Wonderful Christmas spent with family.  The 4 little TLC's were so much fun to watch as they received their gifts from Precious Husband and me.  Tyler, 4 year old TLC#2 opened a package to find Star War pajamas and the next thing we knew he had stripped down to his undershorts and was trying to get into the new jammies.  We all laughed so hard at his innocence and excitement over Star War jammies.

Oldest son was happy to find new supply of white socks for the year.  For me it is the simple.  The tradition. The predictable that often makes me smile the biggest.  For Jason it just wouldn't be Christmas without new white socks from Mom.

New Years will be quiet with just Precious Husband cozied up together - probably both with our puters on our laps.

God has blessed us beyond measure this past year and we are looking forward to 2011 and all that it may hold.  Precious Husband will be retiring from running his own business the last 20 some years and that should make for some interesting changes in our lives.  Looking to God for His best for us and for our family and loved ones in the new year because I know without a doubt I can trust His hand in our lives.

God bless you all in this coming new year.

Merry Christmas

At Christmas and Always

God loves you with a Father's heart

and guides you with His light -

Created in His image,

you are precious in His sight.

You can trust He'll bless and keep you,

though life's problems may arise,

For His grace is never-failing

and His plans, divine and wise.

You have a friend, a champion,

a help in all you do,

You have an everlasting love -

because God cares for you.

Celebrating with you at Christmas, knowing how very special you are and always will be to Him.* 

 (*above all taken from an American Greetings card)

Praying CHRISTmas blessings to all of you and your families this week and for the new year.

I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever . . .

Psalm 89:1

Christmas Memories

Every year it is the same senerio.  I haul out my little Charlie Brown Christmas tree and my bucket ofmemories to decorate it and my Precious Husband shakes his head.  As we walk through stores Precious Husband points to the BIG and beautifully decorated trees and says, "Now THAT is a Christmas tree!"

I persist with my Charlie Brown tree and enjoy every minute of hanging all the decorations and remembering the history of each one.  I put the tree upstairs in the loft where we will gather with the family and open our gifts together Chirstmas Eve.

 

This ornament is of a Cracker Barrel and we got it in Kentucky.  Our daughter, son-in-love and three grandchildren there live within walking distance of the Cracker Barrel.  We shared Christmas with them 2 years ago.  We will miss being together around the tree this year.

 

This little elf sat in my parent's Christmas tree when I was growing up.  It is OLD!

Reminders of the Fruit of the Spirit.  Always good to remember . . . 

 

Here is our son,  Anthony in 1983.  He was 7 and cute!

This one is hard to see but of Jason, our oldest son when he was in kindergarten.  

Wow, 35 years ago!

These little bells were on my bridal shower cake which makes them 27 years old.  

Every year I hang them close to the top of our tree.

Here is one of the many lollypops my mother made us when the kids were young.  Mom is 83 and still loves to create with her hands.

Finally this star tops the tree and it also topped my childhood tree.

So many memories and so much love remembered.  It may be a Charlie Brown tree to some people but I will keep it and let it continue to make me smile as I remember back.

Last year I purchased some ornaments that I hope this year to attach pictures of the 7 grandchildren to and add more memories and love to the tree.  The little face below just has to adorn the tree don't you agree?

Challenge For Sure

 

Who would think taking one little picture would be so difficult!?  

"Be still, don't move, look this way EVERYBODY.  For goodness sakes, SMILE!"

My four little TLC's just about wore me out yesterday trying to get this picture with the santa hats on.  Finally got one with 3 out of 4 were looking at me.  It is pretty pathetic when you have to resort to dramatic begging.  Yes, I begged and added dramatic pleadings.  

On a cute and much more positive note I must tell you about Thomas, TLC #4.  The minute I put his hat on he responds in a deep voice, "HO HO HO!"  Just too cute.  

Grandkids, you gotta love them and so definitely worth the challenge : )

Ho Ho Ho!

For Your Saturday Enjoyment

If you need to smile big or laugh outloud like I did please go see this video:

http://www.wimp.com/pattycake/

Thanks to my cousin Frani for sending it to me.  It is just too cute!

Please Go Visit

Been a slow-down week cause I am battling a flue-bug.  Needless to say I am not feeling creative for my own blog but wanted you to have a special blessing.  The following link is to my friend, Diane.  She is one amazing woman and you will be blessed by her post from yesterday.  Please take the time to read:

http://tomatosoupcake.blogspot.com/2010/12/everyday-miracles_09.html

Then take more time and read more cause you will definitely be happy you did.

TLC #4 The Singer

 

Pictured above is Thomas, our youngest grandchild and often referred to by me as "the caboose".  This little boy definitely has his Mémère wrapped around his little finger according to Precious Husband and I must agree with him.  

He is 21 months old and he has been singing for months.  He now talks like a 4 year old but even before he could talk he was singing.   Well, maybe not singing with words, more like humming tunes.  Tunes he makes up himself primarily but once he starts a tune they continue on consistently with a pattern. 

It is the cutest thing to hear him playing and all the while singing his little tunes. I am sure he is going to be a singer.

