LIFE AS A PRINCESS

LIFE AS A PRINCESS..............

I LOVE WATCHING OUR GRANDDAUGHTER PLAY
DRESS UP........SHE CAN BE A PRINCESS WITH WINGS
AND STRIPED TIGHTS..............
IF ONLY I COULD WALK IN THESE SHOES BETTER....
A CROWN WITH MY OLD EASTER HAT
IS A MUST.....
A PRINCESS CARRIES ON AND CARES
FOR HER KINGDOM...........
SHE WATCHES OVER THOSE SHE LOVES...
EVEN IF HER CROWN "SLIPS SOMETIMES"
SHE ADJUSTS ( WITH THE EASTER HAT)
AND GOES ABOUT HER WAY.......DOING
THE NEXT THING.....


Do you ever remember playing a princess when you were younger?......You may be saying
my life is anything but that of a princess........

But.......we can all be a child of the King. And that is Jesus! If you do not know Him personally
I ask that you read the sidebar of my blog.....

God makes a child of His and thus a child of the King of Kings.... Our crown may have started out shiny and bright but has become dim and dull through the years.....

Take that crown off and apply some polish (your Bible) and a little work (effort) and your
crown will shine like new.....

Its too hard you say. But you have a friend who will help you as you take your journey.

Here are a few ways to "shine again".....

. Be truly thankful for the things around you......If you cannot find any at all begin with the trees; your kingdom; those around you......

. Dress like a princess. Remember you are a daughter of the King and thus your dress is to be clean; pressed; and pretty. **I have found beautiful "brand name" items at thrift or consignment shops or on clearance at fine department stores.....You may have to work at this.

. Be good to others.......Royalty doesnt destroy their kingdom but cares and lifts it up!

. Take care of yourself by getting enough rest; eating good foods; and seeing what helps
you.......

Being a "princess" isnt always easy.......But as I rest in the fact that I am a daughter of
the King..... I can walk in my role.

RENEWING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS...

WELCOME...............YOUR SPECIAL TO ME

Yesterday I opened a "surprise card" from my husband.........It was very sweet and of course I loved it! Fall is both of our favorite time of year......I can remember our trip to a park down
south where we would picnic; walk and he even cut our initials in a tree just for us..........

I remember as we were dating keeping a scrapbook filled with everything we did together.
I filled this book with napkins were we ate; sticks of ice cream we had; photos; and even the
little daises he picked for me alongside the road........ It said He was so special to me!

Sometimes as couples we grown and become busy with life. Children come and we enjoy them and help them grow. Financial burdens prevail and enter our lives and you work together to
live and provide for the needs. Life can become farther and farther apart.

Some couples may become bitter and pick at each other little by little . Maybe the way things are cooked; whos turn to take the dog out; or other little small things...They become a worn
place that gets bigger and bigger..........
And..............soon the glow of that "light" you once had may begin to fade..........but I heard this
wise little idea I thought I would pass along............Begin anew.........You can always begin "new"
each day.........God brings us His peace and joy and love and can bring it to you....
If you have a relationship that may need "renewed" here are some ideas..........

. Purchase a new scrapbook for just you and him.

. Begin to fill it with new pictures of you both.

. Fill it with a new beginning and new memories to build upon.

Soon.............you will have a "new door " to open and once again say "your special to me"

I LOVE MONDAYS...EVERYDAY SCHEDULE

I LOVE MONDAYS.........EVERYDAY SCHEDULE

I love Mondays......................I love how they come after Sundays and the joy of church and how
the sermon gives you strength to live.........the music uplifts your soul; and the sweetness of
time with Jesus gives you joy!!

