Grandfathers-Grandchildren

Proverbs 17:6 "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers".
I took a few shots of Susanna and "Papa". How accurately the relationship between them depicts this verse!

Golden Belt Festival

On Friday, April 24th, the 11th annual GoldenBelt Vocal Festival was held in Salina, KS.
It had been rescheduled from March 27th due to bad weather.
This year was Eric's first year to participate, and Dad also sang with him.
After an all-day practice, the program was very nice. We sang a variety of song, including a Latin piece!
Out of the original 140 participants, around 120 were able to make the rescheduled day. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait until next year!!!

Eric, Elizabeth, Kelsey and Kyle


Kyle and Eric


Michaela Creer, Elizabeth and Kelsey

The Recipe Box-Shaker Lemon Pie

We like this recipe, because it uses ALL the lemon including the rind!!!
Plus, it only has 4 ingredients! We made a streusel topping-you could also use another crust. (Double Crust)

Shaker Lemon Pie
2 lemons
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 9 inch pie crust

Slice lemons paper-thin. Combine with sugar; set for a few hours. Add beaten eggs, mix well. Pour into pie crust.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees, bake for additional 20 to 25 minutes.

The Recipe Box-Orange Julius

This week's recipe is for a refreshingly yummy smoothie-type drink.....ORANGE JULIUS!
They are very easy to make and always taste really good! Enjoy!

Mix in a blender the following ingredients.
6 oz. orange juice concentrate
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract (opt.)
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. milk or plain yogurt
A couple handfuls of ice

Orange Juice Concentrate

We have a feature on our blender called an ice breaker-Works really well!



Blend all, until smooth
Voila! An orange julius!

Reflection

The Recipe Box-Cappuccino Muffins

A moist and flavorful muffin-Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or for the satisfaction of a sweet tooth!
Also, depending on how much time I have, I might not make the spread-The muffins are fabulous with or without it.

Cappuccino Muffins

ESPRESSO SPREAD:
4 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips
MUFFINS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Blend spread ingredients; mix until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until serving.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until coffee is dissolved. Add butter, egg and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve with espresso spread. Makes 1 c. spread and 18-24 muffins.

Happy Easter!

Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Happy Easter!
May you have a spirit of thankfulness for all Christ has done for us!

Easter Blessings from our family to yours!

NEW FEATURE-The Recipe Box-Pilgrim's Bread

Starting today, Random Reflections-The Beckman Family Blog will be having a weekly recipe, coming from our family favorites. Please try the recipe and comment on how it turned out. We hope this will be helpful for you, because it is always fun to try a new recipe!

Today's recipe is "Pilgrim's Bread"
Mom found this recipe last fall and made it for Thanksgiving.
Now, we have tweaked it to our liking, and enjoy making it often.
I like to start it during lunch break-let it raise until 2-2:30 p.m.,
put it in the pans, let it raise again until 4-4:30 p.m.,
then bake it around 5:00 p.m., so it is freshly baked,and ready for dinner.
It makes 2 huge loaves, or 2 medium size loaves and 2 small loaves.
(The 2 small loaves are great to give away!)
This may turn out to be your favorite new bread!! Enjoy!






Pilgrim's Bread
The Beckman Family
Makes 2 big loaves

Mix Together
2 c. boiling water
1/2 c. cornmeal or wheat germ
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 T. salt

Add: 1/4 c. oil
Cool to lukewarm

Proof 2 T. yeast with 1/2 c. warm water and 1 T. honey or sugar.
(I do this in a 2 c. measuring cup and it usually overflows, so watch carefully)

Mix Yeast and cornmeal mixtures together.
Add 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
or 1 c. WW flour and 1/2 c. ground flax seed

Stir together.
Add 4-5 c. regular flour-until dough is not sticky.

Raise until doubled in size. (see note above)
Punch down. Divide it in half and place in greased loaf pans.
Raise until double in size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Especially good hot out of the oven with butter!

Chick Check-up

Eric and Miles moved the chicks to their outside hutch today!
They are really growing fast-Not so cute now....Pretty ugly, actually.
But, we are learning a lot, a fabulous experience!
(Be looking for a new feature coming up SOON!)