits, place on serving plate

- top with strawberries, then whipped cream
- gobble one up, then share with your family

 So, that only used up about 1/4 of our strawberries. Hmm...too many strawberries...that's a great problem to have :)

And it Begins

I've been wanting to start this blog for over a year. My family moved into our new house yesterday and boxes are everywhere, so this is the perfect time to finally do this, right? I think it's just right...

My hope is to blog about my life in the kitchen, garden, and around the house - with sprinkles of other topics along the way. I am a passionate cook. Period. I want my family to eat tasty, quality food that is prepared with love. As I'm originally a country-girl, gardening is in my blood. I'm by no means an expert, but I'll share what I learn along the way. And with this new house comes lots of projects. As I tackle them, you will hopefully benefit from my successes and blunders.

Excited to finally meet you,
Devin