DECORATING ON A BUDGET....A TIME OF CELEBRATION

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAST WEEKEND TO MY
GRANDDAUGHTERS FIRST BIRTHDAY
A SIMPLE TABLE SET FOR GUEST
THE THEME WAS "SUGAR AND SPICE AND
EVERYTHING NICE"
SHE MADE THE CENTERPIECE BY WRAPPING
THREE BOXES AND FOUND THESE CUTE BAGS
TO FILL WITH CANDY FOR GUEST
I HAD THIS VINTAGE TABLECLOTH IN A BOX
WE PRESSED AND THE COLORS MATCHED
MY SON-IN-LAW DAN; HAD THIS LARGE POSTER MADE
(AT HIS WORK) OF ELLA AND HER BIRTHDAY
WE PLACED IT OVER A PICTURE
MY DAUGHTER FOUND THESE GINGERBREAD MEN
AT THE TEACHERS STORE AND WE DECORATED
THE WHOLE PARTY ROOM WITH THESE!


We had a great time of celebration last Saturday! My daughter and I looked over cute themes for Ellas first party. There were princess themes; duckies; bears and other thingswe
could purchase. But then she came up with the theme : "Sugar and spice and everything nice
that's what little girls are made of". You can watch the DVD my daughter made of her first year.
Click here

She had a budget ( like everyone) but wanted the little get together to be nice. She decided on brown and pink and white for the colors. We went to Hobby Lobby for the cheapest on paper plates and napkins. She then went by the teachers store and found the cute Gingerbread Men for $3 for 50 of them. They would decorate the room. She made her own centerpiece with leftover wrapping paper and ribbon. ( She makes beautiful packages). A vintage tablecloth in her colors finished the table. She found cute little bags at Hobby Lobby for a couple of dollars and filled them with candy for her guest. Clear plastic cups for $2 for the punch.

The food was simple. A cheese ball and crackers on a pretty glass tray. Punch with sherbet in a borrowed punch bowl. A crock pot filled with meatballs. And a nice birthday cake from Sams Club.

A time of celebration should be fun for all. Keep in mind a budget and then get creative.
Most of all make it a time for others to feel loved.

THOUGHTS...........WORDS

THOUGHTS...................MY WORDS

PROVERBS:18:4 " THE WORDS OF A MAN'S MOUTH ARE AS DEEP WATERS, AND THE WELLSPRING OF WISDOM AS A FLOWING BROOK"


Yesterday, after church I was thinking about how I heard so many good words! The Sunday School lesson was so good. Then the morning and evening sermons were excellent especially the one on "Our Securities in life". I thought of friends I passed by and their kind words. I came away feeling better about myself and stronger in my life. If you ever want to visit our church service you can just click "First Baptist Church" on the sidebar. We have services on Sunday morning; Sunday evening and Wednesday evening.

But........isn't there days when someone may say an unkind word; or a statement of words that drag you down. Someone may be very negative and just waiting to throw their hurt on another
one in their use of words.

Our tongue is a very powerful thing! This is not a new thought and is mentioned many many times in the Bible. But .......because it is mentioned so much it must be trying to tell us to watch it!

As a Christian lady; or even as a wife; mother; grandmother; sister; or friend I want my words to be uplifting and caring. I have probably failed at this many times as I know ; and I have had to learn sometimes to be quiet; to say I am sorry; keep my tongue or my opinion to myself.
Do you know we don't always have to say whats on our minds? ha

Sometimes it gets really hard when a situation prevails itself and someone is being really negative or gossiping about someone else to keep our tongue. But........that's where we get wisdom. Wisdom helps us to discern and what to say. Foolishness says what feels good for ourselves. Gossip hurts others and doesn't really help us.

Here are a few things I have had to learn:

. Keep in Gods word. He will tell you what to say.....

. Learn to look for the "gold glittering" in others and find the good in them.

. If you must say something "take it to God" He always understands!

. Learn to build others with praise! For every negative thing I say to someone I turn it around with 2 praises. I am still learning.

. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you if you struggle in this area.

. We cant all be happy all the time but we can learn to control our words even when were not.

. Little ones will be looking to us.

Just a thought or two on "Words". .....

**** One time at the Christmas holidays ;I bought a cute notepad with a cute little snowman on it.
I went shopping in downtown Chicago with my sisters. I decided to take that little notepad and write down a quick note such as " Thanks for your help today" ; You did a great job helping us". "Have a wonderful holiday" and handed it to all the clerks that we dealt with that day.
It was an unusual thing for me to do that year; but I was surprised at all the happy faces I encountered after that! I had read this idea in a little book years ago. I was glad I had listened to the Holy Spirits leading on this and not my own shyness. What words will you speak today?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELLA.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELLA JOY


Today is our granddaughters 1st Birthday. We had a celebration yesterday! I am so thankful God brought little Ella Joy into our lives!! What joy a grandchild can bring!

Thank you Lord for your abundance today! Thank you for my family. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your love!

Happy Birthday Ella Joy!!

Love, grandpa and grandma M.

RECIPES............TUSCAN ZUPPA SOUP

RECIPES.....TUSCAN ZUPPA SOUP MAKES 6-8 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS 1 LB ITALIAN SAUSAGE
1 1/2 tsp CRUSHED RED PEPPERS ( I USED DRY)
1 LARGE DICED WHITE ONION
4 TBSP BACON PIECES ( I USED REAL BACON BITS ON STORE SHELF)
2 tsp GARLIC PUREE
10 CUPS WATER
5 CUBES OF CHICKEN BOUILLON
1 CUP HEAVY CREAM ( I USED HALF AND HALF)

1 LB SLICED RUSSET POTATOES OR ABOUT 3 LARGE
1/4 OF A BUNCH OF KALE

1. SAUTE ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS IN POT. DRAIN EXCESS FAT. REFRIGERATE WHILE YOU PREPARE OTHER INGREDIENTS.

