Blackberry Cobbler From Kathy's Kitchen

My daughter Sarah likes to get blackberries sometimes to take in her lunch for work. She’ll usually share some with me, and I’m likely to say, “These are good, but they’re nothing like the wild ones Grandma used to pick when I was a kid.” Warm, sweet, juicy. Fresh from the sunshine. Oh yeah!

 

My husband Murray brought home some blackberries the other day. I got hungry for blackberry cobbler and found a recipe.

 

It was a simple recipe; looked easy.

 

Except I forgot to put in the baking powder. I even got it out and set it on the counter. I still forgot it.

 

It was edible; kind of chewy; just not right. You never know what surprises you’ll find in Kathy’s kitchen.

 

I tried it again a few days later with blueberries. It was pretty good, especially when warmed up again. I want to try it again with blackberries.

 

Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler – A Blackberry Cobbler from Scratch

Prep Time10minutesCook Time45minutesTotal Time55minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

• 2 cups fresh blackberries

• 1/3 cup sugar (for blackberries)

• 1 cup flour all-purpose

• 1 cup sugar (additional for batter)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (Don’t forget!)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Melt butter in 13 x 9-inch baking dish; remove from oven when melted.

3. Mix blackberries with 1/3 cup sugar; set aside.

4. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt; add milk and vanilla and mix to form a batter.

5. Pour batter directly into melted butter.

6. Pour sweetened blackberries into the center of the batter. Try not to allow berries to touch the edge of the pan.

7. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

8. Eat warm as is, topped with milk, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

• Taste your blackberries before adding sugar.  If they are super sweet, you may be able to use a little less, and if they are super tart, you may want to add a touch more.

• FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS:  Only add the sweetened blackberries to the center of the batter, not around the edges if you can avoid it.  The sugar from the blackberries will cause the edge of the homemade blackberry cobbler to get dark and hard from the sugar burning.

          

guest Author and Musician Kelly Wickham

        I have made a wonderful new friend. Kelly is a talented lady. She offers a variety of music, from toe-tapping, put a smile on your face praise, to slower soothing promises of the love and comfort of Jesus. Plus, she has written a devotional filled with firmly scripture-based truth. I hope you’ll get to know my new friend.

 

Hi, everyone!  My name is Kelly Wickham.  I was taught about Jesus from birth but it wasn't until after my 23rd birthday that I finally gave my life to Him for real.  That was over 30 years ago.

He has given me a purpose.  He gives me songs and I am glad to sing wherever He leads.

From about 2001 to 2012, I made 11 CDs with a great producer who did a great job recording and producing my music.  Then after I married my husband, Jeff, a friend got me an Olympus LS14 digital recorder as a wedding present.  So it wasn't the most professional way to do it, but I was then able to produce my own music, and I made 16 other CD's.

My husband had a lot of health problems and he is with Jesus now.  I miss him every day, but I know I will see him again.  My life is living proof that the Holy Spirit is truly the greatest Comforter there is.

I used to go out more and sing at other churches or events.  Now, I sing at my church and lead its evening Bible studies.  I also love to sing at nursing homes.  Knowing that I am encouraging someone is a blessing to me.

In 2002, the Lord put on my heart to write a devotional book.  So I took verses that stood out to me and wrote about a paragraph for each one.  It was finally released in print in early 2003, but there are no copies left.

In order to hear it, those eligible can get it from

 

www.brailleaudio.org

 

or contact me.

Another thing that I've been doing:  Besides the whole COVID mess starting in 2020, I had to get all my teeth taken out.  So I didn't know if I would be able to sing.  During the long lull, I began to read a lot more than usual.  In signing up for authors' newsletters, I noticed that many of them gave me the opportunity to read their books in advance and review them.  I saw it as a win-win.  I usually got the book for free and I was able to encourage authors and recommend their books to others.  I still do that quite often and very much enjoy it.  I pick authors who are among my favorites because they give a Christ-centered message and a good story.

My whole purpose in life is to tell everyone that Jesus loves you.  He really does.  If He could change my life, He could change everyone's.  I remember when I finally came to Him, I felt that He couldn't possibly love me.  I learned that it's not about anything I've done, but about what Jesus has done.  I echo the prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:17-19, which says:

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If you are interested in purchasing or receiving my music or my book, the best way would be to email me at

 

kjw810@gmail.com

 

I have a few songs on YouTube, but not many.  Here is one of them:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-USNr1_rfXk

 

Anyway, I pray that God will bless you all abundantly.

 

Kelly shares on Facebook the stories behind the songs God has given her:

 http://www.facebook.com/kjw810 

The Jesus I Want My Children to Know

             

When our children were small, we taught them that Jesus loved them. That he loved everyone. “Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

 

Now that they are adults, and they live in a harder and broader world, we want them to be assured that Jesus still loves everyone. He loves the people that others don’t care about, no matter their race, nationality, beliefs, disability—no matter what they’ve done or are doing. Jesus will still touch, will still reach out to, the one no one else will touch.

