A dessert recipe for your eggless friends

I found this recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book that I got as a wedding gift...it has seriously been one of my most used gifts! (-: I knew a lot of recipes before, but when you start cooking for someone else more than once or twice a week, you need some variety.

Anyways, I made this recipe on a whim once, and it was delicious. Then I realized that it was perfect to make for my Indian friend who chooses not to eat eggs for conscience reasons. He loved it! It says in the cookbook that this was also a wartime favorite because it uses very little sugar, no butter, and no eggs. It's relatively easy to make too, so I figured I should share it! Here it is...enjoy!

This isn't it exactly, but it is pretty much how it looks...so much chocolaty goodness!

Side benefit of making this if you are pregnant: You can lick the bowl, because there are no raw eggs in the batter!!! WOOHOO!!! 

Brownie Pudding Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups boiling water


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8x2 inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium bowl stir together the flour, granulated sugar, the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, the baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir in the walnuts.


2. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. In a small bowl stir together the brown sugar and the 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Stir in the boiling water. Slowly pour brown sugar mixture over batter.


3. Bake for 40 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool for 45 to 60 minutes. Serve warm (you don't have to, obvioiusly). Spoon cake into dessert bowls; spoon pudding from the bottom of the pan over cake. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream. (that's all suggestions...you can eat it however you want!).

Sisters

Last night I went to a family's house for a party, and there are four sisters ranging from 5th grade to college. One of the sisters was wearing a cute jacket, and at one point all the other sisters started saying it made her look like a wise owl. You can tell they're all close, and they have that 'sister bond'...It made me think so much of me and my sisters. Spending most of last week with my family in Florida reminded me of how much I love have sisters.

On our way to do some Black Friday shopping

I've gone shopping with Adam a few times and...it's not horrible. But there is nothing like shopping with your sisters, or having your sisters there on Sunday morning to tell you if your church outfit looks cute yet modest. I found some cute maternity clothes at Ross on Black Friday, and my sisters sat outside the dressing room door as I tried them on, opening the door and asking for opinions for each outfit. You can be sure a sister will be honest! Like when I walked out wearing maternity leggings with a shirt that was no where near long enough to wear with leggings. The best was when I walked out with my maternity full panel pants on and a shirt I was trying on, and my sister Caley said 'The only problem is that it makes it look like your pants come up to here (pointing about 4 inches above my belly button)". I replied by lifting up the shirt and saying 'You mean like this?'. That got some squeals and looks of shock! Hopefully they will all be more prepared now for the day when they have to wear maternity clothes!

I also realized that I laugh more with my sisters than with anyone else in the world. Somehow we all just 'get' each other's humor...I'm sure it has to do with growing up together, and with the same mom and dad, who also have quirky senses of humor (especially dad!). The difficult thing is that when you try to explain that oh-so-hilarious conversation to anyone else, it just drops...no one else usually gets it, except maybe our brother.

My sisters had their hands on my belly almost the entire trip! Of course, that was after Tabi stopped screaming 'Ew, don't touch me!!' when she first saw me...after getting over that she probably felt the baby kick more than anyone else because she would sit with her hand on my belly while she watched Glee or something. I know some people don't like their bellies to be touched, but I must say I kind of miss it! I wanted my baby girl to bond with her aunts. (-:

Angel, my youngest sister, was the driving force behind my baby showers last weekend...which were amazing, by the way! Probably one of the best baby showers I've been to, and not just because I was the star of the show. (-: I love seeing how different all my sisters are, but how they work together so well. I really almost wished that the shower wasn't for me, because I wanted to help so much (I did help a little, but the organizing part was up to Angel, and that's the part I like!).

I plan on having several more kids, and I know I'll love them all the same whether they are a boy or girl. But I can't help hoping/praying that this baby girl will get at least one sister...they're the best!

I'm pregnant...what??!

