PENSIEVE

Encourage you, incourage me {It's beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving!}

Have you ever thought about how much more time is spent preparing a Thanksgiving spread and cleaning up afterward, than sitting at the table and eating it?

What if I offered you a remedy of amazing proportion to hold your family and friends around the table just a little bit longer? 

{Please continue reading over at Incourage for one of my favorite ideas for cultivating a mindset of gratitude beyond the turkey dinner!}

An urgent, urgent prayer request from Kay Arthur

I received this prayer request via an email from my former Precept Bible study leader this morning, forwarded from Kay with this post's title in the subject line:

Shirley Dobson will be giving a deposition tomorrow (TUESDAY, 11-10-09) from 8:30-4:30 PM.  She is being sued by a group “Freedom From Religion” because she asked the President and other political leaders to pray for our nation… as leader of National Day of Prayer.  I prayed with her tonight, but told her would have the staff and others praying for her tomorrow… this is so important.  I am praying they will be stunned by the Spirit of God… convicted… convinced they will lose… and that if any of them are His lost sheep, that they will get convicted and saved because the Spirit of God will be so strong in that room.  She is a valiant warrior…thanks.

Sued for asking our President and leaders to pray?  Are you kidding me??!  

Then, a g a i n ...Shirley should be doing a little joy-filled happy dance; this is exactly what scripture tells us will happen for the true believer ~

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." {2 Timothy 3:12}

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." {1 Peter 4:12-14, 16}

Lord, have mercy. 

The power of "one" ~ a priceless blogging paycheck

When I submitted a recent post for (in)courage, in spite of so desperately wanting to "get it right", I felt like I blew it.  Some posts and pieces I write with ease--they almost write themselves--but sometimes I labor with diligence only to toss another digital wad into the TWIA {Trashcan With Insatiable Appetite} at the bottom of my screen.

Have you ever had an end goal in mind but you can't seem to write the finish line? 

Our theme for the month was "hope" and my post highlighted the work of Compassion International and Mocha Club, two organizations ~

• committed to bettering the plight of others...
• I trust and support with my words (and sometimes my pocketbook)...
• Who offer hope--tangible hope--to those aligned with their organization.

I sooo wanted to serve (in)courage, Compassion and Mocha Club well...but I struggled to express my thoughts.  The post was too long.  I bunny trailed (if I'm not famous for that, I should be).  My perceived literary failure was "confirmed" when the post received only two comments, one of those being from Holley, who as one of my "bosses", pretty much has to read my posts. 

Two weeks later I received an email that gently reminded me that equating my value or success in writing to the number of readers who respond in comments is...wrong.  

Particularly for the posts where I feel the Spirit's nudging to write, where I'm compelled to share my heart, when I'm writing on behalf of others (imho, the best use of my writing voice...), how dare I navel gaze to the point of feeling like a loser or forget that I'm intimately known by the Creator of the Universe? 

For goodness sakes, Robin...sometimes you're an idiot.

A new (in)courage subscriber stumbled across my post, and in response had this to say in a personal email:

Dear Pensieve,
 
This is Celeste {name changed} from {country removed to protect her identity}. I read your write up in In-Courage, dated 29 September 09 and have since sponsored a child at Compassion International.  {My heart exploded on contact and my socks were blessed slap off my feet!}
 
The thought of reaching out to needy children has been with me for a while now. I have been looking out for Christian organization involved in such effort but not knowing their credibility, I have been apprehensive. I had been praying for the Lord to direct me to a trusted organization. Having read your article and after going through Compassion International webpage, I felt the peace of the Lord to go ahead to sow into the life of a child.  {In the words of my sweet friend, Amber: OH MYLANTA!!!  Me?  In part, answer to a stranger's prayer???}
 
My heartfelt thanks to you for being a means to connect me with Compassion International.  God bless you super abundantly.  {Done, times a squillion!}

Immediately I responded to "Celeste", explaining how grateful I was she sponsored a child with Compassion, and also taking the time to tell me.  She wrote again, this time feeling a comfort to share her personal, and at times, painful, story (most of which is deleted for her sake).

Dear Robin,
 
I am equally delighted to hear from you as well. Our good Lord works in amazing ways to connect people across the globe for His Kingdom work. {You aren't kidding!}  Yes, you have definitely been a vessel and the Lord's extended arm to reach out to the lost and needy.  {Bless mah heart!}
 
You may certainly reprint my email. {in answer to my request}  Well, since what you write may impact another person positively to share the joy of sowing, I would like to share my personal story to you.

