Happy Hearts Lemon Torte Cake!



Cheesecake Factory's Lemoncello Cream Torte



"Through the heart's wound, I see it's secret"

(Bernard of Clairvaux)

As my family celebrates the birthday of my older brother, we are rejoicing in many ways! Lemon Torte has always been his favorite cake and "the" cake he requests for his birthday every year. This luscious cake tastes better as each year passes, because...

Five years ago, my brother’s heart was attacked…stopped! He had what is commonly called “the widow maker”.

He collapsed in his family room. My sister-in-law called 911 and fortunately, the paramedics were there in a couple of minutes. After five shocks, they managed to re-start his heart, then rushed him to the hospital where the doctor was standing by to receive him and place a stent into his major artery. His life had been saved but…he was in a coma. The team of doctors who were attending said they could not tell us if he would wake up, and if he did he could potentially have brain damage.

After three days of waiting, wondering and fervent prayer, not only did he awaken, but he immediately recognized each of our faces and was talking! I can’t explain the feeling of joy which flooded that ICU room! At first we discovered that he did have some short term memory loss, but soon he was 100% back!

He surprised us on that third day when his eyes popped open! We joke and say he rose from the dead! He’s a miracle! In fact the doctor called him “miracle man” and said, “if he had ever any inclination to play the lottery, he should probably do so”!

I’m amazed at God’s grace which blanketed all of us during that time because as this was all going on, my mother had also been admitted to the hospital…just one floor up! She had been failing for some time (complications from heart disease) and her body was giving out. During their stay, we would take turns visiting the two of them and wore a path from my brother's ICU room to my mother's room upstairs.

Just after my brother’s release from the hospital, my mom’s doctor said there was no more they could do for her and hospice was recommended. Four days later, on Christmas Eve, she passed away. My sister-in-law, my brother and I stood by her side those last days; the three of us, holding onto each other for support. We were able to tell her everything we desired; thanking her for being the best mom in the world and for creating memories for us that will live forever, making our lives beautiful and happy.

We were able to stand together and say goodbye to our
precious mother. Our hearts bonded even more so in this time of grief as the one who gave us life now took her last breath.

It was bittersweet in several ways. Christmas would forever be a different experience for us all; both of our parents were now gone (end of an era); Bruce was still in recovery mode, but thank God that he had his memory! We do have the sweet assurance that we will all be together again on glory’s side! Sweet also that my brother’s life had been spared…his heart had been saved! Yet he said he felt like a piece of it was missing as a piece of my own heart was also...mom! Yes, bittersweet!

I was overcome with emotion when I thought that I had almost lost my brother along with my mom. I don’t think I could have stood to bear it. My gratitude still overwhelms me.

When March rolled around, my family gathered to celebrate Bruce's life! This special birthday was a wonderful celebration for all of us with more meaning than words can describe, but captured each time we look into each others eyes!

Today is Bruce's birthday again...and we celebrate once more!

How happy I am to celebrate you today, brother! I celebrate your resilience, faith, strength, your devotion to family, your healthy memory, your life, your heart! How blessed we are to be able to "remember" together!

Life is filled with second chances...and joy truly can replace the pain!

And...through it's wound, we see it's secret!

Brother, I'm so glad your heart was saved!

I'm sorry the miles have kept me from being there this year to help you devour your all-time favorite cake...but (for some reason) ;) I was craving it today...so I stopped at cheesecake factory for a slice to go. I'll be thinking of you with every bite...and I know you will enjoy every bite of your very own, favorite Lemon Torte Cake! You deserve it!!  Happy Birthday to you!!!

A contented heart...with every bite...loving lemon torte!



Who's Knocking?!

The Door of My Heart

                                                                                    (by Lorraine Brown, copyright 2011)

It was gentle

As if no-one was there,

Subtle…

Yet I heard it…

Tap, tap, tap,

And then

Again…

Another gentle tap on my front door ~

Quickly

I ran to capture it before it escaped,

Hoping to see something there…

Someone standing at my threshold…

But it was gone…

Whatever it was…

As quickly as it came.

