Minimalist Baker Pumpkin Pie

We are so grateful! We have had a wonderful time up here in Tennessee this week; our friends have opened their home and hearts to us in such a beautiful way that I honestly feel super spoiled. Not to mention that we have eaten the most amazing food (and just for the record, I am enjoying a slice of pumpkin pie and a cup of Wilbur Cocoa Breeze Blend coffee even now), and had spent so many bonding hours in the kitchen together that I think someone needs to write an ode to the Kitchen soon.

Now some Friday Stuff for those of you who chose to stay at home today instead of going into the craziness of a mall:

On Advent Reading:

There are so many good Advent companions nowadays that I won’t even try to recommend you all of our favorites but here are a few of them:

God Rest Ye Merry: Why Christmas Is the Foundation for Everything by Douglas Wilson

Some other free -and great- online readings for the season are these:

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper

Readings and Devotions for Advent, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and Epiphany

On Christmas Gifts: 

I have not bought one yet,  but hey! I already know how I want to wrap all my gifts! Hope that counts as being a good and on-time planner.

Here are some pretty gift tags that you may want to print -in case you are also hoping to be a good planner this year.

On Disappointments: 

The moment you reach page 167 of a book you are liking a lot and read the words the author -which is a woman- uses to start a paragraph: “A few times a year,  I officiate a wedding…” That, my friends,  is disappointing moment.  I won’t lie, I still love the many words she has right, but I would be very careful when reading her books. All Truth is God’s Truth, but all words to be true must be proved by Truth itself.

On Changes: 

They always come and make us grow. Changes stretch us, and help us see how much we still need to change ourselves.

Changes help us to be challenged, to put in practice what we say we believe, to humble ourselves and raise us up. We must have a heart willing to open the door to them and welcome them into our lives. God will use them for Hid glory and our good.

On Fake Bread:

I am humbled and grateful to be a guest on my friend Diana’s blog. I am writing an exhortation to Pilgrims like me, who at times are tempted to eat fake bread…

“Remember this, dear Pilgrim, the food in exile, the food of self-righteousness, the bread made out of rocks, will never, never, satisfy us. It only feeds the idols of our hearts but never our soul. All bread made with our own efforts will always leave us empty, it never nourishes us, it will always kill us.” Continue reading here.

Praying God will grant you a restful weekend, dear Friends,

Under His Sun and by His grace,

Becky