MAKING NEW MEMORIES.............

I enjoy making homemade cards from time to time. I enjoy some scrapbooking but using things I have like bits of ribbon; papers; and even buttons.... I want my card to say something about the person...or to the person for whom it is given. Reading ""Journal for Women" blog reminded me of the days when my husband and I were dating and I made up a large "scrapbook" of all the things we did together. I would put places we would go; tidbits of brochures; pictures of him and I; and "tape" even a small daises he gave to me on a bike ride to the page........It was our memories!!!

It seems as some marriages grow older we begin to turn what was sweet to us before into: Why did he buy all that ______ when he knows we wont use it all?; or Why does he talk so loud?; or Why does he want to go to that place to eat ?...........All of these things used to be fun to do or you thought he was cute doing them........

God is so good in that He gives to us each a "New Day" to begin with.......Whatever you thought................YOU wanted or DESERVED in your life may or may not have ever come true.
And...........YOU may be sitting there waiting and waiting for it to someday happen. There are even some that may say I am done with waiting for what I want. I want to begin again with someone else............I want to encourage YOU to "MAKE NEW MEMORIES" with the one God gave to you and knew that you were the best one for them.

Here was an idea I heard through a friend who's family was going through a hard time. The advice was to "MAKE NEW MEMORIES" by taking new pictures and making a scrapbooks. I thought this was a great idea..........So the friend did just that and took many pictures of her and her hubby and her family on a vacation they took together. Her husband loved the pictures and she began to renew a "new love" for her situation and they now have a new relationship.

Three simple ideas:

1. Ask God to give you a renewed love for whomever.......

2. Take pictures of you both in all your activities ( it doesnt have to be a vacation); this can work well with a child also that may be feeling low.......

. 3. Proudly display these in a nice made scrapbook or have a favorite photo printed to fit a nice black and white frame in your rooms............

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY MUFFINS....

While on our vacation my daughter in law took grandma
and I out to this fun restaurant called Mimis! They served the most delicious foods
but every dish is usually accompanied by a large muffin! She said they are known
for their muffins and she enjoys their "Pumpkin Muffins" the best.........

She had just purchased a new small "cookbook" and I looked through it and found
this recipe for "Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins"!! They sounded so good so I made these
on Monday and took step by step pictures. Unfortunately my camera didn't want to
download these so I am showing a picture of the delicious muffins we had at the restaurant!

I made mine and we had some for supper that evening with cream cheese frosting
and I took some and made up a fun basket for my friend ( who had loaned me her
suitcase) along with some cute cookies and fall napkins......

Here is the recipe for you to try:

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY MUFFINS

. 2 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
. 3/4 C SUGAR
. 3 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER
. 1 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON
. 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND GINGER
. 1/4 TEASPOON SALT
. 1 C CANNED PUMPKIN
. 1/2 C VEGETABLE OIL
. 2 EGGS
. 1 C SWEETENED DRIED CRANBERRIES
. 1/4 C CHOPPED PECANS
. COARSE SUGAR, IF DESIRED

1. HEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES. 12 MUFFIN CUPS WITH BAKING CUPS

2. MIX FLOUR; SUGAR; BAKING POWDER; CINNAMON, GINGER AND SALT. SIR IN
PUMPKIN; OIL; ;EGGS; CRANBERRIES AND PECANS UNTIL JUST MOISTENED!!!
*** OVERMIXING CAN RESULT IN TOUGH MUFFINS WITH PEAKED TOPS.
DIVIDE BATTER EVENLY IN EACH CUP. SPRINKLE COARSE SUGAR OVER BATTER
IN EACH CUP...

3. BAKE 20-25 MIN OR UNTIL TOOTHPICK COMES OUT CLEAN. ( ** I THOUGHT 18-20
WAS GOOD FOR ME). COOL.

4. MAY SERVE WITH BUTTER OR CREAM CHEESE ON TOP.

MORE VACATION PHOTO'S .............