I love Mondays and the beginning of a "new week" and "everyday schedule"...........I remember
so much how my mom would get up early ( I could hear her in the kitchen....pans clinging; the sound of a peculator bringing the delicious aromas of coffee brewing; singing quietly while eggs
and bacon filled the skillets)..................Then everything would get a clean sweep and down into
hot sudsy dishwater ( plunk ; plunk) and rinse and a quick swipe with a fresh dish towel and
surprisingly a sparkling fresh kitchen would appear....................
I love the leaves God has brought each painted a beautiful bright orange; red; or yellow out my kitchen windows reflecting in the pond..............Windows open bringing forth cool ; crisp breezes.........time alone with God............laundry started in the washing machine; beds made; dishes put away in the dishwasher; menu made for the week; chicken set out on the counter ( I know you have to watch it now a days doing this but why did my mom do it everyday for 30 years? ha) to thaw for dinner; porch swept; house swept; baths wiped down; and the everyday
things of life seem to go along..................

As I was folding some dishtowels from the dryer this morning..........I thought to myself how
this might be boring to some..........but for me........I love it! There is something about the folding of these simple little towels ; all stacked nicely and fitted in a drawer that brings a satisfaction....

And..........then I realized...............it was just doing what your suppose to do that brings peace.
I heard in church yesterday how "doing right" brings peace to your soul..........this brings "peace" to mine................

Simple dishtowels ...........I love them..........they can dry a dish; wipe a spill; help take out
a hot dish from the oven; wipe a tear; become a dust cloth; clean a mirror; or just hang upon
a oven door looking pretty...................

Everyday things.........simple..........yet purposeful..........Peaceful

FALL TABLES AND HASHBROWN CASSEROLE TO ENJOY

FALL TABLETOPS..........HASHBROWN CASSEROLE

MORE PUMPKINS FROM OUR GARDEN AND SOME NICE APPLES FROM THE "FARMERS MARKET"....
I FOUND THIS LITTLE RAGGEDY ANN ONE DAY FOR A $1. I THINK SOON I WILL PUT HER IN A BASKET FILLED WITH HOMEBAKED COOKIES AND GIVE HER AWAY BUT FOR NOW SHE IS ENJOYING A SPOT ON MY KITCHEN TABLE.......
GETTING READY FOR BREAKFAST......... TIME FOR PUMPKINS; APPLES AND FALL TREATS.. AND HASHBROWN CASSEROLE..........

HASH BROWN CASSEROLE.................

• 1 (2 pound) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups crushed cornflakes cereal
• 1/4 cup melted butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine hash browns, 1/2 cup melted butter, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chopped onion, Cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Place mixture in a 3 quart casserole dish.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, saute cornflakes in 1/4 cup melted butter, and sprinkle the mixture over the top of the casserole.
4. Bake covered in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

HIS GIVES US OUR EVERY NEED

HE GIVES US OUR EVERY NEED............

This past week my daughter and I decided to take the two grandgirls on a walk in the beautiful sunshine and colors of Fall.............

What fun we had walking; laughing and jumping in the leaves.....But inside my heart was
struggling some with "wants" I thought I needed........I had prayed about these and left it at that but soon picked it up again .......trying to convince myself and God this is what I needed ........

And then I noticed something.............As our "sweestest girl" granddaughter would walk
along the path she would STOP .......Stoop down...........and then pick up a small item that was
special to her along the way..........Each little thing whether a........berry; stone; a Fall leaf; or
stick was what she needed at that moment..........and that was precious to her.........When I snapped this photo I looked at all her "favorite things"...........

Then..........I listened and thought God , you take me along this path and provide all my needs...Every thing I need. Not everything I want. But what I need. Sometimes a little one may cry out for a cookie. Some days they may get one but other days it may not be the best thing for them....I am thankful He gives me my needs and then other days extra needs !
God is so smart to bring beauty into our lives just by His creation....Each leaf...each berry......
each person that crosses your path was part of your life..............
Someone may live somewhere where "they cannot see any beauty " in the way of a leaf
or rippling waters..........There life may be "four walls" in a nursing facility"; or a home in a city where darkness fills there days..........BUT ...........God can shine His beauty anywhere.........

