I LOVE MONDAYS......WHERE IS MY VALENTINE?

I love Mondays....The beginning of a new week after a great Sunday message from church...
A day of renewal each and every week.........

The days until Valentines Day are counting down and I cant help but think of Valentines Day....
Where is my Valentine? My Valentine and I meant over 30 years ago in high school homeroom...This past week I was rummaging through some "old pictures" my mom had kept and now I had the privilege to bring home with me....One photo was a "snapshot' of a young
couple with their arms wrapped around each other standing by their little car that had a sign
that said "Just Married".........That couple was my husband and I.....

We have changed some I guess ha ha ; but in our hearts we are still that young couple from many years ago..... I remember writing out own vows yet making promises to stand by; honor; love and cherish through sickness and through health.....

Some may say.........well I dont have a Valentine......in fact.......I dont have much of a husband
and my children dont talk to me..........

As a young bride and wife I thought that as I rode off in the sunset ...........He would heal and meet all my needs....After all wasnt he my knight and shining armor...? Wasnt he the Prince Charming and I Cinderella? ..........Wasnt he the groom sitting atop the beautifully decorated wedding cake?..............That wasnt even fair to think that.........but I think I did many times...

God knew all the time I needed to depend on Him........His love I needed for strength ; purpose; caring; and to love my Valentine.............

I am so blessed that after these many years I am now more "in love and respect" for that Valentine that God sent to me these many years ago..........

Perhaps.........your Valentine has lost its glitter........The light has dimmed to a dull shine....
Maybe "circumstances" have clouded your path..............Ask God to "renew" your love for your Valentine..........

. Read good books on marriage
. Save every letter or card he gives to you (even if he forgets to sign them)
. Go to marriage retreats
. Remember the young women he dated ( take a look in the mirror and see if she is still there ...maybe a little fresh make up; nice hair cut.......weight loss could make him and yourself feel better)
. God knew You were the one who would "love " him more than anyone else......
. Dont wait for all your needs to be meant ....love him; respect him; honor him and do it unconditionally.....love him for who he is....
. Do fun things such as walk hand in hand; fix his favorite meal (not always yours); put his favorite snack by the chair he favors to enjoy; rub in shoulders after a long day at work;
laugh with him and his jokes; Be his Valentine!
. Purchase a Valentine card ; maybe two or three and send them in the mail or leave them in a special spot for him......Be a Valentine without expecting anything in return....

These days it seems that the importance of marriage or teaching your children gets put on the back burner with bigger things...But these things are big! They are your life. They are you legacy. They are what you are passing onto the next generation............So its up to me to educate myself and study on the subject of marriage and love.......*Journal for Women has great studies on marriage. (on my sidebar)

Where is your Valentine? Love Mondays....love new beginnings.........love your Valentine again this year.........

BAKING UP SOME SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE FUN....

Celebrations can be simple and fun....

It seems I use the same "cookie recipe" for all the holidays to bake and cut out shapes of the season.....

Celebrations dont have to cost alot....You can use crepe paper; some balloons; paper plates
with writing on them; "Red poster board .40 cents" to make cut out Valentines for your windows; buy some seasonal items at a thrift store such as Valentine cards; Easter baskets; plastic eggs and grass for a few cents...; choose a theme and pull all the colors you have with that theme.....

Children really enjoy celebrations....we dont have to tell them money is tight and we cannot celebrate....Celebrate the day with whatever you have! Use candlelight and your best dishes for
a special dinner........Celebrate getting good grades; Daddy working so hard; the best mommy...
and make it a memory for them..........

Here is a memory I had with my granddaughter making Valentine cookies.....

BAKING VALENTINE COOKIES WITH "GRANDMA"....WITH LOVE

Yesterday, I planned on making my cut out Valentine Cookies....There is something about baking; the smell of shortbread; and then pink icing with sprinkles that makes you think Valentines......
I use the same recipe for every holiday "Moms Everything Dough" on my sidebar......
The fun begins by mixing butter; eggs; sugar.............all mixed together....I sometimes use a mixer at this point but then
sometimes I mix it by hand with a fork and they turn out fine..............
My granddaughter came along and we put on her apron and I gave her a little bowl with her own flour; stir; mix; pour out and ( I think she even added the pepper that was sitting on the counter nearby!) and before you know it she had flour head to toe.........But we were having FUN!
There is something simple; traditional about mixing flour; sugar; eggs; in a large white bowl ; following my mother; her mother; and her mother before her................
Memories that will sustain through the years.........Love that pours out between a grandchild and her grandma.............Precious times I will not forget................
Standing on the back of a chair ; up to the countertops; matching aprons; Sprinkles to put over the cookies; simple FUN........and oh so good...............

