Lemon Tea Cookies for Homemaking Linkup Weekend

I'm so happy you're here visiting as I've got a very yummy recipe for you to try out!  Do you love lemon?  I do!  Lemon cake, lemon tea, lemon chicken...it's one of my favorite flavors.  Today I'm showing off a recipe for Lemon Tea Cookies.  Unlike any other recipe I've found, these ones are definitely full of tart lemon flavor.

Lemon Tea Cookies
2 c. flour
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. cornstarch
1 c. butter, softened
1 egg yolk
juice and zest of 1 lemon

Combine flour, powdered sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl and mix with a wire whisk.  (I often use this method when a recipe calls for the ingredients to be sifted).

Mix softened butter in with a spoon or spatula.  I'm usually tempted to use the electric mixer because it goes quicker but, if you want the old-fashioned melt-in-your-mouth feel then you need to stir this one.

Use a microplane grater or hand zester to scrape the zest from the lemon.  You can use a cheese grater or chop with a knife if you're careful not to get the white pith in there too.  (By the way, I'm loving my cute little pink vintage Pyrex ingredient bowls.  I'd love to have a whole set of pink vintage Pyrex, wouldn't you?)

I like to use a lemon juicer but you can squeeze the juice out by hand just as well!  Then stir in the zest, juice and yolk until it's well blended.

Scoop the mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges and not doughy in the middle. 

Homemaking Linkup Weekend is going on right now!  I hope you'll link up and take my button for your blog so your friends can join in too. 


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Here are a few of my favorites from last week's party:

Jennifer from The Crunchy Fry is an excellent resource on cloth diapering.  I am learning so much and she's just about got me convinced!

Alison from Mumtopia shared a humorous and encouraging article on Embracing Your Inner Housewife. 

Rachel of Bubbly Nature Creations has a cute and easy idea for a unique Valentine's Day treat!

Finally, the most important part of this post.  I was made aware of a sweet couple who are wanting to adopt a little girl and have come up with a creative way that we can all help just a little.  Please visit my post on the Hill family and pray about what you can do to take part in their adoption plans.

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

Also linking with:
Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Coloradolady
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace and Crafts 
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits at Stone Gable 
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner 
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple 
Thursday Tea Things & Talk 
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm 
Inspiration Spotlight @ Dear Creatives 
Beverly's Pink Saturday 
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tater Tots and Jello 
Friday Free for All @ Young and Crafty 
Show & Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Church Supper @ Everyday Moms' Meals 
Sundae Scoop @ I heart nap time 
Sunday Linky Party @ Petite Hermine 
The Creative HomeAcre Hop 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 
Craft-O-Maniac Monday 
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill 
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Or So She Says... 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home 
Titus 2sdays @ The Time Warp Wife 
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios 
Courtship Connection 
Whole Hearted Home Wednesday 
Wise Woman LinkUp @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Inspire Me Wednesday @ Mama Buzz
Whatcha Work Up Wednesday 
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 

Cookie's Kids Valentine's Day Styles #CBias

Yesterday, I took Selah and Cainan out for a photo shoot in their new Valentine's Day outfits from CookiesKids.com.  They've always been close and had a lot of fun being silly together.

I had the opportunity to visit CookiesKids.com for the first time last week and was impressed.  I'm planning to go back and purchase several things for the kids when our tax returns come in.

Cookie's Kids is celebrating their 40th year of business.  What started in 1972 as a toy shop in Queens has grown to a retail (Cookie's Kids have seven stores in the NYC area in Bronx, Brooklyn and Jamaica) and online business that offers clothing, shoes, accessories, school uniforms, and, yes, toys.

Besides all the great clothes I spent a very long time perusing the other night, something that I thought was really cool about their site was this Alva Kids sizing app.  I had the option of entering in my kids' body type information, as well as measurements, and it gave me an appropriate size recommendation.  What a great tool!  For more about my shopping experience, browse through my Google+ album.

I was really impressed by the prices I saw on the site.  For instance, this 4-piece vest set is only $19.99!  CookiesKids.com has a great selection of boys suits, as well as nice dress shirt sets like this one I bought for Cainan:

He's so proud of the way he looks in it that he's worn it to three functions so far!

When I was shopping for their clothes, I wanted to find things that went well together so we could get some cute pictures.

