These super easy coconut macaroons are so good and a great addition to any gathering. Perfect for afternoon coffee or tea.
If you love easy and delicious recipes, you will want to check out these delicious Southern Pecan Pralines. They are a classic for a reason and go great with these coconut macaroons. Only a few ingredients and easy to make.
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
This recipe is only three ingredients and takes about 15 minutes to put together, so that is a huge plus. These macaroons are delicious and only take about 10-12 minutes to bake, so you have a great little treat in around 30 minutes. Easy recipes are always a plus and not everything in the kitchen should take a long time or be hard.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Sweetened Shredded Coconut
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Vanilla Extract
Toppings (optional)
SWAPS
The one thing you could swap out in this recipe is different extracts. I think almonds go great with coconuts, so that would be a great swap. You can also add what you like on the top, one addition could be chocolate chips if you want some chocolate with the coconut.
🍽️HOW TO MAKE
These could be more simple to make, but they are a little messy!
COOKING STEPS
Step 1 Combine coconut flakes, vanilla extract and condensed milk in a large bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 Use either an ice cream scoop or your hands to roll into a walnut size (walnut out of the shell) ball and pat down a little and place on lined baking sheet. Place a pecan or half a cherry on the top or whatever you wish to use as a topping.
Step 3 Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove from baking sheet immediately when you take them out of the oven and let cool. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen macaroons.
⭐TIP
If you are rolling these out with your hands, I always spray a little cooking spray on my hands to keep them from sticking as badly. We also think these are wonderful cold, so once they cool, we pop them in the fridge, which helps them to cool down and they seem to hold the ball shape well too.
SERVE THIS WITH
These little treats go great with just about any other snack, but if you are making them for an event like a baby shower, wedding shower or the holidays you may want to add:
❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it sweetened or unsweetened condensed milk?
All condensed milk is sweetened, that is what makes it condensed milk, the addition of sugar. Learn more with this article about it.
Are these gluten free?
Yes, these are gluten free.
STORING
These are very easy to store, just put in an airtight container. They will keep for a bit too. I actually like mine cold, so I put them in the fridge.
These 3 ingredient Coconut Macaroons are the perfect treat. Great for any wedding shower, baby shower, afternoon tea or the holiday season. These macaroons take about 10 minutes to put together and 12-15 minutes to cook!
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 15 minutesmins
Total Time 25 minutesmins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
114 ounce package sweetened coconut flakes or 5 1/3 cups
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
114 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Combine coconut flakes, vanilla extract and condensed milk in a large bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use either an ice cream scoop or your hands to make these into balls and flatten a little and lay on cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are browned. Depending on the oven this could take 15 minutes Remove from baking sheet immediately when you take them out of the oven and let cool.
If rolling with your hands, I spray my hands with a little cooking oil, so it’s not as sticky.
Our God is orderly. He created our world, ordered the hours, days, months, and seasons. God was intentional about His design of everything. He left us His guidebook, so we know how to order our days.
In His design, He ordained the beautiful thing we call a family. (Genesis 2:18-25) He created order within marriage and assigned roles to family members. In this article, we will look at spiritual leadership’s role and why it is important.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Leadership?
Let’s look at a couple of verses in the Bible to guide us on this topic.
Ephesians 5:22 states, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.”
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and head of the women is man, and the head of the Christ is God.”
Lastly, Colossians 3:18-19 says, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
The Bible says the man should lead his wife. That doesn’t mean he has more value than his wife. Dale Partridge, Pastor and founder of Relearn church, uses the phrase, “equal value, different role.” Men and women have equal value in God’s eyes, yet a different role to fulfill.
Marriage is a partnership. A healthy, thriving couple seeking God values each other’s strengths and input. A godly biblical leader seeks advice from his trusted council. The purpose of marriage is to glorify God and have an opportunity to exhibit how Christ loves the church. The Bible clearly states the man should be leading the house. If we look to Jesus as our model, a true leader exhibits humility, compassion, love, forgiveness, protection, provision, gentleness, and more. That said, no husband will lead their wife or family perfectly because we are all sinners, and they are not Jesus.
What Does Spiritual Leadership Look Like?
I think some people have a misunderstanding of what spiritual leadership looks like. They envision a power hunger husband bossing around his wife and kids. This is the opposite of true spiritual leadership. A man leading his family biblically is about being in a right relationship with the Lord. It’s about the husband reading his Bible, humbly seeking the Lord in all that he does. Most importantly, it’s a man fearing the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)
A godly man knows he is accountable for his wife and kids when he gets to heaven. He is responsible for teaching them, guiding them, making wise decisions, serving them, and loving them well. He is to protect them at all costs. When you understand this correctly, it’s a massive responsibility God has put on the head of the house. It’s a huge honor and a task with great importance that men need to take seriously. A man seeking the Lord through reading the Bible and prayer will be convicted and led by the Lord. “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” (Proverbs 8:18)
A husband who is leading his marriage strives to be a good communicator. He values his wife’s opinion, serves her, and prays for her. He serves her not because she deserves it but rather because that’s the role God assigned to him. If you look to the Bible for an example of spiritual leadership, I think of Abraham, who led his wife on a journey trusting in God for every need. God blessed their family because of Abraham’s great faith.
Men and Their Role in Spiritual Leadership
As discussed above, husbands have an instrumental role in leading their wives. I realize that stepping up to this role is challenging, exhausting, and doesn’t come with many short-term rewards. This job requires steadfastness, persistence, and God’s strength and wisdom. Regardless of the difficulty, this world desperately needs men to step into their role as the spiritual leader of their marriage and family. A marriage and a family need leadership. If the husband doesn’t step up, the spouse will fill the role and remain out of order until the positions are reoriented.
This happened in our own house. Before my husband and I truly understood our roles, I was constantly vying for leadership in our home. It’s a natural fleshly desire to want to take over leadership, especially as a strong-willed, independent woman. Our house has run more smoothly and peacefully as my husband and I continually seek the Lord and better understand our roles. When you stay within God’s design for marriage, things don’t always work out perfectly, but there is an unexplainable harmony, a beautiful dance that occurs.
Men who are sitting back, letting others lead their wives and families, need to take the reins. Yes, it will mean more work and responsibility, but it’s a job that’s been assigned to them by our Heavenly Father. This job is of utmost importance, and it’s a job they’ve been created to fulfill. Genesis 2 defines the man’s role to work and keep. A godly man provides stability and security that is needed in his home. He nurtures the heart and the mind of his wife and children. If every man and dad knew how impactful their role is, our world might be a different place.
Why Is Spiritual Leadership Important in Marriage?
A ship sails aimlessly about without a captain, a classroom turns to chaos without a teacher, and a company needs a CEO to make final decisions. A married couple and a family need a leader. They need a guide who is seeking the Lord’s guidance in this sinful world. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” (Psalm 32:8)
Spiritual leaders guide and direct the ship. They look out for potential danger ahead. They make sure everyone aboard is safe, and their needs are met. If trouble arises (as it always does), they develop a plan to solve the problem. They take advice from their shipmates and constantly provide encouragement. They develop the best route to get to their destination. They ensure the ship stays on course and are responsible for everyone getting safely to their destination.
Sally Clarkson has a quote pertinent to this topic, “In the absence of biblical conviction, people will go the way of culture.” Meaning, if a couple is not actively working to have the right relationship with the Lord, their decisions will be heavily influenced by culture. By not deciding to lead your marriage actively, you are deciding to let others lead your house by default.
A solid biblical leader will not take their role for granted or boast about their knowledge. Instead, they will model the ultimate servant leader Jesus and make sure He is aboard the ship. They will acknowledge their shortcomings, repent, and ask for help.
How Can a Wife Support Her Husband in Spiritual Leadership?
How can a wife support her husband as he leads their family? Or, if your husband is not stepping into this role, what can you do?
The Bible says in Proverbs 21:9, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Based on this verse, a wife cannot nag, coerce, or argue her way to force her husband to spiritually lead them. Only God can change hearts, but there are a few things a wife can do. The first is prayer. The word pray is used 313 times in the King James Bible. Psalms 37:4 tells us, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Pray a specific Scripture for your husband’s heart to be turned to Jesus every day. I am talking about consistent, heart-felt prayers you say for years.
