Slow Cooker Hoppin' John Chowder

1 1/2 cups instant white rice
1 pound ground beef sirloin
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped onion
3 (15.5 ounce) cans black-eyed peas with liquid
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef broth
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles
1/2 cup water, or as needed

1. Prepare rice according to package instructions, and set aside. Meanwhile, combine the ground sirloin, green pepper and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, and crumbling beef until no longer pink. Drain off grease.

2. Place the rice and beef mixture into a 5 quart slow cooker. Add the black-eyed peas, beef broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies and enough water to cover everything.

3. Cover, and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours.

Cake Mix Recipes: White Brownies

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup butterscotch chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix and brown sugar. Add egg and milk; mix until well blended. Stir in the butterscotch chips. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies pull away form the edge of the pan slightly. Cool in the pan on a wire rack then cut into bars.
 
Servings per Recipe: 36
Calories per Serving: 96

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.
And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.
Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."
And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild

Chex Lemon Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 1/4 cup white vanilla baking chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 tsp grated lemon peel
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a microwaveable bowl, microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 more seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable food storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar, seal bag and shake until all the cereal is well-coated.

Additions:
Raisins or Chocolate Covered Raisins

Merry Christmas

Cake Mix Recipes: Coconut Sour Cream Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 teaspoon coconut extract
2 cups sour cream
1 3/4 cups white sugar
1 (8 ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups flaked coconut

Grease and flour two 9 inch pans. Prepare cake mix as directed by manufacturer, adding coconut extract. Bake according to instructions on package. When cake is cool, remove from pans and cut in half, horizontally.

To make the filling, mix together the sour cream and sugar in a medium sized bowl. stir in 1 1/2 cups of the coconut. reserve 1 cup of this mixture and spread the rest between the cooled cake layers. Fold whipped topping into the remaining filling, frost the outside of the cake. Sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the frosted cake.

Refrigerate from 1 to 3 days before serving.

Servings per Recipe: 14
Calories per Serving: 473

Christmas Daybreak

Before the paling of the stars,
Before the winter morn,
Before the earliest cock crow,
Jesus Christ was born:
Born in a stable,
Cradled in a manger,
In the world His hands had made,
Born a stranger …

Jesus on his mother’s breast
In the stable cold,
Spotless Lamb of God was He,
Shepherd of the fold.
Let us kneel with Mary Maid,
With Joseph bent and hoary,
With saint and angel, ox and ass,
To hail the King of Glory.

Christina Rossetti