Christmas Day~2010~

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas~2010~

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO YOU!

In all the hustle and bustle of this season,

May you remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas!

~Jesus~

I hope your celebrations are wonderful and memory-filled...

Fourteen Years Ago~

Fourteen years ago today, I became a Mrs.
I became a wife...

and as they say, the rest is history. 

Hubbie and I have had 14 great years together, and I look forward to at least a hundred more!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!!! I love you!

Here are a few memories~

~our engagement picture~

~my dad and I right before we walked down the aisle~

~Mr. & Mrs.~

~and DIP~

Thank you for still "dipping me" for a kiss! :)

Plus, the kids enjoy watching us, too!

~Boy, was it cold that day!~

~But, we were happy and excited to be married...and we're still

excited and happy to be married to each other!

I LOVE YOU, HUBBIE!

And We're Back!

Happy Thursday to all my blogging friends! It's been too long since I even got onto the blog...and seems even longer since I visited you! We have been around, just not online. You see, our computer died shortly after Thanksgiving...and we're just getting back!

So, I hope you are doing well, and I look forward to catching up with each of you and seeing what's been going on in your life!

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving ~ 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma and three of her grandchildren...

I am giving thanks today for:

~not in any particular order~

the Lord Jesus

my salvation
sweet "Hubbie"

family

church

home

Bible
church family

freedom

greatest military in the world

clean water

good roads

eyesight

autumn

and so many more...

I hope you have a wonderful day!

A Timely Acrostic

Happy Tuesday! Americans are busy this week with Thanksgiving Day preparations...turkey, potatoes, rolls, vegetables, desserts...but in the midst of all these activities, I wanted to take a moment and write another Thanksgiving acrostic. This one, from 2009, reminded me of when I was teaching full time in a Christian school. Times are different now since I do not have a classroom of 28 or more...but the activities are still important, and they make good memories. :)

Today...

this week...

this Thanksgiving...

I am thankful for:

T~ taking time to "smell the roses" and enjoying it with my family
H~ "Hubbie" who loves his Lord and loves his family
A~ America
N~ new friends~and old ones, too!  :)
K~ kids who love Jesus (the teens in our church are a blessing!)
S~ Scripture
G~ godly pastor
I~ invitations to visit with other believers
V~ victory through Jesus
I~ inspiring messages from God's Word
N~ numbers on the scale that are getting lower  :)
G~ grandparents

Today, as part of school, we'll be writing or drawing our Thanksgiving Acrostic...Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Thankful for ~

delicious recipes...just take a look at this cheesecake~

Hubbie and I are working together to get the numbers on the scale to go down...and one easy way that we still enjoy something sweet is to adapt recipes! The following recipe is one that seemed really hard the first time I made it because it had quite a few ingredients...but it really is easy! I promise! Instead of using white sugar and brown sugar, I used Splenda and Splenda Blend brown sugar. I am writing the Splenda measurements in italics.

Our Favorite Cheesecake

Crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar blend)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, chopped

Filling:

• 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar (1 cup Splenda)
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar blend)
• 1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon all purpose flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons sugar free hot fudge ice cream topping (I used Smucker's)
• 1/4 cup sugar free caramel ice cream topping (I used Smucker's)
• 1/3 cup walnuts

Ganache:
Instead of doing the ganache (because it called for chocolate chips), I just put some sugar free hot fudge topping on each slice of cheesecake, as it is served. It works for us!

Directions:

1. Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double thickness of aluminum foil. Securely wrap foil around pan.
2. For the crust~In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and walnuts; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
3. For the filling~In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup flour, cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Remove 1 cup of the batter to a small bowl; stir in the hot fudge ice cream topping until blended. Spread over cooled crust.
4. Combine caramel topping, 1 teaspoon flour, and walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls over chocolate batter. Top with the remaining batter. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan.
5. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until the center is just set the the top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. (I also remove the foil at this point). Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool one hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
6. Serve each piece with sugar free hot fudge topping.
7. Enjoy!

~ A perfect ending to a Thanksgiving meal,
or any meal for that matter!~ :)

Happy Thankful Thursday!

This Week~

For Monday, November 15, 2010~

Outside my window~

the sun is shining and it is a very pleasant morning

I am hearing~

chatter

I am thinking~

about how I've been so challenged by our Pastor's sermons recently

I am thankful~

for my best friend here on earth...my sweet Hubbie

I am remembering~

times spent with my Dad's family making apple butter...