I have been praying Isaiah 11:2-5 for my husband for over five years. I take God’s words and insert my husband’s name to personalize the prayer. “May the Spirit of the Lord rest on Jonathan, give him a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord – that he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
You can encourage your husband to be in groups and build relationships with other solid Christian men, preferably an older man who has experience with marriage and family. Let him speak truth into your husband. Pray your husband’s ears and heart are open to this man’s advice. You can model healthy habits by reading your Bible and having your prayer time.
Respect goes a long way in a marriage, especially with men. If you are frustrated with his lack of leadership, lovingly communicate your desires, but respect him regardless. Give him time to grow into this role. The culture doesn’t teach men how to spiritually lead; if anything, the opposite. Be patient with him, and never stop praying!
A husband seeking God and truly leading his wife and children biblically is a beautiful thing. The house is in order. “He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) The role of a spiritual leader is a critical one, and it’s being attacked by culture. In today’s climate, men are backing down from the job for many good reasons, but the Christian community is paying the price. We need husbands accepting and committed to the role God designed for them. We need them leading their wives and children. We need husbands fearing less in what others think of them and fearing more in the Lord.
Katie T. Kennedylives in Richmond, VA. She is married to a wonderful husband Jonathan and they have three girls. She is a writer, blogger, and employee of the family business. After a mid-life spiritual transformation, she discovered her love of writing. She loves to travel, read, be in nature, cook, and dream. She would love to connect with you online at www.katietkennedy.com, Instagram or Facebook.
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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
Christmas cookies are acquired two ways by most Italian-Americans: someone painstakingly bakes them with love and some colorful language, or someone has to wait on line for 2+ hours at the local Italian Bakery. Unfortunately for people who like a little chill with their cheer, even “Nonna Marijuana” isn’t making these Brooklyn cookies with the good stuff, and they remain separate indulgences. Is is the recipe for the best holiday cannabis cookies.
Most Italian holiday cookies are heavily flavored with luscious almond, rich coconut, or dolloped with a dose of fruit jelly. This particular recipe is an allergy friendly and simple pleasure that doesn’t involve expensive and exotic ingredients, but still tastes like a cloud that some saint is chilling on. Thanks to the dose of weed-infused butter, you can climb up there yourself and take a look.
The Lemon Italian Cloud Cookie has a perfect crumble, disintegrating into a tart, sugary, buttery (and now weed spiked) treasure. Try this recipe if you want a less complicated introduction into the delicious cookie culture of the paisanas who raised me. My Mom and aunts put so much lemon on food and drinks every Christmas Eve that we started a drinking game. Everyone yells “LEMON!” and takes a sip of their drink whenever one of them says the word lemon.
Photo by Danielle Guercio
Italian Lemon Cloud Cookies
3 eggs
2 ½ cups flour
½ cup butter (½ stick regular unsalted, ½ stick weed infused butter* or one stick of infused if you dare)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbs and 2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp vanilla extract
2-3 drops lemon essential oil
Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
⅛ tsp vanilla extract
2 drops lemon essential oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees prepare a workspace covered with wax paper for wire racks and icing station. Sift together dry ingredients in a bowl.
Photo by Danielle Guercio
In a separate bowl, beat eggs with hand mixer until well combined and frothy. Fold into dry ingredients gently
Photo by Danielle Guercio
Work in butter with mixer on low just until dough forms crumbs. On baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper, drop 1-inch balls of dough, leaving space as they will puff up significantly. Bake for 12 minutes, rotating once for even cooking. While cookies are in the oven, prepare the glaze mixing together all ingredients until incorporated. If icing is too thick, add a teaspoon of water.
Remove cookies from oven and put on wire racks to cool When still warm but safe to handle, dip the top in icing and put on rack to dry. If you’re feeling extra fancy hit the cookies with fresh lemon zest while the icing is still warm. Allow to fully cool before storing, keep up to three weeks in a sealed container, a month in the fridge, or indefinitely in the freezer
Photo by Danielle Guercio
Cannabutter
Decarboxylate 3.5g of finely ground cannabis at 225 degrees for 20 minutes in a tightly sealed, oven safe container. Put in lidded mason jar or vacuum sealed bag with cannabis and 1 stick of butter. Heat in water bath just under boiling for at least 1 hour. Strain and chill butter to use in recipes.
These cookies are so delicious and perfect for taking you to another dimension when the kitchen gets too hot with political chat or drama. The light but real lemon flavor comes from using a good quality essential oil like Young Living’s Lemon instead of fake-tasting grocery store extracts. It compliments the subtle cannabis flavor and also helps prevent anxiety from overindulging in cannabis–or politics.
Resolutions are rarely kept past 30 days, but goals can be life changing. More than good intentions, goals help you put in place concrete steps to create a different life, and a different kind of love. Goals are simply dreams with deadlines. So take some time to dream together!
If life feels too hectic to sit and write goals for your future, as a couple or family— take goal setting on the road! While you are both in your car, have the non-driver interview the other and write down some goals for the coming year that will make your love stronger and last longer.(We offer a “Your Best Year Ever” goal planning sheet that can walk your through goal setting set by step at www.Love-wise.com) This may lead to some deeper, richer, or more lively discussions, so it might take a few sessions to work your way through the questions. Enjoy the forward movement!
Here is a sampling of a few questions to fine-tune your life, your marriage or family life:
As you look at the year ahead, what is the most important issue or goal you have on your heart for the coming year for yourself?
As you look at the year ahead what is the most important issue or goal you have on your heart for the coming year for our marriage?
As you look at the year ahead what is the most important issue or goal you have on your heart for the coming year for our family?
What adjustments on the home front would make reaching these desires easier?
How are you planning to grow yourself -Spiritually? -Physically? -Emotionally? -Socially? -Academically or in your career?
What can I do to help you? (Each answer this for the other.)
Can we write these desires into tangible measurable goals? (Write below.)
We like to create a theme for the year too. One couple we know selected “Think Young” for a year in their mid 40’s. One of our friends who were drifting apart made theirs’ “Love again in 2010”—and guess what? They went from the brink of divorce to a vibrant and strong loving marriage before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Do you have a verse for the year that captures what you think God is saying to your heart? (To find a verse, select a few keywords and place them into the word search on www.Biblegateway.com or Logos Bible software, and you’ll get a list of verses to select from.)
Samples of “The Verse for the Year” we have used in the past to motivate forward movement:
2013: With a goal of becoming stronger in all areas
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
This year both Bill and I selected the same word (STRONGER), the same verse Joshua 1:9, and the same motto for the year (“Stay Strong”). All year, all our choices were made with one question in mind, “Will this make me/us stronger?” The outcome was we got stronger as a couple physically, financially, and our ministry and family were strengthened as we checked off goals.
2008: With a goal of becoming a better leader publicly and privately
“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to him” (2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB).
My one question that provided focus was, “Is this pleasing God?”
See if each of you can come up with a verse that will motivate you personally in a way that will case positive impact on your love and life together. We then memorize the verse and meditate on it daily. Try to create a singular question that can serve as a focusing lens for life.
The key to success is not just voicing your goals, but go back to your Outlook or personal planner system and place time to actually DO your goals into your scheduling. We also place a date to review our progress every three to four months.
The final secret to success is to reward yourselves and celebrate every possible victory all along the path. If your goal is to argue less, then the first day you go all day without a fight, celebrate it! If your goal is to save money, plan ways to pat yourselves in the back that don’t cost: share a sunset moment, walk along the beach or in the park holding hands. Make it a goal to list off five ways you can celebrate each other as you make progress in your goal to stay in love. A long-lasting love is just a couple who have made it their goal to go one more day in love and invested the time and effort to pull it off—one day at a time.
A bright carrot pâté, creamy but vegan, will be welcome on any holiday table and inspire recipe-requests at potluck celebrations—and it’s perfectly portable for winter picnics. It’s also shape-shifting in a magical way, because it is the basis of a comforting soup, as well as a substantial filling for hand pies and galettes. That’s why I always double the recipe. Bonus: It freezes well and can be made ahead.
Here is the adaptable recipe you didn’t know you needed, ready for your next gathering.
Above: Carrot pâté served with olive oil, walnuts, and sun-dried figs (Fig & Walnut Pairing, $9 from Ziba Foods).
