Cinnamon Almond Biscotti

 On Valentine's Day I received this beautiful book, Afternoon Tea Parties, from my BookCrossing birthday buddy.  I'd had it on my wish list for awhile so I was thrilled to receive it!

Today I made a batch of the Almond Biscotti that's featured in the book.  I've made biscotti a few times in the past and every time it has been really easy and has turned out well.  This recipe was no exception!

Next time, however, I think I'll add some cinnamon.  Although that probably wouldn't go well with my favorite Twinnings Peppermint, it would be a good addition to this delicious recipe.  I'll write out my version for you here in a minute.

Jamie bought me this beautiful cup and saucer for Christmas the year we were in Mount Vernon, Washington.  I just love it and it's a special keepsake from our favorite part of the world (so far)!  This was the year that I told him just to walk into an antique shop and buy me whatever caught his eye.  He did SO good that year---ha!  In addition to this pretty set, he also bought me a gorgeous antique plate with ribbon slats for hanging, a set of Lefton candlesticks from the 1950s and a piece of paper money from 1776.  Very awesome.  My mom gave me the spoon a few years ago for my birthday---isn't it pretty?  I love stuff like this---can't get enough!

Anyway, here are the markings from the set.  I've not had time to look it up yet but anything bearing the letters, E.N.G.L.A.N.D., in that order, has my heart!

Here's the recipe I'm planning on using next time I make almond biscotti.  Hope you have a blessed day!

Cinnamon Almond Biscotti

2/3 c. flour
2/3 c. self-rising flour
1/2 c. cornmeal
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. slivered almonds

Heat oven to 325.  Stir flours, cornmeal, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla.  Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in egg mixture and almonds, and stir together.  Knead a few times to form a sticky dough (add some water if needed).  Shape the dough into a flat log (about 9x4x1) and place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 25-30 min until golden.  Remove from the oven and cool on counter for just a few minutes.  Move to a cutting board and slice the log into pieces about 1/2 inch thick.  Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden and desired crispness. (I like mine a bit chewy).  Cool and enjoy!



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MyMemories Suite Giveaway

I have had so much fun this afternoon playing around with my MyMemories Suite scrapbooking software!  

A friend of mine has been trying to get me into doing digital scrapbooking layouts but I haven't really taken the time to learn.  I decided to sit down with the MyMemories software today and see what else I could come up with besides a regular scrapbook layout.

The kids and I are having a Titanic tea party here pretty soon so I decided to make them a cute invitation announcement.

I like that I can save portions of the layout.  This will come in handy for making matching scrapbooking templates.

I was able to customize size, colors, patterns, fonts and embellishments to create this cute card.  The software's extensive Help Menu was useful a time or two and I really appreciated the "undo" button.  Knowing I could undo anything I created really allowed me to be free to experiment with my card until I got it just how I wanted it. 

I was also super excited about the vintage-look embellishments I found when browsing through the selections.

Would you like to win your own MyMemories scrapbooking software?  Enter below via Rafflecopter.  One winner will be drawn February 25th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was given a copy of the MyMemories Suite software to review.  All opinions are honest and are my own.

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Courtship Connection
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Domestically Divine @ Far Above Rubies
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A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
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Or So She Says...
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Greeting Life with an Unveiled Face

What is glory?  Do you have a good definition?

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." ~2 Corinthians 3:18

What is this "unveiled face" Paul talks about here?  

In previous verses of 2 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about the glory of God shining on Moses' face (take a minute to read the chapter---it's only 18 verses long.  Here, I'll even give you a link).  After the glory that came over Moses when he met the Lord face to face, he had to wear a veil so the children of Israel could look at him.  

However, this veil also covered the fact that the glory was passing away.

Some people think this represents glory.

2 Corinthians 3:14-15 says this about the children of Israel:  "But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart."

A veil was on the hearts of the children of Israel and it's on the heart of everyone who is blinded to the truth of Christ---the fulfillment of the law that was originally given to Moses.

Is this glory?

Those who are in Christ have been unveiled and are able to be changed from "glory to glory".

We read histories of great men like Moses who did mighty things for God and we feel ashamed or disappointed that we're not great like they were.

We are forgetting about passages like the one above which tells us we are able to do even greater things for God than Moses did.  We can become more and more like the same image of Christ as He grows us from one glory to another.

Even Christ said, "he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also;  and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." ~John 14:12-14

Have you been lied to by the enemy who wants to steal your confidence?

Or how about this one?

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Whatever the challenge, we can be sure that God will strengthen us to meet it, courageously and confidently, as we allow ourselves to be transformed into the same image of Christ.

What do you think is a proper definition for glory?  Let me know in the comments below.