Overflowing Compassion....

Compassion doesn't always overflow in our home, and on days when I see it - it gives me hope that the Lord is working something in our hearts.  The morning Jacob went to the hospital - Ryan, after coming to get me, offered to carry his brother to the car.  While in the hospital, Ryan created a coloring book for his brother to use while we sat for days on end staring a white walls.

A heart to encourage in the midst of pain and trial.  Using the comfort received to encourage one going through a difficult time........After Jacob had spent days in the hospital and Rebekah at home for a week with fever & congestion, with visits to the doctor's office, .... compassion was running pretty high in our home for anyone under the weather.  Yesterday Halle woke up with her cyclical vomiting syndrome.  As she laid on the couch fairly lethargic and unresponsive to any encouragement - this is what we saw happen as an overflow of love for their sister and compassion for her not feeling well:

Layer one of love....

wait for it....more layers of love.... (included in the pile - a new bear named Jacob sent from Honey that has not left Jacob's arms since he received it...until now)

 and a banner of love over the room to express their heart for their sister!

Thank you, dear kids, for reflecting Jesus to each other in the midst of a difficult week.  You brought great encouragment to your mom & dad.  It reminded me this morning of the first chapter of 2 Corinthians, particulary verses 3-4:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

Just wanted to give a large thank you to the banner of love we had over us as we waited for answers and healing for Jacob this last week.  The meals, notes, calls, texts, gifts, Scriptures, prayers, .... we felt God so near in the midst of the unknown.   Sending hugs to each of you & pray this day you experience His deep love for you!!

On a fun celebratory side note - We spent lunch yesterday, having hamburgers from Jack in the Box, sodas & curly fries to celebrate the warm sunshine outside & a healthy crew.  This gave way later that night to consuming the final remains of the wonderful meals delivered to our home this week.  But what leftover night/celebration day would be complete without a 80s dance party.  With Pandora in the speakers - we danced our way through the preparation of dinner to the sounds of the 80s Cardio radio station (I highly recommend).  Good times!  Thank you, LORD, for dancing feet!!! :)

Linking Up after Fifty Days in France

After posting the last few months on the blog-

Fifty Days in France - Click here to read about the switchover to this blog.

We are back to The Sweet Leaf to do some posting on occassion.  I make zero promises as to how often or to what the content will be - but we had fun posting some fun adventures in France - we may post some of our daily life adventures or thoughts here.

Making the Most of a Hard Time :)

I found so much delight in my sister in law & neice over the Easter weekend. My neice broke her leg a month ago on a ski trip. I know it hasn't been easy on them at all. In the midst of a hard time - I loved how my sister in law made the most of my neice needing to use crutches each day. If you are looking for a way to make using crutches a bit more fun - decorate crutches w/ colorful duct tape. She said they tried using mini pillow pets as cushions on the arm pads. It made the height a bit too tall for her - but a creative idea for someone in need of a cute cushion for their crutches. LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU - SWEET FAMILY!! :)

In Memory of Aurea Hope

Our son singing Jesus Loves me at our daughter's gravesite 3 years ago when we went for a visit.  He longed for a baby sister & prayed fervently for her.  She would have been 5 on March 16th.  Aurea Hope, died on October 9, 2006 of a heart defect.  What a few blessed moments we had with her - singing to her, snuggling her frail body, and delighting in the gift of her short life.  Though she never lived a day in our home - she has brought so much life to our hearts as we have grieved and found healing in our hearts through Jesus in our loss.  

Zucchini Bread

Before you turn your nose up & say eeewww to zucchini bread - try it!  I said eeewww too many years & I'm so sad I did.  It will change your world...well, maybe not change your world - but it tastes delicious & could possible become a new family favorite!   Modified from a recipe from Everyday Food in 2003.  Enjoy!

• 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (**adds a brightness to the flavor)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, and set aside. Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater (to yield 1 1/2 cups); set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, oil, vanilla, and eggs.
2. Into a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and stir to combine well. Stir in grated zucchini & zest.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack, then reinvert, top side up. Cool completely before slicing.

Tennessee Apple Cake

One of my favorite places to eat lunch in Tennessee was at a log cabin cafe called the Apple Cake Tea Room.  I was never able to get my hands on their apple cake recipe.  It's amazing when you bite into something how it can bring back a memory.  One bite of this apple cake & I was sitting in the Apple Cake Tea Room.  It warms my heart each time I eat it!  I usually make it in a 9x13 pan - but recently made it in a bundt pan -- DELICIOUS!  Hope you enjoy!

Tennessee Apple Cake ;)

2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
3 chopped & peeled large apples (about 3 cups - whatever type is your favorite - I use Golden Delicious)
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix dry ingredients.  Add oil, eggs, & vanilla.  Fold in the apples & nuts.  You will feel like it doesn't have enough moisture when mixing everything together.  Don't you worry - though - it will turn out nice & yummy!  Grease & flour baking pan of choice.  Place in the oven (this recipe begins w/ a cold oven) & then turn on the oven to 350.  Bake for 1 hour or until done.

Caramel Glaze:
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup. light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup milk

Mix and boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly - pour the caramel glaze over the cooled cake.  Enjoy!

Good news! Good news!

I was saddened recently, when I was discussing yummy restaurants with a couple of friends at a birthday party.   I was told the famed El Siete Mares Seafood Mexican Restaurant had closed their doors.  WHAT?  My mouth waters at the thought of their red snapper tacos.  Besides, my sweet neighbors fish tacos, I have found none to compare to Siete Mares fish tacos in Waco.  After I began this blog, I became curious at other blogs out there & what I could learn.  I was doing a search this morning for blogs in Waco and stumbled across the blog:  www.wacofork.com
Scrolling through the blog I saw a post concerning the closing of Siete Mares.  According to the post, El Positano owner, Sergio Garcia plans to reopen the Positano location under the new name - Sergios.  What will be on Sergios menu?  Beginning sometime in September, Sergio plans to incorporate Siete Mares menu items on Friday and Saturday nights.  HOORAY!!!! 


Location of (Positanos) Sergios:  4th Street and David Drive, which is on 4th Street between downtown and the Cameron Park Zoo