This carrot pâté is a spread. A schmear. And a dip. Oxford defines pâté as “a rich, savory paste made from finely minced or mashed ingredients, typically seasoned meat or fish.” Or root vegetables? To me, weaned on my mother’s French-inflected decadent chicken liver version, pâté is a mouthful that is entirely satisfying, lacking nothing. Fat is important. So is bread, or a cracker, at the very least. This carrot iteration evolved in my kitchen to serve to vegan attendees of the botanical walks I lead, and to use esoteric forage-pantry items, like linden flower vinegar and ramp leaf salt. But it also welcomes more conventional ingredients.
It has proved very adaptable: to season, to pantry limitations and inspirations, and to cosmopolitan appetites. And the basic recipe—oil, carrots, onions, acid, salt, and something sweet—is designed for variation and improvisation.
Above: Schmear the pâté on your support of choice. Here, it is cornbread.
Above: Roasting the vegetables with bayberry leaves. Above: Roasting strawberries alongside the carrots and onions.
Above: Carrot pâté with linden flower vinegar.
If there is a trick to successful improvisation, it is choosing elements that belong together in a palate-pleasing way.
For the foundational funk: To amplify the onions, in spring I may add the leaves of wild onions like field garlic, ramps, or three-cornered leeks. Garden-grown and market-bought fresh chives, and later chive flowers, work just as well.
For the salt: Ramp leaf salt, preserved lemon, or shoyu
For the sweetness: I may add a spoonful of pine cone jam, or yuzu syrup. Once, I use red currant jam. Maple syrup is winter-perfect. Chestnut honey sublime. Strawberries roasted with the carrots are surprisingly effective.
For the acid: Wild-fermented vinegars, according to season: apple, elderflower, linden, wisteria. But white balsamic is perfect. So is any sour citrus juice, like lemon, yuzu, or calamondin.
For the herbs: Tender bayberry in spring, mugwort in summer. But fresh bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, or rosemary are very good, too.
For the spices: Juniper, spicebush, and sumac for foraged and local flavor. But cumin and coriander are delicious.
For the heat: Aleppo pepper, urfa biber, Korean chile flakes, regular chile flakes; it’s endless.
Above: Sourdough toast fingers offer crunch for the carrot creaminess.
Makes 14 x 3-inch round pies (or 16 x 4-inch, half-moon pies)
Butter and half-and-half make the pastry meltingly tender—embrace them. Chilling is essential for a crips texture. For the filling’s seasonal flavorings, pair the orange zest with juniper or fir. Spicebush works beautifully instead of the zest.
The pies freeze well. For a decadent solitary breakfast, defrost in a microwave, then crisp up in hot oven or toaster oven.
Pastry
10 oz (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, very cold (I like Land O’ Lakes)
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt salt
2 cups/8.8 oz all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the rolling surface
For the pastry: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Using the coarse side of a box grater, grate the cold butter into the flour (no grater? Cut it into small cubes). Work the butter and flour between your fingertips until the mixture resembles evenly coarse crumbs (with a few larger pieces allowed). Yes, you can also toss it all into a food processor and spin.
Pour in the Half and Half and work with a wooden spoon a few times. Bring the pastry together into a fat disc with your hands, taking care to use as few motions as possible (the more you work it the less tender will become when baking).
Wrap and chill the pastry until solid—at least 2 hours, and as long as 24 (or freeze for later use). You can do this ahead.
For the filling: Place the cranberries with the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a pot over medium-high heat. Stir, and cover. You’ll hear some popping noises as some of the cranberries split in the heat. Gradually their juices will be drawn out. When their liquid is boiling, lower the heat to a simmer. Cook until the fruit is soft and saucy, about 6 minutes. Stir in the orange zest (or spicebush), and the juniper or fir, if using.
In a cup stir the cornstarch into 2 more tablespoons of water. When it is smooth, pour this slurry into the hot cranberry mixture and stir until it is thick—about 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Spoon the filling into a bowl, and transfer to the fridge to chill.
To make: Preheat the oven to 400’F. Cover a large baking sheet in parchment paper.
Roll out the Pastry: Remove the pastry from the fridge about 15 minutes before you roll it out. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out to approximately 1/8 inch. Press out as many 3-inch shapes as you can. Gather up remaining pastry fragments, press together, and chill for 10 minutes. Press out extra shapes for a total of 28 (for 14 hand pies). Lay all the pressed-out circles on the baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Beat the egg in a small bowl.
To assemble: Remove the baking sheet from the fridge. Using a pastry brush, swipe a border of egg wash around the edges of half the rounds. Place a heaped tablespoonful of filling into the center. Carefully cover with a free pastry round, pressing down firmly on the edges to make them stick. When all have been covered and pressed, crimp the edges with the tines of fork.
(For making half-moon hand pies, fill just one side of the pastry circle and fold the empty half over the filling, pressing down as above.)
Return to the fridge and chill for 10 minutes.
Just before baking, brush the pies with egg wash. Cut a slit in each, and dust with sugar.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the pastry is dark golden and the pies are lightly puffed. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.
As seasoned parents who have weathered the storms and reveled in the joys of raising children, we find ourselves positioned to impart the wisdom garnered through our journey. Our role as experienced parents goes beyond mere advice; it includes a nurturing presence, a beacon of support, and a wellspring of shared experiences.
It also includes teaching and guiding them in matters of faith and righteous living.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Responsible parenthood involves the consistent and intentional transmission of values throughout various aspects of daily life.
In building responsible parenthood in our adult children, our experiences become the compass that guides them, nurturing a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the sacred duty of parenting.
The Changing Dynamics
As we go through parenting, a significant shift occurs when our children transition into adulthood and take on the profound responsibility of parenthood. This demands a subtle yet crucial recognition: our role evolves from being the primary caretaker to becoming a steadfast supporter and guide.
This transition is not a relinquishment of our responsibility but a metamorphosis into a role that seamlessly integrates our wisdom and support into our adult children’s parenting journey. It’s a paradigm shift that calls for a delicate balance between offering guidance and allowing them the autonomy to shape their unique parenting paths.
The journey of guiding adult children into parenthood is a significant expedition marked by challenges and successes. The challenges are many, from navigating the complexities of modern parenting philosophies to addressing the ever-changing landscape of societal expectations.
Yet, intertwined with these challenges are the joys of witnessing the growth of a new family, the triumphs of overcoming obstacles, and the shared moments of laughter and love.
Practical Tips for Guiding Adult Children in Parenthood
Navigating the intricate path of guiding our adult children in their journey of parenthood requires a thoughtful and supportive approach. Here are some practical tips that can serve as guiding lights in this meaningful endeavor:
1. Allow open dialogue on parenting philosophies.
Encourage an environment where open dialogue thrives. Recognize that each family is unique, with its own set of values, traditions, and dynamics. Emphasize the importance of adapting advice to suit their family structure. This promotes a sense of flexibility and respect for diverse approaches to parenting, allowing for more personalized and effective guidance.
2. Encourage a supportive environment.
Create an atmosphere where your availability for advice is evident, yet it remains non-intrusive. Offer your wisdom as a resource rather than an imposition, creating a space where your adult children feel comfortable seeking guidance when needed, knowing it comes from a place of genuine support rather than judgment.
Strike a delicate balance between providing support and allowing autonomy. While your experience can offer valuable insights, respect the independence of your adult children in making their parenting decisions. This balance ensures they feel empowered to navigate their unique journey while benefiting from your wisdom.
3. Emphasize the value of learning from mistakes.
Make your adult children acknowledge the inherent challenges that come with parenthood. Engage them in candid conversations about the realities of parenting, sharing your own experiences of overcoming difficulties. This openness sets the stage for a realistic understanding of the journey, preparing them for the joys and tribulations that come with raising a family.
Instill in them the understanding that mistakes are inherent in any journey, including parenthood. Encourage resilience by emphasizing the importance of learning and growing through experiences. Share stories of how challenges, when approached with resilience, can become stepping stones to personal and familial growth. This will ultimately create in them a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities for development.
4. Embrace continuous learning and adaptability.
Advocate for a culture of continuous learning within the family. Encourage reading, attending parenting workshops, and staying informed about evolving parenting trends. This commitment to ongoing education will enrich their collective knowledge base and promote an environment where growth and adaptability are valued.