 

Yes, he definitely has his Mémère wrapped around his little finger.  The trouble is he also knows it and he knows how to play it coy too.

Double Portion Please?

 

Lord, give me a servant's heart.  Because there is no limit to Your supply would you please make that a double portion?  Amen.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Simple Blessings in Abundance

I looked out my kitchen window this afternoon as I made preparations for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and I spotted the scene above.  There were about 20 fat little doves all lined up facing the evening sunset.

Simple.  Ordinary.  Non-dramatic.  These are the things that make for relaxation.  Enjoying my kitchen with my homemade cookbook containing all the family favorite recipes opened on the island.  Fixing the same menu year after year and still enjoying the comfort of the familiar.  Simple. Ordinary. Non-dramatic.

Today's preparations are actually for tomorrow but it will not be the typical family sitting down at the table here.  Instead we are taking our menu plus extra and gathering at our church where we will sit and share food and fellowship with other church members plus many homeless from our local parks.  The beauty is not in serving them but in sitting with them and sharing our food and our hearts.

We felt it only respectful to ask our daughter and son-in-love what they were doing for Thanksgiving rather than take for granted they would join us.  When we asked them our daughter never hesitated in her response, "We will be here of course" as if where else would we be.  Made Precious Husband and I smile for sure and then we shared our plans this year and made plans for the usual family gathering to be Saturday afternoon this year.  We will look forward to turkey again on Saturday with daughter, son-in-love, 4 TLC's, and 2 sons.  Maybe we will be able to get a Skype connected to daughter, son-in-love and other 3 grandkids in Kentucky which will make for a perfect Thanksgiving.

Simple. Ordinary. Non-dramatic.  Simple blessings in abundance.

(Linking up today over at http://raisinghomemakers.com/ )  Lots of wonderful ladies sharing their hearts today.

 

Kid Friendly Cookies

 

Pull Up The Cook'in Chair!

Promised TLC#2 that we would make cookies today so that he could take them back to his brothers and sister when he goes home tonight.  Peanut Butter Cookies were the perfect choice - quick - easy- and kid friendly!


This recipe is just 3 ingredients that you most likely have on the shelf for sure.  I love them because we can make cookies literally in 20 minutes - start to finish.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix together and bake 10-12 minutes at 350*  Recipe calls for white sugar but I usually use brown sugar.  We most often add a cup of chocolate chips too.  Yum!

Today is Tuesday Tempt My Tummy so go see Lisa for more good links.

Happy Day Blessings to Precious Husband

We are in Prescott doing a quick celebration for our 27th wedding anniversary.

Stopped at Salvation Army thrift store and bought two bags of books.  Some people would laugh at the way we celebrate and what makes us happy but hey, this is US and we love being US.

Came up here specifically to have dinner at Murphy's and we were not disappointed - yummy yum for sure!

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world and I truly am treated like a queen by this man.

Thank you Honey - I love you!

Waiting

Last year I had alysum sprouting up all over my yard and the flower beds where the seeds were originally intended were over-flowing with flowers.  As I pulled out the old flowers lots of seeds would fall to the ground promising hope of new flowers next season.

Soon all the flowers in the yard had been cleaned up and recently I began to look around and wondered what happened to my alysum?  There was not a sign of new plants coming up.  No green buds pushing through the brown earth nor through the gravel where it had been before.

I started to wonder and doubt about the return of my little white flowers and was quite disappointed actually but then just a few days ago . . .  Sure enough there were the familiar green sprouts and soon after the little white flowers began to appear.  My flowers that remind me so much of my little grandmother are starting to appear once again in my yard - to my delight.

God promises us that when we plant seeds in lives of others around us they will produce fruit but sometimes we have to be patient in our waiting.  It is discouraging at times and we wonder if our words or deeds of love will produce a harvest.  Be assured that we only have to do the planting God will see to the rest and He will be faithful to His Word.

Today I am thankful for a faithful God.

 

Wordless Wednesday - Double Feature

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Banana Cupcakes

TLC #2 enjoying his dad's birthday cupcakes.

Recently I had some very ripe bananas that in fact most people would have thrown away but I used them to make these cupcakes.  Wow, were they ever good.  Makes me wonder if it was not due to the fact that the bananas were soooo ripe that maybe that intensified the flavor.  They were quite the hit for sure.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

    •    2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    •    1 teaspoon baking soda
    •    1/4 teaspoon salt
    •    3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter softened
    •    1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
    •    3 eggs
    •    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
    •    2 ripe bananas mashed
    •    3/4 cup sour cream

Makes: About 18 standard cupcakes.

Preheat oven 350°F. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Add eggs, vanilla and banana; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream; blend thoroughly but do not overmix. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
    •    1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
    •    8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
    •    2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
    •    1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth.
2 Add the vanilla extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness.

Check out Lisa's blog for more Tasty Tuesday links.

Family

 

Celebrating our son-in-loves' birthday

I went upstairs to get the camera to take pictures of the grandkids with frosting all over their faces of course.  As I came down the stairs I could not help snapping this picture and thinking to myself, "this is what it is all about - family!" 

