Have Basket Will Travel

The picnic basket is all packed in anticipation of a vacation to California.  Tomorrow I will pick up the two oldest TLC's (Trent and Tyler) and Thursday bright and early we will hit the trail - first stop Great Grandma Judy's.

Looking forward to celebrating my mother's 85th birthday on Friday night and then on Saturday we will have the 3rd annual Leland Family Reunion.

I am feeling 30 years younger tonight as I make special plans all with the boys in mind.   They are going to be so surprised and excited.  After the reunion we will head to the beach and then Knottsberry Farm.

Need to get back to packing but know for sure there will be pictures of fun soon to be seen in future blogs.  Happy summer everyone.

Amazing Encouraging Video

I want to share a very amazing video with you.  I believe it will touch your heart in many ways.  It will encourage you in your marriage and especially encourage you in your walk with the Lord.



Larissa has an incredible blog at  http://prayforian.com/  where she writes very candidly from her heart.    Go spend some time reading her blog and see the reality of God's love and His presence in the lives of a very special young couple.

Mother's Day

 

Yesterday I rode to town with Precious Husband and after his business was taken care of we had some fun.   First stop was the local thrift store where I found this picture.

 

It is a Mother's Day picture.  I love the whole vintage look of it.  On the back is written May 11, 1935 Judy and Dorothy.  Well, of course it was coming home with me and I knew immediately what I would do with it.  By the way, my mother's name is Judy.

While Precious Husband shopped the Home Depot I went to work finding hardware for my project.

 

I couldn't be happier with the results.  Perfect little tea tray for one.

 

Sending my dear mother all my love this weekend celebrating 

Mother's Day!

Hugs and Blessings,

Mémère

Frustration

Well, I finally have my blog cleaned up a little bit but what frustration it caused.  I liked the original that I lost last night much better but oh well, life moves on right?  Now to get busy and back to regular blogging.  

Hugs and blessings,

Mémère

What Happened?

Oh brother!  I wanted to put a picture in my header and fooled around and lost my whole original layout.  I can't figure out what I did but it is gone.  Sad to say I don't know how to get things arranged the way I want to now either.  My picture took over the blog lol!  Technology!  Going to bed - try try again tomorrow.

Simply Sweet

This robin is such a good example of the faithfulness of God.  So sweet!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Baby Back Ribs!

On one of my favorite cooking blogs I found a recipe for baby back ribs and it is a keeper for sure.  You can see the original recipe here: http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/06/fall-off-bone-ribs.html

I used our favorite KC barbeque sauce but used the rub recipe from Plain Chicken.  Oh, they were so delish!  Tender, juicy and fall of the bone good!

For the rub I mixed together:

2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
1tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin

This rub made enough to generously coat one rack of ribs.

Looking forward to fixing these when we go to Kentucky and see our kids.  I think this will make for some good Kentucky eating!

Linking up today with Lisa at  Blessed With Grace

Monday Memo: Just My Speed

 

Home Sweet Home

 

We just returned from a week visiting family in California.  We had a delightful time but there truly is no place like home!

It is good to get back to our routines.  Back to our familiar comfy bed and waking to the smell of our first cup of coffee in the morning.

Yes, home sweet home.

 

Betty Crocker and Silverware

Giving my children some more family history today.

 

When I was a girl Betty Crocker had coupons on their products worth points that could be redeemed for silverware.  My mother had a shoe box full of these coupons and my grandmother came over to babysit us while my mother and father were away one weekend.

Grandma decided she was going to count points and order silverware for my hope chest.  According to grandma, "Your mother will never do anything with these so we are going to get you some silverware."  I always thought that was cute.

Today some 50 years later I set my table with Betty Crocker's My Rose Onieda silverware and I smile thinking of my precious little grandmother who ordered it for me.

So kids, now you know where the silverware I set the table with daily came from and why it is so special to me.

 

Love Is . . .

 

Visiting my mom in California and having fun checking out the local Sally Ann's and antique stores.  Wahoo!

Poor Posture?

I hope you can zoom in to read the cartoon better.  The mother pictured here believes she is being a good mother and giving her son good advice but is she?   Our negative attitude and critical spirit as wives and mothers most certainly does make for poor posture in our loved one. 

The words we choose to speak to our children and to our husbands are very important.  Are we building them up or tearing them down?  Do they grow from our words of advice or do they feel condemned?  Are they better individuals for our words or worse?

Listen today to the words you speak to your husband and your children.  Choose your words carefully so your loved ones can stand tall in life.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, 

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

My Sentiment Exactly!

 

Mary Engelbreit art

 Take time today to count your blessings!  It is amazing how good God is and how we take life for granted at times.  At Thanksgiving I wrote the words, "Thankful Be" on my kitchen chalk board.  I have not erased the words because they are daily inspiration for this Mémère.

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Coconut Cake

Found this recipe about a year ago when a friend wanted Coconut Cake for his birthday.  This recipe is made to order for these reasons:

simple ingredients 

quick and easy to make
can be made ahead
leftovers freeze well

This is a great recipe to file under hospitlaity because of its ease and the fact you can make it ahead of time - two factors that make it a keeper in my opinion.

Coconut Freezer Cake
{from Gooseberry Patch~ so yummy!}

18-1/4 oz. pkg. white cake mix
14-oz. pkg. sweetened flaked coconut
16-oz. container sour cream
2 c. sugar
8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare cake according to package directions dividing batter evenly among three, 9" round cake pans. Bake according to package directions. Let cool. In a large bowl, combine coconut, sour cream and sugar; set aside one cup of mixture. Place one cake on a cake stand and top with half the coconut mixture. Add second cake and spread remaining coconut mixture on top. Place third layer on; set aside. Combine reserved coconut mixture with whipped topping; frost top and sides of cake. Place in freezer. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Makes 12 to 18 servings.