2008...A Year To Remember...

Time to Reflect...

Time to Remember...

Time to Reset my Priorities...

God

Family

Others

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well!

Matthew 6:33

little Christmas in the BIG Woods...

Over the river and through the woods,

to Grandmother's house we go...

With all the family in their warm coats,

ready to play in the snow.

Icicles hanging to the ground,

and the snow continually falling down.

It was the best little Christmas

in the Big Woods, I know!!

Sweet Memories Made...

My sister Sheri and my two daughters, Amy, and Kimi and I spent the day in Boise and enjoyed the Nutcracker Ballet. As my sister is moving in a month to Texas, this was very special spending time together. This will be one of those moments we'll say "Remember the time when..."

Life changes...it's not always fun!! But God is good all the time!!

He gives us those moments in time we'll cherish always!!

ANGELS...We have heard...or not

Angels...

Angels came to announce, to sing, to bring good news!

"I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord"

Wouldn't it have been awesome to have heard them announce the

good news and also to hear them singing...a multitude of angels!!

Well, of course, we can't hear them, but I believe the angels on

my tree still speak the truth of that 1st Christmas. They remind me

of the Joy...for me for you.

"Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er

the plains...Gloria in excelsis Deo."

A Pretty Little Christmas Blog Party!!

Decorating my home for Christmas is one of the most important things I

look forward to each Christmas season!

I've had many of my village pieces since my children were small.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!

The Christmas Tree is one of the first things I do each year and

has many traditions and memories associated with it!!

Angels are my favorite Christmas decoration!!





The things we do at Christmas are touched with a certain extravagance.

Robert Collyer

Thanks for visiting!!

A CHILD AT CHRISTMAS!

Cidney participated in her first dance recital and it was fun to experience her excitement at participating in the Christmas program!!

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas."

Charles Dickens

Coming up is "A Pretty Little Christmas Blog Party" next Monday!!

Come back and visit me!!

Overjoyed or Overwhelmed...in this life!!!

Christmas is coming and some of us are feeling the busyness that comes with preparing for this celebration. We're shopping, decorating, baking, hostessing, and trying to manage everything else in our lives. Other possibilities may be a reality at this time such as not enough money to buy gifts, husband just lost his job, a loved one is sick or it may be the first Christmas without a loved one.

So, how do we keep a joyful perspective at this time of year even with circumstances that are not of our choosing?

1Peter 4:12-13 - "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

To rejoice means we wear the attitude of joy on our countenances and engage in the action of joy.

I'm going to choose to be overjoyed because of Christ and his gift to me and not be overwhelmed with all the hard times and bad news that comes my way in this Life! I have so much to be thankful for and I'm going to focus on that and hopefully God's glory will shine in and through me!!

Oh...to be a child again!

God's Spirit beckons.

There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.

It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, "What's next, Papa?"

God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.

We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

Romans 8:14-16

FALL FUN FOTOS!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

TAKE A LOAD OFF

Why is it so hard, sometimes, to let go, and let God!!

Sometimes I feel as if the

weight of the world is on

my shoulders, don't you?

Controlling people, circumstances, and outcomes has become too exhausting for me and I experience intense anxiety when I try to be in charge of more than I'm meant to handle.

Trusting God lifts my load, and His sweet peace and rest become available to me when I relinquish control and allow Him to do what He does best... Be Himself...the Source and Sustainer of my life!!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Where...Lord?

Decisions are part of our life every day.

Which road am I going to choose to take today?

God's hand has clearly guided me in the many decisions and circumstances in my life. I can look back and see how obvious His involvement was in guiding me, and I recognize His purposes even in those times of hurt and distance from Him.



I want to live with a God-consciousness every day; an awareness of His presence
in everything I do. I know it will alter my choices in books, movies, conversations, friendships, spending money, and so much more. The outcome will be a life well-pleasing to Him.


Lord, today let me see You when You are moving and hear You when You are speaking. May Your presence become so evident today that I am steered clear of mistakes that I would make if left to my own natural self. Guide me through today as I make the choices and decisions that are in the path in front of me.

Just for Fun
Where is your mobile phone? Purse

Your hair colour? Brown
Your mother? Loving
Your father? Strong
Your favourite thing? Grandchildren
Your dream last night? None
Your dream goal? Travel
The room you're in? Happy

Your hobby (hobbies)? Music

Your fear? Failing
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
Where were you last night? Sister's
What you're not? Quiet
One of your wish-list items? Kitchen
Where you grew up? Vale
The last thing you did? Ate

What are you wearing? Jeans
Your TV? On

Your pet? Fish
Your computer? Slow

Can't live without? Jesus
Your mood? Great

Missing someone? Yes

Your car? Red
Something you're not wearing? Shoes
Favourite shop? Graples

Your summer? Short
Love someone? Yes

Love/Hate Relationship? Exercising
Current addiction? Facebook
Your favourite colour? Red

When is the last time you laughed? Tonight
When is the last time you cried? Don't remember

Try to use just one word when answering the questions. Leave me a comment if you take the quiz!!