CookiesKids.com's large selection of girls dresses makes it hard to choose just one, but my favorite of all is this one I bought Selah:

It is so elegant and feminine.  It reminds me of something from the Titanic.  Just beautiful!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Visit Cookie's Kids on Facebook and Twitter.
#CookiesKids

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

 

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com.  All opinions are honest and are my own.  #CBias #SocialFabric

Delicious Pairings with Starbucks and Walmart

Yesterday, I invited a few family members to a little book party I put together.  I had the opportunity to sample Starbucks' Willow Blonde Blend coffee, and Walmart's Lemon Sliced Loaf Cake, and wanted to see what the others thought about them.

My husband and I both frequent our town's Starbucks retail store and he regularly drinks Starbucks brand coffee at home.  He prefers flavored coffees like carmel and vanilla. I was curious what he'd think of the Willow Blonde Blend, as it features complimentary notes of citrus flavor.  I wondered if he, as well as my other guests, would be able to pick up on them with the addition of the Lemon Sliced Loaf Cake---a citrus-flavored treat.

Before the party, I shopped for the coffee at Walmart.  They have a special display in the bakery section featuring certain coffees that are meant to compliment the flavors found in some of Walmart's baked items.  I didn't have a hard time finding the display, but it was up a little high.  I think I would have preferred it at eye-level since there are several things to read on it.  I knew where to find the cake as I'd seen it before when shopping, but never would have thought to pair it with the coffee.  It was three aisles over from this display so the intended pairing wasn't obvious.

Jamie brews a great pot of coffee!

When it was time for me to try the coffee and cake, I was surprised by the bold flavor of the coffee.  I assumed, as did my guests later on, that a "blonde" blend would be lighter in flavor.  Instead, it was surprisingly rich.  We were not at all disappointed by the quality of the coffee.  One of my guests later commented on the lack of bitter aftertaste that she was used to in other coffees she'd tried.  Starbucks proved, once again, to be our favorite brand.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the lemon cake.  The lemon flavor in the cake was barely detectable, which made it difficult to pick out the citrus notes in the coffee.  The cake had more of a buttery flavor and was fairly dry---even though it looked moist in the package.

My guests were also not able to detect the citrus notes in the coffee.  We all agreed the cake changed it's taste, making it lighter and sweeter.  We found ourselves wishing we had something with a stronger lemon flavor to try out.  Since we knew the citrus flavors were there in the coffee, we were curious to experience them!  

After our taste-testing experiment, we took turns sharing book reviews.  Mom talked about a story of a princess that she's enjoying and I received applause for finishing Little Women.

We all really enjoyed our time together, sharing good books and treats.  Maybe we'll pick another #DeliciousPairings combination a couple months from now and do it again!

For more information visit: 
Starbucks on Twitter and Facebook
Walmart on Twitter and Facebook

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™.  All opinions are honest and are my own. #cbias #SocialFabric

Linking with:
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home
Titus 2sdays @ The Time Warp Wife  
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life
Courtship Connection
Whole Hearted Home Wednesday
Wise Woman Linkup @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home  
Inspire Me Wednesday @ Mama Buzz
Whatcha Work Up Wednesday  

Strengthened by the Service of Others

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." 
                                       ~Isaiah 40:29

Yesterday morning I felt weak.

The demands of homemaking and mothering have been weighing heavy since I had Brenna six weeks ago and I just didn't think I could handle the day planned for me.  When I did get the opportunity to glance up at the clock after what seemed like hours of morning duties, I realized it was only 8:00 a.m.!  The thought of such a long day ahead was overwhelming.

Jamie and I have lived in Eastern Oregon almost our entire lives.  A few years ago, we had the opportunity to spend about 18 months in the Seattle area.  When we had to move back to Oregon, it was a huge disappointment and we've all been living in a little bit of a depression ever since.

One blessing about the move, however, is that we've been able to live within a couple blocks of my mom.  She is, of all our family, the most involved in our lives, and often takes the kids for a day of fun at Grandma's.

What a relief and a blessing it was to be able to ask her to take the eight oldest for the day.  It was humbling to ask for that day of rest but the baby and I needed it badly and I am able to handle today a lot better than I would have otherwise.

God does give us strength when we ask for it.  Often times, it comes through the blessed service of the people He's placed around us.