I felt the wind rushing underneath the door -

I saw leaves whirling four feet high,

A broken tree limb on the stoop…

It was just the March wind blowing in.

I returned to my chair, raised my book again…

And then once more…

Tap, tap, tap –

This time more quickly than before.

I rushed to the window,

To see…

Inside my wreath…

Three hearts being tossed to and fro,

Colliding against one another and then against the windowpane,

As if to say…

Please let us in!

Relieved that I discovered the source,

I returned to my book…

I smiled when I turned to page eight...
which began with...

“The centrality of the heart”! 
“ Come to me, Lord. Reveal yourself to my heart”!

 

Then the Lord said,

 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and dine with him and he with me."
(Revelation 3:20) 

I scrambled to find a poem I had read long ago…
It is a powerful representation of

 The Gentleman who is knocking on the door of our hearts…

His longing for admission…

Calling to us and waiting for our answer :

"'Friend, open to Me.'

--Who is this that calls?

Nay, I am deaf as are my walls;

Cease crying, for I will not hear

Thy cry of hope or fear.

'Others were dear,

Others forsook me':

What art thou indeed

That I should heed

Thy lamentable need?

Hungry should feed,

Or stranger lodge thee here?

'Friend, My Feet bleed.

Open thy door to Me and comfort Me.'

I will not open, trouble me no more.

Go on thy way footsore,

I will not rise and open unto thee.

'Then is it nothing to thee? Open, see

Who stands to plead with thee.

Open, lest I should pass thee by, and thou

One day entreat My Face

And howl for grace,

And I be deaf as thou art now.

Open to Me.'

Then I cried out upon him: Cease,

Leave me in peace:

Fear not that I should crave

Aught thou mayst have.

Leave me in peace, yea trouble me no more,

Lest I arise and chase thee from my door.

What, shall I not be let

Alone, that thou dost vex me yet?

But all night long that voice spake urgently:

'Open to Me.'

Still harping in mine ears:

'Rise, let Me in.'

Pleading with tears:

'Open to Me that I may come to thee.'

While the dew dropped, while the dark hours were cold:

'My Feet bleed, see My Face,

See My Hands bleed that bring thee grace,

My Heart doth bleed for thee,

Open to Me.'

So till the break of day:

Then died away

That voice, in silence as of sorrow;

Then footsteps echoing like a sigh

Passed me by,

Lingering footsteps slow to pass.

On the morrow

I saw upon the grass

Each footprint marked in blood, and on my door

The mark of blood forevermore."
(Christina Georgina Rossetti's poem: Despised And Rejected)

~

He's at the door now…the door of our hearts…

tap, tap, tap…

Grandma Jesse's Real "Scotch" Shortbread

Scottish Shortbread…I’ve always called it Scotch shortbread because that was what my grandma called it.  At least that's what I thought she said through her thick brogue.



Ever since I can remember, shortbread has not only been a holiday tradition, but a family favorite year round. My grandma Jesse brought her family recipe with her from Scotland many years ago. She prepared it with her magic touch year after year, using the purest of ingredients, including caster sugar and rice flour. She mixed the ingredients gently with her hands, careful not to overwork the dough, then baked it at a low temperature until just slightly golden.        

While our family recipe is a classic recipe

consisting of flour, sugar and butter,  

(I like to add vanilla)...there are several variations of shortbread and shortcakes form different regions of Scotland, going back to medieval times. Refined shortbread is said to be accredited to Mary, queen of Scots in the 16th century ~

she named the most traditional, triangular shaped wedges “petticoat tails".  Shortbread was expensive then so it was reserved for special occasions such as Christmas, New Years Eve, and weddings.



My first kilt



As a wee lassie,

I was very excited to wear the kilt Grandma Jesse brought back for me when she went back to Scotland for a visit!



I’m intrigued by my Scottish heritage and fascinated at the history of our cote of arms (family crest) and tartan (plaid). I’m also delightfully amused by men in kilts ~ and thankful that I was never a “Scottish Bride” as Grandma told me that it was a tradition to break a decorated shortbread cake over the head of a bride at the entrance of her new house for good luck!



my Mom and Grandma Jesse...
playing for the camera!
maybe grandma was trying to drag her to the traditional shortbread ceremony?!