HE IS LIKE A TREE...

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the assemble of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

PEANUT BUTTER CREAM SANDWICH COOKIES

1/2 C Chunky Peanut Butter

1/2 C Shortening

1 C Brown Sugar

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/8 tsp Salt

1 1/4 C Flour

Granulated Sugar

1 Recipe Peanut Cream Filling (below)

1. Preheat oven to 350. In bowl beat peanut butter and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, egg, and vanilla. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in baking soda, salt, and as much flour as you can. Stir in any remaining flour.

2. Form dough into balls, using a level teaspoon each. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten by making crisscross marks with tines of fork dipped in sugar.

3. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack; cool.

4. Spread one teaspoon Peanut Cream Filling on flat side of half of cookies. Top with remaining cookies. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. Freeze unfilled cookies up to 1 month.

Makes 4 dozen sandwich cookies.

Peanut Cream Filling:

In medium bowl whisk together 3/4 C Chunky Peanut Butter, 3/4 C Marshmallow Creme, 3 Tbs Milk, 3/4 tsp ground Cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground Cumin. Gradually whisk in 3 Tbs Powdered Sugar.

MAKING COOKIES WITH AMY

Amy and I decided to get ambitious today and make a new cookie recipe with 6 kids underfoot!!

Actually it was pretty easy as the 4 girls were upstairs watching a new DVD while the boys played downstairs and then sampled our finished product!!

I will post the recipe for these cookies later!

A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD

One thing I have loved since I was little, is to hear stories from my parents about their childhood. Especially as I get older, it becomes even more important for me to take time to listen and learn even more about what was important to them and how God worked in their life, because learning more not only helps me relate to them better, but also helps me appreciate all the things that make them who they are today!! I also realize that it is important for me to share some of the same things in my past with my children and grandchildren in order to pass down the Lord's goodness and guidance along the way.

What a blessing to have been raised in a Godly, Christian home!!

What a heritage from the Lord!!

JOURNEY TO ........

We are leaving on a trip tomorrow and in the midst of packing,

trying to get last minute errands run,

getting everything done at work,

plus spend a little time with my grandchildren,

I am trying to fit in time for blogging!!

The Lord has been putting on my heart lately about

the journey we are all on in this life. We are all

on a pilgrimage through life. If we know Jesus

as our Lord and Savior then our final destination is

a wonderful place called "HEAVEN".

We can try to make it through this journey

all on our own, without a roadmap, not

noticing the road signs and hope we reach

the place we've originally set out for, but

chances are we will take the wrong road and

either take the long, hard way, or not even reach

the final destination we had hoped for.

Jeremiah 31:21 says,

"Set up road signs,

put up guideposts.

Take note of the highway,

the road that you take."

It seems to me that we need to actively pursue in our

walk with the Lord, our pilgrimage on earth.

This is just our temporary home; we are going to a

wonderful place the Lord has prepared for us.

I need to STOP and listen

for the Lord's voice.

I need to YIELD to the Spirit's Leading.

I need to use CAUTION when moving

ahead on the road that I don't go off one side or the other.

I need to GO when the Lord says to and

take as many with me as possible!!

Remember

The Destination

is Worth the Trip!!

Isaiah 35:3-10

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;

say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear, your God will come.

He will come with vengeance, with divine retribution, he will come to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty grounds bubbling springs...

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness...

But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return.

They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Come Along with Me!!!

Correct Way to Weigh!!

The correct way to weigh yourself:

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

Have you been twittering?

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Suddenly, it seems as though all the world's a-twitter. Newsweek

It's one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet. New York Times

Cidney who is 3 1/2 was playing while I was twittering on the Internet. She loves to twitter, too, but her twittering is in person as she loves to talk and share about everything going on in her life!!

Friends are the Family I get to Choose! :)

FRIENDS

I have several friends in my life that are so special to me. One of them is my friend, Lisa. We have shared many things together; working out until we're groaning and don't feel like moving, going to Boise to see Chicago in concert, acting and singing in the musical "GODSPELL" together, and a road trip to the Shakespeare festival in Ashland.

Here in this photo, Lisa and I are at the corn maze at River Rock Ranch in New Plymouth.

Friends are important in our lives and we usually choose friends that have similar interests and with whom we get along great with and enjoy being with, but have you noticed that it's easier to get along with friends, not get feelings hurt as easily, and be able to just drop the friendship if the relationship becomes too difficult.

FAMILY

God chose our family even if we didn't and it is for our good!! Family is sometimes more trouble than friendship, but those troubles and challenges can be effective in directing us to the feet of Jesus. We are more likely to be changed for the good as long as we are seeking the Lord and His will for our lives, and we will also be more effective in reaching the lost.

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder"

Zephaniah 3:9

I have been blessed with a wonderful family and also priviledged to live close to most of them, but I also know I have grown because of my relationship with them, so thank you Lord, for Friends and Family!! I need them and love them both so much!!

"How good and
pleasant it is when brothers can live together"

Psalm 133:1

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Mmmm...More Pumpkin!