Celeste went on to explain her dream since her teenage years was to have a happy marriage with 2 children, a boy and a girl.  She now has a nine-year-old son, but after years of trying with disappointment, never had a daughter.  About three years ago, she "knew" she was never going to give birth to the girl she so deeply desired; and at that same time, she decided that even though she may not have a daughter to call her own, she was determined to reach out to a child in need, especially a girl.  She recalled that being the day she began looking for an avenue to sponsor a child.

Celeste's marriage was emotionally painful during its 11-year duration; in spite of great difficulty, she tried to make it work for her son's sake.  The date my post was published was the day the court finalized her divorce.  In the midst of a hurtful, tumultuous season of life, Celeste subscribed to (in)courage for encouragement. 

"A few days later, I chanced upon your article and was inspired to sponsor a child."

 "... I have done my fair share of mourning, murmuring and complaining to the Lord.  In fact at one point, I was so negative and angry with the Lord, I was tempted to let go of my belief system and live life without any values. Through the prayers of close ones and friends, the Lord in His mercy has renewed my thinking and outlook in life. Now, I want to spend the remaining days of my life, here on earth being a salt and light for the Lord. Sponsoring this child, is my first step towards that goal.

"...you have played a very important role in connecting me to Compassion International. Now the ripple of your action will influence and impact my circle of friends and family, whom I will encourage to be also a part of Compassion International.

May the Lord's blessings always abound in your life!
 
Shalom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sometimes the noise inside my head is not just deafening, it's blinding.  It blurs my focus.  I'm thankful the Lord brought Celeste into my life to encourage me, challenge me, and remind me in the economy of God, it's never, no never, about me.

It's about a King and his Kingdom, which actually, is pretty daggum cool.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Heartfelt thanks to "Celeste" who continues to make a difference in the life of her Compassion child...and to me, who needed the encouragement she extended.  Funny, it was like a gentle slap in the face, the "softer, kinder" version of Cher and Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck. Remember?

I wish every teenage girl in America would see, hear & believe this...

There can never be a more beautiful y o u ...

I've always loved the message of Barlow Girl.  Yes, I like their musicality, passion and conviction, but the underlying message of their lyrics is one I'm glad my children are exposed to (both my daughter and sons are fans).  It's positive, it speaks Truth, and sometimes they write with a depth and wisdom beyond their years.  "Mirror--from their self-titled debut a few years ago--is one that serves as a reminder of true beauty in the eyes of the Master Beholder.

"More Beautiful You", this time sung by a guy (Johnny Diaz), offers the same message of beauty and uniqueness in each young woman.  It's a message we all need to hear at that vulnerable age when "super model" seems to be an achievable? desirable? standard (which eventually we learn is a lie) when a zit or bad hair day makes us feel like a troll instead.  

Honestly, I didn't care for this song much when I first heard it...until the bridge.  I loved that (beginning at the 2:16 mark) and it gave me reason to listen closer the next time I heard it.  Then I googled the lyrics.  Then I watched the video and caught a glimpse of the wonders of model-y photoshopping.  Then I decided to share it with you.  Enjoy; I hope you do so with a tween or teen girl in your own life, to help her see, to remember, to believe she's one of a kind.

Which is pretty doggone special in my book.

Compassion Bloggers are headed to El Salvador next week...

Please pray for this group, follow their stories, and if you're interested in changing the world...sponsor a child :)
.

It IS better to give!

I LOVE making someone else's day!!  Over at my sometimes forgotten award-winning review blog, Show & Tell & Give & Take, I get to give away a $150 spa gift card compliments of Pepperidge Farm.  Gosh, I hope you win...but that can only happen if you pop over and tell me if you had a day to yourself, how would you spend it?  It's that simple!

A perfect illustration

Who would've suspected shrimp cocktail can reveal personality? 

Meet my husband, left-brained engineer: 

• Neat
• Orderly
• Precise
• Linear
• Calculated

Meet me, right-brained writer:

• Messy
• Cluttered
• Unconfined
• Careless
• Unbound by convention

He bit the shrimp to the point the shell stopped; I split the tail and got every morsel. 

Unexpectedly, we found ourselves in Atlanta just in time for dinner and decided to try a restaurant we've heard great things about but never before had opportunity to try--Pappadeaux, deliciously exceeding our already-hopeful expectation!  

As we enjoyed quiet conversation in a cozy corner overlooking a lush, verdant view, I looked down and noticed our appetizer plates...and, smiling, said a silent prayer of thanks to have a camera in my phone.