I loved listening to Grandma Jesse’s stories as she reminisced about (what she called) “the old country”! I listened carefully to discern her every word through her thick Scottish brogue…and watched as she magically mixed her dough to perfection. I now prepare this traditional shortbread every Christmas in her memory and I savor every buttery bite of my favorite “Scotch” cookie!  

Here is my version of this buttery family favorite:

Grandma Jesse’s Real Scotch Shortbread

One stick unsalted butter, softened

One stick salted butter, softened

½ cup caster sugar or granulated sugar ***(see explanation below) ***

8 oz. all purpose flour

4 oz. rice flour
*(if you do not have rice flour, you can use 12 oz. of all purpose flour.)

1 tsp. vanilla (optional…my preference)

1)  Blend sugar and butter together on a board or large bowl ...

(grandma worked these together with her magic hands on a large board until incorporated).

~ This is where I add my vanilla ~

2)  Add flour and work into the butter/sugar mixture until it becomes a crumbly dough...

*(careful not to over mix….(for a nice crisp result)*

Press with your hands into parchment lined pan (I used a 9 inch square).

(a 9 in round  is also nice , and can be cut into triangles (petticoat tails).

Press the dough firmly into pan to ¾ inch thickness.

Prick with a fork to prevent bubbling.

Bake at 275 degrees, approx. 20 – 30 minutes. Oven temperatures vary, so it might take longer…it is important to keep an eye on it and bake until just slightly golden but not brown. 

Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly (approx. 5 minutes) then with a sharp knife, score into squares or small rectangles, then cut through to bottom.  Dust with sugar.  Cool completely before removing cookies to platter or tin. 

the parchment liner

makes it quite easy to simply lift the cookies out at once

*** "Caster sugar" is what they call superfine granulated sugar in Britain.  It was given this name because its grains are smaller and can fit through a "sugar caster" or "sprinkler".  Regular granulated sugar works just fine in this recipe...my choice... because caster sugar is quite expensive - (on occasion, I've actually placed regular sugar in a blender and pulsed it, allowing it to become more fine -
resulting in home-made caster sugar).  So if you ever feel that caster sugar is absolutely necessary, this tip is a great way to go!)...I just don't feel that the extra work in this particular recipe is really needed.*** (just my opinion though)!

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy recipe with its rich, buttery flavor and heavenly melt-in-your-mouth texture!

Three weeks….

Stood still like a moment in time,

Yet so much changed,

Lives re-arranged...

“Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

(James 4:13-14)

~

Three weeks ago, my father in law was fine (or so we all thought); Then we received news that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the esophagus. It was too late to stop this aggressive cancer. This began a steady decline and before we knew it, three weeks passed by in a flash and he was gone.


On the one hand, we believe that God was merciful in taking him quickly. He did not suffer long. He did not linger. On the other hand, we wish, oh how we wish, we had more time.


Despite our grief over our loss, we have no regrets because we had a loving relationship. For years, every single visit, every conversation ended with “God bless you and I love you”. He was a gentle man who was tender toward all; a good listener; an encourager; a faithful man; strong, yet highly sensitive; wise and confident, yet humble.


He was a wonderful father and a friend to many who were grateful to have known and loved him. He will be sorely missed, yet we are confident that we will see him again...



On Glory's Side

No tears appear on glory's side,
Nothing to fear; no reason to hide,
For glory is a safe and wondrous home,

All cares are vanished like a vapor,
And fears are swept off with the wind,
All questions now are being answered,
No more doubts and no more sin...

How beautiful is this sweet sweet glory,
How bright and full of life,
Love surrounds us pure and holy,
No more pain and no more strife,

Oh glory how I ached for you,
Before I really understood,
That glory is a wondrous home
Of peace and brotherhood.

And so dear friends there is a plan,
Don't fear what lies on glory's side.
But grab hold of glory's hand,
And in God's care and love abide.

For tears are gone and joy remains,
On the side of glory,
The celebration can't be explained
Or written in a story.

It's only when you've crossed the line
Into glory's care,
That you'll finally understand
How perfect it is there.

