From the Heart, Whipping Cream Pound Cake AND Guess Who is Playing Soccer?

Good Thursday morn!

Here's another semi-short post. (I'm getting better, I think!)

From the Heart - The past few months, I have been trying to focus on my prayer life and ways to make it better.

After watching several different Bible Studies and sermons on the subject over the past few months, I made the following "go-by" for my daily prayer.

1. Start by reciting (and really listening to the words of) Psalm 23.

2. Pray for the things I am thankful for on that specific day.

3. Pray for any unconfessed sin I might have, and also, that I will recall anything I have done in the past which needs forgiveness.

4. Pray Romans 12:1-2.

5. Pray for wisdom and control over my tongue when I speak to people during the day (especially, but not limited to, Mike, Austin, Melia, Josh, Courtney, Roxie, Judith, RT, Eden, ME and Beverly).

6. Pray for help remembering the prayers God has already answered in my life over the years (be specific), and make me aware of divine appointments, open doors, people God may bring alongside me for a reason, calls to missions and ministries I can perform through the Holy Spirit... not by myself.

7. Pray for a desire to have an attitude like Christ... to have humility and submit to the will and Word of God.

8. Pray Ephesians 6:10-20 inserting my name in all the appropriate places.

I have blank pages at the end of each month in my journal, and I write down very specific prayer requests there. At the end of the month, I begin a new list. Some prayers carry over, and some will have already been answered.

This is what is working for me in my prayer life right now. I literally sit down with the above list in my hands before I start praying each day to help me stay focused, because, "SQUIRREL!"

I am so easily distracted even when totally alone in my house with no kids running around.

Please know, the fact I am 59 years-old and still such a work in progress is not lost on me. But also not lost on me... God loves me and always wants me to spend time with Him each and every day.

His mercies are new every morning, and all I have to do is go to Him in prayer.

Whipping Cream Pound Cake

This recipe came directly from the back of the Swans Down Cake Flour box. It is a really good pound cake, and I have made it several times. Also, it is delicious with or without the glaze.

You will need the following:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) salted butter, softened
3 cups white granulated sugar
6 large eggs (room temperature)
3 cups sifted Swans Down Cake Flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream

You will need the following for the Glaze (if desired):

2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Butter and lightly flour a 10-inch tube pan.

3. In large mixing bowl, cream butter then gradually add sugar beating on medium speed until creamy.

4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

5. Add Swans Down Cake Flour and heavy whipping cream alternately beating on low speed until just blended.

6. Add vanilla.

7. Pour into prepared pan.

8. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a long tester inserted in center of cake comes out completely clean. (Cover top of cake with a loose sheet of foil after first 20 minutes in oven so it will not get too dark.)

9. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.

For the Glaze:

1. Combine powdered sugar and melted butter in medium size bowl.

2. Stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.

3. Beat until smooth and creamy, adding more cream 1 tablespoon at a time if necessary. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Enjoy!

RANDOMNESS - Guess Who is Playing Soccer? - It's been a skinny minute since we've done this, but Mike and I found ourselves on the sideline of a riveting soccer game a couple of Saturdays ago.

There were a lot of other athletes playing, but this little guy caught our eye!

I know I'm probably a little biased, but I definitely see us attending an Olympics soccer event in a few years.

I'll keep you posted!

I bet Sister and Mimi (and all the rest of us) will be wearing matching shirts in the stands!

And the cousins!

The cousins will definitely need/want/insist upon matching shirts, too!

Have a most wonderful "rest of the week" and weekend, and I will certainly try to do the same.

Take care, and I'll talk to you soon!

Sincerely,

The Ever-So-Short-and-Succinct Enchanting Belinda

P.S. Someone had a birthday this past weekend, and unlike last year, we were able to celebrate it with her.

No. It wasn't Eden, but she was definitely there to help blow out the candles...

And shoot people with her new bubble gun.

I'll share the rest of those pics next time.