Well, most people who read this blog probably already know that, but since I haven't updated in MONTHS, I figured I better make the big announcement. (-: I'll be 13 weeks on Saturday!

I decided that I'm not going to make a separate blog about the pregnancy, or write solely about that. I'm sure it will invade most posts, but overall I still want to blog about "becoming excellent"...not just being an excellent wife, but being an excellent wife while being an excellent mother as well!

Somehow I think that the mothering thing will come pretty naturally to me (not that it won't be difficult at times). The "wife-ing" thing not so much. Making a baby does make it more difficult to be the excellent wife to my dear husband. Not in housecleaning and that sort of stuff, but in the attitude. I seem to have gained a sense of entitlement. Basically, "I'm pregnant so I get what I want and if you say anything negative to me at all I'll cry."

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. But God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape." 1 Corinthians 10:13

So for all you pregnant ladies out there (and those in other circumstances that are trying your "excellentness")...God is faithful, and always gives you a way out of temptation. For me, that way is usually the ability to keep my mouth shut.

life right now

There are several things I've been thinking about writing about, but my sister Tabi gave me the best idea...I was telling her how my onions sprouted, and that I decided to keep them. I found out I can use the sprouts like green onion or chives, and I just think that's the coolest thing. So she said 'You should blog about it!'. 

I guess I haven't written much about everyday life lately. My next post will probably be about how much Susannah Spurgeon has inspired me, but for now I think I'll just write a slice of life post about the past couple days.

My weekend started on Thursday night. That past week has been extremely busy with school work (2 long papers and a test), as can be attested to by the fact that laundry has been waiting to be put away for about a week and a half, and the dishes weren't done for 3 days. d-: But Thursday night the last paper was turned in, so Adam and I went to the Coffee House on campus for a little bit. 

For those who have been in school recently, did you ever meet someone near the middle or end of the semester, get to talking, and realize that you've been in the same class with him or her the whole semester? Ok, that has happened to me FOUR times in the past month, and all were in the same class. I couldn't believe it. One was on Thursday at the coffee house (the most embarrassing one was my neighbor!). 

Anyways, we had a nice evening Thursday and caught up on some of the shows we've didn't get to watch earlier in the week due to school (Lost and Flashforward)...anybody else watch Lost? How crazy was that episode?!

Yesterday, I went to Pregnancy Support Services, where I've started volunteering on Friday mornings. It was my second time being there, and I just love it. Seeing the girls that come in, and sometimes the babies they bring, is awesome. But I also just love being around the other women who volunteer and work there. It's so encouraging to be around like-minded, but different people. (If you want to support me in the Walk for Life next Saturday, go to my web page here. )

Friday morning Adam made a card for me "cordially inviting" me out on an ice-cream date with him that afternoon. We'd wanted to go last week but it didn't work out. He had the day off, which is unusual, so it was a nice surprise. We ran a few errands first, then went to A La Mode (if you live in Wake Forest and haven't been yet, you should go...delicious gelato!). Then, we walked around downtown for a bit. Adam was wonderful while I looked at a consignment shop and tried a shirt on, which he even offered to buy for me. (-:

I decided against the shirt, so we kept walking and saw signs for 'Herb Fest'. I've been really wanting to get a few potted herbs to put in the kitchen so I could have fresh herbs on hand, so we walked down to it. I chose rosemary and thyme. I'm super excited to have started my own little indoor herb garden...hoping it grows soon. I'd love to get some basil, mint, and parsley as well. (Don't I sound so domestic?)

We had some friends over last night, ordered pizza and watched 'The Time Traveler's Wife'...one of our professors recommended it as a chic flick that guys would actually like because of the time travelling part. He was right...Adam and his friend Nathan liked it, and so did Amy and I. 

Adam's gone to work today, so I'm going to get a lot of reading done that didn't get done earlier in the week...but he'll be home in time for supper, so I'm going to try making rosemary something, with fresh rosemary! 

