Homemaking with The Pampered Chef

Hello! Wow, where have I been the last couple weeks? Ha! I'm super excited to have started up selling Pampered Chef again! I first started selling in 2000 when I was a brand new wife and mom, and then took a break for awhile, picking it back up two more times over the last 15 years. Now that we're settled and staying in NW Arkansas (until I get my cottage in Winchester, England, anyway...) Jamie and I decided this is a good time for me to start up again and build a business here. I'm LOVING it! Here I am with my hostess and sweet friend, Letitia at her (very successful!!) party last night.

Letitia, my friend Tina, and others planned this secret surprise party for me during my demonstration! I'll be 36 on Friday and they wanted to bless me with goodies and a gift. They even passed around a card for everyone to secretly sign. So sweet! I'm having a great time doing home parties, but I can also do online or Facebook parties, so let me know if you want to set one up! Ultimately, I'm interested in growing my team and would love to have you on board. Have you ever considered selling Pampered Chef? If you're interested, email me at sarah@hopeineveryseason.com for more info.

Thanks for linking up at the Homemaking Party! Have a beautiful week!

Chocolate Fix Zucchini Cake with Buttercream Frosting

I love this time of year when all the fall produce is ready for baking and preserving! Who has some grated zucchini in their freezer? If so, make sure to try this great Zucchini Cake from my mom. Yum!
Also, I know many of you are wanting to see more England photos! You can read a little more about our trip here.

                                       

We all have a craving for chocolate now and then. If you have a large family and desire a frugal way to give them a chocolate fix, without spending big bucks on candy bars, I have a swet treat idea for you. "Let them eat cake!"

Bake this chocolate zucchini cake with buttercream frosting for instant smiles all around the table!


Chocolate Fix Zucchini Cake

Cream together:
1/2 C butter
1/2 C oil
1 3/4 C sugar
2 eggs
1 Tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 C sour milk (I add 1/4 tsp lemon juice to evaporated milk)

Mix in:
2 1/2 C flour
4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves

Beat and blend in:
2 C grated zucchini
1/2 C chocolate chips (I use semi sweet)

Pour into greased and floured 9 X 13 baking pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350º.

Cool and frost with buttercream frosting:

Beat together:

4 C powdered sugar
1/4 C butter
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
dash salt
evaporated milk as needed for correct thickness

For more frugal recipes, check out my new blog: Big Family Frugal. Linking with:

Sharing Special England Moments with my Daughter

Slowly, I've been putting up photos and tidbits about me and Lynzie's trip to England last month. It was her first time going and I was so excited to take her to all my favorite places. There are so many happy memories from our trip, I know I'll never remember them all. 

One special moment took place on one of our visits to Winchester Cathedral. We actually spent a good part of our three days in Winchester in the cathedral. It was a favorite place for both of us, as there's so much history (and mystery!) inside that one could never grow tired of studying it. One afternoon while we were there, I took a tour while Lynzie went around sketching. When I finished with the tour, I went looking for her and found her here, lighting a prayer candle. What an amazing experience for her! 

On our first morning in Bath, I got her up really early, when it was barely light out, to show her around the best part of the city before all the rest of the tourists came out. This photo was taken just after the bells at Bath Abbey had finished playing, The Bells of Great Britain. It was awesome watching my daughter experience England for the first time. We have a lot of the same interests in common and there were times when it was emotionally overwhelming to know the joy and amazement she was feeling. 

Another special time was when we visited Chawton Manor, a family home of one of Jane Austen's brothers. We stopped off at the church of St. Nicholas and visited the graves of her mother and sister. While that was a breathtaking experience, I got really emotional when we went inside to pray. In fact, every time I visited a church on this trip, I got really emotional! God did some amazing things in my heart in England this year. He truly is the same everywhere I go.