I love cut out cookies................I love to purchase a "Design Shape" to use for about $1 and make so much fun out of it!!!................
Little hands...........precious hands ; pink frosting.................and Sprinkles of heart shapes in red; pink; and creams......................
Even when they "stick" all over everything............................
We made trays and trays of these and then Grandma set the trays on the front porch to cool
and let the cookie set up.................
I put some in "little baggies" to take to my ladies meeting next week for a treat to all...........
and the rest..........."Oh they are half gone from guests who came by that evening and
Sweetest Girl and I enjoying some together.

Proverbs 31: 31 "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

MORE IDEAS ON SIMPLE MEALS EVERYDAY......

I shared some ideas for saving money on your food budget.........I have to say I enjoy my kitchen and cooking so much but because of time I have simplified my meals greatly.....
Here are a few easy meals that are easy on time and the budget......

BREAKFAST

Oatmeal ** Use the big box you can take 1/2 cup plus 1 cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute......(it gives you twice as much as those instant packs and saves lots of money)
Add........you own brown sugar (or Splenda); raisins; chopped nuts or butter...........

Scrambled eggs Easy; inexpensive and you can add chopped lean ham; turkey bacon *find it on sale for under $2 a package; chopped peppers or onions or cheese

Burritos You can use inexpensive re fried beans; some eggs; fried potato chopped up ; onion and hot sauce and a little cheese ** This will fill up as much as you want.....
I have a friend who makes up simple "bean burritos " with our breakfast get together.....

Biscuits and gravy.........Easy...... Milk; Flour; sausage (on sale) or hamburg fried up; homemade biscuits or purchase on sale or use toast............** Recipe on sidebar this is a great food stretcher for a Saturday morning breakfast......Throw in some fried potatoes on the side and you have a great southern breakfast................

Breakfast casserole....I have several I use. ..but lately have enjoyed the Taste of Home potato
casserole.........you can use the recipe and add extras if you have it............

Cereal .........I use this in a pinch or for a night time snack........if you get these on sale they can
go along way.....Cheerios and rice cereals are the most inexpensive and healthy.


LUNCH

Leftovers from the night before.....any thing leftover can be made into a simple lunch

Salad........I like green or red leaf ; any baby spinach....I like to add olives; a sprinkle of cheese;
cold red beets; green onion ; homemade croutons ; and any leftover chicken; can of tuna

Egg or Tuna or Ham Sandwich........whatever you choose....I prefer when watching my weight
to find the thin sliced 100 calorie rounds on sale; but if not a whole wheat bread is fine........
A Peanut Butter and Jelly makes a simple sandwich as well.
Mini Pretzels can be inexpensive (Sams sells them in a huge container )


DINNER

Chicken .......Soups and Stews..........Chicken Stew (you can make simple dumplings with a can of biscuits if you want to add).........Chicken; carrots; potatoes; chicken broth

Chicken.....Lemon chicken ..........2 Chicken Breast; flour; 1 lemon.........*Add baked potatoes; and some steamed veggies

Chicken......Enchiladas ............1 Chicken Breast; salsa; cream of chicken soup; tortillas; sprinkling of cheese; sour cream if preferred

Chicken ......Tortilla Soup.........1-2 Chicken Breast shredded; chili powder;cumin; salsa; chicken broth.......tortillas for top and sour cream if preferred

Beef...........Meatloaf......2 lbs of good burger; oats or cracker crumbs; little onion if preferred; one egg............**serve with baked potatoes; steamed veggies

Beef..........Moms Spaghetti........Kraft Sp Mix ** that is a family favorite spices we love!**
box of extra noodles..; garlic bread or salad if on sale

Pork.........Baked Pork Chops.......boneless or bone in chops; flour; onion in sliced on top.......just brown on both sides ; place in 9x 13; add about 1/2 water in botton ; chops and onions ; bake
45 to 1 hour.........Delicious and **** mashed or baked sweet potatoes; steamed veggies


When I shop........I pray......make a list of meals......and then go with my budget.....

At my store they have bargins in all areas. In produce at times I have found Organic Tub spinach or lettuce from .99 cents to $1.99 ( these are regular from $4 to $8!); apples; peppers; potatoes; bananas marked down too.........In the meat dept...I have found $1-2 coupons stuck on the package itself and if they are having a close out on a product such as bacon; turkey bacon; sausage look for coupons still stuck on the back ...I watch for sales on chicken ; whole chickens.
I almost never buy brand name bagged chicken I look for the store brand of bagged chicken on sale and pay $1.99 or less.........In the Dairy Dept.....I have found Dannon low fat yogurts for
10cents a piece; butter; orange juice etc for .99 cents.....expiration dates near the end....

