{Friday Favorites} - October 26

It is a rainy Friday...well, a rainy week. Hurricane Sandy is past, but we are still getting rain. We are safe. It has rained so much we haven't been able to much checking on people. We are hoping to get out a little bit today and tomorrow and help see if we are needed and what we can do! I'm not sure about our direct area, but I know many in Haiti have lost their homes this week. Please pray for them and those that are in danger if the rains don't stop!

Besides the storm, we had a great week. We are coming off the end of two teams visiting us! We were able to do quite a bit of work, prayer walking, and ministering to those in our circle of influence. 

 1. School is back in session. Last week, we brought our team up to the school! It was so great to be back. In November, we don't have any teams, so I am looking forward to spending a lot of time at the school!

2. Garden - I know many of you read about it on one of my previous posts. However, we have a new garden!! Praying that with all of this rain it isn't drowned! We are so excited about it and the possibilities it brings :)

3. A new running partner: I have a new running partner!! My husband doesn't like me running alone and for my sanity, I need to run at least a couple of days a week. I told him that he needed to run with me, but he had another idea :)

This sounds crazy, but in so many ways Claudy reminds me of my dad! I had to take a picture of this, because it felt like it did 10 years ago, when my dad would wake me early to ride his bike along side of my...to push me and make me a better runner! I'm so thankful for those days! Claudy is a little different, he doesn't yell and ride 5 feet in front of my so that i will run faster...instead he rides 20 feet behind me and the Haitians make fun of me because I have security!!

 4. PUMPKIN!!! Thanks to Donna and the Midland group, we have pumpkin!!! I have been craving fall! Facebook is great for some many things, but it also makes me miss so of the things I love a lot in the States.

I will admit, that I don't always like to bake. I would prefer cooking. However, we have a cook (I know, woe is me), so I have tried some backing. Here are so of the things I have tried below.

 Pumpkin Spiced Lattes:

1. Make Coffee: However you want, a little stronger than normal is better.

2. Make Pumpkin Milk:
1 c. Mil
1/4 c. pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
sweetener to taste
optional: other warming spices

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well..He on the stove top until almost boiling.

3. Pour 1 c. of coffee and add pumpkin milk to taste (I use about half)
Top with whipped cream!!

 Pumpkin Angel Food Cake: My pictures don't do this justice, Claudy wanted a taste and I didn't have my camera..Also we had no powered sugar to make the frosting, but it was SOOO good!

1 c. Canned Pumpkin
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger (optional)
1 pkg one step angel food cake mix.

Combine first 6 ingredients. Prepare Cake mix per package instructions.

Fold in 1/4 of the batter into the pumpkin mixture. Gently fold in remaining batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan. Bake on lowest oven rack at 350 for 38 to 45 min, until golden brown and cake

springs back. Immediately invert pan onto a wire rack; cool completely for 1 hour. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon or frosting!!


I also made banana bars this week :) So good!!

5. Rain Boots: My dad gave these to me for Christmas last year. I am so glad I had them!!! Notice I am wearing pants...I also had on long sleeves.. this weather has been crazy!!

 I hope you all have a great week!!