Thank you, Mom, for loving your family by serving them.  I have a lot to learn from you!

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

This article was published in the 99th edition of The Christian Home Magazine.

DIY Candy Jars Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

Who still has Christmas stuff up?  Up until the day before yesterday, that was me!

Usually I get my stuff down and put away before the first of the year but with new baby Brenna here this year, I sorta slacked off!

Anyway, it's all away now and my living room is back to it's Shabby Pink self again!  I even have candy in my candy jars!

These are so easy and inexpensive to make---I think everyone needs a set!

To make these, I used two dollar store candlesticks and two lidded jars from Walmart.  I took the plastic suction piece out of each jar lid and spray painted them pretty colors.  After they dried, I glued the jars to the candlesticks and added some pretty ribbon! 




<a href="http://www.bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc418/lostinavalon1/Homemakinglinkup.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a> I hope you'll join me this weekend for my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!  I've got the linky up a little early as we're celebrating Lynzie's 13th birthday this weekend!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!
  
Finally, the most important part of this post.  I was made aware of a sweet couple who are wanting to adopt a little girl and have come up with a creative way that we can all help just a little.  Please visit my post on the Hill family and pray about what you can do to take part in their adoption plans.
Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

 



Also linking with:
HOME @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Strutt Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple 
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace, Crafts
Transformation Thursday @ Shabby Creek Cottage 
The Homeacre Hop 
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove 
Inspiration Spotlight @ Dear Creatives 
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 
TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS @ Stone Gable
Beverly's Pink Saturday 
Friday Free For All @ Young & Crafty 
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ TT&J 
Watcha Work-Up Wednesday 
Craft Schooling Sunday @ Creative Jewish Mom 
Sundae Scoop @ I heart nap time 
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Craft-o-Maniac Monday 
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
What's In the Gunny Sack? 
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home 
Titus2sday @ TimeWarp Wife 
Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie 
Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios 
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life 
Tuesday Linkup @ Courtship Connection 
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Watcha Work Up Wednesday 
Homemaking Linkup @ Raising Homemakers 
Wholehearted Home Wednesday
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home 
Wise Woman Linkup @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home 
Inspire Me Wednesday @ Mama Buzz
HOME @ Rose Chintz Cottage 
Sunday Linky Party @ Petite Hermine 
The Creative HomeAcre Hop 
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 
Family Fun Friday @ Moms and Munchkins 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors  

Forgiving Grace

"You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance."  ~Psalm 32:7

God is our hiding place!  How sad that so many feel they must hide from God...even many Christians believe this to be true.

An unbeliever has much to fear if they are defying God and His word.  They will face devastating consequences.

"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."  ~John 15:6

However, the believer need not fear God but take refuge in Him instead!

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;  in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;  He shall set me high upon a rock."  ~Psalm 27: 5    

God is a loving and merciful God to those who don't blatantly disregard Him.  He wants to "preserve us from trouble" and He uses the Holy Spirit to speak warnings and guidance to our hearts.

For those with addictions or struggles that need to be overcome, He wants to surround them with "songs of deliverance."

"Blessed is he who's transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."  ~Psalm 32:1-2

We don't have to live in fear of God's judgments if we have trusted Jesus for salvation and forgiveness of our sins.  Unfortunately, many of us, when faced with the shame of our sin, distance ourselves from God because we're afraid our transgressions have changed God's feelings toward us.

Believing Christian, next time you feel that guilt that tries to push you away from God, I encourage you to come close to Him instead.  Rather than the wrath you're afraid of, you'll find Him singing over you a cleansing song of deliverance!  

Hope In Every Season is on Facebook!  If you like what you've read here, please follow me and keep up with the latest posts.

 This post was featured in Issue 98 of The Christian Home Magazine.

Linking with:
Teach Me Tuesday @ Growing Home 
Titus 2sday @ Time Warp Wife 
Tuesday Linkup Party @ Courtship Connection 
Women Helping Women @ Teaching What Is Good 
Wisdom Wednesday @ Simply Helping Him 
Wholehearted Home Wednesday 
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home 
Wise Woman Linkup @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home 
Desire to Inspire @ A Royal Daughter 
Legacy Leaver Thursdays 
Essential Friday @ Essential Thing Devotions 
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy