The hope of it all...it can be as tender as raw eggs...

Today, yes, even today, I had to explain once again the amazing difference between purchased from the store and having your very own hens that lay amazing eggs. I can go into all the scientific, biological, physical benefits of having your very own homegrown eggs, but why? That isn't what this is about anyway...the bottom line is...they are sooooo delicious and fantastically yummy! So professionally written I know, but I promise that once you have had a homegrown egg cooked just the way you like it, then you are hooked forever. 

As for me, I love eggs, cooked any way, but sunny side up...then you have my attention. I have a wonderful Tupperware microwave egg maker that makes three eggs just right for everyone else and I can make enough for two people at a time, up to ten, pop them in the fridge and we are set for several days. I boil a batch for salads on Sundays and then we have them for the week. I am not the best peeler so when they come out just right, then I am a happy southern gal and my grandmother is looking down from heaven smiling at her girl I am sure lol. Now if I could make her potatoes the way she did...

 Then sometimes the shells might not peel just right. That is the way our faith might be. Shaken. Cracked. Scrambled. Torn. What is missing? Why are are feeling our faith is like these delicate eggs? Maybe our faith isn't matured, grown in the Word, watered with prayer, boiled with the gathering of the saints, then set with the foundation of the Holy Spirit in knowing that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. In all of that Hope is woven like a tapestry of fine stitches sewn into a beautiful fine linen to make a precious picture of embroidered cloth. Hope is the evidence that we know the best is yet to come and the shells of what is inside of us is living and going to grow and bloom. Faith. Christ.

Romans 15:13 says,

"May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope."

Bubbling over. Experiencing Faith. Filled. Overflowing. Believing.

Though the egg starts as a fragile item within the palm of our hands, easily crushed, as believers in the palms of the hand of our Heavenly Father, we are protected and matured if we will trust, obey and know Him. I love that. Joy. Peace. What more can be promised...read his Word to find out...

Hugs, Rita

Rita's Iron Skillet Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe...Add the vanilla ice cream please!

Have you ever come home on a Friday afternoon, got a few chores done and then thought, "Something warm and a bit chocolaty would be every so good!" Well, I looked in the pantry and saw three bananas and some rice flour that would be perfect to make some delicious banana bread. Using my iron skillet collection that came from my mother and her mother is my favorite items to use, so here is the recipe.

Rita's Iron Skillet Gluten Free Banana Bread

Cooking Spray (flour free)

2/3 cup sugar or sugar substitute

2/3 cup butter, melted or apple sauce

3 eggs, beaten

3 ripe bananas, mashed well

1 1/4 cups fat-free buttermilk

1 teaspoon real vanilla

2 1/4 cups gluten free rice flour

1/4 brown sugar blend

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup coffee, prepared 

1/4 cup chocolate chips, optional

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Spray iron skillet generously with cooking spray. Put all ingredients into an electric mixer and mix together well. Pour into iron skillet and bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean. I put chips on one side because believe it or not, not everyone in my home likes chocolate. However, for those curious why I don't add nuts, I am allergic, but also they are high in fat, good or bad for you, I don't want the calories...I would rather have the chocolate calories lol!

Enjoy!

Hugs, Rita