Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ~~ words & music by Natalie Sleeth, 1986 United Methodist Hymnal

Thursday, February 26, 2009

And Now My First Foodie Friday!

Last Saturday it was a cold and wet day so I decided to make some soup for a late lunch with my DH. I had also just bought Sandra Lee's new Semi Homemade magazine and had seen a great cornbread recipe that I thought would go great with the soup! Now, I really like Sandra Lee! I don't do that much cooking and actually prefer HGTV to the Food Network. One day I caught her show and really loved her and the way she cooks and I really like her style of decorating too! So I grabbed my camera and started snapping so I could join my fellow sisters in Foodie Friday hosted by the grand dame herself Gollum! But you don't have to watch just me boiling water, go on over to http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com and check out the real cooks!
Yes, I can boil water!

Then I did my imitation of Sandra by using "Bear Creek" bean soup mix. Just whisk the mix in to 8 cups of boiling water! This was the hard part: trying to whisk with my left hand and take the picture with my right!


Then I took it upon myself to add pre-cooked, pre-cubed ham and substituted 2 cups of water with chicken broth from a box. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes!


Now for the cornbread! "Spicy Cheddar Cornbread", how can that not be good! Gather my ingredients...mix 'em together....Voila!


Does mine look like the magazine picture?


My attempt at tablescaping our lunch!




And now for the cornbread recipe: 2 tblsp. veg. oil, 2 (6.5 ounce) pkgs. yellow Martha White cornbread mix, 2 (1 ounce) pkgs. taco seasoning, 2 lg. eggs, 2/3 cup water, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Preheat oven to 400*. Grease 9-in. iron skillet w/veg. oil and place skillet in oven while preparing cornbread. In a lg. bowl combine cornbread mix, taco seasoning, eggs and water, stirring well. Pour batter into preheated skillet and bake for 12 minutes. Sprinkle cheese evenly over cornbread and put back in oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and cornbread is golden brown.

This is straight out of her wonderful magazine and I really hope I'm not violating any copyright laws! And by the by, the cornbread was delicious!

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21 comments:

  1. Rattlebridge FarmFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    This is fabulous!!! I've got a cast iron skillet just waiting for your recipe; I can't wait to try it. Your tablescaping is absolutely gorgeous. I love your dishes!!
    Welcome to blogland, and to Foodie Friday!
    Hugs,
    Gollum

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  2. TracyFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    Yum, that looks really tasty! You blogging ladies are all making me hungry. Happy Foodie Friday!

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  3. Susan @ The Good Life!February 26, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    Beautiful! Your table and the food looks beautiful! Welcome to Blogland!

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  4. Confessions of a Plate AddictFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    Hi Miss Laura Lu!! This looks wonderful! When I see a cast iron skillet, I know it belongs to someone who knows how to make cornbread! The soup looks yummy! Great tablescape! Have a good weekend...Debbie

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  5. Lady KatherineFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    I love using my cast iron, I love your soup and your table and dishes are so pretty.

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  6. Terrie's Lil' Piece of SerenityFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Your meal looks wonderful. And your tablescape is so.. pretty.

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  7. santamakerFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    You make it look so easy and surely delicious.

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  8. ellen b.February 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    Oh I am so glad I had dinner already. This really looks good!!

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:44 PM

    Hi Laura Lu! Your soup and cornbread looks so good! I like Sandra Lee too! She's gorgeous, but not as gorgeous as you are!
    Now your tablescape looks wonderful! You did so well!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  10. susanFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Loved seeing your blog and your very interesting profile. I too took and taught Disciple Bible Study--very intense!!

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  11. xinexFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    Very pretty, LauraLu! Looks delicious too!...Christine

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    You're a woman after my own heart. I love shortcuts and Sandra Lee is closest to how I cook but her decorating and tablescapes leave me in the dust. They are lovely and so elaborate. I like the idea of putting taco seasoning and cheese in the cornbread mix. The only change would be that I'm a Jiffy girl.

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  13. KatFebruary 27, 2009 at 5:21 AM

    This looks like a perfect meal for a cold, dreary day! And I love Sandra Lee, perfect cooking for busy gals. I'm most impressed that you got the photo of whisking the soup, I promise that my camera would have ended up in the pot! Great post and welcome to Foodie Friday. Kathy

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  14. Susan @ A Southern DaydreamerFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Happy Foodie Friday!Soup looks (and sounds) yummy!

    Susan

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  15. ChandyFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    I love Sandra Lee, too!!! I do a lot of semi-homemade cooking since I have three busy children. I also love Bordallo plates, like the one you have displayed. Great post!

    Hope to see you on my blog...

    Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes

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  16. Cindy J.February 27, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    Oh Lauralu, this looks fabulous! This reminds me of a cornbread my dear Godmother used to make. I have been searching for a recipe for it for years.. now the only difference I think she had green chillies in her's, do you think that would work with your recipe? Your tablescape looks wonderful too but that surely is no surprise. You definitely have been gifted with the fine art of arranging. Hope your son is doing well, mine is so much better, thank-you. Love, Cindy

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  17. "Blossom"February 27, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    This soup looks awesome; I could use a bowl today, it's rainy and cold here. And those dishes you have displayed, just beautiful.
    Have a great week-end.

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  18. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    That cornbread recipe sounds awesome.I am going to try it.And the soup looks delish.And if you don't already participate in TT,you should.Your TT looks great...ann

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  19. lvroftiquesFebruary 27, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    Girlfriend that's my kinda cooking! And it looks absolutely delish!!! I'm going to make me some of that corn bread! YUMMMMMMM!!! I might just share some with my DH......naw on second thought..NO! Hehe! Vanna

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  20. Lori (All That Splatters)February 28, 2009 at 12:06 PM

    What a way to beat the cold-weather blues! Yum!

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  21. LillyBMarch 6, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    It sounds wonderful! Did it taste good? Your table was set so pretty!!
    Have a blessed weekend!
    Love Lilly

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Hello and God Bless! Thank you for visiting "Hidden Promise"! It's wonderful to get comments from you all! I think they are a great way to show our love, care and support of each other! Have a wonderful day! Lauralu :)

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