I also know good bread can be found at Bread stores outlets or there are even some places that give it away every month. I used to know a tea shop that gave out free homemade loaves of their day old breads....
You just have to look and be creative......
A friend purchased Taco Bells Salad shells at the Taco Bell for a cheap price for her taco salads......

And of course there are many web sites that show thrifty ways to save on your meals...
These are just a few of my favorite meals and ways to save.....I will post soon on ways to
have potlucks; deserts; and extra special meals on a budget.

LEAVING A LEGACY............

Last week I was able to take a little road trip with my hubby to help him with a job he had to do....It was quit fun stopping at Bob Evans for a delicious breakfast and enjoying the beautiful countryside along the way......we then stopped by my sisters home to spend the night and I ended up spending some time with her for a few days .........

I love her home. It sits in the woods and with the pretty snow it was like being tucked away
in a little nest......While there she and I decided that we needed to work on going through my
mom and dads things that had been put away in boxes . Dad went to heaven a few years ago
and mom this June....

How I could just picture her sitting on the back screened in porch listening to her favorite birds...She knew all the names and sounds and we all spent many great times having lunch and
laughing and enjoying those birds.....

So began the great task of digging in a life..............A legacy of whats left behind.....My sister
thought it was good to take boxes and divided the little things they had left among my siblings.
We prayed and thought through what each person would enjoy from our parents. Most things
wouldnt bring great monetary gain but they were memories of their life..........

As I would take each piece and carefully wrap in bubblewrap and place in each box it seemed
years of a life were pouring out of me....until I was exhausted...memories of a life now simplified into pieces......but a life left behind of love; kindness; forgiveness; strength; joy; others.....

It seemed hard to take each item and know where it would go.......so I decided to go on to sleep at 2 am.....The next morning as I was reading my Bible I was reading in Exodus 18 about Moses...Moses father in law had come to visit him and saw how he was overburdened with some things in his life....so he told him...."Exodus 18: 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee; for this thing is too heavy for thee: thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. verse 19: Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes to God.:

Oh.........I was suppose to do this small thing of sorting through the things left behind...
and God would take care of who needed what.......Thank you God for showing me the way.....

Many memories flooded through me through the week.......of how important my legacy is for those I love.......Will someone take a large bowl and remember the delicious mashed potatoes that were served for a supper?............Will someone look at your cards or notes and see your writing and your words of goodness?................Will a favorite perfume or pretty powder strike
a memory of someone who brought kindness and love to those around her?.................

I am glad for this time in my life..........A season to enjoy my husband more.......my grown children and their mates..........my grandchildren.............A day of importance each day............
Gods path.........His purpose.............A legacy..............left behind.

SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AND LIVE FULLY

I have always liked to look for ways to stretch a dollar...................Its almost a challenge for me to see how I can make meals; clothe my family and myself; decorate my home on a few dollars. God has known my heart and desire and blessed me with so many great buys or things during the course of over 40 years...... I know my husband has also worked very hard and cared for so many things even sacrificially but for our everyday life..........I have been richly full.... I am going to share some ideas that have helped me in a few areas.........These helped me with a family of five......You may have more........but the same applies....

. MEALS.........
. Get books from the library and research simple meals that would benefit your family. *If you have someone with a special health need work on getting those foods .

Pray and tell God what you need. Set a budget in mind what you will spend each week. (not what you want to eat but what you have to spend) .

Look for simple food and needs. For instance: Milk ( if you have to use dry milk in recipes); Bread (Bread stores sell good WW bread for less) you may even bake and freeze bread; Eggs ( these are usually inexpensive and can be used for breakfast and dinners); Butter or margarine; Oatmeal
Again........Milk; Bread; Eggs; Butter; Oatmeal

Fruit.........Bananas; Fruits in season Produce......

.Potatoes; carrots; cukes; leaf lettuce; veggies on sale in season * have a garden in the summer

Meat..........Chicken (whole) can be baked; cut up; boiled and shredded; chicken breast on sale; pork chops on sale.......** I can use 2 chicken breast for a large chicken stew

Burger; roasts on sale only...... Dairy.......sour cream; yogurts ( for my husbands needs at Sams Club) .

Make up a menu.......Soups; Simple meats browned on both sides in put in a 9x13 with potatoes and carrots around with foil cover for one hour ...so good..

. Try and not buy convenience foods too much. They can get pricey.

. Make up desserts for special occasions for your children.

