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Friday Favorites – 4th Edition (With a Bonus Recipe!)

When our new favorite kitchen appliance meets a “Come on Over” recipe, the result is a Friday Favorite with a bonus! Your response to our new “Friday Favorites” posts has blown us away, so consider this combo an expression of our gratitude!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item/items through clicking on a link, I will receive, at no additional cost to you, a commission from the seller.

Secura Air Fryer

For me, the air fryer is best described as “microwave meets crock pot” (and no, that is not truly an accurate description, but it’s how I view it). First, the negatives:

  • It’s large (but not huge). I keep ours on the kitchen counter because I have space to do so and because, right now, we are using it almost daily. As you’ll see below, the size is also one of its benefits.
  • The bell on the timer is not very loud. In fact, it is the same single “ring” as the half-past-the-hour chime on our antique clock, so I don’t always recognize that my food is done if I’m working in another room! I wish it were a little louder, but at least it’s a pleasant tone!
  • The one we chose is not digital, and I think some would like that. I personally like turning the knob to the time and temperature settings.

And now the positives (for your sake, I’ll only post the top six; there are many pluses for us):

  • It’s large enough to hold quite a bit of food. The 3.4-quart version that I have linked to throughout this post is the one we purchased. It’s the perfect size for the two of us. We had company earlier this week, and I think this one can easily prepare food for four people (or even more). The little mini skewers and rack are just that: “mini,” so I’m not sure that using those would do more than small portions for up to four.
  • I love NOT cooking with oil. Yes, you can use cooking spray in the basket or on the food itself, but unless it’s absolutely necessary, I’d skip it! Per the description on Amazon: “The Secura 3 2-Liter 3 4 Qt Electric Hot Air Fryer uses hot air in combination with high-speed air circulation (rapid hot air) and a top grill to prepare a variety of tasty dishes in a healthy, fast, and easy way.”
  • The time it takes to “preheat” (even to 400 degrees) is roughly three minutes!
  • Clean up is a breeze. I simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use a paper towel or soft cloth to wipe out any excess, then I wash it (gently…no abrasives or scratchy sponges), dry it, and put the basket back in until next time!
  • It’s versatile…and comes with quick and easy recipes. It’s NOT just for French fries (as often thought or as often pictured). So far, we’ve made: sausage and hash browns for breakfast (straight from the freezer); bratwurst; grilled-cheese sandwiches; chicken-and-veggies shishkebabs; mixed veggies; chicken breasts; hard-boiled eggs, etc.
  • Yes, you read that right: hard-boiled eggs—without a drop of water and done to perfection. After a five-minute cold-water bath following the required time in the air fryer, I tapped the shells to crack them, and…true story…they slid right off!

Pricing:

We went with a 3.4-quart size, middle-range on pricing. HOWEVER…at least on my Amazon account, the Secura Air Fryer (which we purchased for its great reviews, ease of delivery, price, features…after many, many comparisons and much price watching) is currently 51% off at the time of this posting. So may I encourage you to purchase ASAP? It made the higher-priced one much more affordable for a “kitchen extra” that I more wanted than needed! So that’s why I’m posting now. But in all honesty, I’d even pay full price for this one, now that I’ve seen its benefits!

Click here to learn more about the Secura Air Fryer and/or to purchase yours!

BONUS:

This past Monday, we had a college student over for the evening, and we did brats in the air fryer. Here’s how I cooked five of them:

  • Set temperature at 400 degrees
  • Set timer for 14 minutes: that’s 3 minutes to preheat, 1 minute to place the brats, 10 minutes of actual cooking time
  • Place up to six brats in bottom of basket
  • Check at five minutes; turn brats over if desired (but it wasn’t necessary)
  • Remove from basket (when timer sounds)…and enjoy!
  • Yep, it’s that easy! Done to perfection: no pink inside; slightly “crispy” outside; delicious!

