♥ML!: Lemons from Lemonade

So last night before bed, it felt a little chilly. When I checked the thermostat, I found the heater wasn't working. I pulled out a huge pile of extra blankets and called the landlord when we woke up. Thankfully (here's the lemonade part), it's only October and it's chilly but not cold. Still thirsty? More lemonade: since it was cold, I decided to bake a cake since the oven would help warm up the house. Now I have a very happy toddler who got to bake with Momma, a slightly warmer house that smells divine and one of my favorite cakes to eat later!

It comes down to this. I'm learning - note that I did not say I've learned...it's definitely a process I've not perfected yet - that it is SO much easier to say, "Yes, but look at all I HAVE - look at what is GOOD!" than to complain about things that I lack or that fail me. It's not EASY, but it's EASIER. The blessings were never promised to have neon signs on them. Instead, the Bible says to "seek and ye shall find." (Matthew 7:7) LOOK! LOOK AROUND! They're EVERYWHERE!

I ♥ML because why not just immerse myself in it? God designed this life JUST FOR ME! So everything that happens works for good - eventually! I might not see it without looking; I might never see it. But I know that the good is there, the blessings exist, the "Well, at least..." can be found. When my car broke down during rush hour, at least Julia and I could get home safely. When we had to give Wiggles up, it turned out to be a wonderful new life for him (and his Grammie Julia and Pappy Dom, too!). There are loads of mundane little moments everyday that are blessings. Look for them. Find them. Embrace life with faith that every day is a gift from God, every day has meaning. It's all worth something.

And now, a Keep Your House Warm Apple Cake recipe...a reward of sorts for sitting through my preachin'.

CANDEE'S MOST FAVORITEST APPLE CAKE EVER

3 eggs

1 3/4 c. sugar

1 c. oil

2 c. flour

1 c. walnuts (i chop mine fine)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. diced apples

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan (I use PAM and a non-stick pan); preheat oven to 350.

Beat together eggs, sugar and oil.

Looking stern is optional.

Add flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.

Licking the beaters is also optional...but highly recommended.

By hand, mix in apples, nuts and vanilla. Put into prepared pan. (This is not a batter that you pour; this mixture is very thick and very sticky and needs to be spread evenly in the pan.)