Total Refreshment

I started the day with a phone call from a loved one who needed to vent.  After 45 minutes of intent listening I was left feeling a little wilted to say the least.  Refreshment was needed even at this early hour.

Thus the picture above. 

My Double Delights are a refreshment for the senses for sure.  Gorgeous color and beauty and the scent they freely give is beyond describing. 

Coffee in an old favorite mug.  Mmmm refreshment!

Last and the most importantly is God's Word the most important most long lasting refreshment.  With my coffee in hand I retreated to my sanctuary (a.k.a my office) and proceeded to find a scripture that I could put to memory and have for meditation all day. 

Three things.  Definitely refreshment for the body, soul and spirit.

Fresh Cut Friday

It is so nice to be able to stop and smell the roses!  That is exactly what I did a couple of days ago in my back yard.  With the cooler days finally arriving in Arizona my roses are coming alive once again.  Oh, how I miss them through the hot days of summer.  They really should be delightful in a couple more weeks.

Please go over and visa Liz at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com to see more links of gorgeous arrangements on Liz' Fresh Cut Friday link party.  While you are there be sure and browse through Liz' blog - it is full of mouth watering pictures of her decorating talent.

Have a great weekend and don't forget to stop and smell the roses in your life.

Stayed on Jesus

This morning I was faced with a situation that usually causes me to yield to a very bad attitude and my mind takes me in directions I truly don't want to go.  Because of what the Lord has been reminding me lately about keeping my mind stayed on Him I began to sing the old Negro spiritual that says, " I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus".  My face turned into a large smile as I began to sing.  That smile totally encouraged my spirit and confirmed to me how important it is to keep our mind on Jesus. 


So how do we keep our mind stayed on Jesus?  Meditating on God's Word and praying without ceasing are the two things that probably are the most beneficial.  

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Isaiah 26:3

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:21-24

Jesus replied: " 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 8:6

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous , and then thou shalt have good success . Joshua 1:8

Sing with me:

Do The Next Thing

Elisabeth Elliot often quotes an old Saxon poem that contains the phrase, "do the next thing".  This  has been on my mind a lot lately.  It is so easy to get bogged down and as we view our surroundings we wonder, where do we begin?  Such simple, such logical, such wise advice - do the next thing.  We find the same concept in the quote, "inch by inch life is a cinch, yard by yard life is hard". 

So advice to myself today is "do the next thing" do what makes sense.  Prioritize.  Good simple example in the homemaking arena would be if my bedroom were a mess.   First, make the bed.  Amazing, looks better already.  Now I feel encouraged to go on and do the next thing, pick up the dirty socks on Precious Husband's side of the bed : )  Get the picture?

This morning I cleaned out my silverware drawer and the jar pictured above was in that drawer.  It is a baby food jar filled with rice and pecans.  Many years ago a good friend gave me the jar and gave me this explanation of the lesson of the jar:  if I put in the big pecans first there will be room to put in all the rice but if all the rice goes in first there will be no way to fit in the pecans.  The pecans of course represent the important, the priorities of our life and the rice is all the other little daily things that also call for our attention.  The jar was to remind me of the spiritual priorities of putting the Lord first and then there would always be time for the other things.  So true. So true. Such a needed reminder. 

I cleaned the drawer and returned the very old jar of pecans and rice to continue to remind me to do the next thing and to do the important things first.

I noted once on an earlier blog that I wanted to start a journal about the history and/or reason of some of the things around my home so that someday when my girls have the joy of going through our things maybe they will understand their mother a little bit better if they know the history of things they come across.  Like the jar full of pecans and rice.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Crock Pot Chuck Roast

Roast and Veges in the Crock Pot

True Comfort Food

Put a chuck roast in the crock pot along with whole peeled potatoes, whole peeled carrots and several quartered onions.  Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and package of dry onion soup mix.  Put on low and let cook all day.  Put the bread machine to work with your favorite bread recipe and oh baby!  Your house will smell soooo good and you will have a wonderful meal waiting for you with little effort.

I made this meal and took it up to our men in the Pampa house Saturday night.  They loved it and we loved sharing the meal with them.  We have been so blessed by having these precious young men living in our house.  Paul and I feel strongly we have added 5 new sons to our family.  God is good!


I am off to spend the day with my 4 TLC's and then hopefully make it to our church's ladies Bible study tonight.  After all this I bet I sleep good tonight.


Try the roast and let me know what you think and go see Lisa for more ideas from lots of super good cooks in blogland.

The Word in Picture

Message in Song

Joy of the Lord

 

One of the most popular verses in the Bible is Nehemiah 8:10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."


My joy does not come from the many blessings God has bestowed on me or my family.  Joy does not come with personal achievements or accomplishments.  Joy does not come from good health or the cool days we finally have in Arizona to enjoy our health.


Joy comes from the Lord.  Joy comes from abiding in the Lord.  Joy comes from trusting the Lord no matter what I see, what I feel or what I fear.  Joy comes from knowing who God is and the abundance of mercy and grace he showers into my life.
 
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  Habakkuk 3:17-18

Memo to me today:Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4