I know Pentecost was Sunday but the birth of the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit that made it all possible are really big deals! We are still celebrating Pentecost over here and today we made a Red Velvet Cake. I made a cake using Ina Garten’s Red Velvet cupcake recipe. I also switched out her cream cheese frosting for vanilla buttercream. It was amazing! Are you on team cream cheese frosting or team vanilla buttercream?

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the holiest week of the liturgical year. During Holy Week, we walk with Jesus through his final days before his crucifixion. The tone of this week begins with joy as we remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Like the people in the Bible, we wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna,” proclaiming Jesus to be the “King of Kings.” We remember his ultimate victory over death. We also pray that we who bear these palm branches will “ever hail him as our King and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life” (Book of Common Prayer). However, the day intertwines our joy with impending sorrow. The jubilation of Jesus’s arrival foreshadows the path to his crucifixion. We grow painfully aware of our fickle human nature, for the same voices that welcomed him at his coming would cry out for his crucifixion just a few days later. But we are also reminded of Jesus’s humility. He chose a path of peace and servitude over power and dominion, inviting us to reflect on the nature of true kingship and the kingdom of God. The Scripture Story of Palm Sunday All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), knowing that it would mean the end of his earthly life. As he moved toward his final destination, he continued healing, teaching, and preaching about God’s kingdom. As Jesus and his disciples neared Jerusalem, arriving at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead with a specific task: to find a donkey and her colt, untie them, and bring them to him. The disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus, laying their cloaks on them as makeshift saddles. As Jesus rode towards Jerusalem, a crowd gathered, waving palms and spreading their cloaks and palms on the road. The multitude shouted praises, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The Pharisees were furious over this response to Jesus. They cried out to him and told him to rebuke his disciples. But Jesus replied that if his disciples kept quiet, the very stones would cry out (Luke 19:39-40). When Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. His tears were for their inability to recognize the time at hand, for the peace that could have been theirs had they opened their hearts to his message. He foresaw the dire consequences of their rejection, knowing that the time was coming when the Romans would besiege the city, trapping them with no escape. The Symbols of Palm Sunday Palms During the Roman Empire, palms were a symbol of triumph and victory. It was customary to wave them when someone of the highest honor was passing by and to lay them down in their path. Later, with the Early Church, they became associated with Christian martyrs and their spiritual victory or triumph over death. They are also mentioned in Revelation 7:9, where a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, stood before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Riding a Donkey Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!See, your king comes to you,    righteous and victorious,lowly and riding on a donkey,    on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The choice of a donkey instead of a horse symbolized peace, as kings rode horses when they went to war but rode donkeys in times of peace. Jesus’s entry on a donkey was a declaration of His kingdom of peace, starkly contrasting with the expectations of a military messiah who would overthrow Roman rule. The Palm Sunday Service The Palm Sunday service typically begins with the Liturgy of the Palms. The congregation often gathers outside the church building for this part of the service, where they receive blessed palm branches. The priest leads the people in prayers and reads the Gospel account of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. This leads to the “Procession of the Palms,” where the congregation processes into the church holding the palm branches aloft, reenacting Jesus’s journey. The congregation sings hymns such as “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” as they process, echoing the Hosannas of the biblical narrative. A reading of the Passion of Christ (the time from his arrest to his death) plays a central role in the service. Churches often do this as a dramatic reading, with