Daybook

I'll be linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook on Tuesday if you'd like to read other entries.

Also~ Don't forget about the GIVEAWAY. Click here for more information.

Have a great day! :)

~For today, Monday, May 24, 2010~

Outside my window~

cloudy skies, chance of rain, 66 degrees

I am hearing~

the washing machine is working hard :),

the box fan is running

I am thinking~

that I have a wonderful family :)

I am thankful~

for God's beautiful creation all around me

I am remembering~

the family reunions we went to as kids

I am reading~

just starting Do You Mind if Your Kids Don't by Dr. Bill Rice, III

I am hoping~

that Oldest Daughter finishes the school year strong!

On my mind~

is a friend who has a new job...so amazed at how God is working out all the details!

From the learning rooms~

tomorrow is the last day of school! YIPPEE!

Noticing that~

I sure do feel better when I eat good food (not refined foods, loaded with carbs!)  :)

I am creating~

some graduation cards to send to some seniors who will be graduating in the next two weeks

From the kitchen~

Monday~pizza noodle casserole, salad

Tuesday~out to eat (to celebrate the end of school)

Wednesday~BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, vegetable

Thursday~meatloaf, noodles (cooked in beef broth)

Friday~hot dogs on the grill

Saturday~?

Around the house~

I'm doing some heavy cleaning and some laundry today

One of my favorite things~

is watching kids grow up.

One of the graduates on Friday night gave a great speech.

I was amazed by her poise and dignity,

and how much she had changed since I taught her in second grade!

I am encouraged~

by the strong character of the teens in our church and school

A few plans for the rest of the week~

include swim lessons, church, summer planning, a library visit, and cleaning my house

From my picture journal~

Can you guess where this is?

We were driving through this state one summer, and the name of this little town just made us giggle...and ever since that time, if my dad is driving through on the big rig, he'll call and say, "Hey, Donna, guess where I am?" or "Just letting you know that I'm passing through Bucksnort."

Celebrating the 100th post

Good morning! I hope your day is going well. In celebration of my 100th post (which happened last week), I thought I'd do a little giveaway. Sound like fun? Just keep reading for all the details...

I love to read. I always have. I hope I always will. One of my favorite things is to go to the mailbox and find a magazine or book waiting for me! I receive two cooking magazines (Taste of Home and Taste of Home's Simple and Delicious) and really enjoy browsing through them.

Because I love to read, I want to share that joy...YOU could win:

A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO A

TASTE OF HOME MAGAZINE!

(AND THE WINNER GETS TO PICK HIS/HER MAGAZINE!)

Look at all the magazines they offer~Yes, I think I would love one of each! :)

Here's how to enter:

1. This giveaway is for US residents only. You must have a US address.
2. Leave a comment and tell me which magazine you would choose if you were picked to be the winner.
3. Mention my giveaway on your blog and I will enter your name an extra time. You just need to let me know that you have mentioned the giveaway.  :)
4. Giveaway is open until June 1, 2010. At that time, I will use random.org to pick a winner.
5. Any questions, feel free to email me at blessingsatourhouse at gmail dot com [blessingsatourhouse@gmail.com] and I will gladly answer your email.

It's Coming

Yes, it is!

I'm talking about the give-away celebrating my 100th post. I never dreamed that I would have so much to say. (Hee Hee!) Check back tomorrow for all the details!

Thursday is usually my day to post something I'm thankful for and today is no different. I want to share the following verses that were given to the prophet Jeremiah when the Jews were slaves in Babylon...just got me to thinking...and thanking...and seeking...

Jeremiah 29:11-13
(v.11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
(v.12) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
(v.13) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

I love the promises of Scripture! What do you love about the Bible?

Wordless Wednesday~around the house

Good morning! For those of you who guessed that the picture from yesterday was of patio cushions, you are right! :)

I love Americana decorations and our family room reflects that love. Here are a few pictures to browse...Any suggestions on wall color? I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

Tuesday

~For today, Tuesday, May 18, 2010~

Outside my window~the rain is gentle, the skies are gray

I am hearing~quiet play

I am thinking~about my Hubbie~I love you!

I am thankful~for these past few days of rain~I don't have to water my plants! :)

I am remembering~going on family vacations as a child. One memory was a trip to Cass Mountain. There was/still is a steam engine that you could ride to the top of the mountain. The time I am remembering, there were lots of extended family present...I was probably 4 or 5 at the time.

I am reading~my Bible, A Woman after God's Own Heart, Taste of Home magazines

I am hoping~that I can get the "give-away" together this week

On my mind~are some hurting people

From the learning rooms~only six more days...including today...

Noticing that~ "niceness" matters~even at 7:00 in the morning, when you are sitting by your sibling eating breakfast and they elbow you...

I am creating~my summer reading list~perhaps I'll share that list later

Pondering these words~

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Twas blind, but now I see.

From the kitchen~

Sunday~pork BBQ, coleslaw

Monday~ever faithful bacon cheeseburgers made in the cast iron skillet~YUM!