Remind your adult children that parenting is an ever-evolving journey. Teach them to cultivate flexibility in their approaches, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies based on the changing needs of their children and the evolving dynamics of family life. This adaptability ensures a dynamic and responsive parenting style that aligns with the evolving nature of family dynamics.
5. Nurture connection through quality time.
Recognize the importance of spending quality time with both your grandchildren and adult children. Nurturing familial bonds through shared experiences creates a foundation of trust and mutual understanding. Whether it’s through family outings, dinners, or simple gatherings, quality time fosters a connection that goes beyond the realm of advice, reinforcing the familial support system.
Encourage the establishment of family traditions and rituals. These contribute to a sense of identity continuity and provide a framework for building lasting memories. Shared traditions create a sense of stability and belonging, becoming touchpoints that strengthen the family unit.
6. Instill the importance of self-care.
Remind adult children of the significance of self-care amidst the demands of parenthood. Encourage the cultivation of personal well-being through practices such as mindfulness, exercise, and adequate rest. Emphasize that a nurtured caregiver is better equipped to provide effective and compassionate parenting.
Lead by example in prioritizing self-care. Demonstrate the value of balance by showcasing your commitment to maintaining your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This serves as a powerful illustration of the positive impact that self-care can have on both the individual and the family unit.
7. Leverage technology for support.
Introduce the benefits of leveraging technology to access parenting resources. There is a plethora of parenting apps and online communities that provide valuable insights, parenting tips, and a sense of community. Guide them toward reliable platforms that align with their parenting philosophies.
Highlight the potential of virtual support networks. In the digital age, connecting with other parents through online forums and social media can offer a sense of camaraderie. Encourage the exploration of these platforms for shared experiences, advice, and a sense of community.
8. Encourage intergenerational wisdom-sharing.
Create opportunities for intergenerational conversations within the family. Encourage the sharing of parenting experiences not only between you and your adult children but also among different generations. This exchange of wisdom fosters a rich collection of insights, blending traditional values with contemporary perspectives.
Emphasize the importance of valuing the wisdom of elders, including grandparents and great-grandparents. Their experiences, often rooted in a different era, can provide unique perspectives on parenting that enrich the family narrative. Facilitate avenues for these individuals to share their stories and insights with the younger generations.
The goal here is to create a holistic framework that encompasses not only practical parenting advice but also nurtures the emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions of the familial journey. Each of these tips serves as guidance and support for your adult children as they navigate the terrain of parenthood.
Nurturing a Legacy of Responsible Parenthood
We must also imbibe in them the fortitude to adhere to responsible parenting. The seeds of responsible parenting, sown with intentionality and care, possess the transformative power to shape not just the character of our own children but to imprint upon the collective consciousness of our descendants a legacy woven with threads of empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the familial unit.
It is a recognition that the actions and choices we make in guiding our adult children today reflect into the future, influencing the ethos of families yet unborn. In understanding this, the weight of our role as stewards of responsible parenthood takes on a higher significance—a sacred duty that transcends the boundaries of our immediate familial space.
We must, however, implore not only the wisdom garnered from our own experiences but also advocate for a commitment to continuous learning and growth—a commitment that stands as a beacon, illuminating the path toward an ever-evolving understanding of the intricacies of parenthood.
This commitment to learning is not confined to the academic realm but extends into the heart of familial interactions, where each interaction becomes a lesson, each challenge an opportunity for growth, and each joy a testament to the rewards of resilient and responsible parenting.
Why It’s Important to Raise Responsible Parent
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This highlights the impact of early guidance and the responsibility of parents to instill values that withstand the tests of adulthood and parenthood.
The need for parental guidance during the transition to adulthood and parenthood is even more apparent in the modern era, which is characterized by quick changes in society and shifting family dynamics. The Apostle Paul’s counsel in Ephesians 6:4 reinforces this need, urging fathers to “bring [their children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The call to nurture and admonish implies an active and intentional role in guiding our adult children, not just in their spiritual journey but also in the practical aspects of parenthood.
The challenges of contemporary society, with its myriad distractions and shifting cultural landscapes, make the role of parental guidance indispensable. As adult children journey through the complexities of parenthood, they encounter a barrage of influences that may not align with godly principles. Therefore, providing them with guidance firmly rooted in the unchanging Word of God becomes a compass, directing them through the stormy seas of conflicting ideologies and societal norms.
Consider the example of Timothy in the New Testament, whose faith was nurtured and strengthened by the guidance of his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). This intergenerational transmission of faith and wisdom exemplifies the lasting impact of parental guidance on the spiritual heritage of families.
Guiding adult children into parenthood is not only about imparting rules but also about modeling a Christ-centered life. The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 say, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” As parents, our lives become living epistles, and our guidance serves as a roadmap for our adult children to follow in the footsteps of Christ in their journey of parenthood.
Emmanuel Abimbola is a creative freelance writer, blogger, and web designer. He is a devout Christian with an uncompromising faith who hails from Ondo State in Nigeria, West Africa. As a lover of kids, Emmanuel runs a small elementary school in Arigidi, Nigeria.
I had a set of idyllic dreams of what our marriage would look like before I got hitched. For instance, I envisioned that my husband and I would always wind down our days together. Perhaps we would savor the sunset, have dinner together and then cozy up on the couch. However, my husband often works late, and by the time he gets home, the sunset is long gone, and the day has been swallowed up by night. He is also often exhausted and hungry. All he needs at that moment is a hot bath and a meal.
Over time, I have learned to take this and several other unmet expectations in my stride. But this wasn’t always the case. Earlier on in my marriage, I would blow a gasket whenever I felt my spouse was falling short of my expectations. I would huff and puff, demanding that he acts or behaves in a certain way. Sometimes he would indulge me, giving in to pressure, but other times he would not. Eventually, we would both get entangled in a web of resentment.
Because we all get married to fellow human beings with their fair share of flaws and weaknesses, it goes without saying that we have to contend with unmet expectations. Our spouses are far from perfect. They may try their best, but they are still incapable of meeting all our needs and attending to all our whims. It may feel like you are getting the short end of the stick as you come face to face with this reality.
Unmet expectations can spark resentment and frustration. This article will help you put things in perspective as you deal with unmet expectations in your marriage.
1. Be Realistic
Let’s be honest; sometimes, we expect too much from our spouses. For instance, a husband may expect his wife to always be in the mood for intimacy, maintain her body size even after becoming a mother, and keep a clean home at all times. A wife, on the other hand, may expect that her knight in shining armor will always be at hand to listen to her rumblings, organize weekly date nights without fail, and spend all his free time with her.
And while both of you need to do all it takes to love each other and meet each other’s needs, don’t forget that you are limited. You are bound to fall short of each other’s expectations. Additionally, men and women often have very different needs. What you may consider a priority in your marriage may seem like a non-issue to your spouse. They have to learn your needs and master your love language over time. As they do that, they may stumble and falter. You need to be patient with them and give them the benefit of the doubt.
2. Separate the Wheat From the Chaff
It’s important to exercise sobriety where unmet expectations are concerned. Not all unmet expectations should be shrugged off. Some are indeed “deal breakers” and should not be swept under the rug. For example, we expect our spouses to be faithful to us. When that expectation is not met, and one spouse is involved in adultery, the offended spouse should not chalk it up to “unmet expectations.”
Adultery is a harmful vice in a marriage that often requires therapy for the couple to find healing. But some other unfulfilled expectations are not deal breakers. For instance, if your spouse irritates you because they don’t pick up after themselves, that is something you can easily shrug off because it does not significantly threaten the health of your marriage.
As such, couples should separate the chaff from the wheat while dealing with unmet expectations. If the issue at hand majorly concerns personality differences and does not threaten the heart of the marriage, then the offended spouse can choose to overlook it.
3. Accept Your Spouse’s Weaknesses
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
Part of the reason your spouse will not meet all your expectations is that, just like you, they have various weaknesses. Scripture tells us that we all stumble in many ways (James 3:2). None of us are perfect. Perhaps your spouse’s weakness is forgetting important dates or procrastinating. However, that doesn’t mean that they are an awful person or that they don’t mean well. It just shows that they are human.
It helps to study your partner and note their weaknesses so that you are not too gutted when they fall short. As their companion, you could also help them work on their weaknesses instead of judging them and taking offense. Remember that forgiveness is a daily component of a healthy marriage—rise above obsessing over your spouse’s weaknesses and learn to bear with them in love.