2. IN SAME PAN , SAUTE BACON, ONIONS, AND GARLIC FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. OR UNTIL ONIONS ARE SOFT

. 3. MIX TOGETHER THE CHICKEN BOUILLON AND WATER, THEN ADD IT TO THE ONIONS, BACON AND GARLIC. COOK UNTIL BOILING

4. ADD POTATOES AND COOK UNTIL SOFT, ABOUT HALF AN HOUR

5. ADD HEAVY CREAM AND COOK UNTIL THOROUGHLY HEATED.

6. STIR IN SAUSAGE.

7. ADD KALE JUST BEFORE SERVING.
DELICIOUS!

MY HUSBAND LOVES THE SOUPS AT OLIVE GARDEN.
I FOUND THIS RECIPE SOME TIME AGO THAT IS SIMILAR TO ONE OF THEIR SOUPS.
HE LOVED IT!! MAKES A LARGE POT!

THIS AND THAT ............DAILY WALKS

MY GRANDDAUGHTER ELLA HAVING FUN
CELEBRATING AT TOYS R US HER FIRST
BIRTHDAY ON NOVEMBER 2
I GET A FREE BALLOON . I LOVE IT!!!
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF HIS WAYS........
MY SILVER TREE AGAINST THE BLUE SKY
HIS COLORS RADIANT EACH DAY
THE PINE TREE BURST FORTH ITS CONES


PSALM 119:18 "OPEN THOU MINE EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF THY LAW."

This has been a busy week full of good things. Cleaning, visiting; my daughter sharing her lessons learned in her nursing class ; laughing ; working hard and anticipating our granddaughters first birthday.

Wednesday morning I looked out at the back lawn and noticed it needed one more mowing for this year. The weather was just beautiful with the crisp blue skies but as I pushed the mower back and forth my back began to hurt. I had to stop and pick up sticks; and my arms began to weaken. The lawn seemed to grow larger and larger. My spirit was becoming more and more begrudging as I did this chore. Back and forth I went complaining inside when I suddenly noticed gray bark pieces strewn among the pine leaves. I looked UP to see where these small gray bark pieces came from and I saw this beautiful SILVER tree! Now the tree was really while and gray and half in the neighbors yard but as I looked UP I beheld the beauty of Gods gift for this complaining woman! Oh..............how I thanked HIM and asked his forgiveness for my attitude. What a gift.............a beautiful SILVER tree against the crisp blue sky!!

The next day my daughter asked if I would go and help her return something with her .
We stopped at Toys R Us because she had a little coupon for a free birthday gift and we needed
to look at the store for something. The gift was a simple balloon and birthday hat! As grandma
strolled around the store she wore her little hat and LOVED that balloon pulling and tugging on it all the way. Again............God reminding me how the simplest things bring us joy!

Each day truly is a gift from God. It may not be something exciting or even expensive but if we would open our eyes.............we may be surprised at His gift for us!

EVERYDAY LIFE.........SURPRISES OF LOVE

FLOWERS MY HUSBAND SURPRISED ME WITH
A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY GIFT SURPRISE
FROM MY SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW


Last week my husband got to fly out for a few days and visit with my son and daughter-in-law in Nevada. The night before he was to leave ; in he came bearing these beautiful bouquet of flowers. ( He spoils me!).

He was so excited to see our "kids" . Josh works for a company and is Youth Pastor at their church. Jenny teaches piano part time and plays the piano for the church. They treated my husband like a "King" while he was there! He got to hear our son preach Sunday night and said the church people were so kind to him as well as Pastor Snow.

When he arrived back he came bearing another gift in his hand. This was a birthday gift for me from my son and daughter in law!. I loved it!!! I love aprons and there was a beautiful apron to wear for all the holiday baking and such. It came in this little box so cute to put on my desk. A nice potholder (perfect for taking out those holiday cookies) and a "Yankee Pumpkin Candle" was included.

I was so thankful for these things................... I am thankful I have grown children that care about their parents................I am thankful that I have children that love the Lord.............
I am thankful for a God who "surprises" me everyday with His love and care..............

As November is bending its way around the corner; the spirit of Thanksgiving will be upon
us. I want to be thankful and giving of "surprises of love".

SEASONAL................THE GREAT PUMPKIN SCRUB

SEASONAL ....THE GREAT PUMPKIN SCRUB


"Sugar and spice and everything nice"........ I had to return an item my husband bought for me this week. I had a little extra money to spend and began to look for a needed item. I was drawn to the smells of the lotions nearby when I came across this wonderful "Pumpkin Scrub".

I had heard of this scrub before and the benefits towards your skin but when I went to smell this scrub I was sold. It came in a beautiful package as well that I would use in a nice spot in my bathroom. As I grow older I see the need to care for my skin. I like to take care of my skin and smell nice for my husband as well!


Here are the good properties of this "Pumpkin Sugar Scrub".:

. Contain Vitamin A and C and zinc and beneficial alpha-hydroxy acids.

, Take off dead skin cells to renew your skin

. Makes even the roughest skin soft.

, Smells great!