Pumpkin Surprise Dessert

The pumpkin pie consistency of this dessert really is a surprise. It’s easy to make and a great alternative to pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Box yellow cake mix (without pudding)
  • 2 cups chopped walnuts
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) melted butter
  • 4 eggs slightly beaten
  • 1 large can (29oz.) of pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 can evaporated milk (12oz.)
  • 3-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix and beat all ingredients except the cake mix, walnuts & butter.
  3. Pour into 9 x 13 greased pan.
  4. Mix cake mix with the walnuts.
  5. Sprinkle this mix evenly on top of the mix already in the pan.
  6. Drizzle the melted butter on top of this mix.
  7. Bake 60 to 75 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Serve warm or cold topped with whip cream or ice cream.
  9. Serves 12-16

The original recipe called for 1-1/2 cups of sugar. I cut down the sugar to 1 cup and substituted brown sugar for the white. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice you could use 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cloves.

Truth for Today #206

Friday November 6th

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Malachi 3:16-18

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared and LORD and esteemed his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then once more shall you see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

From Vera:

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

From Karen:

Psalm 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

From Cheryl:

Zechariah 4:6

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”

Maui Day 8 ~ Lu’au

Maui 2026 Finale Travel Journal Post

Since many of the twelve of us had never had a Luau experience Dan made reservations for the Wailele Lu’au held at the Westin Resort. Our two vehicles were filled up for the short drive to the Westin Resort just south of our resort. We waited in line until the venue was ready for us. We were greeted with a beautiful lei greeting and a drink as we were ushered to our seats.

This is the description that the resort gives:

“The island’s most extreme fire knife dance finale” – Staged outdoors amidst a scenic oceanside setting alongside the shores of Ka‘anapali Beach, at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa’s Aloha Pavilion. A spectacular setting to immerse yourself in a pure, Hawaiian experience. Discover the legend of the mischievous demigod Mauiakalana, said to have revealed the secret of fire-making. Wailele Lu‘au takes you on a journey through a time when written language did not exist, the ‘oli (chant) and hula (dance) was a means of preserving the rich fabric of cultural knowledge, keeping our Hawaiian heritage, myths and genealogies alive.”

Before the dinner service and show began we managed to get a family photo by the photographer at the resort. This will probably be our Christmas card and letter photo this year. So if you’ve seen it here before our Christmas greeting reaches you…act surprised.

Since there were 12 of us we were at two tables next to each other.

We enjoyed the views of the sun setting. It was a show within a show. Something we didn’t have to pay for.

Birthdays and Anniversaries were honored, so our two 40 year olds stood up. Katie and Jamie were born about 19 days apart.

The Lu’au included an all you can eat dinner buffet and dessert offerings along with a generous offering of drinks.

It was an entertaining show. On the way out of the resort we had a few more photo ops.

Our sweet Lei Princess!

And that was the end of our last full day in Maui.

On Friday morning the 9th of October we were all packing up to get ready for our drive to the airport and flights home. I was on the deck taking in the morning view one last time when I looked over to our next door families deck and saw Addy’s decorations.

 

Thank you, LORD, for allowing us the privilege of this family vacation enjoying each other and your beautiful creation of the Island of Maui framed by the mighty Pacific Ocean and the sky above that proclaims your handiwork. We are forever grateful to You for your love and mercy and grace poured out abundantly on us.

Aloha and Mahalo Maui!

 

Hello November Hodgepodge

Hello November Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce, for a fresh set of questions!

1. Our  November Hodgepodges always include a question related to gratitude. What is one small thing you’re grateful for today? 

Since you said small, I’ll say thank you, Lord, for weather that makes a hot shower feel so good.

2. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage-camellias…your favorite in an autumn garden? Would we find any of these in your yard/garden this year? 

Pansies, pansies and more pansies (or Johnny jump ups). These are in Autumn and Spring!

3. If you could clear out or organize one physical space or mental habit before the year ends, what would it be?

I feel like a broken record but it would be our outdoor planters. I need to cut back the lavender and trim all the dead stuff. Time will tell if I put it off till early Spring.

4. Brussel sprouts…love ’em or no thank you? If you said love ’em how do you like them prepared? 

Love’em steamed or roasted, simple or fancy.

5. It’s reassuring to know that____________________. 

It is reassuring to know that God is compassionate. God cares for His children and acts on their behalf.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tomorrow we mark a special anniversary in our family…

November 5th is the 4th anniversary of Greg’s stroke. We remember, remember, the 5th of November for our own personal reasons. Our friends in Britain are having bon fires for another reason. We continue to thank our Lord for sparing Greg’s life and allowing us more years together on this earth. We both trust the Lord with the timing of our ‘going home’ to be with Him. Until then, we want to live the abundant life God is gracious to give us.

From November of 2022…

 

Maui Day 8 ~Baptisms

On Thursday October 8th we all gathered on the beach to witness the baptisms of Jamie and Jaymison.

Dan read the words he prepared, “Today we are gathered here with our families who we love dearly so that Jamie and Jaymison can display publicly their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that they have dedicated themselves to Him and have asked for the forgiveness for their sins and they proclaim through faith in Jesus Christ alone by His death and resurrection and by His blood that was shed on the cross for them that they are saved. Not by their own works but by the grace of God alone.”

Dan read Acts 2:38-39;

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Jamie- Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He is your Lord and Savior? She replied, Yes! Jamie, with your public confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Jaymison- Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He is your Lord and Savior? He replied, Yes. Jaymison, with your public confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Buried with Christ in His death and raised to new life in Him through His resurrection!

What a wonderful day for Jamie and Jaymison and our whole family. This makes our Maui trip all the more special. We praise the Lord for this day and for the day He called each one of them to Himself!