4. Uphold Clear Communication
I know the importance of clear communication firsthand because it has revolutionized my marriage. Earlier on, I used to hold on to grudges, expecting my husband to read my mind and figure out what was making me grumpy. Your guess is as good as mine – never once did he have an idea of the issue at hand. I quickly realized this tactic didn’t work and tossed it out the window. I learned to instead clearly communicate my grievances.
Clear communication will help you cope with unmet expectations. Perhaps your spouse has a good reason why they acted the way they did, but you will never know until you get talking. Clear communication helps weed out misunderstanding, increases marital satisfaction, and spells out expectations. It also fosters respect and trust, which leads to greater emotional intimacy. Every time you choose to communicate with your spouse instead of sweeping issues under the rug, you give your marriage a new lease on life.
5. Connect with Other Couples
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire, he rages against all wise judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1).
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Connecting regularly with other couples helps you appreciate your spouse. As you interact with other couples, you are likely to notice that they, too, have their disputes and weaknesses. This helps you put your relationship into perspective and makes you feel better about your marriage. It helps you realize that you are not the only one facing some bumps in the road in your pursuit of a great marriage. Many other couples are walking the same path.
Besides that, connecting with other couples gives you new ideas and perspectives, rekindles your passion, injects fun into your marriage, keeps you accountable, and fosters a stronger marriage. Remember that as iron sharpens iron, so does a man sharpen the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17).
6. Do Not Compare Your Spouse
Yes, you are feeling awfully discontent in your marriage as you deal with a flurry of unmet expectations. But. Do not go down the rabbit hole of comparing your spouse to others because it may be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. Comparing your spouse will usher you into a path of no return as you elevate other people above your spouse. Even the good attributes that your spouse possesses will soon fizzle out in your eyes.
Instead, choose to bear with their weaknesses, communicate clearly and empathize with them. This will go a long way in helping you handle unmet expectations.
Related Resource: Listen to The Real Relationship Talk Podcast!
Dana Che is the founder of Thrive Relationships, where she serves as a marriage and relationship coach and host of the Real Relationship Talk podcast. Dana’s mission is singular: to help people thrive in their relationships with the Lord and with each other. Listen to her episode on Overcoming Unrealistic Expectations in Marriage by clicking the play button below:
Keren Kanyago is a freelance writer and blogger at Parenting Spring. As a wife and mom, she uses her blog to weigh in on pertinent issues around parenting, marriage, and the Christian Faith. She holds a degree in mass communication with a specialty in print media. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram and/or shoot her an email at kerenkanyago@gmail.com.
LISTEN: Overcoming Fear in Marriage
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
Most women I know are excellent givers, but not always good at receiving. As I ponder this, I wonder if it’s because of how God created us as helpers for our husbands, companions to our coworkers and friends, and even nurses for our kids when they’re sick.
It comes natural for us to serve our families, contribute to our workplaces, and give of ourselves until we have nothing left to give. Yet, learning to receive is vitally important to our health and growth. It’s part of who we were created to be – to receive every blessing we’ve been given through Christ Jesus.
If you’re an excellent giver but struggle to receive, I pray this post is of great encouragement to you. It is possible to receive with a joyful mindset, open hands of faith, and a heart of gratitude.
It Starts with Belief
When we read the verse in Acts 20:35 that says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” we might assume Paul is telling the early church that receiving is bad. However, in the context of the entire chapter, we see that Paul is talking about covetousness and how he avoided this issue by working to supply what was needed for himself and his companions.
What we believe about receiving matters greatly. If we have the mindset that we must always give, serve, and help but never get, be served, or be helped, we’re going to run ourselves ragged and miss out on the blessings around us.
Many times, I’ve witnessed my mom or mother-in-law busy in the kitchen while the rest of the family is enjoying time together. Usually, with a bit of coaxing, I’m able to get them to stop and join the fellowship, but it’s apparent their natural tendency is to serve.
In Psalm 34:8, David said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes. refuge in Him.” This passage invites us to partake of the Lord’s goodness and take refuge in Him. It doesn’t once mention giving, but instead, receiving.
Learning to receive starts with belief – the belief that God gives good gifts to His children and wants us to accept them with joy and thanksgiving. Pray and ask the Lord to change your mindset around “receiving” and begin to embrace the amazing blessings He pours out to you.
It can feel awkward when someone gives us a compliment or word of affirmation, especially when we’re not good at receiving. Our tendency might be to say things like, “Oh, it’s nothing, really,” or “If only you knew the real me!” But what could happen if we humbly received the kind words of others with sincerity and gratitude? Imagine how their words of affirmation would continue to bless us instead of being instantly dismissed and forgotten.
In the ESV, Proverbs 22:4 says, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” This verse first emphasizes humility, but it also highlights the riches, honor, and reward we receive when we are humble before God.
Learning to receive requires humility – the kind of humility that accepts things from others with genuine appreciation. Instead of glossing over the act of kindness, or receiving it flippantly, we are intentional about pausing long enough to realize the graciousness of others and the blessings of God.
This isn’t always easy, but the more we practice humbly accepting what others give with a simple and sincere “Thank you,” the better we’ll get at receiving. So, the next time you’re offered a compliment or unexpected act of kindness, pause for a moment before you respond. Look the person in the eye and let them know you truly appreciate them.
Learning to receive well isn’t going to happen overnight, but, fortunately, there are many times throughout the year when we can practice it. Holidays, celebrations, work gatherings, church settings… all of these provide opportunities to not only serve others but receive from them as well. This can be in the form of:
-Tangible gifts
-Awards and promotions
-Verbal compliments
-Help with projects or tasks
-Wisdom, counsel, and guidance
In each scenario, we can learn to receive graciously without false guilt or false humility. Yes, it takes practice, but just like anything else, the more we do it the better we get at it. At your next gathering, be intentional about receiving. Don’t let compliments slide. Don’t downplay the promotion. Don’t reject the help people offer. Be willing to receive what others are more than willing to give. Before long, you’ll be an expert giver and receiver!
It might seem counterintuitive to give more in order to receive more, but when it comes to gratitude, that’s exactly how it works. In fact, have you ever prayed with open hands, waiting in eager expectation for what God has for you that day?
This is a simple habit to incorporate into your personal time with the Lord, and as you do, you’ll find yourself growing in gratitude for His abundant blessings. With anticipation, you’ll seek His truth, His will, and His way and learn to receive the spiritual blessings He’s already given you according to Ephesians 1:3.
Remember, the Lord is a Giver – He’s the Giver of life, love, and limitless grace. That means, as His daughters, we are to be receivers of His abundant life, eternal love, and endless grace. When we view receiving from this perspective, it will become wonderful and joyful for us. And the more lavish we are in gratefulness and praise to our good, good Father, the more eager we will be to receive daily gifts from Him.
It was John Wesley who said, “Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it. One who always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from Him, and receives them for His sake.”
Let’s learn to receive as we grow in our gratitude to the God who loves us and blesses us with every good thing. Let’s practice receiving with sincerity and pause. And let’s humbly accept the kindness others offer by believing in the goodness of both giving and receiving with joy.
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
A surprise hit on the botanical walks I lead, where a picnic rewards the exercise, is the hot toddy that I pour in late fall and winter. When “toddy” is mentioned, eyebrows are raised—some in hope and anticipation, some in trepidation. Because it means alcohol, doesn’t it? It can, but not necessarily. Some eyebrows sink in disappointment when they learn that this is a virgin version. But the surprise, for the eyebrows’ owners, is that their first, steaming sip is a happy one, because this warming toddy tastes satisfyingly grown up. It is portable for picnics, scaleable for big holiday parties, and comforting sipped during a gift-opening pause on Christmas Day.
Above: A hot toddy (and soup) are portable winter picnic fare.
Above: Cold creek, hot toddy (in a heat-proof Picardie glass).
I call my forager’s version of a hot toddy a Forest Toddy. It is spiced with local, seasonal aromatics, featuring the edible herbs and spices of maritime forests and land-locked woodlands.
Above: A frigid New Year’s Day picnic, with hot Forest Toddies.