The kids would all play, but the adults would stir that big black kettle

over the open flame almost all day long...mmm...

I am reading~

Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney,

a study on Titus 2

I am hoping~

to get the laundry done (and put away!) today

I am praying~

for my sister

On my mind~

are several members of our church who

are going through some hard times

From the learning rooms~

equivalent fractions for "R"

blends and sight words for "D"

working on colors for "S"

Noticing that~

the house is still so neat and organized...I love it!

Wondering~

if it will stay that way?!?!

I am creating~

(this week) some visuals for our Christmas program

Pondering these words~

Psalm 107:1

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

From the kitchen~

breakfast~bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches

Monday~crabcakes, chicken cakes, coleslaw,

marinated potatoes, pumpkin muffins

Tuesday~spaghetti and green salad

Wednesday~chef salad

Thursday~chicken casserole

Friday~out to eat (thinking bbq...)

Saturday~tba

Around the house~

Hubbie is working, I am taking too long on the computer :)

"R" is reading, "D" is getting chores done, and "S" is coloring

One of my favorite things~

is singing with my family during our devotion time at night

A few plans for the rest of the week~

church Wednesday

day trip?

shopping :)

From my picture journal~

just a few memories from the birthday party this past Thursday

I'll be linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook, hosted by Peggy...

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great day! :)

Happy Birthday to our Little Girl~

Today, you turned 2! How time has flown, my sweet girl!

You are so very precious to all of us...God has blessed us so much by placing you in our family.

We love you very much and wish you many, many more birthdays!

We hope you had a wonderful day celebrating with Grandma, Grandpa, Nanny, Poppy, Uncle Jack, Aunt Beth, Cousins Caroline and Quinn, big sister "R", big brother "D",  Daddy, and Mommy.

This Says it All...

Our second through fifth graders sang this very special song this past Sunday to honor our Veterans. I know I'm a day early but I wanted to share it with you.

This video is of some third graders...watch...be moved...be thankful...and please share a comment when you're finished...

Daybook~11/9/2010

For Tuesday, November 9, 2010~

Outside my window~

the sun is beautiful as it rises over the horizon;

it was light outside when sweet Hubbie left this morning

I am hearing~

the furnace  :)

I am thinking~

about my wonderful family

and how God has so richly blessed us

I am thankful~

that my nephew is out of the hospital

I am remembering~

the time my family and I got to spend

with my brother a few weeks ago

I am reading~

my Bible and my "to do" list for the day

I am praying~

for my country and her leaders

I am hoping~

that the congestion in "S" will go away soon

On my mind~

is how I'm planning to get the "to do" list accomplished

Noticing that~

the leaves are still pretty in the woods behind my house

Wondering~

why time seems to speed by these days...

(maybe I'm getting old)   ;)

I am creating~

the menu for "S" birthday party

From the kitchen~

little egg souffles and sausage patties

bbq, coleslaw, pumpkin muffins (new recipe that is a keeper!)

swiss steak

Around the house~

organization is coming along rather nicely!

One of my favorite things~

is seeing my Hubbie smile

A few plans for the rest of the week~

library run, grocery store, church,

birthday party, clean house, start working on

photo calendars for Christmas gifts

From my picture journal~

chocolate-caramel cheesecake (sugar free)

I'm joining Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by...have a wonderful Tuesday!

Ready for Some Baking?

I received this picture and recipe from

Gooseberry Patch...and now I am hungry! :)

I love pecan pie, so these little gems will be perfect during the Thanksgiving season, the Christmas season, for birthdays, for anniversaries, for church socials, for...

Happy Wednesday!

Pecan Pie Bars
Wonderful little pecan pie bars you can't stop eating! Great for a church social or holiday cookie exchange.

1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. plus 3 T. brown sugar, packed and divided
1/2 c. plus 2 T. butter, divided
2 eggs
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Combine flour with 3 tablespoons brown sugar; cut in 1/2 cup butter until coarse crumbs form. Press into a lightly greased 11"x7" baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. While crust is baking, beat eggs in a large bowl and add remaining brown sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, corn syrup and vanilla. Blend in pecans and pour mixture into hot crust. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen.

Election Day, 2010

For Today, Tuesday, November 2, 2010~

Outside my window~

the sky is a beautiful red as the sun rises,

and it is COLD!

