Recipes

Easy spiced apple cider

RaspberrrySistersBlogLeave a comment

Hi friends! Autumn is my favorite season — I’ve been loving the crisp air, colorful leaves, and all of the cozy fall flavors. This spiced apple cider is a seasonal favorite in our home: it’s simple, comforting, and delicious!🍎🍂🍁

Ingredients:

  • Apple cider – 1/2 gallon or 64 oz bottle
  • Cinnamon sticks – 3 each
  • Whole Allspice – 2 teaspoons
  • Whole cloves – 1 teaspoon
  • Star Anise – 5-6 each
  • Fresh or ground Nutmeg – 1/4 teaspoon
  • Light brown sugar- to taste, we added about a 1/3 cup.

Pour your cider in a large pot and bring to boil, add in all your spices & sugar and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Taste as it simmers and adjust the spices accordingly. Once cool strain the cider back into the container it came in and enjoy!

Inspiration/Encouragement

Living a life devoted to prayer

RaspberrrySistersBlogLeave a comment

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26  

Prayer is a conversation with God, a way to communicate your praise, anxieties, emotions, and desires with the Lord. Prayer connects us to God. Just like any relationship in your life, spending time together strengthens the relationship you have with God. That is why knowing His word and praying is so important. Moreover, it is vital to pray for others, as demonstrated by Paul and Samuel. (Eph. 1:16, 1 Sam. 12:23) Samuel considered it a sin to fail to pray for the people of Israel. Matthew 5:44 also commands us to “Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.”

Prayer connects us to God and helps us seek his will. During his earthly ministry, Jesus often went by himself to pray and seek the Father— prayer is a vital discipline. “So He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:16. Jesus knew he needed time away from others to pray in private. Before we start each day, we need to be empowered by God’s word and spend a few minutes with him. We can be encouraged because Jesus’ prayer time was often interrupted, and he had compassion on the crowds and healed them. I hope this encourages you to spend a little extra time in prayer, this week and every week.

Love,

Moriah & Hope

Personal

A Hug in a Box: The Perfect Gift Basket

RaspberrrySistersBlogLeave a comment

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that feel like a warm hug, and this beautiful gift basket is exactly that. Thoughtfully curated, it’s filled with comfort, encouragement, and little reminders of love and care.

Inside, you’ll find a soft, knitted blanket—perfect for cozy evenings and quiet moments of rest. A delicate ceramic mug with a matching coaster is included, ready to be filled with your favorite tea or coffee. For a touch of relaxation, there’s a small jar of pink bath salts and a candle that brings soothing warmth to any space.

The basket also includes a sweet burlap pouch with a heart design, adding charm and surprise to the collection, and a lovely “One Day at a Time” keepsake stone as a gentle reminder to take things slowly and savor each moment. Dried flowers bring a natural, rustic touch, while a little notebook provides space for thoughts, prayers, or journaling.

The message printed inside the box says it all: “More than a gift, it is a hug of love to remind you that you are cherished.” This basket isn’t just a present—it’s a thoughtful gesture that wraps the recipient in warmth and encouragement.

Whether for a birthday, a care package, or simply to say “I’m thinking of you,” this gift basket is the perfect way to share love and comfort.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKHHV6GC?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.1DHQXRIFMBOEQ&linkCode=tr1&tag=raspberrysi07-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.1DHQXRIFMBOEQ_1757243654084

Recipes

Perfect French toast

RaspberrrySistersBlogLeave a comment

Hi friends! with Autumn right around the corner I thought this would be the perfect time to share this French toast with an apple compote. I used our sandwich bread recipe and it was perfection!

Best sourdough sandwich bread

Apple compote:

1 medium sized gala apple, peeled, medium dice

1 medium sized Granny Smith apple, peeled, medium dice 1.5 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 tsp lemon juice

Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, the apples should still have a little bite to them!

French toast batter:

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tsp molasses (brown sugar would also work)

1 whole large egg

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (fresh ground is preferred)

Soak bread (1 inch thick slice) in batter on both sides for 1 minute

Preheat pan on medium low to medium heat for 1 min

Add 2 tbsp butter and let melt

Cook on medium heat for 1-2 mins on first side and flip

Cook for 1-2 minutes on second side

Homemade whipped cream:

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp white sugar

Whip until stiff peaks

Enjoy with a heavy serving of apple compote, whipped cream, and perhaps a little maple syrup!

Happy Autumn!

Love,

Moriah & Hope

Style

Finding my wedding dress

RaspberrrySistersBlogLeave a comment

Since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of my wedding day. I remember Moriah and I had these picture boards that we filled with ideas for our weddings, hers was purple-themed, and mine was pink. Between layers of pink ruffles and bedazzled cars, we could hardly wait for the best days of our lives. We wrote all about Moriah’s dress experience, and now it is my turn!

The Inspiration

My wedding aesthetic is very traditional and classic, so I wanted the same for my dress. I knew going into the appointment that I liked strapless dresses, lace, and florals. I just wanted something feminine and delicate.

I was so happy to be able to choose my dress with my mom, Moriah, and my best friend Lindsey! (I was just missing our sister Sarah<3) Having their support and input helped me so much! I was so nervous that I was being too picky or that I wouldn’t find a dress I liked in my budget.

I thought these were so beautiful, but they didn’t feel like me.

By the grace of God, I did find a perfect dress! And it was the perfect price. God answered my prayers and blessed me! I was able to take my dress home that day!

Wedding planning can be so fun, but also very stressful at times, I have already had moments of thinking ‘ Should we have just eloped?’. But I want to encourage you all (and myself) to trust that God will provide and just pray! There is so much power in prayer.

Love,

Hope