The flavors of a hot toddy that tastes of place can shift. They may include the gin-y bittersweetness of juniper (otherwise known as eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana), bayberry (Morella pensylvanica), citrus-like spicebush (Lindera benzoin), sumac species, and the perfumed resin of needled evergreens like fir, hemlock, pine, or spruce (Abies, Tsuga, Pinus and Picea, respectively). Variations I have made include pine cone jam, which you can make or buy; dried magnolia petals, for their gingery, cardamom-like bitterness; and fragrant sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina).
Caveat: Does it go without saying that you should never use yew (Taxus), also a needled evergreen? Not only is yew not aromatic, but it is decidedly toxic.
Above: Virgin Forest toddies with hardy orange and fir garnishes.
The fun of this hot toddy recipe is that it is endlessly various and open to creativity. You can glean ingredients from your pantry, garden, farmer’s market, or grocery store. Its success depends on balance: between sweet and tart, tannic and aromatic. Layers of botanical flavor give it a sense of toddy gravitas and the complexity that is often associated with booze. I’m not saying you can’t add a dash of your favorite spirit (bourbon and rye spring to mind), but I can assure you that no one will miss it.
Above: Blood orange and yuzu peel, crushed spicebush, fresh juniper, and bay leaf.
In winter, the juniper in my recipe is fresh, since its season is from late fall through spring; the spicebush is the dried fruit from late summer (or purchased online), or the tree’s aromatic winter twigs, scraped. The fir, well, that is trimmed from my (unsprayed) holiday tree. While fir is the most aromatic of the needled trees, hemlock and spruce have plenty to offer, as do pine needles.
This Sour Cream Apple Pie is a wonderful dessert and super easy to make. It’s perfect for any time of year!
If you love this recipe, definitely check out our Southern Apple Pie. It’s a classic for a reason!
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
We love the topping on this delicious apple pie! it’s so easy to make but adds such a wonderful flavor. Many people love a streusel topping and this is our favorite. We also love the addition of the sour cream. You would never know it’s made with sour cream but it gives it a great flavor.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Sour cream
All-purpose flour
Sugar
Cinnamon
All spice
Salt
Vanilla
Egg
Apples
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell or homemade crust.
Topping Ingredients:
Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Butter, softened
Chopped pecans
SWAPS
You can switch out the vanilla for another extract and use just about any apples you like. If you are not a fan of pecans, you can use walnuts or leave the nuts out all together.
🍽️HOW TO MAKE
The hardest part about this recipe is cutting up the apples or making a homemade pie crust. If you use a store-bought, it does save time.
COOKING STEPS
Step 1 Peel and chop up apples
Step 2 Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl mix sour cream, flour, sugar, cinnamon, all spice, salt, vanilla and egg. Fold in apples and pour in pie pan.
Step 4 In a small bowl cut butter into flour and sugar. I use a fork and just kind of mash it all up together. Stir nuts in to the topping and sprinkle topping over the entire pie before baking. Bake on 400 for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 and bake for another 45 minutes until pie tests done.
⭐TIP
I chop some extra pecans to put on top so that it looks better with the crumble. I also love this pie with ice cream or whipped cream! Both are delicious.
This Sour Cream Apple Pie is absolutely delicious! Topped with a streusel made with brown sugar and pecans. If you love apples htis pie is for you!
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 1 hourhr
Total Time 1 hourhr10 minutesmins
Course Dessert, Pie
Cuisine American
Pie Ingredients:
3/4cupof sour cream
3tablespoonsof all-purpose flour
1cupof sugar
1teaspoonof cinnamon
1/2teaspoonof all spice
1/4teaspoonof salt
1teaspoonof vanilla
1eggbeaten
2cupsof peeleddiced apples
19 inch unbaked pie shell
Topping Ingredients:
1/2cupof brown sugar
1/2cupof all-purpose flour
4tablespoonsof buttersoftened
1/2cupof chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl mix sour cream, flour, sugar, cinnamon, all spice, salt, vanilla and egg. Fold in apples and pour in pie pan.
In a small bowl cut butter into flour and sugar. I use a fork and just kind of mash it all up together. Stir nuts in to the topping and sprinkle topping over the entire pie before baking.
Bake on 400 for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 and bake for another 45 minutes until pie tests done.
These Old Fashioned Tea Cakes are a classic from long ago. Some people may call them shortbread cookies, but either way they are delicious.
If you love old-fashioned recipes, you will also love Kentucky Bourbon Balls. I have seen many recipes for these, but this one is authentic to a real bourbon ball.
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
If you have followed our website for any amount of time, then you know we love old-fashioned recipes, and we love sharing our Grandmother’s recipes. This was one of her favorites. She was from Mississippi, and she loved to entertain her friends. She was very much a Southern Lady and loved to make these for afternoon tea. She would always serve them on cute little plates.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Pecans or walnuts
Butter,
Brown sugar
Vanilla
All-purpose flour
Salt
SWAPS
There really aren’t many swaps on this recipe unless you want to switch out the vanilla for almond, coconut, maple, etc. That is really about the only change that could be made, other than leaving the nuts out altogether.
🍽️HOW TO MAKE
The most time-consuming part of this recipe is letting the dough get cold. You don’t want the fat source, the butter to heat up while you are working with the dough, so it must be chilled.
COOKING STEPS
Step 1 Mix all ingredients with mixer until very crumbly. Take your hands and shape into a ball and put in refrigerator until solid enough to pinch off a piece and flatten on a hard surface.
Step 2 Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
Step 3 Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees about 25 minutes. Just before removing from oven, turn on the broiler for about 45 seconds and let brown on top.
⭐TIP
If your dough get too soft while cutting out the cookies, just return to refrigerator for a while or between cooking.
SERVE THIS WITH
These delicious cookies are great for Christmas and go great with this Old Fashioned Snowball Cake. It’s a classic for a reason!
❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are these cookies hard or soft?
They are not either.. honestly they have kind of a hard surface but they melt in your mouth. The butter keeps them soft.
These tea cakes have no eggs, is that correct?
Yes, this is a very old recipe and this is the way we have always made them.
STORING
These cookies will keep for several months in an air-tight container. We make them at the beginning of December and enjoy them through the holidays.
Tea Cakes melt in your mouth. I’ve never come across anyone who doesn’t like them. These buttery treats are sometimes called shortbread cookies, but eithe way they are delicious.
Cook Time 25 minutesmins
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
1/2cupfinely chopped pecans or walnuts
2sticks buttersoftened
2/3cupbrown sugar
1tsp.vanilla
2cupsall-purpose flour
1/4teaspoonsalt
Mix all ingredients with mixer until very crumbly. Take your hands and shape into a ball and put in refrigerator until solid enough to pinch off a piece and flatten on a hard surface. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees about 25 minutes. Just before removing from oven turn on broiler for about 45 seconds and let brown on top.
If your dough get too soft while cutting out the cookies, just return to refrigerator for a while or between cookings.
Using fresh pomegranates, I’itoi onions, jalapeños, lemons, and parsley from the garden, I experimented with and changed up this recipe I found online. We made the dip for my family’s Thanksgiving celebration – and it was a hit! I quickly typed up the changes I made to the recipe so I wouldn’t forget how to make it.
I made this dip for two subsequent gatherings, and both groups loved it. One person said the dip made her list of the “best things I’ve ever eaten.” High praise for a humble pomegranate dip. Hope you like it too. Enjoy!
½ cup finely chopped I’tioi onions (can also use green onions)
¼ – ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or chopped fresh parsley
¼ – ½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1-2 cups pomegranate arils
* Add more or less jalapeños to adjust the heat level. Always wear gloves when handling hot peppers.
Pomegranate Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
Directions:
Stir cream cheese until smooth. Stir in sugar, cumin, and lemon juice. Add jalapeños, onions, and cilantro. Spread in an even layer into a small dish or 8 x 8 pan. Top with pomegranate arils. Serve with veggies or crackers.
Want a printable copy of the recipe?
Pomegranate Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
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Late fall brings the hardy orange, one of the most fragrant fruits of the season, to ripeness. When its small, velvety fruits drop to the ground from supremely thorny branches, the citrus connoisseurs pounce. The fruits’ velvety yellow rinds are thickly protective, so they land intact, sometimes lasting for weeks before deteriorating. Their intense aroma makes them a powerful base for hardy orange syrups and vinegars, and for a mouthwateringly tangy carrot pickle (whose recipe you will find below).
Above: The skin of hardy oranges feels like velvet.