I am hearing~

silence

I am thinking~

about my Hubbie :)

I am thankful~

that my brother made it safely

to Europe last weekend

I am remembering~

when Ronald Reagan won his second term

as President in 1984...I remember looking at the newspaper

and seeing a US map showing all those states that had gone for him...amazing!

I am reading~

my Bible and cooking magazines

I am hoping~

that folks will exercise their right

(and their responsibility) to vote

On my mind~

is a special prayer request my mom shared with me

From the learning rooms~

I am learning that I need to be more observant

of others needs...and not so focused on me...

Noticing that~

there really have not been a lot of political signs in

this immediate area...Hubbie said there are lots more as he

drives to work

I am creating~

birthday celebrations for our kiddos

and the dinner menu

From the kitchen~

a nice hot cup of coffee

Around the house~

the blower on the A/C is off,

but it still feels a little cool...

Pondering these words~
fourth verse of our national anthem,
The Star-Spangled Banner

 Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

One of my favorite things~
is snuggling under the warm blankets with my Hubbie!

A few plans for the rest of the week~

Tuesday~voting, Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday~church

From my picture journal~
our little punkins!

 I'll be linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook...hop on over there if you'd like to read other daybooks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Random Thoughts

Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my last post! I love reading your thoughts...And today, I have some random thoughts~no specific order, no rhyme or reason...please bear with me.  :)

• I have the "perfect spouse" for me, and I have a great relationship with him...
• I am thankful for the ability to "blog" and have met many new friends!
• Do you receive any devotionals on your computer? I receive three of them. One is Girlfriends in God, another is from Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the last one is from a preacher out in California. Today he wrote the following devotional about divine appointments, and it really spoke to my heart:

Many times God works in our hearts and lives before He uses us in a great way. Have you ever had God take you through a trial, prepare your life for a future event, then use you to His glory? Before God brings others to us, He often deals with us first.

When God does bring along someone, recognize it as His divine appointment rather than a temporary inconvenience. We've all got work to do, a schedule to keep, a family to lead, and a life to live. Yet, remember that life isn't about our work. It's about God's work. It's about reaching out to others who are hurting, helping those who are struggling, listening to those who are mourning, and witnessing to those who are lost. Our lives are about helping others see Christ.

• WOW! It was a great reminder to me...to not get so focused on "my life", but to see others' needs.
• I am meeting my brother one last time for lunch before he heads back to Europe to the mission field...my parents, brother, Hubbie, kids, and I are going to Famous Dave's...I am excited about the delicious food, but even more excited to spend time with everyone. On Wednesday, I was able to see William (my brother), and had a really nice visit. He is leaving around 5 PM Eastern time...please pray for safety. He should arrive at his local airport around 2:45 tomorrow afternoon.
• Our fall revival is now finished, but I am praying that the Holy Spirit keeps working on me. Such great, encouraging messages.
• Candy give-away was last night after the service. We do not celebrate Halloween, but we love to give our kids candy...so the adults all bring a big bag of candy, and line up (sit) around the perimeter of our gym. The kids (through the 5th grade) file past us with their bags, and get tons of candy! Suffice it to say that there were lots of kids "bouncing off the walls" last night. Oh, such excitement!!! And all for some candy! :)
• Did you know that October 31st is also Reformation Day? It was the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the church door.
• Although I am not a huge fan of Wally World, I do shop there occasionally. Yesterday, I found the cutest black wire basket for $5! I love black wire items! They also have some beautiful dishes and glasses for $3 each from the Better Homes & Gardens collection that would love fabulous in my kitchen...I may have to go back...

I told you I was totally random today...just wanted to get a couple of thoughts written down. Thanks for sticking with me! I hope you have a great Thursday!

A Taste of Fall

For Monday, October 25, 2010~

Outside my window~

the sun is shining brightly and the leaves are gorgeous!

I am hearing~

my kids singing "America"

I am thinking~

about my Sweetheart

I am thankful~

for the conviction of the Holy Spirit

I am remembering~

the sermon yesterday that encouraged me to be still and obey the Lord

I am reading~

my Bible, Answers in Genesis magazine, cooking magazines

I am hoping~

that we have a good visit with my brother before he heads back to Europe on Thursday

On my mind~

are my grandparents

Noticing that~

I need to clean the family room

Wondering~

who will be in the majority in about 8 days

I am creating~

nothing at the moment

Food for thought~

"Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."