I know this post wasn't as shocking or controversial as the past few, but hopefully it wasn't too boring. Life and love are keeping me happy right now...God has given us the blessing of a calm period in our lives, but that can change pretty quickly. I'm just thankful for it now and preparing for what's to come. 

If you pray for Adam and I, can I give you a couple specifics to pray about?

 

1. That God will provide the perfect job for Adam starting in the fall of next year, financially and scheduling with school. 

2. We are planning to go to Japan for a two week mission trip/vision trip this summer. Pray that it works out, time wise and financially. 

Thanks so much for reading my blog! 

Love,

Hannah

Why I Would Pray God Smites You with Warts on Your Face

I'm just gonna say it:

If you're wearing something that could tempt my husband to look at you in the wrong way, I might feel like praying that God smites you with wrinkles, a jiggly belly, a flat chest, and warts on your face. It just makes me mad.

Immodesty makes me mad! I realize that if you're not a Christian, you probably won't understand where I'm coming from. I'd be happy to explain it, but I'm really talking to my Christian sisters here. You should know better.

Now I want to confess something here before I go on: I am not perfect in this area at all! Even this morning, my husband told me that the dress I was wearing might be too revealing, but I made a ton of excuses, put on a cover-up that really didn't cover anything up, and wore it anyways. Then the whole morning at church I was hugging my Bible to my chest because I knew I shouldn't have worn it.

My husband should not have to go into church, or his job at a Christian bookstore, or anywhere where there are Christian women around him and come out asking me why some of the girls there were showing so much cleavage.  He shouldn't have to divert his eyes when he's around his Christian sisters. He, and your other Christian brothers, have to deal with a sex-charged society already which tempts them at every flip of the television station, every other bill board, and magazines galore.

I trust Adam, but I know that he's only human. So I'm speaking to all of you on his behalf...Please help him by being more modest. Yes, he has responsibility for his own sin...but you as his sisters have the responsibility to not put a stumbling block (or should I say breasts) in his way. After reading my rough draft of this post, he told me that when he sees a girl dressed immodestly, he basically just tries to avoid her as much as possible so that he won't be tempted...don't be one he has to avoid!

<--Don't worry, I don't think you have to dress like any of these to be modest!!

Ladies, I don't care how old you are, what kind of body you have, what size bra you wear...just honestly think before you go out in public wearing what you're wearing. To be honest, I've found that if I have any doubts about what I'm wearing, it's probably not appropriate. I know how hard it is...how tempting it is to wear what will get the most attention. But for the sake of your brothers in Christ, be modest. For your own sake, that you don't get cheapened by being looked at as an object, be modest. It looks different for different people, but I really believe that with a little bit of common sense and a big dose of the Holy Spirit, you'll know...And if you don't, ask someone who will be honest.

Jesus tells us in the Bible 'Judge not lest you be judged'. Well, I'm judging right now, but I'm also inviting you to judge me. If you see me wearing something that could cause a brother to stumble, please tell me! I may be defensive at first, but that's probably only because I already had doubts about it and the Holy Spirit is using you to convict me even more, so I'm embarrassed that you caught me rebelling against Him.

For practical tips:
This was an interesting survey that the younger brothers of Joshua Harris did on modesty...I'd encourage you to check it out. It's really enlightening as to how Christian guys think regarding modesty and the way we as women can help them in their struggle against lust.
http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/

If I offended you...well, I'm not really sorry, but I'd welcome your comments!

Disclaimer: After reading the rough draft of this, Adam told me he thinks it's a little unbalanced, and that I'm harsh on the girls, and not enough on the guys. Probably he's right...so in a month or so he's going to be a guest contributer on my blog and write a piece for the guys! (-:

P.S. I didn't have my Bible on me while writing this, so I didn't include any supporting references...but if you need some for proof that modesty is God's will, let me know! I'd be happy to supply some.

The Greatest Baptist...Wife?