Celebrate your meals with pretty tables and dishes......Even something simple can look better on a nice dish than a white paper plate .....Make your table a beautiful creation..........

. Be creative with your foods. If you want to buy organic; buy specialty foods; buy healthier get smarter and learn how to do it within a budget...

These are just a few ideas for meals.........more on other ways to save later..

I LOVE MONDAYS....WHAT AM I SAYING IN MY WORDS?

WHAT AM I SAYING THROUGH MY WORDS.....

I just love pretty stationary. Its one of my favorite things! I also enjoy making my own cards and adding that special touch. A few years ago I was given me a huge kit of all sorts of stickers; papers; and ribbon to work with in my home made cards. It was a nice blessing!

I am once again reorganizing my work area to keep my notes; papers ect in a place that is the best way for me to be able to do this. My table was turned into "holiday paper" area..............
so I must renew it once again for everyday use.

I enjoy words and those that have meaning. A letter or a note can sometimes mean the world to you. Gods words teach me; lift my spirit and encourage my soul. I thought........What does my walk say each and everyday?

My Walk
. Do I walk in a way that is pleasing to God? Do I keep myself up? Do I work hard with what I have? Do I continue to learn? Do I keep going or just sit and say I DONT feel like doing this or that?

My Talk
. Do I say words that are hurtful? Do I say words that discourage? Do I let my feelings just blurt out without any thought? Do I walk by someone and just say or do nothing as if they dont even
exist?

A letter or a note can be beautiful on the outside. It can come in colors; prints; pictures; or even special quotes. Inside that letter can be words that encourage; bring joy; make you laugh; make you feel loved.

My Walk
. People look on the outside of a card. They are enticed by its cover.........
What do I portray? I am a child of the King. What crowns do I wear?

My Talk
. People hear our words. Sometimes even saying nothing they can hear loudly. I want to speak
to encourage; teach; care; and show His love. This isnt easy ; its a daily thing that I must work on day after day.


I have some very cherished notes from my husband; friends and others....but one note I received last year
was a "Love Letter" written by my dad to my mother 60 years ago. The outside envelope is now yellowing and thin but the words written on that old worn paper inside speak such Love within.

As I grow older.............I want to be as that old worn paper and fill my life with His love.

SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO LAUGH.........

A few weeks ago I was able to put all the Christmas items in their boxes and back in their place in the basement.......EXCEPT.........for one holiday Deer!

My husband and I were out shopping during the beginning of the holiday and he found this little lit deer he and I loved...so it came home.......and when we began assembling it our granddaughter stood by with awe just gazing at it coming together.....Time got away from us and
we ended up setting the "deer" in the corner of my front room...........Time still went by and I said " When are we going to put out the deer in the front yard?".............There it stood!

My granddaughter fell in love with the deer. Each time she would come into my front room
she asked that it be plugged in and its head would move back and forth....So it became a permanent fixture for the holidays inside! Then............came the boxes and the turnover into
winter things and Valentines day except for the "deer"..........YES ........it has stayed! Why?
Because my husband thought it was cute for our granddaughter....The other day I looked and
it had slippers sitting in front of its feet........a scarf wrapped around it.........and a pink bow on its antlers! We all laugh at the "little deer".........

I thought; why do we always have to be so worried about things looking perfect in our homes.
Now I love to decorate and make things pretty and cozy but sometimes its time to relax and have fun..........I remember when our children were young I would get a blanket and throw it over the kitchen table for hours of fun of them playing house or fort!

A house is a house but a home is filled with LOVE!
Here's few ideas I have seen or done over the years to have fun in the home........

. Bought a small refrigerator for our bedroom for my husband to have his snacks and cold ice tea on hand...He loved it for a time....

. Decorate the tables for holidays

. Bring out a game table ; leave a puzzle ready to go.

. Pop popcorn and snuggle under throws and enjoy a good old fashion movie or football game

. Make a special dinner and let the children help plan such as Italian; Chinese; Football; birthday; best dad in the world; you are special dinner........the list can go on and on.............

These are just a few I have mentioned......so many to have and enjoy.............

EVERYDAY SCHEDULE ...2011 Part 2

I love taking care of a home....my mom used to tell me how she would wear an apron to cook back in the 1940's.........and I loved her caring for our home. I can remember the smell of fresh coffee and bacon cooking early in the mornings before school....and the kitchen table set with
a fresh tablecloth and pretty dishes and the most delicious meals.........

So with that Part 2 of my Everyday Schedule..........Simple tasks.....*dont get me wrong the tasks can be hard work but isnt that part of life.....

