Author: The Wild Gems

We are all like precious stones. We all come in different shapes and sizes. It is when we are cut and polished that we begin to live a more radiant life.
The Wild Gems hopes to inspire you to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment!

Homemade Lemonade

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What You Need:

A juicer (Hamilton brand is fantastic)

2 cups of fresh lemon juice (about 6-7 lemons)

2 cups of sugar

8 cups of water

Steps:

1. Wash your lemons and place into juicer, unpeeled. (The lemon rind is what really gives a nice flavor)

2. Pour juice into pitcher, add water, and sugar.

3. Serve with ice.

Can store in fridge for 5 days.

Note: we use lemons from our tree. I’ve never tried store bought lemons. Once I try it I’ll update this blog if it’s the same flavor or a little different.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #12

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“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?”

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it’s own things. Sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble.

Matthew 6:31-34

We are hardwired to worry. Which means it’s a feature that each and every one of us is born with. If we define the word worry it means to give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. I’m sure this sounds very familiar to many.

Worrying isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s what aid’s our survival. If you’ve seen the movie ‘The Croods’, (it’s a kids movie, its very cute) the dad is caught saying, “fear is what keeps us alive.” If we define fear, it reads, an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Worry and fear truly go hand in hand, and are emotions that each and every one of us feel and experience.

While worry and fear may help keep us alive, it is not Gods wish that we give these emotions complete control over our lives. Which many of us do without realizing it. And that is where we stumble. We give fear and worry much power, and there’s no denying that.

It’s a very difficult way to live. However we have been given Jesus to show us that there is a better way. That it is possible to release the power of fear that holds us. None of Gods creation can be enjoyed fully or embraced if our focus is on something else entirely.

God knows this world, and God knew that many of us would trust or choose fear of the world over Him. It is God we must fear, for He is the creator, the whole, the thing in which we truly want and seek.

How often does a parents heart ache when they see their child worrying about something where no worry is necessary. But the child doesn’t trust the parent, because they believe “we don’t know.” We don’t understand this emotion that they are feeling, that’s what the child thinks right?

But the parent does know. Which is why it’s so difficult for the parent, it’s more than difficult or can become frustrating. We are in this same scenario with God, our Heavenly Father. As difficult as it may be, and it is very difficult at times, we have to choose God over fear and worry in this world. We have to trust that He knows better, and he does! It has to be a deep conscious effort every day, and with God it is achievable. We must decide to choose God every day.

We have to strap on that armor everyday. To battle ourselves! But the greatest thing is God is on our side. And the more we continue to seek Him and know Him, the stronger our armor becomes. Fear and worry don’t stand a chance. Hope and courage are what we begin to rule.

What may help you focus on today instead of the worries that have yet happen is when I begin to worry or have fear I immediately begin to count my blessings. How can I moan and groan or even worry when I have been given so much. I shall rejoice everyday for Gods grace!

Turn it over to God, study and ponder his word, and pray about it. He knows what you need, but we also must be patient.

God Bless

Cozy Little Christmas Playlist

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A little bit of indie, a little bit of jazz, my cozy playlist right now for baking, wrapping presents, or just a chill evening with family and friends.

If you have a Christmas song recommendation, please share! We’d love to hear it!

• Ribbons and Bows Kacey Musgraves

• Feliz Navidad Kacey Musgraves

• It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Pentatonix

• Santa Baby Eartha Kitt

• What Is Christmas? Ryanhood

• You Make It Feel Like Christmas Gwen Stefani

• Merry Christmas Baby Lawrence

• Bells Will Be Ringing Calvin N. Emery

• Merry Christmas, Happy New Year Ingrid Michaelson & Zooey Deschanel

• Sleigh Ride Ryanhood

• Sleigh Ride Ella Fitzgerald

• Winter Wonderland The Andrews Sisters

• Let It Snow Kacey Musgraves

• Rockin around the Christmas tree Kacey Musgraves

• Cozy Little Christmas Katy Perry

• White Christmas Ingrid Michaelson

Overnight Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

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Makes 12 rolls

What You Need For The Dough

4 large egg yolks at room temperature

1 large whole egg at room temperature

1/4 or 1/2 cup of white sugar

8 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter plus additional for spreading on pans

3/4 cup of whole milk at room temperature

3 1/4 cups of all purpose flour, plus additional for dusting

1 package instant dry yeast ( 2 1/4 teaspoons )

1 1/4 teaspoons of salt

Cooking spray

Just a bit of heavy cream (optional)

What You Need For The Filling:

1 cup packed of light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter

What You Need For Icing:

8oz of softened cream cheese

3 tablespoons of heavy cream

1/4 cup of unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Steps:

  1. For the dough: in a large bowl whisk the egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, butter, and milk. Add 2 cups of the flour along with the yeast and salt; whisk until combined. Add the rest of the remaining flour (1 cup and 1/4). Begin to knead dough (will be a little sticky, add just a little bit of flour if necessary, I always add a little extra, like 1/4 extra.)Continue to knead until combined and doughy. (Dough should be stretchy. If kneading by hand, knead for about 20 mins)Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, lightly oil the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit out for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  2. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  3. Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. On a floured surface shape the dough into a large rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Sprinkle the filling mixture over the dough, pressing the filling into the dough. Roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Using a sharp knife, slice the cylinder into 1 1/2-inch rolls; making 12 rolls. Arrange rolls cut side down in the baking dish; cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.
  4. Take the rolls from the refrigerator and place in an oven that is turned off. Fill a pan or pot of boiling water and set on the rack below the rolls. Close the oven door and let the rolls rise until they look slightly puffy; 30 mins or so.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  6. Pour a little bit of heavy cream over each of the rolls, covering the bottom of the pan. (Optional; this gives a more buttery, doughy taste/texture. While without is more original)
  7. When the oven is ready, place the rolls in the oven and bake until slightly golden on top; bake for 8 mins. Oven time may vary.
  8. Mix together ingredients for the icing starting with whisking the cream cheese first, then adding the heavy cream, next the butter, then gently adding the sugar. Spread on cinnamon rolls. Allow to sit for 30 to 1 hour and then enjoy!

Note: whatever is not eaten make sure to refrigerate. When ready to eat pull out and allow to sit for 1 to 2 hours until at room temperature.

Additional note: try using vanilla spice eggnog instead of heavy cream! It’s delish!

Enjoy!

The dough after 2 1/2 hours. Ready to create and roll.
Rolled up ready to sit overnight.
After coming out of oven above boiling water. step 4.
I’ve added a little bit of cream…….
And I’ve added a lot…… but come out good.
Naked without cream. It really depends on the texture you like. Without cream is more bread like, and with cream it more doughy.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

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What You Need:

1 carton of chicken stock (Swanson 32oz)

4 cups of water

4-5 carrot sticks cut and peeled

7-8 garlic cloves peeled (optional to cut)

2 celery sticks chopped

1/4-1/2 of a sweet onion chopped

2 tablespoons of chicken flavor bouillon (I use knorr)

1/2 teaspoon of fennel

1 stick of unsalted butter

Salt and pepper for taste

1/2 bag of egg noodles

Half of Rotisserie chicken shredded

Steps:

1. In a large pot add the stick of butter with onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until soft.

2. Add chicken stock, 4 cups of water, and chicken seasoning, and fennel. Bring to a boil.

3. Add egg noodles to soup and allow to cook. For about 15 mins. Next add in the shredded chicken and allow to simmer for an additional 5-8 mins.

4. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.

Salt Dough Recipe For Handprint Or Ornaments

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Servings: 4 small handprints or 6 small ornaments.

What You Need:

1 cup of salt

1 cup of Flour

1/2 cup of water

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients and knead dough for just a couple of minutes.

2. Roll out and do hand prints or use cookie cutters to make ornaments.

3. Bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours.

Note: use parchments paper, NO FOIL when baking. See picture below.

The mistake when using foil. The back of the handprint didn’t fully bake.
How the front looks and it should look all the way around. Learn from me! Use parchment paper and not foil.

Have fun!

Easy Alfredo Sauce

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This Alfredo sauce is so yummy! Enjoy!

What You Need:

2 cups of Parmesan Cheese

1 (8 tablespoons) stick of unsalted butter

1 cup of heavy cream (8oz)

A few dashes of salt and pepper

1 teaspoon of fresh parsley finely chopped and a little extra chopped for garnish

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat, once butter is melted add heavy cream. Allow to simmer while mixing for 2 minutes seasoning with salt and pepper.

2. Add Parmesan cheese and parsley. Add a few dashes of milk or pasta water to thin sauce out a little. Allow to cook and very low heat until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Soften The Heart: Devotional #11

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“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Proverbs: 27:17

I had a really great, thought provoking conversation with a friend of mine that I have only known now for a few months. Our daughters are in class together and we met at one of their classmates birthday parties. Neither one of us knowing a beautiful friendship was about to be born. How grateful we must be for the small moments that lead to something priceless, like an amazing friendship.

We had a conversation on the phone not too long ago, and we had a deep conversation as we normally do. Unfortunately it came to an end due to my children needing my attention, but once we got off the phone I was provoked to find a scripture related to friendship because I felt so grateful to have a friend who I can share my inner thoughts with. We each challenge each other with what we believe in, in a very respectful way.