I'm procrastinating on studying for my Baptist History test...I really should take advantage of the baby being asleep (the baby I watch...no, you didn't miss me being pregnant and giving birth!). But I just read a blog that some of my family members are writing in preparation for them going to Vietnam this summer...you can read it here. My little sister was the last one to post! I'm pretty jealous that they all get to go...but Adam and I are hopefully going to Japan this summer, so I should be satisfied. (-:

So, speaking of Baptist History, I am writing a biographical essay on Susannah Spurgeon. The assignment was to write it on someone influential in Baptist history, and I really wanted to do a woman, but the only one on the list was Lottie Moon. I know a lot about her already, and wanted someone new...I think I also just wanted to make sure that there were other influential women in Baptist history. I sent an email to my professor asking him about it, but it turned out that that night he lectured on Charles Spurgeon. When I heard him talking about Charles' wife and some of the things she did, I decided to ask if I could do my essay on her...who better to write about than the wife of the greatest Baptist preacher in history?

Apparently, my professor didn't really know much about her because he told me that if I could find even ONE sentence written by her (for my required primary source), then I could do it. He didn't think she'd written anything. So I went home, and it didn't take much researching to find out that she's actually written four books, plus the ending of her husband's autobiography. Two of the books are devotionals, and two are semi-autobiographical about the work she did in the 'Book Fund'. I also found a biography on her which includes some of her journal entries. (-: So there, Dr. Finn! In a few short weeks, I will present to you the first biographical essay ever done at Southeastern on Susannah Spurgeon.

I will write more about what I find out about her...so far I've learned about the beginnings of their love. <3 It was actually very romantic, considering it was in the mid-1800's and involved two Baptists!

Ok, now time to study about all the other stuff in Baptist History, which is not nearly as interesting as Susannah Spurgeon! But I have a mid-term to take tomorrow before Adam and I head to Florida, so alas...it must be learned.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Being Married

I heard several people, before I got married, say that the honeymoon phase lasts about 6 months, then reality sets in...that sounded so terrible to me! But our six month anniversary has come and gone (3 weeks ago!), and so far I feel just as much in the honeymoon phase as I did 4 weeks ago. I'm starting to think (hope) that it's not a "phase", but that I am as in love with my husband in 25 or 50 years as I am today.

So, in honor of making it past 6 months and still being so very happily married, I'm doing this top 10 post. (-: I love you, Adam (my cuppycake, gumdrop, shnookem shnookem apple of my eye).

Top 10 Reasons I Love Being Married:

10. I have someone to tell me when I'm being ridiculous, pouty, bratty, or the like...but I still know how incredibly much he loves me. (And still loves me even when I get mad at him for telling me the truth!)

9. I get to live with my best friend who I can spend all day with and not get tired of...and who will watch Lost and try to figure it out with me, even though we both know it's impossible!

8. I have someone to cook for! I've always liked cooking to a degree, but something about having someone else to cook for just makes it way better. And he will always eat what I make him, even if he doesn't like it. (-:

7. He makes me the best breakfasts ever!

6. He takes care of our car, and any other mechanical stuff that I don't understand...

5. He always drives when we're together, which is great since I don't like driving if I don't have to. And he's a better driver than me anyways. (-:

4. Sex!

3. Going to sleep in his arms, especially on cold nights.

2. Having someone there to make decisions with is wonderful...and even though he's the leader in our family, he always looks to me for my opinion and takes it seriously. I don't like making decisions though, so having the final responsibility off my shoulders is a really great feeling for me.

And the number 1 reason I love being married.....

1. It is the most intimate relationship possible outside my relationship with God, and when it is good, life is good. And right now, it is good. I can't even find the words to describe the amazing companionship and spiritual oneness that marriage provides. I'm so thankful that God created marriage, and that he allowed Adam and I to find each other all the way across the world. Adam is everything I ever wanted in a man and more...the apple of my eye!

A Short Confession

I have two things that I wanted to confess here...things that I've felt convicted about in the past week. They are very much connected, and the first I've already written about once!