There we were in pinkish, translucent shells, the resemblance uncanny.   "Reading" shrimp...one step up from Tarot cards, I guess.

Go figure...;)

 

Oh what a tangled...

This morning I was entangled by silvery threads beaded in dew.

Spun and woven and snowflake-unique, patterned and random and each a gossamer masterpiece.

Delicate garland adorning iron tree, beauty softening hardened beast.

Life-sustaining for one, life-taking for another.  Home and tomb.

An exquisite reminder of Creator God, author of unimaginable imagination.

My only question? 

Where are all the spiders? ;)

Old dogs, new tricks & mighty revelation

Dan Dean, Randy Phillips, and Shawn Craig--do you recognize those names?  I wouldn't have until I put their last names together and in the right order:  Phillips, Craig & Dean.

Now do you recognize them?  If you've been even a casual listener of contemporary Christian music over the last 18 years, they should be familiar to you.  "Let My Words Be Few," "Mercy Came Running," "You Are God Alone" are among my favorites.  The truth is I wouldn't have considered myself a fan of theirs, and until I started writing this post, I couldn't have actually named any of their songs (in spite of really, REALLY liking the songs I've referenced).  

This morning as I was channel surfing (our dial ranges from NPR to Rock/Alternative to contemporary Christian), I happened upon an interview with Randy Phillips by our local CC radio station. 

He was absolutely precious.  Humble, gracious, and quite surprised by the out-of-the-ballpark success of their 16-weeks-in-a-row-at-NUMBER-1 single, "Revelation Song," off their August CD release, Fearless.

Sixteen weeks in a row.  Number ONE.  Impressive. 

I didn't know a thing about these guys before listening this morning.  Now?  I'm impressed.  The trio lives in three different cities and music is only their part-time vocation--they each pastor full-time and won't perform Saturday night concerts in order to be "fresh" for their respective congregations Sunday mornings.  Eighteen years of that. 

Eighteen years of arguable success--10 albums, 16 number one radio hits, two million plus records sold and nine Dove Award nominations (their only win on the collaborative effort, My Utmost for His Highest).  I'd say "Revelation Song" is a contender for "Song of the Year".

Listening to Phillips was one of those "bless mah heart" moments. Genuinely excited to see God magnified through their desire to honor Him in worship through song, his enthusiasm and humility would warm the steeliest of unbelievers.  

I hope you'll listen if you haven't heard "Revelation Song"; and if you are familiar, take a few minutes to savor your Savior. 

What you don't know about H1N1 might kill you

Last week I was sick.  Flu sick.  Bed was my best friend for days--something, thankfully, to which I am not accustomed. 

I received an email forward from my friend Theresa, the kind I typically barely read before clicking "delete"; in this case, something about health.  B u t because I'm respecting the whole Swine Flu thing a bit more than I did, say, two weeks ago, I read it.  It contained information that was new to me, and I figured if I hadn't heard some of this, maybe a few of you hadn't either.  {Thanks to Amy who directed me to the original source!}

Regardless, following these directives won't hurt you and they might just help you.  Feel free to cut and paste and forward to everyone in your address book.  They'll probably ignore it but you might just be saving a life ;).

Tips to help prevent contracting Swine Flu/H1N1

1. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat.  In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.  Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. 
2. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

•  Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
•  "Hands-off-the-face" approach.  Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap <-- that made me giggle).
• Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).  H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.  Simple gargling prevents proliferation.  In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.  Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
• Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.  Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
• Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits).   If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
• Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.  Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Was this stuff news to you?   Some of these suggestions were completely new to me!

Photo credit

Pavlov, Pepsi & the Wonder Drug

When I was little and got sick, no matter what the doctor prescribed, it was my mother's antidote that made me feel better:  a Pepsi with crushed ice.

When I was sooo sick I couldn't do anything but lie on our sofa and watch TV, I listened while Mama fixed it for me. Back in the day before ice makers were a standard refrigerator feature, we had the old countertop version.  Clumsy and loud, it sounded more like a kitchen demolition than a beverage under construction.  The crunch and clatter were a happy kitchen commotion and I knew the end result was my sweet and syrupy drink over slivers of ice.

Usually my drink was accompanied by a cool washcloth; if I was sick enough for a Coke then I was probably running a fever.  Sometimes, it even had a bendy-straw; and always, always, TLC was administered:  soothing words, a gentle back rub, and that furrowed brow of concern that told me Mama would trade places with me in a skinny minute if she could.