I served the brats with this easy “Come on Over” recipe:

“Come on Over” Pasta Salad

Prep time: 30 minutes-ish
Serves: 6 (or more!)
From the kitchen of Brenda Henderson

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups tri-color rotini pasta
  • 3/4 cup diced onion (2 slices diced into small cubes)
  • 3/4 cup diced celery (3 stalks diced into small cubes)
  • 3/4 cup diced carrots (approx. 20 baby carrots diced into small cubes)
  • 3/4 cup diced green pepper (1 small pepper diced into small cubes)
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
  • 8-10 Tbsp Olive Garden Italian Salad dressing

Directions:

  1. Prepare rotini pasta as directed on package. For me, I boil about four cups of water, add pasta, cook about 10-11 minutes (until soft, but not mushy). Then I strain off the hot water and transfer the pasta into a new bowl that has cold water in it (it’s worth washing one extra bowl!). Then I place it in the fridge until everything else is ready.
  2. While brats are cooking, dice onion, celery, carrots and green pepper.
  3. Place diced veggies in large bowl. Add 1/2 tsp of the lemon pepper and 4 Tbsp of the Olive Garden Italian Salad dressing. Stir to mix well.
  4. Add the chilled (and fully drained) pasta to the veggies. Add the remaining lemon pepper and Italian dressing. Stir well (but don’t “smoosh” the pasta).
  5. Garnish with sliced or whole green olives.
  6. To keep leftovers or to make the day before, simply store covered in refrigerator. You may need to add a little extra dressing to freshen it up a bit!

Serving Ideas:

  • Serve as the primary side dish with air fryer brats. Add chips and salsa to spice up the meal and to add a little “crunch.”
  • Serve as the main entree by adding cubed ham or summer sausage. Serves with crackers.
  • Serve a scoop-sized portion on a bed of lettuce and serve with a lunch-meat sandwich.
  • Include other veggies that your family and/or guests enjoy!

Be sure to join us back here on Monday for a devotional challenge from “The Captain’s Corner!”

By Petals from the Basket | June 12, 2020 | "Come on Over" Recipes, Entertaining, Events, Family, Friday Favorites, Friends, Ideas, Uncategorized |

Where and Why

Hundreds of you are new to the blog in the past few years, and it’s time for a brief update on where you can find us and why we’ve chosen these platforms for sharing what we love to do. At the bottom of this post, you’ll find more about who “we” are!

Petals from the Basket – the blog

  • www.PetalsfromtheBasket.com
  • This is where it all began. Our website is where you’ll find our blog, updates on our books (along with links for where to purchase them), and recipes for casual and easy entertaining.
  • The primary focus of our blog posts is practical Christian living—translating what we hear in sermons, learn in Bible studies, and read in Scripture into real-life applications and lessons.
  • Our tagline says it all: Ideas and Resources for Everyday Christian Living
  • You may subscribe to the blog posts to receive them in your Inbox. Be assured that we will never spam you or send you anything but our latest posts.

Petals from the Basket – the YouTube channel

  • Click here to view our YouTube channel
  • Every morning at 6:45, you’ll find a brief (2- to 5-minute) devotional challenge centered around a verse or passage of Scripture.
  • These are not designed to replace your personal time with God or your study of His Word. We share them to start your day with biblical truth, to encourage you when you need a quick verse to dwell on, and to whet your appetite for further and deeper study of Scripture.
  • You may subscribe to the morning devotionals by clicking the “Subscribe” button available on each video. To receive an e-mail notification when the new devotionals post, simply “ring the bell” (i.e., click the bell) next to the “Subscribe” button.

Basket Petals – Instagram

  • https://www.instagram.com/basketpetals
  • Instagram provides an outlet for Brenda’s love of photography. Through Instagram, she shares “Scripture Pictures,” which are primarily verses or biblically related quotations integrated with shareable photos.
  • These photos and others are posted to encourage and provide a source of inspiration and meditation throughout the week.
  • Be sure to “follow” the Basket Petals account to see our latest posts.