I can remember watching a program in which a young girl lived in a "hut" in a village far away
but her own small space had a small mirror; a little bed; and a shelf to hold her things...(she was happy)...........Why? Because she had what she needed at this time in her life.....That young girl
touched my heart deeply ...........(because God sent her story to me)........that she was content with what she had.........
Precious moments cannot be bought..........A face full of joy...........A Heron to say " I love you" from God...........is monumental!
So..............have fun ; love where you are placed.........Bring the best to where you are and those around you..............When I was a young bride I was full of things that I wanted....Things and ways I thought I needed including what my hubby and children should be someday.......I had goals and many of those things were accomplished but now..............30 years later..........my heart has changed to what they need..........and enjoying them in life....I still love to decorate and create
new things in life but I have all I need.............
Thank you God for my "Heron" this past week and for all you have given............These are a few of my favorite things...........................

WHO IS LOOKING UP TO YOU?

THOUGHTS.........WHO'S EYES ARE LOOKING UP TO YOU?

THOUGHTS............"WHO'S EYES ARE LOOKING UP TO YOU?


I love our granddaughter! I my children! I love my husband! When I see my sweet grands
look up at me it brings tears of joy to my eyes!

I know down the road there will more new grandbabies and my heart will again skip a beat of joy and gratitude as I gaze upon those eyes! Its like saying ........."Grandma tell me who loves me?" I tell my little granddaughters .... several times; Jesus loves you Ella, Daddy and Mommy love you;
Grandpa and Grandma love you; Aunt Ruthie loves you; Uncle Josh and Aunt Jenny love you;
and and great grandma Musser and all the aunts ; uncles; cousins and
your Preacher Bro. Schaap and Mrs. Schaap love you.

I know...... I must not think of my own life and my wants and wishes but my life is about her life............Its about her future and my prayers for her. Its about grandma loving her Jesus; reading her Bible; going to church; and being an example. Its about hearing my words and watching my tongue. Its about the joy and fun I bring to her. Its about loving here daddy and mommy and respecting them.

Its a blank page ; her eyes being filled with the goodness God can bring. Teaching her to follow
His path so that someday she can look into her granddaughters eyes and say " I love you Baby Ella".

Who's eyes are looking up to you? A child? A sunday school child needing some extra attention? A teenager struggling? A young mother in need of direction? An elderly one who's eyes are growing dim yet who's heart aches for the love of someone to care?

I pray I can always remind myself to watch " Who's eyes are looking up at me?"

FINDING "VINTAGE FUN"

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.......FALL EXPLORING

DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR ONE OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO GO ANTIQUING....
(AS SOME SAY) BUT IT IS REALLY EXPLORING..
I MIGHT SEE A "BARN SALE" OR AN OUTDOOR
"FLEA MARKET" AND BEGIN MY HUNT...
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS KIND OF
HUNT IS THAT IT DOESNT COST MUCH
AND THE "TREASURES" YOU WILL FIND
ARE PRECIOUS...........YOU AND YOUR HUBBY
OR FAMILY CAN ALL ENJOY THIS ACTIVITY...
I COLLECT SOME OLD CHILDRENS BOOKS.
MY HUSBAND LOVES HISTORY BOOKS.
I HAVE EVEN COLLECTED A SERIES OF OLD
CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR MY 89 YEAR OLD
FRIEND........( SHE LOVED IT) I SET A PRICE
IN MY MIND AND FIND THEM FOR JUST
A COUPLE OF DOLLARS....
I ENJOY FINDING "OLD DISHES" OR PIECES OF
DISHES TO "SET MY TABLE" AT HOME....
YOU MAY FIND OLD LINENS; TEACUPS; DISHES; OR
A BASKET OR CROCK TO USE.........WHATEVER I FIND
IT HAS TO HAVE A PLACE AND BE USEFUL....I DONT
NEED ANY CLUTTER......JUST A SPECIAL PIECE
THEN WHEN I AM DONE WITH IT I MAY GIVE IT
AWAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO ENJOY....