Mothers are born with healing...sometimes in their touch, but sometimes just in the way they look at you.

When I was seven months pregnant with my youngest, I had pneumonia.  Coughing up a lung when a baby has taken up residence is not pleasant.  Vivid is the memory that wet, cold February evening of sitting on the FLOOR of CVS BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD GIVE UP A CHAIR TO THE PREGNANT LADY WHO WAS MISERABLE AND PHLEGMY AND HAD TEARS BRIMMING HER EYES but my husband knew what to do.  When he had to go to work the next day, he called one of my best friends and asked her to bring me a Pepsi. 

Isabel came quickly and knew to serve it over crushed ice. 

I think I felt better, but I know I felt loved.

When my own babies had an upset tummy or the Dreaded EpizudICKs, I'd offer them this chilled remedy in a glass.  I learned first by observation a lifetime ago, and then by doing, that a mother's Proper Bedside Manor is magic! 

Was it ever about the Pepsi or cool washcloth or softly-spoken words?  Or was it mostly about administering an invisible love-balm that transcends traditional medicine and does a body the most good of all? 

Something kinda wonderful happened over the past week:  I got sick.  Though eventually testing negative for Swine Flu and Strep (I had been exposed to both), I felt AWFUL--fever, chills, relentless headache, nasty cough, achy and plain tired.  For a few days, I was One with my bed.  My family kept checking on me, because it's universal to want to DO something when someone you love is sick, and the second-best thing that happened was my husband brought me breakfast in bed one morning.

But the best thing?  

My daughter brought me a Coke.  With crushed ice.  And a bendy straw.  And I felt better.

Proving two things:

1. Pavlov was right.
2. Children learn by example.

And though I wasn't instantly healed, I felt much better following the gesture.  I smiled at the thought of my daughter doing for me what my mother once had...and knowing one day she would do the same for her children and think of me.

Maybe not medicine for the body, but definitely elixir for the soul.

Note:  Though I'm sure it wouldn't please the manufacturers, Pepsi and Coke work pretty much the same in this equation...or even Sprite for that matter.  It's all about a carbonated beverage full of sugar.  Which is hardly good for anybody, but absolutely works wonders for me!! :)

A fudge recipe that's so good, it's famous

A good fudge recipe is worth its weight in gold.  If you aren't using Carnation's recipe, you might be settling for silver or (gasp!) bronze--and with a recipe that's simple, fast and slap full of chocolate deliciocity, why would you do that?

The ingredients ~

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions ~

Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.

Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For my recent Sister Party, I needed a simple dessert because I was making everything from scratch; Carnation's Famous Fudge has been a trusted recipe for years, and it was exactly what I was looking for.  It's one of those no-brainer recipes that's near impossible to mess up, and how can you not love EVERYTHING made with Evaporated Milk?  

One2One Network asked if I'd mind sharing a few Carnation recipes--both from their Holiday Guide and any recipe I use with Carnation Evaporated Milk...their timing was perfect (they sweetened the deal by providing coupons & giftcards to cover expenses--which was nice, considering I was going to make a dessert regardless).  The new recipe I tried for Sunrise Sausage Bake was scrumptious, and although the fudge recipe is in their guide, I couldn't help but recommend it as a yummy favorite. 

Be sure to check out these links as the holidays approach...you'll find some culinary buried treasure in their midst.

What is evaporated milk & why should I cook with it?

Carnation's Virtual Kitchen

Even more recipes!

A little party of sorts

A few weeks ago I wrote about how excited I was to have a "reason" to use my darling soup plates I've had for years but have used only once; Amber, The Runamuck, encouraged her readers to celebrate "friendship" by hosting a "Sister Party".  I've thought about hosting a get together with friends for no real reason for quite a while and all it took was the power of suggestion for me to finally follow through.

Rather than a Girls' Night Out, I decided to host a brunch; mine was planned for last Friday.  The menu was simple:  Cranberry Chicken Salad, Potato Leek Soup, Banana Nut Bread, and Carnation Famous Fudge and Pepperidge Farm Petite Treats for dessert.  

Everything tasted delicious (recipes to be posted soon!)!

And, what's a party without favors?  I had to give my friends a little "surcie" (for those of you who don't yet know that word, it's a little thought gift).  The value is not so much in the gift itself but in the intention of the gift.

The truth is I probably should have canceled my brunch--I was running a fever and felt awful!  I knew my friends had sickness in their homes and weren't being exposed to anything new, but...I could barely enjoy our time together.