Midmorning I try and make sure I am cleaned up for the day. I take care of my skin; hair
and clothes. It makes me feel better about myself..... I do this again in the late afternoon knowing my hubby may be coming in from work.......*note there are times I have not looked perfect and far from it; but he still thinks I am cute. he says....Who knew?
I usually put a load of laundry in each day. Some people like to choose one day a week but for
me this seems to work............I sort the colors...usually wash most on cold except towels.
I dry towels on hot, my husbands shirts and other permanent press; I dry on medium. I also hang
dry anything that may be 100% cotton; delicate.......
I dont know why ....but I am never bored.....( my mom wasnt either) ...there are always so many tasks to work on; or
other things I would like to get done....

Mondays- I do Full cleaning
change sheets; sweep; dust; clean and straighten each room; clean scrub bathrooms; laundry in;
folded; grocery list and menu for the week....

Tuesdays- Finish laundry; grocery shopping * 2 x a month ladies meeting

Wednesdays- Ironing; desk work; correspondence; rest for church PM

Thursdays- Errands (if possible) desk work.....bills ; cards; things I am working on

Fridays- Cleaning- sweep; wipe down baths; laundry; personal things I am working on

Saturdays and Sundays....time with family and Church on Sundays
After my afternoon of work......I try and rest for about 30 minutes. This doesnt always happen for sure but I was listening to a lady speak at our conference this year and she rest each day.
I thought to myself ( Im over 50 now so this may be a help to me) Even if I dont sleep per say
I take the time to read or relax.......

Around ......4-5 pm.... I began preparations on supper. Table set. Dinner going .....( sometimes my husband comes home around 5 but it can be 6-10 pm......I dont get in a tizzy about it I just
make dinner and warm it up when he gets home.....This helps my body to keep on a good schedule and means alot to him to come home and find a warm meal..........

Kitchen is cleaned and coffee maker ready for the next morning.........


Evenings are a time to relax......( in the summer we spend more time outside)........I enjoy
reading or when my husbands home watching the History channel with him ( I have learned so much ).........

Thats it!.........Yours may be quit different with children at home etc........I can remember days of baseball; basketball; youth activities; homework and their schedule .........Whatever your
schedule demands........BE FLEXIBLE ............its just there to help you in your days............

Keep things simple! Remember its about the people you live with not about the things that live with you! .......................

* I will try and post some simple meal ideas or money saving ideas soon.

EVERDAY SCHEDULE.....2011

I love a schedule. It helps me to keep on track everyday.....There are ; of course; many times
things do not go according to the schedule but its good to have one in place for something to fall back on each day so you dont go about stumbling through your day....( I have had days like that)
I remember years ago as a young wife trying to fit into so many others schedules....Books; charts and even talks about scheduling through me through a tailspin.........

I talked with a wise friend and told her my husband schedule was in and out of the house; my children were growing and involved in various things. I ended up working with our own business
at different times where I would be needed to do extra tasks...How could I have a schedule?

She simply said......Make a set schedule of the dailys in life to have everyday. Then do what you can.....

That has worked through the rest of my many years.....My schedule may be different than yours. You may have young children; children in school;a retired husband; someone that is in need of care giving; or may work out of the home. Whatever it is...........there are still things to be done........Even if someone cleans your home.........Things need to be done..

Each day.....I hop ( or try to hop) out of bed and say Good morning to my Lord....I then yield
my day and day to Him.... * If no one is up I grab my Bible and read a devotional given out through my church...pray and ..............

I go to the coffeemaker and start my coffee and then my husbands....We sit and chat quietly
and enjoy the morning together....*In the Spring we like to sit on our front porch at listen to the birds..........


Then...........its the thought of breakfast.....( * I try and take my shower and needs in the evening
so I can be ready to go this seems to help me through the years).......My hubby gets ready and
I fix either a hot bowl of oatmeal with the fixins; or a couple eggs whites and wheat toast (maybe some turkey bacon or a slice of ham and thin swiss cheese on a English Muffin......

Everyones ready to go........Kisses goodby are a must!I love you's too.................
Next............
I make my bed!........I love to put on fresh sheets on Mondays and when I make it I tuck it all in on the sides and smooth it all out just right. I then add some pretty pillows . Sometimes I have a nice smelling spray I may spray the linens with........

.Sometimes I get to this earlier while my husband is getting ready but
if not I quickly make my bed.........It makes the day get going....A room neat and clean and ready to use.....I have a desk and workspace in my room; so this makes it so nice to do work when I need to..............

Back to the kitchen where dishes are loaded; counters wiped down; floor swept; mopped if needed and "frozen dinner meal " lays out on the counter to thaw..........

