Finally! Fall has arrived! In a bevy of excitement and anticipation for a fabulous fall day I rummage through my closet and pull out my cable knit sweater and boots to go out and enjoy the sights of fall. Ah yes, fresh crisp breezes and amazing colors. Fall is by far my favorite season. Not only are there breathtaking views at every turn, but the heat and humidity of summer are gone!
It is also that time of year when everything that has flavor turns into pumpkin. And I mean everything, from pumpkin soup to pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin, but truly it is not so much the pumpkin that we are tasting it is the spices that accompany the pumpkin. Pumpkin alone is very bland, and really wouldn’t tickle most of our fancies. It is all about what we put in it.
There are savory recipes such as Pumpkin Soup where with the right amount and types of herbs and garlic transform the tasteless orange squash into a flavorful meal. Then of course there are those delicious pumpkin desserts complete with Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger and Cinnamon (add cream cheese to that and there is no will power to resist). The ending taste of anything made with pumpkin is largely inspired by what spices or herbs we put in our dishes.
Our lives are like pumpkins in a way, changing according to what we put into our lifestyles. What ingredients are we putting into our lives? Are we emulating Christ of the world?
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Philippians 4:8
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.1 John 2:15
It is easy to become wrapped up in the world and think on the things of the world. We are living among the world every day. We work alongside people who do not know the truth of the gospel. It is easy to be “caught up” with going about our daily lives and become affected in a wrong way with the things of this world. After all most people want to be liked, it is not comfortable to be the odd person out. But God has left us here to be a light to this dark world.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.John 15:19
Let us be found faithful, desiring the things of the Lord and not the things of this world. Are we taking time each day to read His word? We need this daily nourishment each day. Are we truly looking on “good things?” These days are filled with so much care and worry. We can become easily overset by what is going on around us. Thankfully we have a Savior a Heavenly Father who sees us and knows exactly what the chaos around us is. He will guide us in whatever His plan is for our life. Are we quiet long enough to hear His still small voice?
So let us look to God for our comfort and trust in His care. Let us dwell on things of God and saturate our lives with the sweetness of Christ.
Pumpkin Scones
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
½ Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
¾ Teaspoon Ginger
¾ Teaspoon Cloves
½ Teaspoon Nutmeg
½ Cup Cold Butter
½ Cup Pumpkin
1 Tablespoon Molasses
3 Tablespoons Half and Half
1 Egg
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Mix flour, sugar, soda, powder, and spices together. Cut butter into small cubes and cut into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal with a few pieces pea-sized.
In a separate bowl mix pumpkin, molasses, half and half, egg and vanilla until blended.
Stir pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients and butter mixture until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough onto floured surface. Knead three or four times until it comes together.
Roll dough into a 10 in x7 in rectangle. Cut rectangle in half lengthwise then cut into 4 even pieces crosswise, making 8 rectangles. Cut each rectangle into triangles.
Transfer to cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
Makes 16 scones
Cream Cheese and Spice Icing
2 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Half and Half
¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
Beat ingredients together with mixer until smooth. Dip warm scones into icing and let dry.
Rachel was born and raised in a Christian home. She was saved at a young age for which she is thankful. She has lived in Pennsylvania her whole life. She worked in a bakery for 16 years before moving on in another direction. She has enjoyed cooking and baking over the years especially those foods rich in history. She is passionate about history and the stories of those who had so little yet were able to provide meals for their families. She appreciates the ingenuity behind the recipes written by those ladies who have pioneered the trail of food preparation before us. Food is an essential part of life and there is nothing sweeter to her than sitting together and sharing a meal together with family and friends.