Make Sunday Special

There’s something about this time of the year that seems almost magical. The days are still pleasantly warm, while the nights are cooler. Oh yes, it means sleeping with the windows open. Fresh air at long last.

On days like this, I love starting the day praising the Lord. As we bow our heads in prayer, I always take a quick peek at Hubby, my heart bursting with love. Sharing a faith is important. I know there are those who will argue that a Catholic and a Jew can have a solid marriage, or a Protestant and a Buddhist and so forth. I’m not going to disagree, but those are few and far between for persons of deep convictions. Sharing the same faith allows worship to be shared without conflict or long winded explanation as to why we’re eating fish tonight or no, there will NOT be a Christmas ham. While having differences allows us to grow, having too many fundamental disagreements is creating more friction than necessary. Hubby and I don’t necessarily see eye to eye when it comes to politics, and that’s fine. However; in matters of faith we are more united. I tend to pray the rosary more often than he does, but it in no way reflects differing options toward prayer. I just happen to be retired, with more personal time. If I were to ask Hubby to pray with me, he would.

Wow – wandered off just a bit. I love Sunday mornings this time of year. The churches are fuller once the children have returned to school as families settle into their routines. While Mass isn’t a social gathering in the traditional sense, it is nice to see families praying together. Mothers and fathers teaching their children to make the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering the church and to genuflect toward the tabernacle before entering the pew. Just as my parents taught us, we taught our children and grandchildren. Faith and prayer strengthen those family ties.

While I would argue that Mass is the best part of Sundays, coffee cake for breakfast is a very close second. And when the weather has begun to change, that warm coffee cake seems even more magical.

New York Crumbcake
4-1/4 cup Flour, divided
1/2 cup Sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 large Egg
1/2 cup Milk
3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 cup packed Brown Sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
16 tablespoons Butter, melted & cooled
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar for dusting

Center oven rack and heat oven to 325 degrees. Brush a 9-inch by 12-inch baking pan with a little oil. Dust with 1/4 cup flour, tap out excess. Set prepared baking dish aside.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1-1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking power and salt. Set aside. In a second mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture in two additions. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan, set aside.

In a clean mixing bowl combine remaining 2-1/2 cups flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Melt butter, pour over flour mixture. Toss with a rubber spatula until large crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over the batter.

Place Crumbcake in the heated oven to bake for 12 minutes. Rotate, continue to bake another 10 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Transfer baked Crumbcake to a wire rack to cool. Dust with powdered sugar. Using a serrated knife, cut into 3-inch squares for serving.

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The Lord upholds my life.