THESE LITTLE "TREASURE HUNTS"
CAN BE FUN AND INTERESTING....
HAVE FUN THIS FALL "EXPLORING"
FOR YOUR TREASURES....I WILL TRY
AND SHARE SOME OF MY FINDS TOO!

PUMPKINS ROLLS FOR FALL...........

FREEZING AND BAKING PUMPKIN ROLLS....

YESTERDAY WAS RAINY AND COLD OUTSIDE BUT A GREAT DAY FOR BAKING "PUMPKIN ROLLS".... I HAD ONE LARGE CAN OF PUMPKIN AND IT MADE 5 LARGE ROLLS.............. *******RECIPE TO FOLLOW ......
THE FIRST THING I DID WAS PUT ALL THE DRY INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL AND MIXED THOROUGHLY ....
I MADE SURE I HAD THE SIZE COOKIE TRAY THEY ASKED FOR IN THE RECIPE...THEN PULLED OUT MY WAX PAPER AND MADE SURE I HAD SOME LEFT OVER THE ENDS TO BE ABLE TO LIFT OUT...YOU COULD SPRAY THE PAPER WITH BAKING SPRAY OR...IF YOU ARE OUT OF IT LIKE I WAS....YOU GREASE THE WHOLE PAPER MAKING SURE THE SIDES AND CORNERS ARE DONE WELL...AND THEN SPRINKLE FLOUR GENEROUSLY ALL AROUND AND SHAKE OFF EXCESS IN SINK...
NEXT ADD THE WET INGREDIENTS AND FLUFF WELL.......... ***iF YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER COMES IN NEXT TO YOU AT THIS TIME MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FLOUR LID ON OR ELSE YOU AND HER WILL HAVE A LAUGHING TIME CLEANING THAT UP...
THEN COMBINE THE TWO.....AND USE A SPATULA TO SPREAD UNTO YOUR BAKING SHEET.......MAKING SURE YOU GET IT AS EVEN AS YOU CAN **I GIVE A LITTLE ROOM ON THE SIDES ...THIS MAKES IT EASY TO LIFT OUT......

I BAKE ACCORDING TO RECIPE BUT NOTICED THAT THEY SAID IF YOU HAVE "DARK COOKIE SHEETS" WHICH I DO THEN BAKE ON LESS TIME. 11 MINS...

I THEN TAKE IT OUT OF THE OVEN...WAIT A FEW SECONDS TO COOL DOWN AND LIFT OUT AND FLIP THE WHOLE "CAKE" ONTO A COVERED POWERED SUGAR TEA TOWEL............
THEY SAY IN THE RECIPE TO QUICKLY REMOVE THE PAPER........BUT I SOMETIMES LEAVE IT WHEN MAKING SO MANY AND IT STILL WORKS. ...BUT YOU "CAN" BEGIN LIFTING OFF THE WAX PAPER..IT PULLS RIGHT OFF.................
NEXT ( THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS) AND I DONT KNOW WHY???........ROLL THE TEA TOWEL POWERED SUGAR; AND CAKE UP IN A LONG ROLL..... LET IT SIT FOR TIME STATED.........***WHEN I MAKE SEVERAL I MAY LEAVE SEVERAL READY ON THE TABLE ALL DAY...........
AS THEY ARE SITTING I MAKE THE ICING........ AND THEN THEY ARE READY TO UNROLL ; ICE THE LITTLE CAKE........AND TAKE THE "CAKE ONLY" AND ROLL UP AGAIN.........( I CUT OFF ANY TOUGH ENDS IF THEY HAVE THEM).....I THEN CUT THEM IN HALF ***THEY ARE SO BIG*** AND WRAP THEM.......