Interestingly, I invited a lot of friends; most couldn't make it due to work, baby sitting issues or sickness in their own homes.  B u t, what made my Sister Party special was the two who were able to come.  Sandra was one of my first real friends made when we moved here six years ago; with a gentle countenance, she's been the type friend who has listened with both ears, offered Godly counsel when asked, has never sought to impose her views on me, encouraged gently with a ready smile and truth on her tongue.  Paige is that dependable friend you can count on in need, she's the one who shows up early (and stays late) to help, she's my oh-so-talented Stamping Up "mentor" and you never have to wonder what she's thinking--she'll flat out tell you the truth ("Yes!  You look fat in those pants!").

Both ladies take me as I am and love me even when I'm not so lovable.  And when I'm sick.

Because I wasn't in a picture-taking-frame of mind, we almost didn't get a shot together; as they were leaving, one of my boys played photographer, so at least we have a parting shot.  

Thanks to Amber for encouraging all of us to celebrate the women in each of our lives who help shape who we become.

Dead faith?

"...the great tragedy of the church
is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor
but that rich Christians do not know the poor."

~ Shane Clairborne, "The Irresistible Revolution"

It couldn't have been more absurd timing for me to have read Shane Clairborne's "The Irresistible Revolution:  Living as an Ordinary Radical"--on the drive for a family trip to Disney World, where you're assaulted with Mouse-branded, excessive, indulgent consumerism at every turn.  Clairborne's account of leaving behind his upper middle-class background to embrace "a simpler way" challenged and inspired me, and honestly, scrambled my brain and heart. 

I'm still kind of egg-y.

Years later, with that quote ever-lingering on my shoulder, I'm still trying to figure out how to meet the poor.  Doesn't that sound ridiculous?  The truth is, as a middle class white person living in Suburbia, attending a mainstream, mostly white church, it requires intent; intent beyond my comfort zone.  

And as I'm lamenting my inability to, you know, minister to poor people, I hear "Follow You", a beautiful song by too-wise-and-too-deep-for-their-years Leeland (and featuring Brandon Heath) and it hit me I've gotta stop living in my head and Just Do It.

Who knew Nike was so spiritual?

{Do yourself a favor and at least listen to this song!  Leave a tab open while you're blog hopping :) }

We're called to a demonstrative faith.  I'd love to hear what that looks like to you.

{I've included the lyrics to "Follow You" as a reminder that although the way may not be easy, it is simple.}

You lived among the least of these

The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs you have supplied.
When I was dead you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.

Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come
Through the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
'Cause Faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was she'd
So how could I not give it away so freely?

And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)

I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself... to you.

And I give all myself.
Yes, I give all myself.
And I give all myself... to you.

And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)

Puts the "good" in your morning: Sunrise Sausage Bake

Sometimes all I need to try something new is a swift kick in the tail little motivation.  It's all too easy for me to reach for the same ol' tried and true recipes, so I was appreciative when One2One Network approached me to try, then share, a few recipes using Carnation Evaporated Milk.

If you're looking for a new breakfast/brunch recipe, I can tell you this:  Sunrise Sausage Bake is a WINNER!  A departure from my standard "sausage and egg casserole", it's a savory, substantial, delicious recipe that demands a surprise second helping 'cause it's just...so...GOOD!

Follow along and enjoy...!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 8 large eggs, beaten
• 1 lb. precooked sausage links, cut into ¼-inch slices
• 2 cups (8-oz. pkg.) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped red and/or green bell pepper
• 2 green onions (green parts only), sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 cups 1/2-inch cubed Italian or French bread (about 9 slices)

 

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350º F.
• Grease 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Combine milk, eggs, sausage, cheese, red pepper, green onions, onion powder and garlic powder in large bowl. Add bread cubes, stirring gently to moisten bread. Pour mixture into baking dish.
• BAKE for 45 minutes or until set.  Serve warm.
  
• Note:  May be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Before baking:

 

And, hot out of the oven...!

Eggy, sausage-y, peppery yummalocity!  I tested this on my Sunday school class and "everyone" wanted the recipe--it was gone by the end of class!  Sunrise Sausage Bake has definitely made it into my "regular rotation", and if you use both red and green peppers (like I did), at Christmas it's even color-coordinated for the season.  

My thanks to Carnation and One2One Network for giving me a great excuse to try something new (they sent coupons for Carnation Evaporated Milk and a gift card to cover related expenses).  

Be sure to check out Carnation's Holiday Recipe Guide.  I had a hard time choosing which recipe to try because ALL OF THEM sound truly scrumptious!