ON OUR TRIP TO NEVADA WE VISITED "SILVER CITY" ON DAY..........THE VIEW WAS SPECTACULAR! THE WEATHER WAS A BALMY 100 DEGREES BUT WALKING THROUGH THE OLD WESTERN TOWN WAS FUN AND TOOK YOU BACK THROUGH TIME...
MY SWEET GRANDDOG "EARL".......HE USED TO BE A SHEEPDOG....WE LOVED HIM SO MUCH!
MY OTHER SWEET GRANDDOG " CUTTER" -SHE USED TO BE A CATTLEDOG....WE THINK SHE IS SO PRECIOUS MY HUBBY AND SON STANDING IN THE DESERT FIELD WATCHING THE "BLUE ANGELS FLY OVERHEAD!
YOU CANNOT SEE THEM TOOK CLOSE IN THIS PHOTO BUT THEY WERE RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS!
I GOT SO EXCITED AS THEY DID ALL THEIR VARIOUS TRICKS................UNBELIEVABLE!
STANDING IN FRONT OF MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAWS CHURCH; MY KIDS AND HUBBY AND GRANDMA! THEY BOTH LOVE THEIR PASTOR AND THE PEOPLE THERE. THEY WERE SO FRIENDLY AND KIND!
WE HAD GONE OVER THIS DAY TO SEE THEIR CHURCH AS THEY PREPARED TO CLEAN AND TIDY FOR SUNDAY. MY DAUGHTER IN LAW PLAYS THE PIANO; WORKS WITH THE CHOIR AND SINGING GROUPS ( HER AND HER HUBBY); MY SON LEADS THE SINGING AND WORKS WITH
THE YOUTH AND SOMETIMES PREACHES WHEN NEEDED.

WE WERE SO SPOILED AND BLESSED WITH OUR VISIT!

MORE "FALL DECORATIONS"..............

I FOUND THIS REALLY TALL "STRAW ORANGE AND
BROWN FALL STAND"FOR $1. MY GIRLS AND I
WAITED IN LINE FOR THIS HUGE "FALL RUMMAGE"
SALE FOR 30 MINUTES. IT WAS BUSY BUT SO FUN
WITH SEVERAL THINGS AT A VERY GOOD PRICE...

I ADDED A NEW TABLE RUNNER AND TRAY FILLED
WITH ORANGE WHEAT PUMPKINS I FOUND AT
"MICHELE'S" LAST YEAR.........
I USED ANOTHER TRAY ( MY DAUGHTER IN LAW)
TAUGHT ME SO MANY CLEVER USES WITH USING
BASKET AND OTHER TRAYS...). HERE ARE SOME
LITTLE COOKIES I FOUND AT THE RUMMAGE
SALE FOR .25 EACH. I LOVED THEM AND THOUGHT
HOW CUTE THEY WOULD BE IN A LITTLE GIFT
BAG FOR SOMEONE. THEY TASTED GREAT TOO
( I KNOW I SAMPLED ONE!).............
THEY WERE ALREADY PACKAGED WITH THE RIBBON!
I LOVE THE SMELL OF "FALL CANDLES"........
I FOUND THIS LITTLE CANDY DISH FOR .5 CENTS
SO PERFECT FOR MY CANDY CORN I RECEIVED FROM
MY BASKET MY DAUGHTER IN LAW GAVE ME....
A FRESH NEW PUMPKIN CANDLE ( PAULA DEEN)
ANOTHER GIFT..............I AM SPOILED WITH LOVE....
I DECIDED TO RE-DUE MY BASKET AND FILLED IT
WITH DARK RED HYDRANGEAS AND LITTLE BERRIES
ALL AROUND THE OUTSIDE! DID I MENTION I LOVE
THOSE LITTLE BERRIES?
PART OF MY FIREPLACE MANTEL......A COUPLE OF
PUMPKINS; A CANDLE; AND A NICE BURNT ORANGE
VASE FILLED WITH BERRIES.....................

