Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. sift together flour, salt and baking soda; set aside;
Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an un-greased mini muffin pan. Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

By Regina of  reginatherrienstock

Written by Elisabeth of Aronadesigns
A great big welcome to Hallie Franco of the shop Hallie Johanna! Hallie has been kind enough to offer a giveaway to one lucky reader (details at the end.)
Vintage Wooden Bead and Antique Bronze Chain Necklace

First let's find out more about Hallie!
My name is Hallie Franco
My shop, Hallie Johanna
-A little about me:
I am a new mommy with a passion for crafting! My son Ben, my two kitties, and my pup will always remain my little muses. I thank my own mom for fostering the creative side of me. It took me a while before I realized that I took great pleasure in unwinding through a good craft project. Now that I have harnessed my ideas, materials, passion, and true joy for making new friends through a great product made with love, I am never happier! 
My start on etsy began with a great deal of people I know asking me to make them some of the crafty things that I was making for myself. I discovered etsy almost by accident, and I didn't know it could really be THAT easy to use my passion for crafting! I thought: why could I not bless people with a unique selection of products not available in stores, while enjoying what I love to do!
My shop name is my first and middle name. I wanted to use my own name for the name of my shop to show people that the products I make are 100% ME. I put all of my efforts and creativity into each and every product I create, and would like everyone to know as much!
A typical day for me usually involves babysitting (I care for the children of two families professionally, and one of my friends babies on alternating days), spending time with my own family, crafting, and trying out new DIY projects for myself and my sister, whoever is willing to be my "prototyper"!

My favorite place in the whole world is Maui. I love to be there with my family to relax and unwind from a crazy life. There is no place I'd rather be than on Maui with all of my family and friends.
A bible verse that I have always felt spoke to me when I truly need it is Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. I even used this verse in the listing for my writable mini chalkboards!

I love featuring THIS beauty, one among a collection of about 6. I made one of these necklaces for myself, and could not stop. In love with it!
www.etsy.com/listing/125497044/large-icy-raw-rock-crystal-statement?ref=...

You can find me on facebook, twitter, and blogspot
www.facebook.com/HallieJohanna
www.twitter.com/HallieJohanna
www.HallieJohanna.blogspot.com


Thank you Hallie! Now, for the details of the giveaway. To win the beautiful wooden bead necklace pictured at the top of this feature, go to Hallie's shop, pick your favorite item and hop back here to tell us what it is. Simply commenting won't get you entered! Our winner will be chosen using random.org.
Come back next week to see who won, and read meet our next featured artist! 




“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalm 139:23

If you were to come to my house unannounced, you would likely find dirty dishes in the sink or unfolded laundry.  Perhaps the floors need to be swept and I am certain there would be furniture undusted. I am not the best house cleaner in the world.  But I can make the place presentable when I know someone’s on the way, especially if I have enough time.   It might involve hiding things in closets and shoving items in a drawer but at least the house looks decent.  No one knows but me.
We recently moved and I got a close look at my house keeping skills – or lack thereof.  The crumbs and lost objects that showed up under the couch exposed my neglect.  There were a few too many dust bunnies behind the dresser where the broom had failed to reach.  And the grime beneath the washer and dryer was humiliating.  I had no idea that those monstrous machines, impossible to move, were hiding so much.
As I was cleaning up the mess, it made me think of our hearts.  Sure, we can put on a smiling face.  We can go to church each week, serve God, love our families, and be helpful to others.  But what is in our hearts - deep down - the part that only God sees.  Strip away the clutter of our lives: the busy days, the masks, the bandages covering old wounds – and what do we find? Are we harboring bitterness, anger, regret, doubt, or fear?  Many times we neglect dealing with these things.  Sometimes we think we have swept them out but do not realize we have only touched the surface.  Occasionally, we have deceived ourselves into believing they are gone or never existed. The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” 
Perhaps we think that the bitterness, anger or doubts are too big and cannot be moved.  But we serve the Almighty God.  He knows and He cares. And nothing is impossible for Him.  Ask your Heavenly Father today to search your heart and to clean out the clutter and the cobwebs; the deeply buried bitterness, fears and doubts.  Ask Him to replace those with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