Proud of our son for leading his family well.

The rest of the day was a time to relax until our last Maui experience, a Luau. That will most likely be my last travel journal post from our time in Maui.

Mahalo and thank you for your visits and lovely comments.

October Finale

We were so happy to make our yearly tradition of conquering the Corn Maze again this year. Thanks to Uncle Josh and Auntie LoLo for driving over for the weekend events! They arrived on Friday afternoon and we were at the Maze at 4pm.

We took some time to treat the local animals.

We had dry skies and sunshine that made our trek more enjoyable.

We made it to marker 9, only one more to go. Addy did an exceptional job of leading us through the maze this year.

Once we made it out of the maze it was time for the Grands to pick their pumpkins to carve.

One more stop first to give the horses some more green grass.

From the Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch we gathered at our Country Bungalow for soup and sour dough and brownies. We played a hilarious game of King Elephant that had us all laughing till we cried!

Saturday morning Addy had a basketball double header.

JJ keeps score and helps with any back issues. 🙂

From our double header we went to an open house to help celebrate Granny Great’s 85th birthday. I did not take any photos…and on the subject of photos, most of these were taken by Auntie LoLo and some by Uncle Joshie.

Time to get ready for the last event of day which was the Fall Fest at our church, First Baptist Colville.

The eagle and the pineapple. They are such good sports!

Our Colville kids’ costumes were as clever as ever. Do you agree?

We heard that there were 1500 attendees at the Fall Fest! Hats off to the many volunteers who make this event such a success.

It was a full day! October ended well.

Sunday morning we filled a row at church for a glorious time of worship with communion, in remembrance of what Our Savior did for us.

A great start to November.

 

May Faith Has Found A Resting Place ~ Hymn

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

My great physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Words: Eliza Hewitt

Reformation Day 2026

On this Reformation day and since 2026 marks the 500th anniversary of Tyndale’s work of translating the New Testament into the common English language, I’m posting some of Tyndale’s story.

For the first time ever in history, the Greek New Testament was translated into English. Before his martyrdom in 1536, Tyndale would go on to translate into clear, common English not only the New Testament but also the Pentateuch, Joshua to 2 Chronicles, and Jonah. All this material became the basis of the Great Bible issued by Miles Coverdale in England in 1539 and the basis for the Geneva Bible published in 1557 — “the Bible of the nation,” which sold over a million copies between 1560 and 1640.

“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes” were the famous final words of William Tyndale before he was strangled and burned at the stake for heresy in Vilvoorde, Belgium, on October 6, 1536. 
~
Tyndale was an English scholar and priest who sought to translate the Bible directly from Hebrew and Greek into English so that common people could read and understand it. One of his famous quotes came from a scholarly debate copied here…

John Foxe tells us that one day an exasperated Catholic scholar at dinner with Tyndale said, “We were better be without God’s law than the pope’s.”

In response, Tyndale spoke his famous words, “I defy the Pope and all his laws. . . . If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow, shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost.”

~
 King Henry VIII and church authorities opposed his work, viewing vernacular translations as a threat to religious order and papal or royal control.
~
After being betrayed, hunted, and imprisoned for over a year, Tyndale uttered his dying prayer for the king just before his execution.
~
How the Prayer Was Answered:

 Just two to three years after Tyndale’s death, King Henry VIII reversed his stance and authorized the distribution of English Bibles—starting with the Matthew Bible and Miles Coverdale’s work, both of which heavily relied on Tyndale’s translations. 

Tyndale’s pioneering translations formed the backbone of later English editions, including the King James Version, directly influencing the development of the English language,

“We don’t want to forget him because every time you pick up your Bible, you have a debt to pay to William Tyndale.” John MacArthur

For more history of the Bible and Tyndale…

From Desiring God

From Tyndale House.

Who was William Tyndale?

 

Truth for Today #205

Friday October 30th

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

From Willow:

Psalm 8:1.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

From Vera:

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Maui Day 8 Breakfast+

Day 8 in Maui had a very special event that was not typical and a few typical events. I’ll cover these in at least 3 posts.

First was breakfast at the Plantation House with just these six.

I copied this description from the website for Plantation House…

Located in the Kapalua Resort, the Plantation House offers the perfect blend of casual elegance and Hawaiian hospitality. With breathtaking views overlooking the ocean and fairways of the famous Plantation Golf Course, this picturesque island setting is a favorite for both locals and visitors.

These were over the top!

While at breakfast there was a quick rain shower and Laura captured the rainbow. The views were exceptional.

We made it back to the resort mid morning and Laura and Jamie went on a scouting mission to find a good spot for family photos. We all got our photo wardrobes in order and braved quite a significant wind event while trying to get some good shots!

You can see how the wind was blowing by looking at the palm trees in the background.

First things first…why Maui and why did 12 of us travel together?

Initially the decision was made because these two, Katie and Jamie (above) turned 40 and chose Maui for their celebration.

As the year dragged on we added more reasons to celebrate like a 25th wedding anniversary (Josh and Laura), a 15th wedding anniversary (Andrew and Katie), a 75th birthday (Me) and an 85th birthday (Granny Great). Granny Great, Granny, Andrew, Addy and JJ had never been to Hawaii.

Generations of women in Jamie’s family and the men in our family.

We thank God for his mercy, love, and grace to our family. He has saved us through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ our Lord who sacrificed himself in obedience to God the Father on the Cross. He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins and in faith we have been transferred into His kingdom and are covered in His righteousness, not our own. What an amazing gift!

That is a gift we celebrate everyday…

Mahalo for following along on our Great Maui Adventures. Only a couple more posts till my travel journal is complete.