The Lifegiving Woman

When confronted with painful circumstances...cease from asking why and learn to ask how...how do I forgive...how do I live in joy...how will God redeem this reality? It is not in the why but the how we find true freedom.

Finding Your Own Style

Thank you Bonnie Gray for allowing me to guest post on Faith Barista!

Her blog is just fantastic.

Need a word of encourgment as you reach out to others today?

Remember start simply but simply start.

My style of hospitality, a la chocolate teddy grahams (your fave too?)

FAITH BARISTA'S BLOG ANNIVERSARY IS HERE !
** LIFEGIVING BOOK GIVEAWAY **
To celebrate, I'm giving away a book that has been inspirational to me.
This faith-encouraging book by Tammy Maltby is about living a beautiful life. 

Enter the Lifegiving Book Giveway At The End Of Today's Post !
* Congratulations to By Grace Alone Giveaway winner #114 - Jeri T.* 

Today, I have a treat for us.

A special friend who has encouraged me in my faith journey is here to help celebrate the blog’s anniversary.

That’s right.  Speaker, author, and media personality, Tammy Maltby from The Lifegiving Woman, is in the house as guest barista!

I first met Tammy through her faith-inspiring book Lifegiving:  Discovering Secrets to a Beautiful Life.

I was feeling drained and discouraged. Why did God put all these passions in me, without the opportunity to fulfill them?

I was a thirty-something mom, touting a three-year-old and newborn boys, encountering a crisis of faith.  Tammy’s book reminded me I already had what I needed to be lifegiving:  my faith.  She got me brainstorming. 

How can I express God’s unique lifegiving ways in me — my personality, quirkiness, things I loved and things I didn’t — right where I’m at now?

One of them was writing.  Another was hospitality.

Now, before you think I’m Miss Martha Stewart wanna-be, lemme stop and allow Tammy to share her encouragement on hospitality.

As you read her words, don’t just limit hospitality to food.

Hospitality to me also meant words and writing.   It was one of the inspirations behind Faith Barista.  I wanted to create a welcoming place where your journey of faith is valued and celebrated.

To you, hospitality can mean something else.

God’s lifegiving expression… Uniquely yours…

Okay. Enough talking by me.

Tammy, thank you for being here to serve up a special faith brew.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Finding Your Own Style of Hospitality”
by Tammy Maltby

My friend Lynn Brown is one of most hospitable women I know.

She entertains frequently, hosts Bible studies in her home, and is always inviting someone over for a snack. Her motto is “have a cookie, make a friend.” She and her husband often open their home to young women who need special nurturing. I’ve seen so many lives transformed through Lynn’s ministry of hospitality.

But it almost didn’t happen...

Please ck on Bonnie's blog to enjoy the rest of the story....and recipe for the day!

http://www.faithbarista.com/2011/08/finding-your-own-style-of-hospitality-guest-post-by-lifegiving-author-tammy-maltby/

The Maltby Cake: Chocolate Heaven

One Amazing Cake!

This simply is the best, easiest and most beautiful cake EVER. Serve with a cup of hot rich java and you'll have a fantastic experience friend!

I have been making this cake for years at the Hospitality Workshops I teach. I am asked for the recipe weekly and I guess you could say people FALL in love with this little wonder. It is so easy. It starts with a boxed cake mix!

You must try it. It could be your family cake!

Happy Lifegiving Hospitality.

The Maltby Cake
1 Vanilla cake mix
1 small chocolate instant pudding mix
1 small vanilla instant pudding mix
5 eggs (4 for regular altitude)
1 ½ cup brewed coffee cooled (or water if desired)
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup chocolate chips (dark or bittersweet)
1 cup chopped nuts (if desired)
½ cup flour (if high altitude)

Mix lightly by hand 50 strokes or by mixer 20 sec. There will be some mix that has not blended well.
Pour into 2 round cake pans (8 or 9 inch) greased well and floured if necessary.
Bake 350 for aprox 40 minutes.
Remove cakes on cooling rack, and bring to room temperature. Cool if possiable. You can make this cakes ahead of time and they freeze great. I always keep some made in my freezer.

Beat whipping cream (pt size) until very firm. Add powered sugar and vanilla to taste.
Put fern greens or fresh mint around the cake plate. Add one of the cakes on top. Frost with whipping cream. Add next layer of cake and frost all the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Top with chocolate dipped strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Add remaining dipped strawberries around the edges of the cake. Put directly refrigerator and let chill. I make this cake in the morning for an evening dinner.

If you don't have time to bake the cake buy Lemon Cake at Costco. Cut into squares and add whipped cream and berries. Delicious!