I PRAY YOUR HAVING A GOOD FALL..........I PLAN ON MAKING SOME "PUMPKIN
MUFFINS" LATER TODAY ........I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THEY TURN OUT!!

IN OUR WEAKNESS...HE MAKES US STRONG....

The last couple weeks has been an eventful one for sure.........My husband and I had been
planning a trip to Nevada to visit our son and daughter in law for a long time.....Due to several circumstances the plan never came to being.......Finally in the month of July we were set to
go when my heart decided to go to the hospital and cardiologist; and end up having a eco-gram.
We thought for sure there would be no way now to go.....I felt so weak; money was tied up in now hospital bills; and a new journey has once again began....

One day my husband came home and said " We can go again" ; if you feel up to it! By now I was weak in many ways....Fear of what if ? ....filled my mind....But...I read and re-read Gods Word; began to exercise; eat well; and research about the heart for my husband and myself.
God used many an encouraging word and help from others....

We finally left and flew to see our son and wife. God had so many blessings beyond measure for us and for me. I must have cried happy tears several times filling my heart with gratitude.
Sunday morning we all got ready to go and there sat my daughter in law playing the piano
with beautiful music and my son leading the singing. I cant tell you the joy that brings to see
them love the Lord . That evening our son preached the message and it touched my heart...

BUT..........with joy and strength He allows weakness.... Just before we left home our other
daughter and son in law announced to us that we were to become grandparents again!!! OHH
we were overjoyed ( we love grandchildren)....as we left for our visit our hearts were lifted with
joy of this new one. ... Then the phone call came......" Mom I dont feel well"...." were heading to
the dr".........they say they will not know until Monday"..........Sunday there little baby went to
heaven. God was with them when they needed him most!

Another phone call came........"moms in the hospital"; she is in alot of pain; please pray!
They regulated her heart and at this moment she is stable.

Why am I saying all this??? Because tonight as I was taking my evening walk....I was
watching the "FALL" leaves begin to CHANGE and turn colors......The trees are losing their
strength but in their weakness He makes them STRONG! The COLORS are more vibrant!
They bring joy to others! They bring beauty to the land!

We do not know what God has for each of us......my sons pastor; Bro. Snow said Sunday, " BE STRONG"even when you dont feel like it! I believe that! Whatever you are going through
know God is using your weakness to make you strong!
** By the way we are very blessed with our two granddogs and our granddaughter!

A SWEET VISIT TO NEVADA WITH MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW....

LAST WEEK WE FLEW TO NEVADA TO VISIT OUR
SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW.........THIS WAS A GREAT
VISIT ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAD BEEN SO LONG...
HERE IS MY HUBBY AND I ATOP OF MT ROSE...SO
VERY HIGH......
WE VISITED "VIRGINA CITY" (REMEMBER BONANZA?)
AND ENJOYED SOME HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
THEY HAD HOMEMADE CONES DIPPED IN NUTS OR CANDIES SO GOOD!
MY HUBBY AND I HAVING SOME FUN IN VIRGINA CITY!
WE ATE SO MUCH AND LAUGHED SO MUCH. HERE'S
MY "KIDS" HAVING FUN..........
A WONDERFUL "ITALIAN RESTAURANT" THEY TOOK
US TO..............
WE ATE HERE MANY TIMES..........GREAT BREAKFAST
THE "TALK OF THE BIG AIR SHOW" WAS THE SUBJECT
EVERYDAY............WE SAW THE "BLUE ANGELS" AND
OTHERS FLY RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS!!!............
THE "RIVER WALK" DOWNTOWN WAS BEAUTIFUL
ON OUR LAST DAY.......................
I WAS SO GLAD MY MOTHER IN LAW GOT TO COME
ALONG WITH US! SHE MAKES ME LAUGH! SWEET
PRECIOUS MEMORIES.........I WILL SHARE MORE
LATER...........

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.