Hardy oranges can be compared with better-known yuzu. Both citrus fruits have big seeds relative to their size, and many of them. Both have very fragrant skins. Both have relatively little pulp and juice. One commands a hefty price. One is hardly used, or is rumored to be inedible.
Unlike other citrus trees, including yuzu, the unusual hardy orange is cold-tolerant. In theory, the tree can be grown down to USDA zone 5, whose minimum temperature is -20’F, although Michael Dirr, the acclaimed expert on woody plants, writes that at that temperature he has “seen it killed to the ground.” It will need shelter at that cold-extreme.
Above: Blossoms appearing on bare branches, in Brooklyn’s USDA zone 7b, at Green-Wood Cemetery.
The tree is deciduous, losing its leaves in cold winters. Its leaves are distinctive, with three leaflets to each petiole. Another common name, trifoliate orange, describes that foliage. Botanically, the hardy orange’s current accepted classification is Citrus trifoliata. Poncirus trifoliata is a synonym, speaking to a debate as to whether it deserves its own genus, separate from Citrus.
Above: Ripe, seedy hardy oranges.
For cooks and kitchen alchemists, there is another hardy orange oddity: a gummy residue coats knives and fingers, when you work with the fruit. The founders of Keepwell Vinegar, who use this citrus for an annual batch of their Bitter Lemon Vinegar, use rubbing alcohol or a baking soda paste to clean their knives and cutting board after processing. They ferment the fruit “for over a year,” they write in a message, “and by the time the ferment is over, the residue has lost its power.”
Hardy oranges are native to East Asia (to China and Korea) and have been cultivated in Japan for centuries; they are also known as Chinese and Japanese bitter orange. The tree was brought to the United States early in the 19th century and was later used as rootstock for grafting with less hardy citrus. And it has escaped. In the southeastern US, trifoliate orange is a significant invasive species. Further north, the cold seems to keep it in check.
Above: Big thorns, pretty blossoms.
Perhaps the trifoliate orange should be called Thornus humungus. The trees’ long, green thorns are strong, sharp, and prolific. Need a security hedge or a living fence for wayward livestock? Look no further. “No sane person would attempt to penetrate this hedge!” writes Michael Dirr, in his nurseryperson’s bible, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. The cultivar ‘Flying Dragon’ has corkscrew-twisted branches and thorns.
You’ve grown roselle hibiscus… but now you aren’t sure what to do with it.
Learn how to use roselle hibiscus and how to incorporate it into your diet with 5 tasty recipes that use roselle hibiscus.
Roselle hibiscus, red sorrel, Jamaican sorrel, and Florida cranberry are a few of the many names for “Hibiscus sabdariffa”, which is a tasty and stunning addition to the garden.
Best recipes for roselle hibiscus
Roselle is a prolific producer. One plant produces dozens and dozens of calyces over the course of the season.
These are my picks for the best recipes to help you use the roselle calyces that are growing in your garden.
1. Rosella Jam – This Australian favorite has quickly become our favorite way to use roselle.
2. Roselle Citrus Tea – Refreshing and delicious. Brisk mornings are perfect for a warm cup of this delicious tea. It’s made from freeze-dried or dehydrated roselle, lemon verbena, stevia, lemon grass, and lemon peel.
3. Hibiscus Holiday Sauce – This Hibiscus Holiday Sauce has replaced traditional cranberry sauce at our house. I’d love for you to give it a try.
4. Hibiscus Syrup – Use this versatile syrup as a beverage concentrate, pancake or ice cream topping, or as a flavor base in savory dishes.
5. Jamaican Sorrel Drink – Arguably the most well-known and popular way to use roselle hibiscus. This drink, often called “Rosa de Jamaica”, is a Christmas tradition in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In Mexico or in Mexican restaurants in the United States, the beverage is known simply as “Jamaica”.
The flavor of the roselle calyx is similar to cranberry but less bitter with lemon undertones. To use the calyces, cut open the calyx, remove the white seed capsule, and rinse before using.
Add roselle hibiscus to your favorite recipes
Dehydrated calyxes
Use roselle in smoothies. Remove calyces from the seed pod, and use fresh or frozen in smoothies. (Don’t forget that the leaves are also edible and an easy addition to smoothies.)
Add roselle to your favorite sauces. Roselle adds a distinctive flavor and color; it is a tasty addition to sweet and savory sauces.
Dehydrate or freeze hibiscus leaves to use later.
The blooms, leaves, and pods are also edible
The leaves taste like spicy spinach and are frequently used in many cultures around the world.
Use the leaves in salads, as cooked greens, for tea, and in jam.
How to store roselle calyces until you’re ready to use them
When not stored properly, roselle calyces often become moldy. Here are two tips to lengthen the storage life of your harvested roselle:
Remove the blossom from the inside of the calyx. If left in place, the blossom often becomes moldy.
Store calyces in the refrigerator in these containers for the longest storage life.
Here you’ll find a growing collection of delicious Thanksgiving Leftover recipes!
Besides family and pie, leftovers are my favorite thing about Thanksgiving.
This year you may find yourself with more leftovers than you would typically. And I’m here to help. Over the years, I’ve repurposed leftovers by turning them into new recipes. From sandwiches to soups to pot pies. This is a growing list and will be updated every year as need be.
Breakfast:
The best way to wake up after a holiday is with a bowl of Cranberry Orange Steel Cut Oats! Orange zest and juice is mixed into creamy steel cut oats and topped with leftover cranberry sauce, vanilla yogurt and chopped toasted pecans. Yields 4 in about 35 minutes.
Casseroles:
Put your Thanksgiving leftovers to use with this Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie! A casserole of homemade turkey and vegetable filling is topped with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cheese. Yields 6 to 8 generous servings.
Desserts:
Cranberry Küchen is a simple, delicious dessert that’s also a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. A sugar cookie-like crust topped with cranberry filling and a sour cream topping. For this recipe you’ll need 2-1/2 cups cranberry sauce or 1 full recipe! Yields 1 (9×13) and will yield 12 to 16 pieces depending on how you cut it.
Sandwiches:
Who knew leftovers could be this delicious? In this Turkey Cranberry Croissant Panini; buttery flaky croissants are smeared with homemade cranberry sauce and filled with tender slices of thanksgiving turkey, crispy bacon, peppery arugula and gooey brie cheese before being griddled and pressed in a panini press. Yields 4 sandwiches in about 20 minutes.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Melts are a simple and delicious way to enjoy leftovers. Thick slices of toasted Texas toast topped with all the Thanksgiving holiday fixings plus melted cheese and smothered with gravy.
This Roasted Turkey Cranberry Salad is a light and delicious way to use up leftover turkey. Turkey, dried cranberries, celery and onions are tossed with toasted pecans and a light greek yogurt dressing. Serves 6 in 15 minutes.
Skillet Meals:
Transform Thanksgiving leftovers by making this easy Turkey Skillet Pot Pie. In this recipe; carrots, celery and onion are cooked until tender, and mixed with leftover turkey and diced potatoes in a creamy gravy. Topped with a flaky puff pastry, makes this turkey pot pie the ultimate comfort food.
A lunchroom favorite turned into a cozy comfort food! Turkey Slop is shredded leftover turkey in a luscious homemade pan gravy ladled over creamy mashed potatoes. This is a delicious way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
Soups:
The weekend calls for a hearty, warm bowl of Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup! If time allows, plan ahead to make the homemade turkey stock and then you won’t believe how easy the rest of this soup is to throw together. Yields 8+ in about 35 minutes.
This creamy yet cream-lessTurkey Pot Pie Soup will make good use out of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Simple and flavorful, a one-pot soup to warm your soul. Serves 6 in about 45 minutes.
Put your leftover turkey to good use in this earthy and hearty, Homemade Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Fresh vegetables and herbs, cooked wild rice and leftover turkey in a creamy and luxurious soup. Comfy and cozy, perfect for a cold blustery day.
Turkey Mushroom Wild Rice Soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey. This creamy soup is loaded with leftover turkey, earthy mushrooms and tender vegetables and nutty wild rice. This recipe yields 6 (1½-cup) servings.
Homemade Ingredients and Condiments:
Don’t discard your turkey bones, instead make Slow Cooker Turkey Stock! Add leftover turkey bones, vegetables, herbs and spices with water and cider vinegar into your slow cooker and let it do the work. Yields approximately 12 cups in 6 hours.