different voices representing characters in the story, such as Jesus, Pilate, and the crowd. This immersive reading helps congregants engage more deeply with the story of Jesus’s suffering and death and sets the tone for the solemn observances of the coming Holy Week. The vestments for the day are deep scarlet red, the color of blood, indicating the supreme redemptive sacrifice Christ was entering the city to make. Palm Sunday Traditions Around the World In India, during the Gospel reading, the crowd repeats “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord God” three times, followed by a congregation shout of “Hosanna!” Marigolds are then strewn about the sanctuary. In many northern areas, people will use pussy willow and other twigs instead of palms. In Latvia, Palm Sunday is known as “Pussy Willow Sunday,” where the twigs are blessed and distributed, sometimes used for ritualistic swats to awaken children. Hoegaarden, Belgium, hosts a large Palm Sunday procession. Men dressed as the Twelve Apostles carry a wooden statue of Christ around town. Children also go door to door offering palms for coins. In the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where they call the day “Hosanna,” palm leaves are blessed, distributed, and crafted into crucifixes and ornaments. In the Philippines, the people process a statue of Christ on a donkey to the church in the morning. Congregants line the route, waving intricately woven palm branches. In certain English regions, Pax Cakes (Latin for “Peace”) are given by the priest to the congregation. Dating back to 1570, a frustrated landowner funded cakes and ale to foster peace and reconciliation among parishioners before Easter Communion. Today, Pax Cakes are distributed with the blessing of “Peace and good neighborhood.” Ways to Observe Palm Sunday Read Matthew 21:1-11. Attend the Palm Sunday service at a church. Holy Week is one of the most important times in the Christian year, and traditionally, every effort is made to attend every Holy Week service. Do something special with your palms. Since a priest has blessed the palms, they should not be thrown away. Traditionally, palm fronds or crosses are brought home, hung over doorways or next to crosses, or pressed in bibles to be saved until Shrove Tuesday, when they are brought to the church, placed in a collection basket, and burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Intensify your Lenten fast. You may have let some of your commitments slide during the previous weeks. If so, recommit yourself to follow your Lenten discipline this final week before Easter. Make a Palm Sunday Wreath: a simple wreath of palm branches and a red ribbon. Don’t worry if you don’t have palms! You can use any branches or greenery from your yard. Make Pax Cakes: round shortbreads stamped with the image of the Easter lamb and flag or the Chi Rho (the insignia for Christ’s name). Pax Cakes Ingredients: 3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 tablespoons milk Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add the vanilla and salt. Add flour and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump it onto a surface dusted with flour and shape it into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a round cookie cutter or a clean jelly jar. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature. When the cookies are cool, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Blend the powdered sugar with enough milk to form a thin icing. Put icing in a sandwich baggie and clip a corner of the baggie to use to pipe the icing. Draw the Chi Rho insignia on each cookie.

Another Friday in Lent is coming up, meaning no meat all day! Fridays in Lent don't have to be hard and they can actually be a lot of fun. Here's a simple and delicious meal to make - Fish Stick Tacos! Su fun! Buy a box of fish sticks, make a simple sauce, and top it with your favorite taco toppings. Make the night extra fun by lining your kitchen counter or table with all of the components and everyone experiment with their own combinations! Fish Stick Tacos 1 Box of Fish Sticks Taco Shells (hard or soft, whichever you prefer) Lettuce, chopped or shredded Toppings of choice - salsa, avocado, cheese, onions, cilantro Place fish sticks on a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Place taco shells on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until golden. When the taco shells have cooled, fill with lettuce, fish sticks, sauce, and your toppings of choice. Sauce: 1/3 cup sour cream 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon siracha 1 - 2 tablespoons lime juice Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Drizzle over your fish tacos or dip your tacos into the sauce.