Psalm 119:89

From the kitchen~

Sunday~grilled steak, seasoned potatoes, limas

Monday~steak fajitas

Tuesday~poppy seed chicken casserole

Wednesday~swiss steak (crock-pot)

Thursday~tba

Friday~tba

Saturday~tba

*tba does not mean we'll be eating out all those days...   :)

Around the house~

the mammal poster is done and it looks really nice

One of my favorite things~

is the time I get to spend with my family, laughing, sharing,

making memories, and just enjoying each other

A few plans for the rest of the week~

church revival M, T, W evening

visit with my brother

Bible Builders on Saturday

From my picture journal~

a few pictures from our recent trip through the Appalachian Mountains

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a blessed day, my friends!

I'll be linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook, so hop on over there if you'd like to read other daybooks. Thank you, Peggy, for hosting this every week! :)

Will You Tell Us a Story?

One night after church a few weeks ago, Hubbie had to run into Lowe's for something, and the kids and I were sitting in the car together. Sometimes, waiting can be hard...but when one of the children asked me, "Will you tell us a story?" I began to think back to some stories that I knew had been told~over and over and over...and couldn't really come up with a great story. Imagine my surprise and my delight when "R" said, "Will you tell us about when you got saved?" So, I said...

When I was in Kindergarten, a first grade friend told me that I needed to be saved. She promptly raised her hand and told the teacher. :) I can remember going into another room and the teacher talking to me. I can remember praying a prayer, but not because I understood why or because I did not want to go to hell when I died, or even because I understood that Jesus took my punishment for me. I just prayed the prayer because that is what the teacher said to do.

I even remember talking to my Mom when I got home from school that day, and her joy upon hearing my news. I acted like a Christian. I went to church. I said the right things. I even got baptized! But there was never a real change in my heart.

When I was a sophomore in college, an evangelist came to preach and I realized how desperately I needed to trust Christ as my personal Savior. I know for sure that on September 10, 1992, I got saved!

When I got finished, "R" and "D" both related their testimony to me.

"R" asked Jesus to be her Savior when she was 4. She remembers that she was sitting on our blue and white couch when it was in the family room and she even remembers what she was wearing ~ some kind of polar bear pajamas. :)

"D" asked Jesus into his heart when he was 4. He remembers that he talked to Hubbie and I after church one night, and that we were in his bedroom.

What precious words for me to hear...and they both want to be baptized soon...and "R" has shared with her dad and I a very special blessing~she believes God wants her to be a missionary! Hubbie and I are thrilled and excited to see how God is going to use her life for His glory! I'm so very thankful for the opportunity to teach my children about Jesus.

Do you know for sure where you would spend eternity if you died today? Will you share in the comments section where you were when you asked Jesus to be your Savior?

Autumn Banner

Happy Harvest!

Daybook~10/19

For Tuesday, October 19, 2010~

Outside my window~

cool, dark, chance of rain today

I am hearing~

the fan on our A/C unit is circulating air

but other than that, I hear nothing

I am thinking~
about my Hubbie, and

about doing some baking today after school is finished  :)

I am thankful~

for a loving family,

and for the responsibility of voting in just two weeks

I am remembering~

what a fun time our family had at

our church's Fall Festival this past Saturday

I am reading~

nothing extra...just the essentials

(Bible, cooking magazines)

I am hoping~

that our newest nephew did well last night

since it was his first night home!

On my mind~

are some of my friends

From the learning rooms~

"R" recently learned how to check addition,

multiplication, and division by "casting out 9's"...pretty neat stuff!

"D" told me the other day,

"Mom, can we just do first grade? I remember all this stuff from K4!"

"S" learns new words every day. My most recent favorite was "hudder". Any

ideas on what word was being said?

Noticing that~

after our church revival next week, the calendar is

going to be changed fairly soon...so hard to believe that November

is right around the corner!

Wondering~

if I really should start the exercise DVD? I definitely

don't want to, but I definitely ought to...

I am praying~

for the elections coming November 2nd...

I am creating~

actually, I am helping "R" get her mammal poster finished. It is

looking really nice so far. She is very pleased.

Pondering these words~

"America has never been an empire. We may be the only great power in history

that had the chance, and refused - preferring greatness to power

and justice to glory."

