Needles and Floss

This is what I have for a pile on my dining table right now.

- fabric for napkins and table runner

- the start of my "welcome frame" for the month of March

- my latest craft to sell, and maybe start my own etsy store, napkins; a set of 6 I am calling "sweet tooth"

Hand stitching, that's my craftiness of choice.

If you could have any one thing hand-stitched by me, what would it be?

Love is...

Love is...
5 generations of women with hearts for God.
My grandmother, mother, daughter and grand-daughter. We've seen a lot the 5 of us, individually and collectively. We've cried, prayed, laughed, forgave. I can't think of a more wonderful group of women to do life with, to learn from and to love.
Love is...
a best friend for the last 7 years who knows what to say, when to call and when to be silent. We have done the better part of raising 5 teenage boys together, we've prayed through 3 new driver's, high school decisions, girlfriends, a marriage and a birth. We've travelled on home school field trips, sat through many a home school park day and have sipped more coffee together than I dare think of. She is Jesus in flesh even though she keeps telling me the brownies and ice cream won't add a single pound.

Love is...

23 years of friendship, 18 years as a couple and 17 years of marriage. A man who is more amazing than I can type about and my soul mate. I have had such a privilege of being married to my closest friend~ really, our only marriage book has been the Bible and our main rule not to go to bed angry or upset and out motto: "We don't hug enough". We've missed many a night of sleep, we've laughed, cried, prayed, loved and fought with all the passion in the world. We still got it goin' on and I thank our Lord and Savior sooo much for that!

I have a few other to share but you'll have to wait....

The Fun Happens After 9pm

Feeding kids.
It seems to be what I do.
I can't help it, most of the time when they show up I just can't help heading to the kitchen and start pulling things out.
One of the biggest complaints of my family however, is the food I make for my Wednesday night girls.
They don't mind the leftovers from dinner that night that I take,
no they prefer to not eat leftovers anyway.
What they don't like is the hidden stash of sweets and treats in my bedroom or wore yet the baked goodness I often make. Yes my family really dislikes those nights because they get to smell the yummy goodness and then just hope some leftovers make it home for them.

This last week was one of those weeks. I had fun baking a heart shaped cake filled with strawberries and blueberries.
My layer of fruits wasn't nearly plentiful enough.

But it sure was tasty.

Not sure why these pics are sideways but I have got to get ready for work so time is valuable right now so I will leave it as it is, just turn your head please.

On Wednesday the girls enjoyed the taco bake for dinner and then the cake to satisfy their sweet tooths.

Our small group time is not nearly long enough, 30 minutes is all we get this year and by the time we get going into a conversation it's time for them to go; except most nights a few girls stay behind and secretly I like that time the best. I find there's more honesty, more conversation and more fun!

Now I am off to get ready for work and my brain is turning about what snack to bake this week.

Cupcakes?

Magic cookie bars?

Homemade chocolate?

or something new?

OK now I'm hungry, do you have any homemade snack ideas for me?

Summer 2011 To Do

Here's the start of my summer 2011 to do list...
1. Lighthouse

2. Busch Gardens - family vacation, first one in 5 years

3. Beach

4. visit Alaska

5. Beach

6. Pool

7. Detroit Mission Trip

8. Lots of Jeep rides with my Hottie

Jumbalaya

There are not too many meals that everyone likes. My boys have grown to be be kind of picky but each in their own unique way- this meal however, is a hit for both of them as well as the rest of the family.
Not fancy,
not real super healthy,
but yummy and good!
I learned how to make it while in New Orleans on a mission trip back in 2007. We stayed in the Holly Grove section of town and the native New Orleans cook, Miss Rose taught me how to cook this quick, thrifty, easy meal; especially for a large group of people.

1 box Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix
4 frozen chicken patties
1- 14 oz. package of beef sausage
cooked shrimp (optional)
Place chicken patties in the microwave for about 1 minute.
Slice them into thin slices, set aside.

Cut sausage into bite size pieces, set aside.
Boil water as directed on package, add meats and Jambalaya package.
Reduce heat and simmer.
Set timer for 25 minutes.
Get yourself a cute little helper to help pass the cook time.
Enjoy!

Yummy.

Easy and usually no leftovers :)

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

Happy Valentine's Day from our home to yours!

May you love those who are hard to,

thank thoe who are easy

and never think you are not loved.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life"

book of John chapter 3, verse 16

In This Hour

originally posted June 25, 2010

Do we ask for our suffering to go away?
Do we ask for troubles to avoid us?
Do we ask for life to be smooth sailing?
Yes, we can ask; but I say don't waste your breath.

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" -Jesus

It is during these troubled hours that we become who we were meant to be, it is where we find ourselves. It is during these times that we can see and feel and touch this Jesus who saved us. It is during these dark hours that the light shines through, that refinement continues, hearts are changed and it is during these troubles that we can be refreshment to others.

It is what it is.
We are where we are.
Not saying therefore we should give up on changing or making better or obeying- no, I am saying that the hour in which you are in is exactly that: the hour in which you are in.
So...
Live it.
Love it.
Learn from it.

Grow in it.
Seek God in it.
Relax, be still, move, dig in.

You are where you are because this is what God created you for- life on this green planet.
Life with troubled hours,
heart aching nights,
sore knees and rug burned faces.

So I cry out in this hour of mine "Father, glorify your name!"

Love to you all.

Valentine Breakfast Idea

Make your favorite pancake mix, I always use Bisquick!! Spoon into heart shapes.
Serve and enjoy!

Yummy and sweet for your loved ones!