I never get tired of foods made with pumpkin this time of year, so here is a dip I made for a group of ladies who seemed to really enjoy it.





A yummy dip for pita chips, apples, other fruits or cookies is this:

Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Dip

3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 Cup Pumpkin Butter

1/2 Cup Marshmallow Creme

Mix the cream cheese and pumpkin butter

together until there are no lumps. Add marshmallow creme

and mix until completely smooth.

Me... Be Still?!

As I was having my quiet time this morning, I kept getting distracted by all the things I wanted to accomplish today and as I sat looking out the window at my fall display, the Lord spoke to about stillness, not even moving, and just resting in Him, kind of like this scarecrow! ;)

I remembered Psalm 46:10,

"Be still and know that I am God"

He will help me accomplish those things that He has determined for me to do, but only if I am completely and totally leaning on Him and quieting my heart before Him.

"In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

ABBY'S PUMPKIN

My almost 7 year old granddaughter, Abby was spending time at my house and we found a ripe pumpkin in my small pumpkin patch so she decided to paint a face on it. When she was done we knew something was missing. I grabbed an old cap of Uncle Kerry's and we put it on the pumpkin's head and "Jack" came to life!

CREATIVE KIDS

It is so much fun to do creative things
with the kids or grandkids.

Some ideas for the fall are:
1. Going on a nature hike and collecting leaves, rocks, nuts, etc.
2. Having leaves, small sticks and other items on hand for the children to glue onto construction paper as a collage.
3. Baking cookies in the shape of leaves or pumpkins and decorate.
4. Reading books together by the fire with hot chocolate (in a spill-proof cup, of course)
5. Raking a pile of leaves and jumping into it. (You will have to keep raking over and over again, but it's worth it :)

AAHHH....PUMPKIN!!!

PUMPKIN TIRAMISU

1/4 C Pure Maple Syrup or maple-flavor syrup

1/2 of a 15 oz can Pumpkin (3/4 C)

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ginger

1/4 tsp Salt

1/2 C Whipping Cream

1/4 C Granulated Sugar

1/2 8oz container Mascarpone Cheese, softened

1 TBS Powdered Sugar

1/2 C Whipping Cream

1 3oz Pkg Ladyfingers, split

Ground nutmeg

1. Line a 9X5X3" loaf pan with plastic wrap; set aside.

2 For filling, in a small bowl, combine pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream and granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gently fold whipped cream into pumpkin mixture.

3. For topping, in another small mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until combined. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup whipping cream just until thickened (do not overbeat).

4. To assemble, arrange half of the ladyfingers in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. Drizzle evenly with half of the syrup. Top with half of the filling, spreading evenly. Arrange remaining ladyfingers in a single layer over filling. Drizzle with remaining syrup and top with remaining filing. Dollop topping over filling. Using the back of a spoon, carefully spread topping evenly over filling. Cover and chill for 8 to 24 hours.

5. Use the plastic wrap to lift tiramisu out of pan. Place tiramisu on a serving platter. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Carefully cut the dessert crosswise into slices. Makes 6 serving.

A Season of Change

As a I look outside and see the beautiful colors and the colder temperatures, I enjoy the change of seasons, but in my own life, change is harder. Each time one of my girls left home it was a change in our family forever as I knew it would never be the same. But with that hard change has come many blessings far surpassing that loss. Our sons-in-law are such a blessing in so many ways and then of course, the real blessing: Our sweet, wonderful grandchildren.
There is another change in the horizon for me. My 21 year-old-son is moving out of the little apartment behind our house to be out totally on his own. I knew it was coming, but the twinge is still there. Another change to the family and it will not be the same again. I keep thinking that it is not a big deal but the tears are still coming. I know that with this loss will come blessing in some form, because my Lord is so faithful to take care of me, like a mother takes care of her child.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13a

I have so many things to be thankful for. My son is serving the Lord and is a thoughtful young man. It is that season in life and I have to give in to it and find the blessing through it. Oh yes, back to those blessed, lovable grandchildren...!

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other, wings. -Hodding Carter

Don't you just love Autumn?

I was fortunate enough to travel to New Hampshire and Vermont the end of September and was able to see the changing colors as Autumn came to New England. I love this photo with a small reflection in the water of the colorful trees and the cattails in the foreground. It was such a blessing to see more of God's creation and at such a beautiful time of year.
The verse I want to bless you with today is Romans 15:13.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings to all who venture here and travel far!!

Some of my Favorite Things

MUSICALS - Sound of Music, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Mary Poppins, White Christmas

AUTHORS - Jane Austen, Robin Jones Gunn, Elizabeth George, and Beth Moore

MOVIES - Enchanted, Princess Bride, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, Anne of Green Gables

FOODS - Coffee (It's not really a food), Breads, Pastas, Pastries, and homemade cookies

My Help, My Protector

I took this photo while hiking in Waterton Park, Canada. It is such a beautiful picture of God's creation. I am doing a Beth Moore bible study on the Psalms of Ascent and am in the process of memorizing Psalm 121.

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.

The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.

The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Psalm 121:1-8 (HCSB)