On hospitality

I have to admit I have not been very domestic lately; but I think hospitality is important and I am working on it. It is always good to have an open heart and a welcoming home. I do a few recipes around Christmas time though. Last year I shared my Tamale recipe I serve on Christmas eve. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/194499277633751198/  This is another recipe I do every year. It is a vintage recipe that makes a great hostess gift or I will usually add it to the cookie tray on Christmas eve.

Bishops Bread

11/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 c. semi sweet chocolates
2 c. walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 c.chopped dates
1 c.chopped maraschino cherries (save liquid and put aside)
3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar

Preheat oven to 325* Grease and flour pan
*Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
*Then stir in chopped nuts, dates, cherries and chocolates.
*Add sugar and mix well.
*Add beaten eggs and remainder of maraschino liquid.
*Bake in loaf  pan for 1 hour and 15 minutes

Batter will be pink at first but not in the end result. This one is without nuts but its usually made with nuts and turns out much prettier with them. The cutting board is a gift I just bought for my husband and I just used it for these photos today and I need to wrap it up quickly. Shh its a surprise. :)
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"Breaking bread is an ancient gesture of friendship, respect and hospitality".
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Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.~Janice Maeditere

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One of the ways to show hospitality is caring for the poor, the stranger, the widow and the orphan.

 

  Meeting the needs of children in the most desperate circumstances and opening your arms to the poor  is what I think true hospitality is.

The definition of hospitality is...;the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.

;the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

Please help with some of the urgent needs of today with any gift... http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/urgent-needs

 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
~ Isaiah 58:6-8


Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
~Hebrews 13:2

Reflection in pictures

I have been finishing up some painted signs that I have sketched from a recent family trip. These may not be in my shop, but most have been painted for a show I already did and gifts.

I sketched my design on the wood then I used wood stain for areas I wanted to keep the wood showing.

Then I hand painted my tropical designs.

This is a great shot of my daughter on a paddle board from our trip. Funny I was up on that paddle board for quite a long time and the only picture of me on that board is me laying down on it clutching for my life. :)  Reflecting back on some things I was apart of this year I am so grateful to God that he included me in them.With all the obstacles, misunderstandings, things that I could only do with God's strength. It was such a blessing!

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~James 1:2-5

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.~ 2 Corinthians 12:10