 

Jesus touched the man with leprosy.

 

Matthew 8:3: Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

 

In Luke 8, he gave peace to the man who was tortured by demons.

 

Verse 35: and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

 

In John 4, he offered salvation to the woman whom everyone else shunned.

 

Verse 10: Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

 

In Matthew 15, Jesus had a conversation with, and granted the request of, the Greek woman his disciples wanted to send away.

 

Verse 28: Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

In John 8, the people wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery, but Jesus offered her a new life.

 

Verses 10-11: Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

 

John 5:24: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”

 

        It has never been Jesus’ desire to condemn. Jesus, thank you that you always welcome me. 

Need a Good Book to Warm Your Winter?

            At home in Mitford by Jan Karon. My husband Murray and I read the Mitford series about seven years ago, and we’re reading it together again now. A small-town pastor and the family that grows around him. Descriptions of funny village and surrounding rural people. Stories of deep personal struggles and wonderful grace.

 

Gold of Kings by T. Davis Bunn. A new, to me, book by one of my favorite authors. A story of adventure and danger, of people dealing with their faith, their identity, with different important relationships. Amazing descriptions from a faraway country.

 

The Paris dressmaker by Kristy Cambron. A fascinating story of the French resistance during the German occupation of World War II.

 

Tidings of comfort and joy by T. Davis Bunn. World War II has ended. Almost every family in a small English village lost someone. But the villagers and an orphanage of displaced children from across the continent of Europe find healing together through a language they can all understand.

 

To love and be loved: a personal portrait of Mother Teresa by Jim Towey. A memoir focusing mostly on the last twelve years of Mother Teresa’s ministry and life. Because Jesus said to her, “I thirst,” she spent her life helping the poor, lonely, sick and dying. The author said Mother Teresa introduced him to Jesus. He was her lawyer, worked for a time as a volunteer for her ministry, and felt she treated him as a friend.

 

I can only imagine: a memoir by Bart Millard. The lead singer of Christian singing group MercyMe tells the story of how “The cross is enough.” He told of his dad’s abuse and then how later he became Bart’s best friend. Bart told of trials and successes, struggles with his faith, but in the end, “The cross is enough.” 

Hold Us, Father

Psalm 34: 18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

The news we hear from our country and around the world speaks of tragedy, violence, strife. In our homes and in our neighborhoods, we have sorrow, and fear, and strain. Lord, you are the father we call to. Hold our hands, wipe our eyes, cradle us in your arms.

 

Isaiah 41:13: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”

 

1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 

Psalm 40:1-2: I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.         

Psalm 25, When I am Lonely

Of David.

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.

I trust in you;

    do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?

    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.

Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me!

Guard my life and rescue me;

    do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord is in you.

Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

 

Father God, thank you that when we are lonely and in anguish, we can turn to you. If we ask, you     forgive us. Thank you, Lord. 

Recipes From Kathys' Kitchens

I love talking with my friend, author  Kathy Cretsinger, about recipes and gardening. She is a great cook.

 

CRESCENT ROLL CHICKEN CASSEROLE from Kathy Cretsinger

 

1 Crescent Roll Tube

1 cup finely chopped chicken

1 cup shredded cheese, I use Sharp Cheddar

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

¼ cup milk

Oven 350 degrees. Grease 8x8’ pan. Mix soup, milk, and ½ cup cheese. I added a couple of spoons sour cream. Mix well and pour in bottom of pan. Separate crescent rolls. Mix chicken and ½ cup cheese. Put a small amount, I did about 2 teaspoons on crescent roll and roll up. Seal edges. Place on top of soup mixture. Do this to all of them. Bake 350 for 23 minutes. I let it set for a few minutes. 2 crescents is one serving.

 

Pull Apart Bread, also from Kathy C.

1 loaf Sourdough Bread or I think you can use French Bread.

Score the bread almost to the bottom of the loaf in a diagonal, then turn it around and score it again. I do mine on aluminum foil, since I bake it and it's easier to handle.

Melt 1 stick of butter

Add, 2 Tablespoons garlic powder and 2 tablespoons dried parsley.  

Pour over the bread and get down in the cut places. Fold foil over bread. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

 

And here’s a recipe we enjoy in the McKinsey home.

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Prep Time10minutes

Cook Time25minutes

Total Time35minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken

• 2 10.5oz cream of chicken soup

• 3 cups frozen vegetables

• 2 tsp minced garlic

• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 16 canned biscuits

• 2 tbsp butter melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

3. In large bowl, combine the chicken, cream of chicken soup, frozen vegetables, garlic, and shredded cheeses.

4. Mix until combined.

5. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

6. Now grab the can of biscuits.

7. Cut each biscuit into quarters, then place in a large bowl.

8. Drizzle with the melted butter, and toss.

9. Bake the biscuits for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly grease baking sheet.

10. Top the chicken mixture with the biscuits.

11. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes.

12. Let cool until it’s safe to eat.

13. Serve & enjoy!