Petals from the Basket – Facebook

  • https://www.facebook.com/PetalsFromTheBasket/
  • On our Facebook page, we often share links to our latest blog posts, offer words of encouragement, and continue our primary goal of providing ideas and resources for everyday Christian living.
  • Occasionally, Brenda will “Go Live” on Facebook, sharing “Girl Talk” over coffee and Scripture.
  • Be sure to “Like” or “Follow” the page to get the latest updates in your Facebook feed.

As for who “we” are…

“Captain Joe” and Brenda Henderson

The “bio” in our books says it best:

Brenda (Strohbehn) Henderson launched her faith-based blog, Petals from the Basket, in March 2012. As a woman who married for the first time at the age of fifty-five, Brenda brings a unique insight to the needs, joys, and concerns of women of all ages and from every marital status.

Joe Henderson, a retired international airline pilot, is lovingly called “Captain Joe” by all who know him well. Joe has joined Brenda in her love for writing and frequently contributes to their blog via “The Captain’s Corner,” where he intertwines his familiarity with the airline industry with practical biblical lessons.

The Hendersons reside in South Carolina, where they are active in their local church and enjoy writing, traveling, spending time with family, entertaining, and cheering on the Notre Dame football team!

By Petals from the Basket | June 7, 2020 | Life Changes |

Friday Favorites – 3rd Edition

Podcasts were something my friends listened to. I was unfamiliar with the podcasts’ value, so rather than take the time to find out, I just wrote them off as “mini sermons” or “abbreviated lessons” on various topics that I didn’t think I was interested in.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item/items through clicking on a link, I will receive, at no additional cost to you, a commission from the seller.

Notice that the first paragraph was written in the past tense. In last week’s “Friday Favorites” post (which you may read later by clicking here), I told you how much we enjoy our Echo Dot (“Alexa”). Because my siblings and I gave the Echo Dot to our mom for Mother’s Day, each time I call her I try to give her new ideas on how to get the most from “Alexa’s” abilities.

Enter: podcasts. My mom’s vision issues prohibit her reading an actual hard copy of a book, so audio books, sermon recordings, music, etc., are a true blessing to her. Since Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is one of her favorite Christian authors, I decided to see if Mom could listen to a podcast or one of Nancy’s radio programs via Alexa.

The Revive Our Hearts broadcasts are not only available to my mom and others; they are now a part of my morning routine! The listening options are nearly limitless, and you may find them by clicking here. The topics center on practical Christian living and Bible study, and I find myself eager to keep listening and learning via this method! I can listen while I wash dishes, prepare dinner, fold clothes, or while I sit with my feet propped up while I drink my morning coffee in the sun room.

Filling my mind with truths graciously and truthfully shared from God’s Word is always a favorite worth sharing—whether it’s Friday or not!

By Petals from the Basket | June 5, 2020 | Family, Friday Favorites, God-and-I-Time, Ideas |

A Month of Promises

If some random person came up and asked to borrow my car, I would say no. If a friend asked, I’d probably hand her the keys. (Notice the word probably! I do have a few friends who should probably not be trusted with my keys!)

If a stranger handed me her Christmas list, I’d hand it back to her. If my family members handed me theirs, I’d joyfully provide what I could from the lists.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name” (Psalm 91:14, KJV).

When I read today’s promise, I can’t help but be overcome with gratitude for the personal nature of our amazing God. He longs to have a relationship with us that is close, genuine, and lasting. When there is a bond between people, there are also the benefits of trust, love, and frequent interaction.

As you study the names of God—and I urge you to do that if you haven’t already—you will see His character qualities revealed, thereby deepening your understanding of Who He is. Your love for Him will grow as your knowledge of Him increases!

_______________

Joe and I are sharing our devotionals from the month of June (taken from our devotional book, Pages of Promises) on our YouTube channel this month. We invite you to join us there as well! Our 2- to 5-minute devotionals post every day at 6:45 a.m. This post is taken from the June 1 devotional in the book and was the featured devotional on the YouTube channel this morning.

