Clever Little Scraps

If you have chance why not head on over to my enterprise page...Clever Little Scraps. Have a browse of my card designs and if something takes your fancy then get in touch and make an order! Find me on Facebook too here, like my page and keep up to date with all my different designs and workshop information.

Here are some congratulations cards I made for some young people who did very well in their exams.

The Provider

Today was a day that I needed to be reminded that God is in control of my life, that He is working everything out for His purposes, that He loves me and cares for me and He will provide for my needs.

Do you waiver at times knowing the peace that this knowledge can bring? Do you, like me, sometimes fail to have faith in God's timing and provision in our lives?

Mr Faithful was made redundant just before Christmas last year and since then my faith and trust has been put to the test. So many times I have said before that it is God that gives and takes away. But when I am faced with bills to pay and weekly budgets to set, food to be put on the table then my faith has really been put to the test. Mr Faithful has been trying his hand in the self-employed world and income can be inconsistent. As work has been slowing down job applications have been submitted and I admit I wavered in my faith that God would provide for our needs. Then I listened to this...

Admittedly it wasn't for my benefit that I first out this broadcast on. The Brinkman adventures had been recommended to me as a good choice for audio adventures that my boys may enjoy listening to. Mr Social had really enjoyed his Jonathan Park CD that he got for his birthday so I thought the Brinkman adventures would be right up his street. 

It proved to be an enjoyable listen. The Provider was the name of the episode we listened to and it was recount of a father's early experiences in his family life of how God provided for his needs when he thought that all was lost. By the end of the broadcast I felt thoroughly reprimanded.

Matthew 6:26

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

We have a small garden and enjoy watching the birds come and feed from our bushes and bird feeders, jump on the ground and pull up worms. We had a hawk visit our humble abode this week too. In front of my own eyes I can see these birds being fed and satisfied and here the bible tells us that we are of more value to God than the birds of the air. God fed the Israelites in the wilderness and He fed the 5 thousand. God commanded the ravens to feed Elijah by a brook and fed him in the wilderness. God himself clothed Adam and Eve with skins. 

Psalm 34:10

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Matthew 6:31-32

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

God's ways may not be our ways and we may see things happening differently in our lives but He is in control and working everything out in our lives. The ways may be unusual and unforeseeable but they are governed by an all seeing and all powerful God who loves us beyond comprehension. I can only pray that God will help me to keep my faith steadfast in Him even when our future paths remain hidden.

I wrote this post a week ago and had to stop due to other commitments and within that time God has shown me once again that he has everything under control. Mr Faithful has been offered a job. Praise be to Him, the Provider!

All Things Cake

Excitement has been growing in our household for some time, and funnily enough it was nothing to do with the British weather or news on britain's budget (grim topics of conversation of late). Oh no, something much more exciting was happening...the Great British Bake Off was set to hit our TV screens. Get out the cake tins, biscuit trays, tiered stands and country style bunting, move your kitchen to a tent and at all costs avoid bin gate. No idea what I am talking about? Time to get educate!

The GBBO is a favourite in our house and for the children too. It's a great opportunity to inspire the children in the kitchen. Before the programme aired we made lamingtons and krispie cakes ... There was much hilarity from Mr Cheeky that we put potato in the lamingtons as Mr Faithful and Mr Social are more potato haters than potato lovers.

lamingtons made and ready to eat we were all set for our first instalment. From beginning to end Mr Cheeky was smacking his lips and drooling at the sight of cakes and by the end of the programme he was begging for a Black Forest Gateau. Any excuse I was thinking...one Black Forest gateau coming right up. Check out the recipe I used here

I took out the kirsch, instead of jam used a cherry pie filling and put chocolate ganache on all the layers.

And the result?

It tasted as good as it looks. Staunch gateau fans may be screaming that it's not genuine without the kirsch but I think I have proved that you don't need alcohol to make a delicious cake.

Mmmmmm...think I might go make a cuppa and have a cheeky slice!

Posted with Blogsy