Singing Lady Groups at Southern Baptist Churches or I Do Not Harmonize Well By MyselfThe first time I was put in a Singing Lady Group it was a quintet at a church in another town. The choir director, let’s call him HewhogaveusalettergradeeverySundayandneveraboveaB-, said after practice one Wednesday, “You five ladies get together and work up a hymn along with a routine.” A routine? Was this church or show choir?The next week the five of us met in a little used Sunday School room that had a piano in it. I was told to sing the low, low part. Half way through the very first verse, the leader of the group who sat behind the piano, suddenly quit playing. She put her hand on her hip and demanded,  “Amanda, what are you singing?””Well, I thought I was singing the low part,” I sheepishly answered.”Well, think again!”I dropped out. They all wore matching denim overalls with red t-shirts with their hair tied up in bandanas.  They did a cute little 4-part gospel two-step up in the chancel area for their ‘routine’…The second time I was part of a Singing Lady Group there were six of us; two on each part. You know, first , second, alto.  I felt a little more comfortable having another alto to sing with. Well, that is until we started practicing. I was standing next to a lady singing second soprano and I felt an elbow in my side. Just thinking that she had accidently bumped me, I kept singing. Then another elbow came my way, along with a vehement whisper, “Get off my note, Amanda!””OH! Sorry!” was my response and I moved away from her. We sang publicly twice and then mercifully disbanded. So, I said all of that to say that I’ve been placed in another Singing Lady Group. Not really a “group”, but we’ve been given a song to learn. At first it was going to be a duet. I agreed because I was told to sing the low part; I’m a natural tenor. The song starts out duet, goes to trio, and then throws in a fourth part. Ah, yay! I’m a great mimic. Harmonizing isn’t my strong suit – see the above two paragraphs. Our choir master assured me that we would get together and work parts. A month has passed and nope…The super ironic thing is that the first Singing Lady Group’s song was I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL and so is the song for this Sunday. (!) Is the Father God giving me another shot at it or does He figure we all need a laugh? I’m glad the Bible says to make a joyful noise and not for us to all sing in perfect 4-part harmony.

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

Joyful Noise Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen. 

Pepper Jelly and Easy Oatmeal Cookies

Posted on by theexileskitchen by Amanda Ellison Anglin

It has been a busy day in the Exile’s Kitchen. Fresh bell peppers were cored, blanched, shocked and placed in freezer bags for future meals.

Jalapeno peppers were made into jars of pepper jelly.

A simple recipe, here is what I did:

Finely chop 1 small red bell pepper. In a blender, puree 1 cup jalapeno peppers that have been seeded and deveined. Place both kinds of peppers in an 8 quart pot. Over medium high heat, add 1 1/2 cups white vinegar. Bring this to a boil and add a box of Sure-Jell. Stir in, gradually, 6 cups of white sugar and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Return mixture to a boil and add a few drops of pink food coloring, if you wish. Ladle into hot sterilized jars, seal with lids and waterbath process for 5 minutes. Remove from canner and wait for sound of the lids sealing. That delightful, happy pop is so satifying. I taste tested with a potato chip in place of cracker.

Next in the recipe line up was Easy oatmeal Cookies. This recipe makes a bunch, sure to fill up your favorite cookie jar.

Preheat oven to 350° and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a big mixer bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup lard, 1 egg and 1/2cup brown sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Add 1 yellow cake mix, 2 cups quick oats, 1/4 cup of dried craisins, raisins, salted sunflower seeds and pecans. Incorporate well. Using a cookie scoop, drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Using a small glass dipped into granulated sugar, gently press each cookie. These cookies spread a little, so don’t crowd them. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then move to a rack to finish cooling.

Kitchen Blessings from the Exile’s Kitchen.