As Christians, we know that Easter is the most important day of the Christian year. It is the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his triumph over sin and death. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the basis of our faith for, as St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, “if Christ is not risen then your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” But “in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead!” And in his resurrection, he has defeated sin and death and hell forever! This is why for Christians Easter is the most joyful and jubilant celebration of the entire year. For All of Easter But what happens after Easter Sunday? For many Christians, the celebration begins and ends on Easter Sunday and life returns to normal. But the miracle of Easter can’t possibly be contained in one day. Just as the birth of Jesus has an entire season of celebration known as the Twelve Days of Christmas or Christmastide, Easter also has a season of celebration known as Eastertide. Unfortunately, many Christians are unaware of this season and miss out on its rich spiritual significance. This is why we need a book for all of Easter, the whole season of Eastertide. 50 Days of Easter Since Easter is the summit of our faith, Eastertide is a season of feasting and celebration that lasts for 50 whole days! Eastertide begins at the Great Easter Vigil on Easter Eve and lasts until the giving of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church on Pentecost. During the season of Eastertide, we bask in the glory of the resurrection and celebrate the new life that we have in Christ. For 50 days, Christians around the world feast together, sing together and rejoice together in the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior. It is a deep and meaningful time that helps us to fully appreciate what Christ has accomplished for us. Eggs & Baskets Eastertide has a rich history with beautiful traditions and incredible foods from around the world. In this book, I’ve set about to recover those rich traditions that accompany the season. Not only are there explanations on the overall history of the seasons of the Church but also on the season of Eastertide. I recommend traditions for celebrating the whole season, as well as specific days such as the Rogation Days and Ascension Day. I provide the history of all of the symbols and traditions that we associate with Easter: Why are eggs a symbol of Easter? What’s the significance of the Easter basket? Why do we flower the cross on Easter Day? The background story to all of these things is just beautiful and will delight you as they did me. Devotions & Recipes I also include family devotions for the weeks of Easter as well as the special days, and (of course!) amazing Easter recipes from around the world. Now you may want to know which recipes I’ve included. I have 22 in the book, but I’ll only name a few here since I want to leave you some surprises! Look forward to Czech Sweet Easter Bread, Piquant Leg of Lamb, Blueberry & Lemon Tart, Divinity, and Osterfladen! The Eastertide Journey My hope is that this book will be a valuable resource for families who want to deepen their understanding and celebration of the beautiful season of Eastertide. Whether you are new to the Anglican tradition or a lifelong member, there is something in this book for everyone. So join me in celebrating this beautiful season of new life and resurrection, and let’s journey together through the joyous 50 days of Eastertide.

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! St. Patrick was a real person with a beautiful conversion story. He was abducted from his home as a young boy and forced into slavery. God gave him a vision that helped him escape and return to his home. He committed his life to serving the Lord and felt a powerful call to return to the people who enslaved him and share the gospel with them. Celebrate this special day by making traditional Irish Soda Bread. This recipe is my all time favorite. It’s fun, easy to make, and delicious with its crispy crust, currants, and orange zest. Enjoy! Easy and Delicious Irish Soda Bread 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants or raisins 4 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch diced 1 ¾ cups cold buttermilk, shaken 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten 3 teaspoons grated orange zest 1 cup dried currants or raisins Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix slowly until the butter is mixed with the flour. Lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest in a measuring cup with a fork. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants or raisins with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound. Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Lent is a pilgrimage of the soul, an opportunity to walk closely with the Lord in a path of repentance and renewal. From the ashes of Ash Wednesday to the glory of Easter Sunday, Lent is a beautiful narrative of redemption that echoes the enduring love of God and his unwavering desire to draw us closer, refine us, and restore us to our true purpose. Walking through Lent challenges our prevailing culture of instant gratification, urging us to reflect, confront our weaknesses, and welcome the grace and mercy of the Lord. This powerful season prepares us to meet Easter with genuine joy, fully aware of our need for a Savior. Fasting during Lent is a powerful spiritual discipline that reveals the weakness in our lives. When we fast, it becomes painfully apparent how out of control our appetites are and how much those appetites rule us. We see how much we rely on food and drink for comfort and not on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We are reminded of our frailty and realize that we have no control over our lives. Through fasting, we are choosing to embody this frailty, which, according to the Bible, does powerful things inside us. Fasting in Scripture Throughout the Bible, we see that fasting was a powerful method used not only by individuals to draw closer to the Lord but also by an entire community. In Joel 2:12, the Lord calls all of the people of God to turn back to him with all their hearts, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” That is why Lent can be such a profound time; we are fasting individually and corporately. We, personally, are turning to the Lord and joining our local church and Christians worldwide in turning to the Lord. What a powerful, incredible thing! Why Should You Fast as a Family? When we fast as a family, we are, as a family, joining this great turning towards God. Fasting as a family fosters a sense of shared commitment to our spiritual growth and solidarity with each other and the Church. It presents a unique opportunity for us as parents to model and teach discipline, sacrifice, self-control, and obedience to God, embedding these incredible values within the fabric of our family. How to Fast As a Family Throughout the years, we have fasted as a family during Lent. It has been a beautiful experience that has brought us together through the discomfort of fasting but also in the joy of the shared feasts! It’s important to know that here we’re not talking about a total fast (completely abstaining from food) and is not necessarily a partial fast (reduced portions for a set period), as these can be unhealthy for growing children. Instead, we’re discussing a type of fast the church often calls an abstention: giving up certain food items that we enjoy and that we will miss during these 40 days. Through trial and error, I wanted to offer some tips I have to make this fasting as a family easier for you: Decide as parents that you are going to fast as a family. I know that sounds silly, but this will only work well if you, as parents, agree with each other that you want to be fast as a family. Otherwise, the example you are trying to set breaks down. Have the entire family fast from the same things. It’s too hard for each child to come up with something to fast from, especially when they are little. It is also too hard for them to maintain their fast independently. They will forget what they are fasting from, change what they are fasting from when it gets too hard, cheat, or go too far in their fasting and place too great of a burden upon themselves. This puts you as parents in the position of being a fasting taskmaster and watching over them in judgment, which is not what you want to be! When you do a family fast where everyone is fasting from the same thing, there is shared clarity in what is being fasted as well as solidarity and strength. Decide as parents what the family will fast. I think the easiest and clearest family fast is from sweets and sugar, and additionally fast from meat on Fridays. This is so doable as a family; you don’t have to worry about nutritional deficits with your children. It will not hurt them in any way to forgo sweets and meat on Fridays. Note: If you, as parents, want to take on additional fasts, that’s totally fine; just make sure your emphasis is on the family fast. Explain what fasting is. Sit down with your children and briefly explain what fasting is, why we fast, why you are going to fast as a family, and what you are going to fast as a family. Explain to them that how you walk through this time as a family will look very different from how the world behaves during this time of the year. Remind them that everything you do during Lent prepares our hearts for Jesus. Talk to them about parents who are about to have a baby. They not only open their hearts to the child yet to be born but also prepare the child’s room, get clothing and blankets ready, and pick out a name. As God’s people, we are the same way as those parents. We prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus not only in our hearts but in our actions as well. As God’s people, we fast in Lent to remind ourselves that we are sinners and need a Savior. Because of this, we get too caught up in our wants and desires: what we will eat, what we will wear, what we want to play with, etc. Make your fast official. Write down what you will fast and hang it in a prominent place in your home, like the refrigerator or the kitchen wall. Allow your children to decorate your commitments with things reminding them of Lent, like the color purple, the sign of the cross in ashes, Jesus journeying to the cross, sweets, or meat with a big “X” over them. Emphasize grace. Most importantly, remember that it’s essential to approach Lenten fasting with a spirit of mercy and grace, especially with children. Ensure your children understand that God will not be angry with them if they break their fast. Lent is something we do for ourselves to help us sanctify the time and remember who we are and what has been done for us by Jesus. Fasting does not help God to love us more, nor will he love us any less if we mess up. He already loves each of us more than we can imagine!