1. I still feel the need to be the "perfect housewife", at least subconsciously. I had a dream about putting the laundry away last night! Even though I know that there's really no such thing, and that my idea of "perfect" usually comes from books, movies, etc., or from someone else's home who is not me, I still struggle with feeling guilty about things not done.

2. I think this perfectionism causes me to get super defensive at any small criticism! I know how much Adam loves me and doesn't ever mean to hurt my feelings, but every time he makes any little suggestion about how I should cook something or clean, I get pouty and upset. It's so silly! I know that it is pride...the need to always be right, along with wanting to be "perfect". When I realize something I did doesn't seem perfect to him, it crushes me.

So, those are my two confessions. I have no real solution except to pray that God changes my heart. Or possibly some godly 'longer married' advice?

WOW...1999?!

Have you ever noticed how music can so quickly bring you back down memory lane to the times when you listened to that particular song over and over, or when that CD (cassette, album...8-track...depending on how old you are...) first came out and you were so excited to get it and that's all you listened to for weeks? 

There are some songs that when they come on I go straight back to high school, with all the drama, heart break, and everything else that goes with high school years. 'Time of Your Life' by Greenday is one of those songs, along with a bunch of Chris Tomlin worship songs (although the worship songs usually remind me of my favorite times in high school, like youth group and camp).

Then some songs take me back way before high school, to a time when I barely remember anything else. The hymn 'The Old Rugged Cross' is like that...every time I hear it I remember laying in bed in the house I only lived in up until I was 7, my mom in the rocking chair in mine and my brother's room, singing that song until we went to sleep.

I found a case of some of my old cd's the other day, and Adam and I have been listening to some of them in the car. One said 'Hannah's Favorite Songs'...I'm pretty sure it was from 11th or 12th grade. My musical tastes haven't changed all that much, although the songs I chose (the first three were Barlow Girls, You're my Little Girl, and Daughters) did seem to indicate the time of life I was in. (-:

Then there were the WOW 1999 and WOW 2000 CD's (compilation of Christian artist's hits from those years, like the NOW cd's). 

1999 was ELEVEN years ago, people...11. I was 12 years old when I got that CD. How much have I changed in that time? I remember thinking about what it would be like to be 20...to be in college...to be able to drive...to be married! And now  I'm 23 and thinking about what it'll be like to have a baby (no, I'm not pregnant, don't freak out!). I also remember thinking that there were some people that I couldn't live without...and now I haven't spoken to them in years for no reason except that we grew apart. I wanted some things to change, but if I had really thought about, I would have wanted most stuff to stay the same.

Most the time change is scary, and a lot of times it's also unwanted. But looking back over the past 11 years and more, I can catch a little glimpse of the big picture. Things have to change in order for you to grow. 

One of the songs on my old favorites cd was a Reliant K song with the lyrics "...I know that this will hurt...but if I don't break your heart, things will just get worse...". Hearts have to break, people have to move away, the old have to die and sometimes the young do too, babies have to be born...things have to change. 

But if they didn't...well, would you still want to be 12?

(p.s. I wanted to put a picture of myself when I was 12, but wasn't able to find one...sorry!)

The Center of my 600 Sq. Ft. Universe

The other day I was thinking about how so many times I act like I'm the center of the universe. Those who know me (except my husband and sisters) are probably thinking 'no way! hannah never acts like that!'. But, folks, I'm here to tell you that I do. And if I don't act like it, I'm probably thinking like it. The worst comes out at home, especially lately because I've been at home by myself a lot. And when you are home in your 600 sq. ft. townhouse, by yourself, with no vehicle and few friends around to distract you, well...it's hard NOT to feel like the center of your own little universe.

But I realized yesterday that there are lots of ways to break out of that system of thought...I realized it when I was writing notes to two of my dearest friends. I had been grumpy for the past hour or so, but when I decided to get out of myself and do something for someone else, I felt so much better!