Enjoy! And if you give any of these Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
My grandma – ‘Gram’ as we called her – is no longer with us. It’s been about a decade since she passed, but she lived a long and fulfilling life. She loved the holidays, but more than anything she loved cooking. So without further ado, here’s her recipe for the best goddamn deviledeggs you’ll ever eat.
Good homemade focaccia is irresistible, and impressive. Straight from the oven or savored later, focaccia should be crunchy with olive oil on the outside, tender on the inside, and taste of the moment. The toppings, whether garden-grown, wild-foraged, or hunted down at at your local farmer’s market or supermarket, offer endless ways to be creative. It is ideal rustic fare but impressive enough to share at a Thanksgiving table.
Here’s the no-knead focaccia recipe that makes the most of any season.
For years, my baking life has included focaccia. The round cast iron skillet I usually bake it in allows the bread to fit and travel snugly in a backpack for the botanical picnics I feed to adventurous attendees in just about every month of the year. But it’s also a comforting foundation for cheese suppers and a perfect dunk for soup lunches.
Above: Three-cornered leek and waterblommetjie focaccia in Cape Town in spring.
In spring, my focaccia may be laced with pungent ramp leaves, field garlic, dandelion flowers, nettle purée, or pheasant back mushrooms. In early summer, cherries with mugwort leaves, black currants, and elderberries, or chanterelles. Fall’s figs, persimmons, and local grapes follow. Winter’s focaccia feature hoshigaki (dried persimmons) and honey, dried aronia, or preserved mushrooms. The possibilities and improvisation are endless. Focaccia is an adaptable medium for edible creativity.
Above: Black currant and elderberry focaccia, using my kneaded focaccia dough method.
My go-to focaccia recipe has always been based on a kneaded dough. The dough is scented with Earl Grey tea and the soaking water for the fruit (the recipe is in the persimmon chapter of my cookbook Forage, Harvest, Feast). It makes a beautiful loaf, open to variation.
Above: Fig and mugwort flower focaccia, about to be baked.
But since spring this year I’ve been improvising wildly on a no-knead focaccia recipe shared generously on Instagram by the founders of Keepwell Vinegar. (Based in Dover, Pennsylvania, their inspiring line of vinegars is available online; but they appear to excel at any yeast-related.)
Here it is:
You can see why it is is irresistible.
The deep appeal of this focaccia is that the wet dough is not kneaded. Mix, rest, fold, rest, fold. The fun part, dimpling the delicately jiggly dough with olive-oiled fingers, follows. Toppings happen. And after a brief, blazing bake, you have a glorious focaccia.
Above: Blanched ramp leaves and ramp leaf stem confit adorn an April focaccia.
When it comes to turkey, Melissa Clark is an expert. She’s an award-winning cookbook author, and a food columnist at The New York Times. Ahead of Thanksgiving, she showed Sanneh her latest recipe: “reheated” turkey.
“Every year, I get so many emails, letters: ‘I have to make my turkey ahead and drive it to my daughters, my son-in-law, my cousin, my aunt,’” Clark said. “So, I brought this up in one of our meetings, and my editor said, ‘Okay, go with it.’”
“That looks really juicy,” said Sanneh. “I’m no expert, but if you served that to me, I would’ve no idea that was reheated.”
New York Times columnist Melissa Clark with Kelefa Sanneh.
CBS News
As a kid, Clark grew up cooking with Julia Child cookbooks, splattered with food: “Oh my God, those cookbooks, they’re like, all the pages are stuck together. You can’t even open them anymore!”
The New York Times Cooking app contains more than 21,000 recipes.
CBS News
Emily Weinstein, who oversees cooking and food coverage at the Times, believes recipes are an important part of the paper’s business model. “There are a million people who just have Cooking, and there are millions more who have access to Cooking, because they are all-in on The New York Times bundle,” she said.
“And at a basic price of about $5 a month, that’s pretty good business,” said Sanneh.
“Seems that way to me!” Weinstein laughed.
And the subscribers respond, sometimes energetically. “We have this enormous fire hose of feedback in the form of our comments section,” said Weinstein. “We know right away whether or not people liked the recipe, whether they thought it worked, what changes they made to it.”
Readers freely comment on the Times’ recipes.
CBS News
Clark said, “I actually do read a lot of the notes – the bad ones, because I want to learn how to improve, how to write a recipe that’s stronger and more fool-proof; and then, the good ones, because it warms my heart. It’s so gratifying to read that, oh my God, this recipe that I put up there, it works and people loved it, and the meal was good!”
Each recipe the Times publishes must be cooked, and re-cooked. When “Sunday Morning” visited Clark, she was working on turkeys #9 and #10 – which might explain why she is taking this Thanksgiving off.
“This year, I’m going to someone else’s house for Thanksgiving,” Clark said.
“And they’re making you a turkey? They must be nervous,” said Sanneh.
“Not at all.”
“I guarantee you that home chef right now is already stressing about this.”
“Um, he has sent me a couple of texts about it, yeah!” Clark laughed.
For more info:
Story produced by Mark Hudspeth. Editor: Joseph Frandino.
This Sweet Potato Pie is easy to make and a wonderful addition to any holiday gathering!
If you love this pie you may want to try out Maple Pecan Pumpkin Pie. It’s a combination of a pecan pie and a pumpkin pie and it’s delicious.
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
This pie is made with a fresh sweet potato but you can use canned. It’s so easy to put together and the spices with the sweet potato are delicious. We also make our own pie crust but you can always use a store-bought one to save time.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Sweet potatoes, mashed (You can use canned or fresh)
Butter
Eggs
Evaporated milk
White sugar
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ground cloves
Ginger
Vanilla
All-purpose flour
9 inch pie shell
SWAPS
You can easily change out the spices in this pie to your liking. If you are not a fan of nutmeg you can easily leave it out.
🍽️HOW TO MAKE
This sweet potato pie is easy to make, if you are using fresh sweet potatoes, the longest part will be cooking your potatoes.
COOKING STEPS
Step 1 1 (1lb.) sweet potato equals 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes if you decide to not use canned sweet potatoes. The above pie was made by boiling a 1 lb. sweet potato for about 40 minutes until cooked. Then, immediately put under cold water to stop the cooking process, peel and mash for pie.
Step 2 Mash sweet potatoes in a large bowl and mix with butter, eggs, sugars, and milk using a mixer.
Step 3 Add spices, vanilla, flour and continue mixing. Pour into an unbaked pie shell and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes until knife inserted into the pie comes out clean.
⭐TIP
1 (1lb.) sweet potato equals 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes if you decide to not use canned sweet potatoes.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
This pie is a wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving dessert table and if you want to check out some more, this list of Thanksgiving Desserts is always a good place to start. With our Bourbon Pumpkin Cake, Sweet Chocolate Pie, you will find many more you will love.
SERVE THIS WITH
We love this pie topped with ice cream or whipped cream. Both are delicious!
❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does the pie have a different look on the top?
We didnt’ go over with a spatula to make it smooth, because we actually like this look and it still taste great.
We don’t like nutmeg, can I leave it out?
Yes, you can.
STORING AND REHEATING
We store this in a pie container in a cool place and we just reheat a slice in the microwave if we want it warmed up.
This Sweet Potato Pie is easy to make, can be made with canned sweet potatoes or fresh and always a great addition to any holiday gathering.
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 55 minutesmins
Total Time 1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Cuisine American, southern
1cupsweet potatoesmashed (You can use canned or fresh)
1stick butter softened
2eggs
1/2cupevaporated milk
1/2cupwhite sugar
1/2cupbrown sugar
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonnutmeg
1/4teaspoonground cloves
1/4teaspoonginger
1teaspoonvanilla
1tablespoonall-purpose flour
1unbaked 9 inch pie shell
Mash sweet potatoes in a large bowl and mix with butter, eggs, sugars, and milk using a mixer
Add spices, vanilla, flour and continue mixing. Pour into an unbaked pie shell and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes until knife inserted into the pie comes out clean.
1 (1lb.) sweet potato equals 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes if you decide to not use canned sweet potatoes. The above pie was made with boiling a 1 lb. sweet potato for about 40 minutes until cooked. Then immediately put under cold water to stop the cooking process, peel and mash for pie. You can make your crust or use a bought one.