Today I am thrilled to announce my latest book, The Liturgical Home: Lent! In the tapestry of the Christian liturgical year, the season of Lent emerges as a profound and transformative journey. It is a journey that prepares us for the most miraculous event in our lives, the death and resurrection of Jesus. In a culture that frequently prizes instant gratification and superficial pleasures, Lent calls us to something deeper, something more enduring. It’s a call to look inward, to confront our weaknesses, and to embrace the grace that is so freely offered to us in Christ. In this Lenten edition of The Liturgical Home, we are bid to observe a Holy Lent with: ~ An Introduction to the Season ~ Ways to Observe Lent in Your Home ~ The Meaning Behind Our Rich Lenten Traditions ~ Lenten Devotions For Your Family ~ Traditional Recipes from Around the World Lent has such a rich history with beautiful traditions and incredible foods from around the world. In this book, I’ve set about to recover those rich traditions that accompany the season. Not only are there explanations on the overall history of the seasons of the Church but also the season of Lent. I provide the history of all the symbols and traditions we associate with Lent: Why is purple a symbol of Lent? Why don't we eat meat on Fridays? Why do we "bury" the Alleluias? The background story to all of these things is so meaningful and will delight you as they did me. I recommend traditions for celebrating the whole season of Lent, as well as traditions for the specific days of Lent such as Ash Wednesday and Holy Week. I also include family devotions for the weeks of Lent as well as the special feast and fast days, and (of course!) amazing Lenten recipes from around the world. I hope that this book will be a valuable resource for people who want to deepen their understanding and celebration of the beautiful season of Lent. Whether you are new to the season of Lent or a seasoned pro, there is something in this book for everyone. So join me in celebrating this beautiful season of penitence and reflection, and let's journey together through the moving days of Lent. The Liturgical Home: Lent

Lent is all about slowing down. It’s a time to prepare our hearts for the most important time of our Christian faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, we make space for quiet, prayer, and introspection. We think about who we are and all that has been won for us through the saving acts of Jesus. I love creating a sacred space where a child can just “be” with God. A space where they can still themselves, get lost in the creative process, and through it, have an encounter (whether they know it or not!) with God. A great way to create this sacred space for a child is through crafts. This Lenten craft for kids is made from inexpensive supplies that you can get at Walmart or any crafts store. Don't worry, it is a foolproof craft! Don’t worry about the shapes your children cut out or if the glue gets everywhere. Let the pieces overlap, let them go out of the lines, it’s ok! Before you begin the craft, read Hebrews 12:1-3 with your kids. Then put on some worship music, relax, and let go! You'll be amazed at what happens during the creative process. Mosaic Cross Craft Supplies Standard-size felt sheets in white, dark brown, light, and dark purple Fabric glue Light colored marker Scissors Instructions With your marker, draw a rough cross shape on a white piece of felt. Cut out small pieces of brown felt ( It doesn't matter what shape they are). Glue the brown pieces of felt inside the cross shape until no white is showing. Next, cut out small pieces of the light purple felt and glue the light purple pieces down around the cross. Cut small pieces of dark purple felt. Add in pieces of the dark purple felt randomly around the outside of the light purple and a few in the middle of the light purple to give it some variation. Continue filling in until the scene looks full.

Did you know that there are traditional songs that the church sings throughout the season of Lent? These songs are very different from other songs. The songs are beautiful but they are also more penitential in tone, being filled with introspection and confession. They are also filled with hope as we look to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Click the link to hear my playlist of traditional Lenten hymns. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7k3ClEENV1ByyjZD0qStax?si=JQCcqphXSXWY1xl9-XYoZA

​​ We start Lent with a very special day- Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, the Body of Christ enters a time of devotion. We look at our own mortality and the consequences of our sins. Traditionally, in the Bible, times of penitence were marked by the wearing of sackcloth and ashes. At the Ash Wednesday service, the forehead of each believer is marked with ashes in the sign of the cross and we are reminded through these ashes that we are “but dust and to dust we shall return” (Genesis 3:19). These are the very words God spoke to Adam and Eve after they committed the first sin. On Ash Wednesday, after prayer, our family gathers around the table. We each take a piece of paper and we take some time to think about ourselves. What do we struggle with? What do we want God to change in us? We write it all down, fold the paper, and burn it. Then we read Holy Words from the Bible reminding us that once we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. Just as the words on our paper are unrecognizable, so have our sins been forgiven. Oh, the love of God!