But what helps even more is to think on "things above", not on "earthly matters". Earthly matters usually revolve around me...something I'm worried about, something I 'need', something someone did or didn't do for me....but the things above, those thoughts are on God. Who God is, what He's done, and what I can do to bring Him more glory. The Bible study I'm doing is all about that changing of your thought process to one where you think less on things that don't matter, and more on things that do. Yesterday I made a list for God of all the things I've been concerned about. This morning, I looked over that list and realized I needed a new list. My new list contains all the reasons I should not be concerned about those things...most of them revolve around the fact that God is good.

I suppose when it comes down to it...God should be the center of whatever universe you're currently residing in.

Why my Laundry Habits Don't Affect my Soul

I guess it's about time I started posting here again. I took a break when school ended, but it's now been more than a month. I don't think it's a good idea to break that long for a new blog...but oh well. The past month has been a mix between crazy hectic and as boring as watching grass grow (which isn't even happening right now in this terrible winter time). I will not go into all the details of the holiday season, except to say that it was totally different from any I've had before, and probably from any I'll have again. I had to prepare myself for more than a month for not being with family on Christmas Day, but then I got to enjoy family for two whole weeks after Christmas. All in all it's been a great month, and it's difficult to get back to the daily grind of being here in Wake Forest.

I thought of something to write about in church today. I felt kind of bad taking notes on something other than the sermon, but I didn't want to let the thought slip away.

During the Noble Wife bible study that my friend and I started a few months ago, we've recently been talking about how we feel bad because we are always leaving the laundry in the dryer for at least a day or two, because we just hate folding and putting it away. We were happily surprised to learn that we both struggled with this. After polling 5 or 6 other wives, we've learned that all of them struggle with it too! When I spoke to my mom about this phenomenon (which, by personal experience, I knew she was no stranger to), she made the comment that it is not sinful to have laundry backed up, or a 'not quite perfect' house as far as cleaning and straightness goes. My friend and I also talked to another lady that comes to our bible study, and she told us about how she used to never match up socks. She would just put all the socks in a basket, and when she or her husband or kids needed a pair, they'd go to the basket and match their own up. Both she and my mom helped me realize that not having everything in the house in perfect order all the time is not something to feel guilty about, and not necessarily even something to strive for. Trying not to be lazy is one thing...trying to be perfect is a total different story. What a relief!!

Elizabeth Elliot wrote, ""The beauty of thy peace" shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul." When I first read this, I assumed it applied to my laundry dilemma...my disordered laundry area meant my soul was also disordered!! After talking to the godly, older, wiser women in my life, I realized that an "ordered life" means much more than just the physical order of the house. Maybe a better word than "ordered" would have been "balanced". Balance seems to be the key to so many things, and this is no exception. If a house is in such disarray that it's barely livable and makes guests feel uncomfortable, then perhaps something does need to change. But the opposite can also be true...a house can be so perfectly clean, neat, and organized, it also doesn't feel livable and can make guests uncomfortable.

I guess if I had to describe a livable and hospitable house, or in other words, a home, it would look something like this: There's always a game piece or two tucked between the couch cushions; there's a stain on the carpet from the time the family had a 'picnic' in the living room; there's always sheet music left out on the piano; a pile of shoes greets you at the front door; the clean dishes sometimes have a piece of food stuck to them because the kids were in a rush to finish so they could start playing again; there are more pictures of people on the walls and shelves than of scenery or copies of someone else's work; the smell when you enter can never quite be defined except as 'that families' smell.

Of course, this description probably varies depending on who you talk to. And I think it's important that husband and wife compromise, especially if they are on opposite ends of the 'neatness' spectrum. But I think that most 'ordered souls' happen to be that way because the life that's lived, and the place it's lived in, are where families are spending time with each other, loving each other above themselves, and loving God above all.

Sometimes, an excellent wife will have laundry in the dryer for 3 days before putting it away. And that's ok...her soul can still be at peace.