My daughter bought me a "Planner" from Vera Bradley again this Christmas so I keep my life in this little planner. I write down things needful for the rest of that day ; and it reminds me on the calendar of everything else going or bills due for that month.... I then go from there...........
and will share more later..............

....... THE BRUNCH

....... THE BRUNCH

I thought I would share a post from the past........."A Brunch with a purpose can be a "brightener" for a snowy winter day.........

IT BEGAN SNOWING AT MIDNIGHT AND FILLED THE AREA.............

I HAD MY CROCK FILLED WITH THE AROMAS OF APPLES; CINNAMON; CLOVES AND ORANGES..
THE TABLES WERE SET...AND I HAD THE HASH BROWN CASSEROLE AND HAM BISCUITS WARMING IN THE OVEN............. THE CANDLES TOOK ON A GLOW AMIDST THE DARK SNOWY SKY'S........ WOULD ANYONE MAKE IT?....THE DOORBELL RANG AND FOOD FILLED THE TABLES

I awoke at 5:15 am. As I looked out my favorite round window I saw the sidewalks filled with snow and huge flakes falling from the sky........I said to God....Its your time......I prepared and I thought this little brunch might be canceled....

I called my friend who is in charge and would run this meeting. She quickly said" I am getting ready and on my way........I thought of this friend and how faithful she had been to many years of our meetings. How faithful she is to her family. How faithful she is to God. How faithful she is to our church and others there. How she has bought many new people to visit our church and made them a part of her life and thus they becoming a part of hers. How faithful she was to a friendship and how she brought me a huge basket filled with snacks for two days when my husband had his heart surgery. And now.....even though it would take her over an hour to get to my house and the snow all around her she was faithful to do her part..........

I fed my family and they went on their ways ....I dressed; drank some coffee and began to get ready for those to come to the brunch. But........I almost forgot and sat down to read Psalm 109 in my Bible. I almost forgot to invite God to our brunch that morning! I told God if only one person came I would be happy and share and have alot of fun leftovers........

I warmed the ham biscuits ; hash brown casserole; and large fluffy biscuits to serve with some special jam ( a blessing from a friend and God the day before). I lit the candles; put on some pretty Christian music; and the doorbell rang............One came; then another; then another and by the time it was done I had the living room full to capacity!!

We ate; my friend shared letters of our missionaries; we listen to a lady from a mission field; and prayed and laughed. I thought of the other ladies that came that morning and how faithful they were also to their God. They could have stayed home in their warm homes; or thought it too much a bother to bring a dish but the ones that came; came because they were faithful to a cause............

I am thankful today for many things........For faithfulness; for friendships; for freedom to pray and attend church; and even for the snow.......I am thankful.........

LETTING GO...............

Last week I spent a few days organizing and cleaning out all my bedroom drawers; nightstands; my closet and my desk and files.....

I dont have a problem with ridding out things to make things neat and in order but on this day.... I struggled with some things I needed to just let go and give away.....
I did that and everything seemed to fall into order and just breathe freshness! I have heard this "term" before from the ladies conference I listened to back in October....but this time I thought of how God had allowed me to see the many times I have "let go"....and "Let God " bring newness in my life...

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our "dreams"...
..I dont mean we cannot have dreams ...( I have many new dreams) but dreams such as " I thought life was going to be this way or that way" and it wasnt what you thought so you are dissapointed Well ......"LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to "let go" of our feelings........well they treat me like this or that; or they dont make me feel..........."LET GO" .

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our wants and desires......I want this ; I want that; This is the way it is and if they dont like it..........." LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to " let go" of past hurts...........I will never forgive them for this or that... (sometimes your hurting yourself more than the other)........" LET GO"..... ..........

.Its easy to think about what "we" deserve and our needs......Its much harder to say " God what should I do about this? " .........or to "let go" of what we want and see what you can do for someone else..........

. This isnt an easy lesson for me to live ; but its a lesson I have had to do over and over and want to keep learning....... "Letting Go"and allowing God to teach you wisdom is a peaceful freeing position to be in...
Maybe sometime I will share some of the lessons I went through ; But for now and today I can say

I am glad I went through them all for I can see "Gold Glittering " through it all!

HEALTHY MEAL...........APRICOT BAKED PORK CHOPS;........

Like so many others I have tried to get back to eating healthier............My husband is a heart patient and I have my own set of health issues so it will help us both to eat better.....
The thing is; we both enjoy grew up with the Mayberry "Aunt Bea" kind of food.........You know where you sit at a pretty table and eat good food and enjoy each other..........Now that we are in our 50's our bodies need different fuels...