The King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert. It was created to use up all of the rich things (butter, sugar, alcohol) in our pantries before a season of fasting begins. This is a delicious traditional King Cake with a flaky, buttery brioche, a sweet filling of toasted pecans, cane syrup, cinnamon, and coated with a bourbon glaze. King Cake Ingredients for the Brioche: 1 envelope of Active Dry Yeast 1/4 cup warm water (115 degrees) 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 Tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons orange zest 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 1 1/4 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into very small pieces 1 egg beaten and 2 Tablespoons water for the egg wash 1 plastic baby trinket or dried bean Dissolve the yeast in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, and let stand until frothy. Dissolve the salt, sugar, orange zest, and milk in a small bowl. When dissolved combine the milk mixture with the yeast mixture. Mix the cinnamon with the flour. Add the eggs with the mixer on low speed, then gradually add the flour until all is incorporated. Knead on low speed for 10 minutes until a smooth elastic dough is formed. A little more flour may be necessary. With the motor running, incorporate the butter into the dough, a little at a time but rather quickly so that it doesn’t heat up and melt. Turn the dough into an oiled bowl, loosely cover it with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot. When the dough has doubled in bulk punch it down, cover, and place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can skip this step if you are pressed for time. The following day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough out to a 6 x 18-inch rectangle. Spread the pecan filling (recipe below) out in the middle of the rectangle along the whole length, leaving about 1 1/2 inches on each side. Place the baby trinket somewhere with the filling. Fold the length of the dough over the filling and roll up tightly, leaving the seam side down. Turn the roll into a circle, seam side down and put one end inside of the other to hide the seam, and seal the circle. Place the cake on a baking sheet and let rise, loosely covered with plastic wrap, for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Brush all over with the egg wash, then place the king cake into the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. When the cake cools, brush with some of the glaze (recipe below) thinned out with more cold water. This will help the sugars adhere. Decorate the cake with the colored sugars and drizzle some of the thicker glaze onto the cake. Place on a large round serving plate and decorate with Mardi Gras beads, doubloons, and whatever else that you like. Ingredients for the filling: 1 cup pecan halves, broken up slightly and roasted until fragrant 2/3 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1 pinch of salt 4 tablespoons Steen’s Cane Syrup Combine all of the ingredients. For the glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 Tablespoon bourbon water Combine the sugar and bourbon, and whisk in enough water to make a glaze that can be drizzled. For the sugar topping: 3/4 cup granulated sugar Food coloring Place 1/4 cup of sugar in three sandwich baggies. In the first baggie, add drops of yellow food coloring. Close the bag, squeezing the air out and mash around until the yellow food coloring is evenly distributed. In the second baggie, do the same thing but add green food coloring. In the third add blue and red food coloring to get purple. Sprinkle the colored sugars over the glazed King Cake in strips of purple, yellow and green.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord” Proverbs 19:17 Lent is a beautiful time of preparation. It is a time when we ready our hearts for the amazing work of God’s redemption on Easter Sunday. Throughout Lent, we mark our time with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer and fasting have to do with our relationship with God and with ourselves, and almsgiving has to do with our neighbor. While there is a great focus on prayer and fasting in Lent, we don’t hear much about almsgiving. Almsgiving is collecting and distributing money for those in need. When Jesus gives the story of the Good Samaritan, the Good Samaritan does not just pray for the wounded man, he takes care of all of his needs. Traditionally, during the season of Lent, alms boxes are placed on a table right when you walk into church and in a prominent place in your home. We always place ours in the center of the table that we eat at. As we give up things for Lent, we take the money that we would have spent on those things and place the money in our alms box. It is exciting to watch the box fill up as Lent progresses! And there is so much joy at the end to see how much money you have raised as a family and to decide on the way that you will give it away. Having an alms box for Lent is a wonderful way to walk with your children through the season. It helps them to see that preparing our hearts for the Lord involves prayer and fasting but also helping those in need. If you’d like to make an alms box for your home, I created this easy and inexpensive alms jar. This is a kid-friendly project! Let your kids have fun making it. The craft was created to embrace imperfections and little hands! Alms Jar for Lent Supplies: Glass Jar Silver or white sharpie Money Clean the outside of the glass jar. Have a child with good handwriting write, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord.” Let your kids take turns making little crosses all over the jar. Place it on your kitchen or dining table. Have them add their money throughout the season. Have a blessed Lent! +