Sell Your Umbrella

I was awakened by the percussion section of a rogue storm. Loud crashing symbols sounded overhead. Rain pummeled the pavement while sunshine splashed brightly in the background.

The Weather Channel did not prepare us for this. With our recent high temperatures in Southern California, this storm was a surprise.

As I was steeping some Sundae Parlour tea, I kept running like a small child to our giant picture window. I love weather! It has a way of putting things into perspective.

Christian author, Graham Cooke, autographed one of his books to me with, "Karen, it's going to rain. Sell your umbrella." I knew exactly what he meant. In the Bible, rain represents blessings.

If you live by my decrees and obediently keep my commandments, I will send the rains in their seasons, the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. You will thresh until the grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting time; you'll have more than enough to eat and will live safe and secure in your land. -Leviticus 26:3-5 (MSG)

My family is in need of miracles right now and I truly don't want an umbrella coming between us and blessing. If it weren't for the lightning, I could have easily slipped out into the downpour and soaked up every drop!

Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. -Proverbs 13:12 (MSG)

For several days, we have been praying for many sudden good breaks. The sudden occurrence of this rain proves how quickly things can change. As in the natural, so in the spiritual.

LINKED TO "SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS"

An Arm Wrestle and Bacon Crisp

Redbook Magazine, September 1933

Notice the lovely cover girl in this 1933 edition of Redbook Magazine. She shows no signs of donning a woolen sweater. Likewise, here in Southern California, Summer is having an arm wrestle with Fall. Our deserts cannot compete with our recent coastal temperatures! After hitting a record breaking 113˚ in Los Angeles on Monday, the heat has at least relented and loosened its grip for a few days. Hallelujah!

I hosted a Pampered Chef Open House on Saturday. It was called "Happy Fall Y'All." My Southern gal-pals inspired the name. {I like to think that I'm a little bit Southern by association.)

I thoroughly enjoyed the ladies who attended the event! They graced my home with their laughter, good conversation, and love for good food!

My husband, Barry, cooked up Paula Deen's "Bacon Crisp" for the event. An undeniable hit! We all made numerous trips to the buffet table. In fact, Barry did a take-two on Sunday! 

Paula Deen's cooking satisfies comfort food cravings to be sure. And, we were able to admit that many of her best recipes aren't exactly low in fat, cholesterol, or sugar. We were speculating that maybe Paula's body has already given out and the network is just superimposing her image into the cooking shows.

Below is the recipe. We did the quick version because it was so hot here, but I'm thinking the slow version might even be tastier. Let me know.

BACON CRISP

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan 
• 1 sleeve buttery rectangular crackers (recommended: Waverly Wafers: here in California, I was only able to find Keebler Club Crackers) 
• 1 pound sliced bacon cut in 1/2 

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Place 1 teaspoon of the cheese on each cracker and wrap tightly with a strip of bacon. Place the wrapped crackers on a broiler rack on a baking sheet and put the baking sheets on the oven rack. Bake for 2 hours, or until the bacon is done. Do not turn. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Cook's note: You can also bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes if you're in a hurry! 

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Yield: 24 bacon crisps
User Rating: 4 Stars

Episode#: PA0509

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