G A T H E R I N G S | Petit Fours

S U G A R S U G A R S U G A R

and then just a little more sugar was the theme of this

Gatherings | Petit Fours class taught by Mary Margaret White.

Goodness. Gracious. Sakes. Alive. The actual theme of tonight's class was suppose to be "Mother's Day". But really, when you think of mothers, you can't help but think of sugar, right? And not necessarily the white granulated kind of sugar. But the sugar that oozes off onto you from your mother's sweet heart.

{Merriam Webster's definition of Petit Fours is in the plural form because even Merriam knew you cannot eat just one: petits fours or petit fours \ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯrz, pə-ˌtē-, -ˈfu̇r(z)\ : a small cake cut from pound or sponge cake and frosted}.

The definition of petit fours is really quite interesting when you think about it: "a small piece cut from a larger piece and then frosted". Aren't we all just a small piece cut from a larger piece and then frosted?

Just recently I noticed how much I am beginning to look like my mother. It has been three years since she went home to be with the Lord. Not one day goes by that I do not think of her. And usually, it is when I am in my kitchen. The kitchen is where she lived most of her life! With four sons and one daughter, all she seemed to do was cook. And she was a good cook. I miss you, Mom.

When I am long gone, I pray my sons will think of me often. And I pray that in some small way, I will "live on" inside (or outside) of them ... a small piece cut from a larger piece and then frosted (with sugar, of course).

At last night's event, it was somewhat hard for me to introduce the guest teacher. You see, when Mary Margaret White and I first visited about her teaching this class, she had just found out that she was pregnant for the second time. She had recently had a miscarriage and then found out she was pregnant again. But then, days later, she was told for the second time that her baby was not moving. So within just months, she had had two D&Cs. And then, here it is. Time to teach this Mother's Day Petit Fours class, and her heart is still so broken from past pain of not be able to be a mother herself.

Often times, God puts us in hard situations so we can anoint His feet with our tears. And that is just what Mary Margaret did last night. All of our hearts were breaking as we sat and listened to her words pour out over us. She reminded us how difficult it can be to watch other young mothers be able to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have healthy babies. All the while, others are desperately desiring to be a mother. Wanting to be a mother is real. It is a desire the Lord put in all our hearts. May we not ever take being a mother for granted. May we not ever take having a mother for granted. And my we all sugar-coat each other as we are just one {tribe of women} loving each other and seeing each other through difficult days.

Thank you, Mary Margaret, for sharing your heart with us.

And for teaching us not only how to make the most delicious, mouth-watering, petit fours ever ... but to live outside ourselves and to be mindful of those around us that might be experiencing heartache and pain.

{You can follow Mary Margaret on Instagram @redbudsweets}

And speaking of tribe! My precious neighbor, much younger but still bestie, Traci Holloway, gets the prize for bringing her {tribe} with her last night. She gave all these ladies this class for their Mother's Day gift. And what fun we all had spending the evening together, laughing, baking, and helping all the younger girls in the room learn how to hold a spatula! Bless it.

And for the win ... #Chicwrap!

You should have heard the ladies "ooo and aaa" over this little fun decorated box that Mary Margaret whipped out. A hard box with a sharp cutter that you store wax paper in while easily cutting a straight line. Genius idea to whoever thought of that!

Recipes for appetizers from this Gatherings:

Artichoke Dip

1 can artichokes (drained and chopped)

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup grated parm cheese

Mix together and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. Yum Yum.

Apple Brie Crustinis

1 loaf crustini bread (sliced)

1-2 green apples (sliced)

Brie cheese (sliced)

Mango, Guava & Passion Fruit Preserves

Chopped Pecans

Smear preserves on bread, place apple on top, then brie and top with chopped pecans.

Bake at 350 until cheese is melted. Delicious!

One of the most fun things I have come to love about having these Gatherings at my house is that I am getting to meet so many ladies, some younger than others, but all beautiful indeed. Last night, as I stood and listened to several conversations going on at the same time, I realized just how small our world is. Listening to the ladies introducing themselves. Making connections from having lived in small towns in Mississippi. A couple ladies both being from Memphis. And then Fulton, Booneville, and Eupora was mentioned. It just felt like we were all related in some small way.

But really, if you come to my house, you become my sister-in-Christ anyway. So thankful my family is growing. I love you ladies.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you ... whether you have children or not.

You are still a part of this Tribe.

- Jill -