43rd President of the United States

George W. Bush

November 19, 1999

From the kitchen this week~

french toast and sausage

pork BBQ

mozzarella chicken

steak fajitas

poppy seed chicken casserole

baked mostaccioli (new recipe)

swiss steak

chicken tenders

Around the house~

little projects are slowly getting finished:

kids' clothes that they have outgrown, getting passed on

autumn decorations finished

school project is nearing completion

yard work is basically done for the season

driveway resealed

One of my favorite things~

I probably say this often, but I so enjoy

spending time with my sweetheart and my family!

A few plans for the rest of the week~

library run

church on Wednesday

quiet week (so far)  :)

From my picture journal~

a few autumn decorations

~our front entry~

welcome!

~cornicopia came from a "Buckwheat Festival" that one

of my students went to years ago...she is now a Junior in

High School...Monogrammed plate

is from Kirkland's~

~care for some candy corn?~

 ~just a few of my pumpkins~

 ~looks like someone has enjoyed those harvest colored M&M's~

 One day I caught our youngest on the couch, leaning

over the pillows, and enjoying these candies! ~

 ~simple, but pretty pumpkin candleholder. It now has an

orange/brown candle in it~

 ~a recent find from Yankee Candle~

Have you seen all the beautiful sunflower dishes at Cracker Barrel?

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you have a great Tuesday!

If you'd like to read other Daybooks, please visit here.

I'm also linking up to Friday with Friends, even though I am really late!



God's Paintbrush

Recently, while driving on I-70 and I-68, through Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia (again), Maryland, and West Virginia (yet again!), I was amazed at all the beautiful colors on the trees. It was like God had taken out His paintbrush, and had created a masterpiece...all around us! It was absolutely beautiful!

Then I started thinking~

• None of those trees were exactly the same, just like we are not all "the same".
• Each tree had a special color, just like we all have special gifts. What is/are your special gift(s)?
• Each tree points to God, just as we should point others to Christ.
• Every tree declared God's glory, just as we ought to praise Him for all He has done!

I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to see God's paintbrush this fall...and I am also thankful that He reminded me of these simple truths.

Have you seen some of His paintings?

Jesus Calls Us

Every once in a while, I like to share a hymn that is a blessing to me. The following hymn is not one that we normally sing in our church, but it is beautiful! You can download the music here. The poetess also wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful and the Christmas hymn, Once in Royal David's City.

Jesus Calls Us

by Cecil Frances Alexander

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult

Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,

Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”

Jesus calls us from the worship

Of the vain world’s golden store,

From each idol that would keep us,

Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”

In our joys and in our sorrows,

Days of toil and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,

“Christian, love Me more than these!”

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,

Savior, may we hear Thy call,

Give our hearts to Thine obedience,

Serve and love Thee best of all.

Matthew 4:19~And he saith unto them,

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a wonderful Thursday!  :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Monday, September 27, 2010~

Outside my window~

rain and pleasant temperatures in the 60's

I am hearing~

pages being turned in a book

I am thinking~

about some autumn plans

I am thankful~

for a great marriage to my sweet Hubbie

I am remembering~

the wonderful church services yesterday

I am reminded~

that because of God's tremendous love for me,

I have some tremendous responsibilities:

of telling others of His great love for them,

of showing His love to others, and

of purifying my heart and life

I am reading~

my Bible and I'm still reading

Do You Mind if Your Kids Don't?

I am hoping~

that you have a great day!

On my mind~

is a list of things I'd like to do today

From the learning rooms~

still reviewing some things from last year

Noticing that~

time seems to fly by more quickly now than

when I was a kid  :)

Praying~

for my brother who is in the US for a few months, and

for his wife and boys who are in Europe

I am creating~

an autumn banner for our home

Pondering these words~

"If God brings you to it,

He will lead you through it."

From the kitchen~

bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on low-carb bread

cheeseburgers

meatloaf

Around the house~

it looks like autumn has arrived

Have I mentioned before that I love to decorate for the seasons?  :)

One of my favorite things~

is my Hubbie's love...and his kisses!

A few plans for the rest of the week~

swim lessons

church on Wednesday

church visitation on Saturday

From my picture journal~

~a horse made from flowers~

~the farm was getting ready to open for the summer~

~some of the most beautiful creatures~

Thank you for stopping by today!

If you'd like to read other daybooks, please visit Peggy at

The Simple Woman's Daybook.