Gotta LOVE confirmations, good words and guidance… And as always, God works in mysterious ways – But how awesome is it when it’s confirmed in perfected timing!? My sister (Donna) emailed me this a couple days ago and it made my day, my week, my future….

A Sweet and Successful Error

By Leslie Snyder

Ruth Graves Wakefield is credited with inventing my favorite comfort food of all time, the chocolate chip cookie. The story goes that she and her husband purchased a toll house that had been built in 1709 for the purpose of housing weary travelers. In the 1930’s, they built on to the house and began serving travelers at the Toll House Inn, where Ruth’s incredible desserts were well-known. One day, while making Butter Drop Dough cookies she realized she was out of one critical ingredient, baker’s chocolate. Whether she made the next decision out of necessity or ingenuity we may never know, but she made the now-famous decision to chop up a bar of semisweet chocolate and drop it into the batter thinking the chocolate would melt into the rest of the cookie. Fortunately for us, the chocolate didn’t melt. Instead, it held its shape but with a wonderful creamy texture. Voila! The chocolate chip cookie was created.

The truth is, many of the world’s best inventions started out as a mistake.  What turned these mistakes into successes?  Much can be attributed to the attitude, perseverance, and creativity of the person behind it all. Dale Carnegie once said, “The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way,” which is exactly what Ruth Graves Wakefield did. She later began a professional partnership with Andrew Nestle, the candy maker who agreed to place her recipe for Toll House Cookies on the back of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Following Christ is often a series of sweet and successful errors. Some of these errors will seem more bitter than sweet, but if we can understand that we are on a journey with Jesus, following closely to Him and reaching for the dream He has placed in our hearts, then we are right where we belong. Yes, we might make a mistake or two along the way, but I believe the old adage is true, “It’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.”

GOING DEEPER:
Psalm 34: 8 reads, “Taste and see that the LORD is good;” Maybe today it’s time to take a risk and try something new; begin to seek the dream God has placed in your heart.

The confirmation was Psalm 34:8… In a couple of weeks you’ll see why!

Side note: My sis said she can assist me with my upcoming side business gigs – with the payment of TOFFEE! Gotta love her.

Words are like seeds. What we plant will grow.The words we speak are powerful and will either build up or destroy. Words can diffuse anger and turn tragedy into triumph. The right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way can bring peace in the midst of confusion. God gives us “spiritual radar” so we can assess a situation and speak the right word for that circumstance, but how often do we speak before we check the radar?

• A judge utters a few words and a guilty man is taken to death row.
• A friend speaks a word of encouragement and a desperate heart finds hope.
• A mother lashes out with angry words and the light in her child’s eyes is gone.
• A wife offers a word of forgiveness and a marriage is saved.
• A gossip makes a phone call and a reputation is destroyed.
• A teenager says “no” and changes the course of her life.

It has been estimated that most people speak enough words in one week to fill a large book of 500 pages which, in the average lifetime, would amount to somewhere around 3000 volumes or 1,500,000 pages. What kind of book are you writing today with your words?

“Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.” ~ Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

(via Girlfriends in God)

My status update for Facebook today… (thought I’d share on here as well.)

“Just a thought.
What’s your passion, talent & inspiration?
Reflect on your current life as is…
Just do it – Do what you love!”

I sometimes wonder… Do people do what they do in their 8 hours each and every day (excluding weekends) because they have to…? Is it something that’s repetitive, easy and they’re just use to it – so with that, they go with the flow? OR do they do it because they LOVE and enjoy it? Do they learn new things in which they can apply it to their daily lives…?

Wow – 8 hours in a day (with the questions above) should be a huge importance in one’s life to sit and think about…  It’s extremely beneficial to be in a position and work environment where you can say – I LOVE MY JOB. Don’t you think?

I say, do what you love and work with your passions and inspirations in life in all the time you have in a day.  During the 8 hours work day and after. I learn something new every day whether it’s big or small… I consider that a privileged blessing.

As I have mentioned in previous postings, I try to make it a point to seek & build the talents & passions I have… whether it’s a few minutes or hours at a time – allocate your time wisely in your wonderful given day.

For those who can’t relate… I would say – don’t be afraid and take the big leap of faith and choose to CHANGE. Try it – it could possibly be the best thing in your life AND to those around you…

Closing note: I LOVE MY JOB.

I am behind on my blog again, I know…

I’m going to blame it on the weather and my health and a little bit of 2011…!

I DO love the rain, please rain some more. However, with our unique California weather, I am recovering from the icky flu bug – ugh the aches and pain, the coughs and runny nose… it’s horrible! Oh well, I guess it’s an interesting way to start the New Year! I have so many wonderful things to share…not in this posting though – I’m already tired from typing… Praying for strength and energy!