By Petals from the Basket | June 1, 2020 | Bible Reading, Books, God-and-I-Time |

Friday Favorites – 2nd Edition

This product is my new go-to recommendation for senior citizens. It’s a great Father’s Day gift for any dad and a wonderful gift for the “what-do-we-buy-the-grandparents” question, whether it’s a holiday or not!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item/items through clicking on a link, I will receive, at no additional cost to you, a commission from the seller.

Echo Dot – 5 stars out of 5!

The Echo Dot (aka: “Alexa”) has numerous benefits for the elderly (and the not-so-elderly!), and I’ll list several of those below. However, I want to give you two possible negatives first—and get those out of the way!

Negative #1: You need to have Wi-Fi access. This hadn’t occurred to me until I recommended this to a friend the other day. She explained that her mom doesn’t have Wi-Fi availability, so the Echo Dot would not work for her.

Negative #2: If your recipient has vision issues or little understanding of technology, then someone who has at least a minimal knowledge of the Internet will need to set up the Echo Dot prior to use. This includes putting all safety measures into place for security reasons. (These are carefully explained in the setup process for your Echo Dot—things like not having it set to be “searching” constantly for sound but to “wake up” when called upon.)

Now to the good stuff:

  • “Alexa, what time is it?” – For the vision impaired, this is a blessing. Time gives order and security to our lives, but when you are unable to see the clock, both nights and days can seem long.
  • “Alexa, call _______” – When setting up your Echo Dot, be sure to have this feature accessible. It’s a great source of reassurance to the recipient and to his or her loved ones, knowing that if an emergency arises, “Alexa” can call for help and/or call a loved one.
  • “Alexa, tell me about ______________ (historical fact).” Hours and hours of fun, learning, and joy!
  • “Alexa, add ______ to my shopping list.” This is a wonderful tool so that the individual can simply “call out” when using the last teaspoon of this or the last piece of that.
  • “Alexa, create a playlist.” Music at the drop of a hat…or the call of a name (“Alexa”)!
  • “Alexa, add, ‘Take medication,’ to my morning routine.” For those whose loved ones can benefit from this reminder in the morning or even throughout the day, this will provide an added peace of mind!
  • Once programmed to so do, the Echo Dot has voice recognition, and “Alexa” will recognize the speaker’s voice.
  • “Alexa, read to me” …”play Jeopardy” …”tell me a joke” …”give me the weather forecast.” This list goes on and on. Signing up for the informative e-mails provides you with innumerable options and innovative ideas for helping your loved one use the Echo Dot to its fullest potential.

Added bonuses (in our eyes):

  • For added use, purchase the “Smart Plug” so that simply by saying, “Alexa, turn on the lights,” the lamp comes on. The double bonus, it also works for most TVs, your phone, the coffee maker, and many other electronic devices that may be useful to have available via voice control.
  • It’s about the size of a hockey puck. This is not some gargantuan device that will take up valuable counter space.
  • It’s transportable. Because it plugs into the wall, you can easily move it from room to room if necessary.
  • There is an option to “Drop In” on another Echo Dot in the house. For this reason, we got our loved one two of them, so that if someone is upstairs and she is downstairs, she can use it like an intercom to communicate easily. It was totally worth the cost of the second Echo Dot!

Friends, this barely scratches the surface of the benefits of the Echo Dot, but we have already found it so helpful and such a “plus” for our loved ones, that I couldn’t help but share this as one of our featured Friday Favorites!

To learn more and to order your Echo Dot(s), click here.

We’ll be back on Monday with a devotional challenge from Brenda! If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to take a moment to subscribe so that our new posts will come directly to your Inbox. We never spam you. You’ll only hear from us when a new post is available!

By Petals from the Basket | May 29, 2020 | Family, Friday Favorites, Ideas |