I know the foods I should eat .......but needed more help....I called my sis in law......and she spent over an hour with me teaching me so many good things.....She is a wife; mother and used to be a nurse. She takes good care of herself and her family......She knows a man doesnt need a tiny piece of chicken and a carrot stick with greens to be full.......I will share more later........

I also need to do this within a budget ......so First thing was I went to the grocery and found a
great sale on Chicken Breast....I came home and cut them in half lengthwise and grilled them on
my George Forman grill..........( I got this for $2 during the summer at a tag sale) I placed them in
ziplock baggies and labeled the quantity.........

My husband loves pork chops.......we found these boneless chops at a great price and I decided
to bake these and use this recipe. I dont know where I saw it I just put it together and he seems to love it.......and isnt that what its all about ........having him enjoy his meals! I dont think eating
healthy or inexpensive has to be a cardboard pizza from the store......(that may ok in a pinch)
but it should be an enjoyable time for yourself and your tummy!

Apricot Baked Porkchops

Serves 6
6-8 lean porkchops
Smuckers Sugar Free Apricot Preserves
salt and pepper
1 onion sliced in rings.....
1-2 T olive oil

. Season Chops Then Brown the chops on both sides
. Place in a 9 x 13 ( may need two if you have several)
. Add 1/2 cup water in bottom on dish
. Place rings of onions on top of chops....makes the house smell great!

Bake 350.......for about an hour.....

** May serve with baked sweet potatoes and fresh green beans sauteed in little olive oil....

VALENTINES DAY DESSERT..............

I love holidays! Januarys holiday seems to come and go with the First but as the sprinkles of
snow flutter through the air .............I am thinking Valentines Day.......... I saw this pretty little
dessert ........that is full of sugar; cream cheese and good things to enjoy and I thought this
might be a nice one to share for Valentines day coming up next month............
I found it on the Barefoot Contessa site and she always cooks good! I made some changes
that I have noted with stars ** ; that I dont think will not affect the recipe...........So........ this is an idea to think on for the holiday
.......... I also noted she put the ingredients in this special bowl to chill..........You might find this at Walmart..........It seemed easy..........Mix; chill; add fruit and sauce.............

I bought several Valentine cards yesterday......and put up my kitchen Valentine colors and bath hand towels for a bit of cheer!

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• Seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean* I wouldnt probably use this but you may
  
• Raspberry and *orange extract
  
• 2 half-pints fresh raspberries

Directions

Place the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the beater and bowl with a rubber spatula and change the beater for the whisk attachment. With the mixer on low speed, add the heavy cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and vanilla bean seeds and beat on high speed until the mixture is very thick, like whipped cream.

Line a 7-inch sieve with cheesecloth or paper towels so the ends drape over the sides and suspend it over a bowl, making sure that there is space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the bowl for the liquid to drain. Pour the cream mixture into the cheesecloth, fold the ends over the top, and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, discard the liquid, unmold the cream onto a plate, and drizzle Raspberry and Sauce around the base. Serve with raspberries and extra sauce.

Raspberry and Sauce:

1 half-pint fresh raspberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup seedless raspberry jam

2 tablespoons orange-flavored **extract

Place raspberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and orange extract into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until smooth. Chill.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...........

Everyone has their favorite things.....I thought I would share a few .....I really dont like clutter or too much nick nacks but I have one hutch in which I keep some of my favorite things upon.... Here are a few reminders of those I love......a place in which brings me joy when I think of them... I love blue and white dishes. Old ones from the 40's even with little chips...Here is a little cup I found at a flea market for a few cents..it holds some dried roses from flowers given by my hubby...

" Psalm 104: 33 "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being".

These things make me sing....
This little bunny has been on here before......( my granddaughter loves to hold it) My husband bought this on one anniversary trip..I just love him.....(picture of my dad when a young boy in background)
This was my dads....I dont know where he got it actually but I know my dad always wore his wing tipped shoes and polished them up until they had a real shine...I loved that! Found this little plate for .25 years ago. I have served many cookies on this..... I used to collect old children s books......I loved the front covers and could just see a young girl enjoying Little Women....my children grew up with some of these to read.... Rose in Bloom.........(dont you love the names....) This sweet little angel came to me for Christmas from my sister Phyllis in a box filled with fun things....I had to put her on top of the hutch beside the clock.......... This little doll is my reminder of my sister Kay who went to heaven with cancer many years ago...She told me "not to forget her"and I dont...in every laugh..She brought laughter and joy to so many and became a nurse late in her life.....she was wonderful!...This little white doll came from my sister Joyce....She quietly sits peacefully I think.... Birds always remind me of my mom....She loved nature and I do too...I also have their pictures on my hutch to remember sweet memories............ I love touches of a small flower; fluer de les ; small old paperweights...
My sister Barbara gave me this iron girl ...I loved her because she had a tiny bird on the end of her toe...........behind that is a small flower vase that used to sit on my mothers dresser; and a glass penguin that my mom kept in her hutch....
I got this Globel from my aunt Eula when I was about 5. She had it for many years.....I just love how she looks at her dolly ...(like a mother and child) I found this "old printing metal press" of the song "When the Roll is called up Yonder" many years ago at an estate sale for a few dollars...I just love how it may have printed an old songbook that someone may have used in church...........
I had this sitting on my hutch since Christmas but I kept it there because it reminds me of my dad ( I think someone bought it for him)...He loved to fish at the pond out back of his home.