Anyhow, what I really want to say is HAPPY NEW YEAR – May God continue to bless each and every one of you with guidance, growth, change and adventure in your lives! And – hope everyone had a wonderful and memorable Christmas celebration! More backtrack postings to come so stick around – I also look forward to sharing my 2011 journey with you…

In the meantime, let me make this posting a bit more lovely and whimsical with some soothing visuals I came across on Etsy… There’s something about her artwork that makes me happy, comforted and sigh a bit… I love the colors and the perspectives!

Kim’s Cottage Art - Here are some of my faves! Enjoy!

Unique LA + Artisanal LA = One fantabulous Saturday!!!

FOOOOOOOD. I can’t wait… Check out all the participating vendors!

I don’t think I’ll ever stop “leaping” in my life – could this mean a have ADD…? Of course not – I just love and enjoy a variety of things in my life and because of that I have the desire to move forward with my passion to see where it takes me! God blesses us with gifts and talents to be used – what’s there to lose and fear as long as I stay faithful in His word and know that I have Him guiding me and leading the way!

(Matthew 25:14-30)

It helps to know and be surrounded by talented goal-driven people too, and not to mention who are also super encouraging and helpful. Not every journey will be an easy one, and I don’t think it’s ever meant to be – therefore I’m taking another leap of faith… I know, I know – as if my life wasn’t full and busy as is… But I’m enjoying this thought and future plan – so I’m going with it… Woohoo!

Besides how exciting and adventurous could a routined and repetitive life be…? Be happy and do what you love!

This will definitely be a slow and steady process so tips and guidance are welcome from all (whether you’re an amateur or pro) – I really am grateful for all those who’ve inspired and encourage me to pursue what I’ve researched and explored for some time… Needless to say, my number one fan & supporter – my husband… Thanks, Beb!

Learning will be an ongoing task for me – and that speaks for all aspects: biblically, a godly wife, parenthood, graphics designing, creating sweet treats… the list goes on!!!

With all that said – Guess what!? My sweet treats venture is approaching!!! More info to follow when I’m ready – Stay posted…

In the meantime, this coming Saturday, I’ll get to experience a variety of talent from over 300 independent designers (ranging from jewelry, clothing, artwork, baked goodies, purses and lots more) at the The 3rd Annual UNIQUE LA Holiday Show. Think of it as the “Etsy World” live and direct – Eeek! A land full of eager entrepreneurs – I can’t wait!

Cream Puffs! I haven’t made these in a while… Super simple and one of my fave recipes and goodies to make! (First introduced by my friend, Lindsay – and several variations can be found on allrecipes.com). BUT this time I’ve researched a bit more on this recipe and found a wonderful tip, secret, extra step… whatever you want to call it – it worked! Results are a much better “puff” than they already were…

Cream Puffs

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (or whatever flavor you want really!)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup milk

Choux Pastry

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs, 3 can work too…depending on eggyness – preferably 4 for me

Directions

1. Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set. Use a mixer for sure – the fluffier the better!
2. Preheat oven to 400-425 degrees F.
3. In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and do it gradually (no rush!) and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Let the dough cool for a bit (warm to almost room temperature)
4. Using a wooden spoon <<< if you need the exercise or stand mixer <<< my way NOW, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls or get fancy and pipe them onto an ungreased baking sheet. Yes, it will be sticky and elasticky…
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should puff up and be dry BUT moist at the same time. You can just wait and stare at the oven till they turn a perfectly golden brown, if you’re a perfectionist and fear burnt puffs…
6. MAJOR MUST-DO TIP: Right when you take the puffs out of the oven – poke a couple holes in each puff and let the steam out UNLESS you don’t mind softer-deflated puffs. But piercing holes keeps the puff – puffed! YAY!
7. When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.
8. Top them off with powdered sugar and/or chocolate drizzle! Or dip the whole thing in chocolate… *drool*

You’ll make about 20 cream puffs with the above…

(Excuse the low lighting, AGAIN – I need to find the time to bake/photograph in the day(light) – OR add a “portable light box” to my wishlist… *hint-hint-wink-wink*)

So last night I did my “test-run” cake pops, this would make it round 2 – I need to make sure our family Christmas Goodies for this year are perfected and beautified… Cake pops will be included with the goodies this year!

Round 2 – all my thanks goes to Jacinta with Complete Deelite. Thank you for sharing the one ingredient that changed everything. Not sure if other cake pop “creators” use this ingredient – but all I know is that this will be included as a must-have in my kitchen!

With the one ingredient that was missing in my kitchen-life and not to mention for a literally “smooth” cake pop process – the whole experience in cake pop making became much more fun!

With that said… *drumroll please* - Introduuuciiiing the ingredient that mended the friendship between candy melts and I – All-Vegetable Shortening! I am no longer enemies with the good ol’ candy melts… 

Red Velvet for the test-run!

Big difference! See the smoooothness that I’ve been seeking!?

Not super-perfectly smooth like the pros – but I’m happy!

Our kitchen’s lighting isn’t so camera friendly… as you can see – HA!

Now, the best part…

Christmas is almost here – YAY!

See – I told you there’d be more… (Don’t be surprised if there’s a part 3 – HA!)