"How Great Is Our God"
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice


https://www.etsy.com/listing/128566431/8-x-10-matted-photo-lake-cushman?ref=shop_home_active


He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice


https://www.etsy.com/listing/89661057/photograph-atlantic-sun-rise-10-x-8?ref=shop_home_active


How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

https://www.etsy.com/listing/63438771/fine-photography-print-of-fall-aspens?ref=shop_home_active


Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112831153/photo-print-beautiful-sunset-over-lake?ref=shop_home_active


The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb


https://www.etsy.com/transaction/129857311


Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God


https://www.etsy.com/listing/118800932/photo-print-4-x-6-waterfall-graveyard?ref=shop_home_active


Song credit-Chris Tomlin

Sue Anderson

Welcome Kelly from our new Shop of the Week CassiasAromatics. You'll enjoy taking a moment to read Kelly's Etsy profile and find out a little about her fascinating travels. I'm delighted to find her shop because, after years for the search of the perfect perfume, I've recently come to the conculsion that I much prefer simpler botanical perfume oils in the tradition of eastern attars. You can read all about them in Kelly's descriptions. Also look for her soaps and candles.

Botanical Perfume Ylang Ylang .33 oz. Exotic Floral Calming Lovely Soft FREE SHIP





Please note that the only way to be featured as the CAST Shop of the Week is to tag your shop items "castteam" on Etsy and to not hide your teams in your Etsy profile. You will also have to have at least 12 items to feature. Those are the ways that I find great CAST shops to feature each week. 

CAST Members: If you have a minute or two, please feel free to favorite ♥ this shop or promote it on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or other social media.  Thanks!

by Sue of SueRunyonDesigns
‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
 
 Night light by Donna Kay Designs

Salt cellar by Rising Star Pottery

Soy tea lights by Good Neighbors Candle Co.
Salt scrubs by Crafty Cuties by Design

Light fixtures by Katie Two Shoes Vintage

Eucalyptus mint salts by Dezigned by Nature

Candle holder by RyAngel's Creations

Salt and pepper shakers by Cool and Beautiful
If you are looking for some lovely jewelry for that special day or for something lovely to wear every day, I would like to introduce you to Grace from Created by Grace for You.


-Tell us a bit about yourself, Grace.

I was born in East Africa and grew up in Minnesota and California. I went to UC Berkeley for undergrad and Fuller Seminary for my masters degree. I currently work at my church as a minister.  My favorite thing to do is to travel the world and see the people and cultures God created. I also enjoy adventure and have had the opportunity to ski dive, scuba dive, bungee jump, fly a Cessna plane and much more!


-How did you get your start on Etsy?

I joined Etsy because I was excited to find that there was a creative community that shared in my love for arts, crafts and much more. I have not been on Etsy that long and am still on a huge learning curve!

-How did you choose your shop name?

The name Created by Grace was chosen first to acknowledge that everything we have is all because of God's grace. Second, because I (Grace) design the art pieces and I work with a friend of mine (Lisa) in making the pieces in my shop.

-What does a typical day look like for you?

I work full time at my church. The days are filled with meetings, emails, and everything else that happens in any office environment.  After work, I often come home and work on designing new pieces, and we set to work to put them together. My inspiration comes from modern trends and my travels around the world.


-If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

There are so many countries I would love to travel to! However, if I could be anywhere in the world for one day it would be either at a G8 or United Nations meeting. I think it would be incredible to be gathered with world leaders and be able to learn from them and pray for them as they make key decisions in leading their countries. What would make the day even more amazing would be having the opportunity to speak to the leaders about justice issues such as poverty and ending sex trade slavery.

-What is your favorite Bible verse?

Whom have I in heaven but you? Earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25

-What is one of your favorite items?
One of my favorites is this charm bracelet. I love the different colors and shapes and how we fit so many into the bracelet.


- Other URLs where we can find you on the internet.
We are currently working on a Facebook page and hope to have it launched by the beginning of next month.



 Published by: Zuda Gay Pease