So grab hold of glory's hand,
And in God's care and love abide,
And trust the master's perfect plan,
To find your home on glory's side.

(written by Lorraine Brown/copyright 2006)

~

On our journey from the funeral home to the cemetery, a gentle snow began. The large, puffy flakes were like feathers floating before our windshield. Snowflakes continued to slowly dance before our faces throughout our final goodbye at the grave-site. It was peaceful. I remarked at how pure it was and we reflected on the scriptures and how snow symbolizes purity.

“Has thou entered into the treasures of the snow” Job 38:22

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” Isaiah 1:18

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

We also reflected on how God provides these moments as gentle reminders that His grace flows freely and His loving hand is upon us through it all.

~

Three weeks have come and gone…  

Like a flash;  a blink of an eye; a vapor…

and so much has changed...

~

THREE WEEKS

~


  “the years of our lives pass quickly, like a sigh.”
(Psalm 90:9)

“So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.”
(Psalm 90:12)

~

“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 8: 9-10)

 



R   O   M   A   N   C   E  

"For you have set my heart free"

How do you describe it?   What makes you pursue it? 

Where do we find it?

How do we make it last?







D E S I R E

"So now the stage is set,
feel your own heart beating in your chest"

I M A G I N A T I O N

                                                           

    "this life's not over yet"

H O P E 
     
"so get up on our feet and do our best"

C O U R A G E

"we play against the fear"

T R I U M P H

"we play against the reasons not to try"

G L O R Y

"we're playing for the tears burning in the happy angel's eyes" *

~

B R E A T H L E S S    E X P E C T A T I O N

~

 

THE SCENT OF A FLOWER

 NOT YET FOUND

~

“True Love” in persistent pursuit of our hearts

~

THE ECHO OF A TUNE NOT YET HEARD

whispering softly in our ears

~

THE NEWS FROM A COUNTRY

NOT YET VISITED

~

An invitation...

FROM  THE  ROMANCER  OF OUR  SOUL…

TO EXPERIENCE HIS UNFATHOMABLE LOVE!

~

WOOING   US   INTO   A   ROMANCE   LIKE   NO   OTHER...

 T H E

  S A C R E D

   R O M A N C E

~

“Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart”

(Psalm 37:4)

“O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD,

EARNESTLY  I  SEEK YOU;

MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU,

MY BODY LONGS FOR YOU

IN A DRY AND WEARY LAND,

    WHERE THERE IS NO WATER.”

     (Psalm 63:1)

A book?  Yes!  

Friends, if you haven't read "The Sacred Romance" and you want to experience the intensity and reality of  true love...
I encourage you to pick up a copy of   
"The Sacred Romance"  by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis!
Get ready to be swept off your feet ~

Their words glide effortlessly 
and flow like silk across each page. 


This is a book for those who long for romance and 
desire a deeper realization of 

UNCONDITIONAL   LOVE! 




"So now the stage is set, feel your own heart beating in your chest"

*quotes and inspiration from "The Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis;

lyrics from "Show the Way" by David Wilcox; Bible verses, NIV

Super Bowl Sunday Fiesta!

The menu this year is Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders; Chicken and Black Bean Chili; Guacamole; and for the sweet tooth: brownies and cookies...

~ ~

'

              

And Lorraine's Fiesta Cheese Loaf

(recipe below)

A room divided....half cheering for the Steelers and half cheering for the Packers!  Who will I sit with today?!

First of all ...

I love the state of Wisconsin!

Not only do some of our dearest friends reside in the beautiful state of Wisconsin, but some of the most precious memories we carry with us were made in the picturesque surroundings of Door County!

  

old pic...taken before the turn of the century!

with hiking, cycling and mo-ped riding through

Peninsula State Park ...                    

Boat rides and glorious romantic sunset cruises on Lake Michigan;

Wisconsin's Peninsula State Park Players and their amazing outdoor theatre performances under the stars...

Oh, and yes...

The best outdoor

drive-in movie theater

which brings back memories of my

very early childhood where,

for some reason,

whenever we go, I do exactly what I did

as a little girl...fall asleep halfway through

the movie!  I guess it just brings a sense of comfort which comes from the simple pleasures in life, allowing me to relax like nothing else!  So, I hang on to these...