No offensive is taken, only respect and listening to each other sharing why we feel, believe, or think the way that we do. I believe we humble each other in our discussions and help one another to see more beyond the horizon. We sharpen each other.

How important, and what a gift, friendships are. A friend that is pushing, challenging you, and encouraging you, is going to improve you. Sharpen means improve or cause to improve. Improve means make or become better. Countenance means to admit what is acceptable or possible.

In relation to the scripture above, we strengthen each other’s tolerance and endurance to the sufferings that are experienced in this world. We alleviate burdens and give the gift of perseverance to one another.

To live is to experience suffering, we know this is true, and this scripture tells us how you and I can give strength to one another and endure what to some would be unbearable. This scripture reminds us that we are not alone in our sufferings and how important relationships are with one another.

We are here to uplift one another not to bring down. We must sharpen each other to the best of our capabilities. Because everyone at one time or another will seek or is seeking right now alleviation in what they do not know. We must share our light. We only shine because of those that taught us.

Reach out to your best friends today and remind them how much you cherish their friendship. Explain to them why you choose to have them in your life. Give them love and gratitude. How special to have such friends who develop us and push us to grow.

Love to you all.

Chicken Thigh Dry Rub Recipe – Taste So Good On the Grill

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This recipe only requires a few ingredients and it’s delicious. I’ve only ever used this dry rub on chicken thighs, hence the title.

I prepare the dry rub, then rub it all over the chicken really good. Afterwards I allow the chicken to sit in the fridge for a couple of hours.

Then, we grill it. This dry rub with the smokey flavor from the grill really provides a great flavor.

What You Need:

1 tablespoon of chili powder

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon of paprika

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of onion powder

2 teaspoons of salt

(Dry Rub Recipe good for 1.5 to 2 lbs of chicken)

Steps:

Mix all seasoning together in a bowl and then rub all over the chicken thighs. Be sure to open the thighs and really make sure it’s rubbed all inside as well.

Suggested Ways To Serve:

We enjoy making chicken tacos or nachos with this recipe. You can also enjoy with rice or potatoes on the side.

Chopping up for nachos

Enjoy!

Soften The Heart: Devotional #10

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“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”

Philippians 4:11

If we define the word worry, it reads; “give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” Think about that for just a moment. When we can’t control something, it causes us stress and anxiety. It leads us down the path of worrying where we end up in a field filled with fear.

How often do you worry? Many times I’m sure. About all sorts of things, right? We worry about the future, we worry about our children, we worry about bills being paid, we worry about our health, we worry about our family, we worry about many, many things.

We all worry. What you should know though is worrying is natural human survival instinct. Ultimately we worry to protect us from harm. Maybe you’re thinking, “how is worrying about my family protecting me? I’m worry about them.” Yes, that is true, however you worry to protect yourself from feeling pain. If something happens to someone in your family, you know you would suffer too. And who wants to suffer? Again, we worry to protect us. *Humans are pretty selfish, we think about ourselves a lot.*

Now worrying and living in fear is giving in to a very powerful force. Too many times we allow these emotions to completely control us and prevent us from truly living and feeling joy in our hearts. This also prevents our relationship with God from growing. Why? Because we aren’t trusting God. We aren’t trusting the creator of the entire universe. You’re not alone my friend, and you’re not on your own.

We have to lean in, we have to surrender, and we have to trust our Heavenly Father. He knows way more than we do. But, like a three year old, we are stubborn children. We want to do things on our own. Like children, we don’t want help. We don’t want to believe our Heavenly Father knows more than we do. Maybe we aren’t children, we kinda sound more like teenagers.

The spirit within us is like a muscle. As we strengthen our spirit muscle, it becomes stronger. The seed of love that God planted in all of us becomes stronger. God is love my friends. But we gotta water that seed! And we have to water others! As we continue to work on your relationship with God we become stronger than the flesh, we become stronger than those feelings and emotions that act like a wall preventing us from living in peace and harmony.

When we continue to seek God, the walls of fear and worry begin to crumble and dissolve like a soaked cookie in milk. We begin to feel peace within ourselves.

No matter what state we are in we aren’t worried or in fear because we know God loves us. We know no matter what, it’s going to be okay. We begin to understand God is in us, he surrounds us, he is reaching out and rescuing us.

But to be in that state, we have to reach our hand out. Gods hand is already present, we are the ones holding back. And once we grab ahold of the hand of God no matter what happens you’ll know in your heart God has got this. No matter what you know in the end Gods going to make everything right. God loves you. He loves you, He loves you, He loves you.

God bless