Slice of Heaven Spice Cake

Good Tuesday morning!

It's hard to believe Christmas is only two days away, isn't it? It kind of sneaks up on you, doesn't it? Roxie wanted to get one of those signs to put in her room that counts down the hours, minutes and seconds until Christmas day, but I knew this would cause a great deal of stress in my life, and I vetoed that idea.

I bought my last three Christmas gifts yesterday, and that felt great. I was fortunate to be able to get everything I needed in our little town, and I didn't have to go to a major mall. Really though, I don't mind going to the mall with the crowds and the hustle and bustle if I have most everything done. It can be a very festive time, and I love to watch people, smell the smells and listen to the music. It can really put you in the "mood."

I know several people this season who are unable to be "festive." I know people who are fighting cancer this Christmas season. I know people who are spending every minute they can at the hospital with a loved one who is very, very ill. I know people who are waiting for test results that could change their lives forever during this "happiest season of all." I know people who are about to have their first Christmas without a special loved one by their side. I know people who have lost their jobs, or have been told they may lose their jobs in the very near future. I know people who are smiling and trying to act like everything is okay, but everyday is an enormous struggle for them. I know people who are struggling with debilitating depression. I can specifically put a name with all of the life situations listed above, and I know a very small circle of people compared to most of you.

This has been my first Christmas in four years I have actually looked forward to the season. I have been excited about the celebrations, the pageants, the shopping, the baking, the decorating, etc. But I am painfully aware of the people mentioned above who are suffering and hurting and just want to skip Christmas altogether. I wish I could take away their pain... but I know I cannot. I do know however, that during the past four years, the constant in my life that kept me going day in and day out when I didn't have the physical, mental or emotional strength to function was my relationship with Jesus. He didn't look the other way. He never pretended nothing was wrong. He wasn't too busy to listen, even when I said the same thing over and over and over again.

So, this Christmas, I think the very least I can do is to not look the other way, not pretend something isn't wrong, and listen whenever I'm given the chance to do so, even if the other person is saying the same thing over and over and over again. That would be the best Christmas gift I could give someone this holiday season.

I love Christmas... and Thanksgiving... and Easter... and Halloween. I love celebrating, parties and implementing traditions. That's my "thing." For the four years leading up to this particular Christmas, those traditions were difficult to keep up, but in so many ways, they kept the Faulkner Five together, and we're a stronger family unit because of them... the little things that tied us together. But the one huge thing that ties us together is, and will always be, our relationship with Jesus. A little baby boy born in a manger in Bethlehem all those years ago.

If you know someone hurting this season, I encourage you to talk to them today... even if it's a little depressing or it isn't something you really feel like dealing with this close to Christmas. It could mean more than you would ever know, and be the best Christmas gift that person ever receives. Let's give our best Christmas gifts a little early this year.

Enough of this heavy stuff! Let's bake something light, easy and yummy.

Slice of Heaven Spice Cake

This is another one of those "cake mix" cakes I love. Plus, if you make any kind of spice cake during the holidays, it smells like Christmas to me.

Cake

1 box spice cake mix
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
1/3 cup apple butter
3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease pan.

3. Combine dry cake mix with the apple pie filling, apple butter and eggs. (Do not add any oil or water.) Stir well.

4. You will need two 8" round pans. Reference the cake mix box for amount of time directed on the box. While cake is cooling, prepare icing.

Icing

1 package (8 oz. cream cheese, softened)
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
4 tbsp. apple butter

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

2. Spread icing between the two layers and on the top of the cake. You do not have to spread the icing on the sides of the cake.

Easy, and delicious.

I know you have a million things to do this Tuesday before Christmas. Have a great day, and get a lot done... and make time to call someone who may need to talk a little today.

Tomorrow is a "fun" day. I have a true little story about a Christmas mouse, and a "transition tradition" to be celebrated the day AFTER Christmas.

Talk to you tomorrow.