STANDING BY THOSE YOU LOVE.............

The other day I walked into my livingroom only to find "red marker " on my glass tabletop...
At first I was taken back....."I quickly thought" where is my sweetest girl?.........I looked around and there she stood with "evidence" in her hand....."Did you mark on grandma's table"? ....
"She nodded yes" (which is a surprise itself with little ones")........."We dont mark or do anything on grandmas good tables do we?"............( I didnt care if they were old or new her mama wanted her to learn to care for things that were grandmas..........

I took her aside and she told me she was sorry......then she and I went into the kitchen to get
a small cleaning rag and some Windex and take back to the glass table....I explained how this was
wrong to do but I forgave her and she was to clean up her mess.........She scrubbed and scrubbed
until all the marks were gone......( I helped some).........Then she put the cleaning rag and the Windex away.........We hugged and back off to doing the next thing a 3 year old does.....

I was thinking..........how things could have been different....I could have yelled and threw a hissy fit over why she had the marker; why she didnt know better; and then even fussed and fussed to her mother how bad of a child she was..........Would that have helped her in this lesson of life?

Someone once told me to be careful not to "air out" all your laundry to everyone about your
family.........Why? .......because they may change. They may want to change and need to know you love them..........

When my children were very young at school I remember standing in a group of ladies at a basketball game and some were remarking "well if my "Johnny ever gets his grades up....he is just so bad........."; or my husband is out of work again and never helps with the kids"........
What were they doing? They were painting a picture to others of their family..........
Now to be honest they probably ddnt even know what they were doing at the time but as time changes things ....those words could be reaching ears that could discourage someone...

Sometimes others will not understand you being so "unknowing" about that child; husband; friend; or relative.......but you know what they need and have taken it to God and that settles it.

I remember a sweet lady who seemed to have such a good family.....I would ask her "how is your family doing? " "Oh great ;and she would begin to tell me "good things about each of her family members"....( I learned years later that not everything was perfect but I saw how she loved and stood by her not perfect but very happy family)

What should you do if someone in your life isnt perfect at a time? These are some things I have learned from others..........

. Take the problem to God.......if need to take this problem to your pastors wife or a very good friend who will pray for you.

. Shut your mouth.....quit trying to fix it and love them.........You do not have to allow bad behavior that is against your morals or values . Set some rules. (like the table) Love them not the bad behavior....

. Dont air your laundry to everyone........

. Stand by your husband; your child; your friend; your relative.........you may know there is hope.
A friend of my husband and his wife were standing chatting with me when the husband said to me" Boy your husband was sure bragging on you the other day".........she does this and that......
( I was surprised but delighted that he had spread good things about me" ) to someone else.
(If only they knew I wasnt everything that he said that day" ) ha ha

. Remember we are not perfect and will slip up.......We are but flesh ........but with yielding our "mouths" to God and "words" we will get better.......

..I remember a time when I heard some ladies just bragging on this woman I also knew........These ladies were going on and on......( In my heart I thought ; if they only knew what I knew.......I know; I will tell it all...........) Then this little voice said " Stop" ..........(let it go).......and I did. Did that make me righteous? No , it was just one of many many lessons I would learn. By telling all I knew about this person might get back to that person or that persons children and
hurt them very much.

. You may not always understand "why" someone is distant or quiet....They may be going through some "quiet times" with those they love.......Be understanding. Pray for them quietly.

. I am so thankful that my Pastor; kind lady friends and my mom taught me these things over the years......and that God has given me a wonderful husband and children ; relatives; and friends through the years..........I am very blessed.............

. Dr. Jack Hyles used to say on his morning radio broadcast " Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a tough time".................

That has stuck in my head.........all these many years...........I am sure I am not done learning these lessons through my life........but I am thankful for the lessons learned...