Treasured memories...captured in a photo and in my heart!

-------------------------

I probably should have ended with this beautiful memory.

---------

I got so carried away reminiscing, I almost forgot about game day!

---------

Now I digress..........and I admit.........

Regardless of my affection for Wisconsin an all that comes with it...I will have to offer a polite apology to my dear friends of this great state, because on Super Bowl Sunday, I just can't bring myself to cheer for the Packers.  No offense, dear friends...but we are Bears fans on this side of the state line!  Plus, being a "fashionista" of sorts, there is just... something...visually incorrect...about the color of those uniforms... green and gold???!!! ... well, it just kind of resembles ...mold on cheese!  Oh, please forgive me...you know I love you all!  Please don't banish me from future visits to your amazing state and wondrous lake shore! 

If I can redeem myself, I will be honest...when it comes to football, I like the excitement of the game, but I'm mostly there for the party. I don't even scream and shout...I like using the plastic hands we place on the table which make a loud clapping sound! I can pick them up with one hand and make some noise while keeping my other hand free for eating!  I'm not even sure I'll get "into" the half-time performance this year, but with the amount of people and conversations taking place, it's difficult to hear much of the performance anyway.  So, I'll be hanging out with those who are also filling their plates with second helpings! 

Yes, smoked pulled pork sliders; chicken and black bean chili; guacamole; and...

My contribution to this year's southwest style menu... my fiesta cheese loaf. 

(I came up with this recipe during a recipe contest.  It is actually adapted from a similar recipe which a friend introduced me to called "Tony's provolone loaf" (consisting of layers of provolone, cream cheese w/ garlic and pesto, and assembled in a loaf pan). I loved it so much, I decided to invent a southwest version and this is what I came up with):

This Mexican Inspired Cheese Loaf is always a hit at parties, with it's beautiful presentation and zesty blend of flavors!

FIESTA CHEESE LOAF (with cilantro pesto)

2 eight oz. Pkg. Philadelphia Cream Cheese

4 cloves garlic

1-2 dash finely ground black pepper to taste

2 eight oz. pkg. pepper jack cheese slices

1 2 oz. jar diced pimentos (drained well)

1 4 oz. can fire roasted diced green chiles (drained well)

2 cups fresh cilantro

¼ cup olive oil (approx.)

½ tsp. fresh lime juice

½ cup walnut halves or pieces

1 -2 pinches sea salt

1 ripe avocado

For Cilantro Pesto:

Place cilantro into food processor and process until finely chopped (just a few seconds)

Add 2 cloves garlic and while processing, stream in olive oil; squeeze in fresh lime juice;

Add a pinch or two of sea salt and a pinch of black pepper; add walnuts and process just until mixture forms a paste. Set aside.

For Cream Cheese Mixture:

Combine 2 eight oz. pkg. cream cheese with 2 garlic cloves (pressed or crushed);

Add pepper to taste.

For Assembly:

Dampen a piece of cheese cloth and place in 8 oz. loaf pan allowing cloth to drape over the sides of pan;

Start the layering with approx. 8 squares of pepper jack (on the diagonal);

Add 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture; 1/3 pesto; ½ jar of pimentos; layer of pepper jack.

Another 1/3 of the cream cheese; entire can of green chiles; 1/3 pesto; layer of pepper jack; last layer of cream cheese; last layer of pesto; last layer of pepper jack.

Bring sides of cheese cloth up and over to cover the loaf.

Refrigerate ( for at least 1 hr. and up to 24 hrs). Slowly invert onto platter and remove cheese cloth.

Garnish with fresh cilantro and remaining pimentos;

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or fresh vegi’s. Enjoy!!!

***

A couple of tips:

If you don’t have cheese cloth, you can line the pan with waxed paper (tape the excess to the outside of pan to avoid slipping.)

- - - - - - - -

This can also be made earlier in the day or the evening before your party and chilled overnight.

 

----------



IT'S GAME TIME....

AND FOR ME....THAT MEANS....

IT'S TIME FOR SOME GREAT FOOD!

ENJOY!