HERE THEY ARE SITTING AND WAITING TO BE FINISHED................ YOU MAY SERVE THEM RIGHT AWAY.....SPRINKLED WITH POWERED SUGAR .......OR I TAKE THEM WRAP WELL WITH PLASTIC WRAP AND THEN PLACE THEM IN A FREEZER BAG FOR LATER USE...........WHEN GIVING AS A "GIFT" I MAY INCLUDE A SMALL PLASTIC CUP ( FIND AT GFS) FILLED WITH EXTRA ICING OR JUST TIE A PRETTY RIBBON AROUND THE ROLL ITSELF............GREAT FOR THANKSGIVING...........

LIBBYS PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL

• CAKE
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• FILLING
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

Directions

FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

FUN WITH SOME FALL BAKING COOKIES........

FALL COOKIES AND SOME FALL THIS AND THAT....

THE COOLNESS OF THE FALL DAYS
ARE HERE..........WHY NOT MAKE UP
SOME PRETTY FALL COOKIES TO
ENJOY OR GIVE A WAY........***COOKIE
RECIPE TO FOLLOW AT END............
YOU CAN EASILY WRITE UPON THESE NOW WITH
"TUBE FROSTING" FROM THE GROCERY.....
FOUND THESE BRAND NEW SOAPS FOR .50 EACH AT
A NEARBY YARD SALE..........GREAT FOR FALL AND
A BLESSING..............
MY DAUGHTER RUTHIE BOUGHT ME THIS PRETTY
BROWN STARBUCKS CUP AND A GIFT CARD FOR
NO REASON OTHER THAN TO SAY I
LOVE YOU.........WHAT MORE CAN YOU SAY????
A SIMPLE FALL DECORATION ............

 Annie Hall's Butter Cookies

Recipe By     : Susan Branch; Christmas From The Heart of The Home
Serving Size  : 96   Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cookies

Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
 2      cups          butter -- softened
   1 1/2  cups          sugar
   4                    egg yolks
   2      teaspoons     vanilla
   4 1/2  cups          unbleached flour
     1/2  teaspoon      salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
With an electric mixer (even the hand-held
kind), cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and vanilla and mix
well. Sift flour and salt together and beat into butter mixture until well
mixed.
When ready to bake use an ungreased cookie sheet and place cookies 1
inch apart.
Bake for about 10 minutes, but do not brown them.
Remove cookies from cookie sheet while still warm and cool on sheets of waxed
paper.
Decorate, if you like. Makes 6 to 8 dozen. Taste fabulous!

   I USE THIS RECIPE
FOR MY CUT OUT COOKIES
ALL THE TIME.


  YOU MAY FROST THE "MAPLE LEAVES"
THE COLORS OF FALL OR MAKE PLACE CARDS BY
WRITING A NAME.

YOUR SPECIAL TO ME..............

WELCOME...............YOUR SPECIAL TO ME

Yesterday I opened a "surprise card" from my husband.........It was very sweet and of course I loved it! Fall is both of our favorite time of year......I can remember our trip to a park down
south where we would picnic; walk and he even cut our initials in a tree just for us..........

I remember as we were dating keeping a scrapbook filled with everything we did together.
I filled this book with napkins were we ate; sticks of ice cream we had; photos; and even the
little daises he picked for me alongside the road........ It said He was so special to me!

Sometimes as couples we grown and become busy with life. Children come and we enjoy them and help them grow. Financial burdens prevail and enter our lives and you work together to
live and provide for the needs. Life can become farther and farther apart.

Some couples may become bitter and pick at each other little by little . Maybe the way things are cooked; whos turn to take the dog out; or other little small things...They become a worn
place that gets bigger and bigger..........
And..............soon the glow of that "light" you once had may begin to fade..........but I heard this
wise little idea I thought I would pass along............Begin anew.........You can always begin "new"
each day.........God brings us His peace and joy and love and can bring it to you....
If you have a relationship that may need "renewed" here are some ideas..........

. Purchase a new scrapbook for just you and him.

. Begin to fill it with new pictures of you both.

. Fill it with a new beginning and new memories to build upon.

Soon.............you will have a "new door " to open and once again say "your special to me"