Tuesday~spaghetti, salad

Wednesday~?

Thursday~?

Friday~?

Saturday~?

Yes, we will eat Wednesday through Saturday. :)

Around the house~basically clutter-free and organized (at least for now!)

One of my favorite things~is being reminded of how much God cares for me~we were in the middle of a hailstorm on Friday night, and within minutes, we could see a full rainbow...such a beautiful reminder of God's promises...

A few plans for the week~busy graduation week and maybe some family plans

From my picture journal~

Can you tell what this is a picture of? Hubbie, you cannot guess!

Have a great Tuesday!

Please join me at The Simple Woman's Daybook today.

This Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for my very thoughtful and loving Hubbie and children. I've been posting pictures this week of this past weekend, and it's been fun to remember all they did to make my day so very special.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I awoke Sunday morning to breakfast in bed. Cinnamon Swirl French toast, bacon strips, a sausage patty, and of course my ever present cup of coffee with lots of cream~or as Hubbie would say, "You have cream with a little coffee!"

After I got ready for church, I found this beautiful bouquet of flowers on my bed.

After church, Hubbie fixed dinner (pictures posted yesterday) which included:

After dinner, "S" went down for a nap, and "R" and "D" gave me some Bath and Body lotions and hand sanitizers. "R" made sure the package was wrapped perfectly.

They both made beautiful cards for me.

"R" had written something on the back of each petal.

This petal was my favorite...

From "D"

Hubbie gave me a tote bag of Bath and Body items...

There were three other items in the tote not pictured here~

lotion, shower gel, and shower cream

After dessert~NAPS FOR EVERYONE~

I loved all the gifts they gave, but more important than gifts is the time they spent with me and the love they shared...I will treasure this day...

Wordless Wednesday~Weekend Pictures

More Luncheon Pictures and a Recipe

Our annual Mother/Daughter Luncheon was so pretty...so elegant. The pictures from yesterday included a couple shots of the tables. In the center of the table was a birds' nest (a basket with spanish moss glued around the edge). Inside the "nest" were finger desserts, wrapped in pretty cellophane, tied with ribbon, and oh, so pretty! Here are a few more pictures...

~The decorated piano~

covered with a lace tablecloth and some pretties :)

~Three food tables~

Chicken salad and/or tuna salad served on a lettuce leaf, spinach salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and rolls

Kids menu~chicken nuggets, applesauce, and assorted chips

~Daisy in a vase~

This picture doesn't really do "justice" to the beauty of these vases. There were approximately 12 or 15 of these on the bleachers. We wrapped blue and green ribbon around the vase, hot glued it, and then our decorating crew filled them with water, and a daisy bud. So pretty! The sparrows were from Michael's. The grass is actually some tissue paper. :)

~The speaker's podium~

Our speaker this year was a veteran missionary wife and mom who is in the US for a year. She spoke on being content and also talked about the verses of the song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow". I had a little difficulty focusing on her because our 18 month was with me :), but what I did hear was a blessing to me. I know Jesus cares about me, and Jesus loves ME! What a comfort that is to my soul...I am so thankful that I have a personal relationship with Him!

Each lady was asked to bring a salad to share. We could pick chicken, tuna, or spinach. The church provided the rolls, the punch, the vinaigrette for the spinach salad,  and the kids food. I opted to bring a spinach salad. It was really tasty and very colorful.

Spinach Salad

Gently toss together the following ingredients:

1 10 ounce bag of fresh spinach ~ rinsed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces

1 quart (4 cups) strawberries ~ cleaned, hulled, and sliced

1 cup blueberries

1/4 cup slivered almonds ~ serve on the side

If I make this salad again, I will probably find a raspberry vinaigrette recipe online. (Unless you have one that you would be willing to share.)   :)

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

Mother's Day Weekend Recap

I have worn many "hats"~waitress at the local Kmart Restaurant when I was a teen, babysitter, being a nanny for a young girl during summer and Christmas breaks from college, housekeeping job in college, schoolteacher, office worker for a local company. The best fitting "hat" for me is that of wife and mom. I thank the Lord every day for the tremendous blessings He has given me.

I know some of you are waiting, hoping, and praying, some are hurting, and please know I am praying that God will give you an extra measure of His grace...I imagine that holidays are extra difficult. This post is not meant to sound boastful or anything like that. I just need to make sure my memories are written down here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I did have a wonderful weekend. It all started on Friday when "Hubbie" and I hosted a Mother's Brunch for our moms. We were so excited to have them come over, and spend the morning and part of the afternoon with us. My Dad was able to also come and enjoy time with everyone...he was even able to take a little nap later in the day.  :)

~The table~

~Our menu~

~Yummy food~

Top Left: assorted muffins, sausage, bacon, biscuits, baked french toast with roasted pecans

Top Middle: sausage gravy

Top Right: what was left of the sausage breakfast casserole

Bottom Left: My mom brought chocolate covered strawberries :)

Bottom Middle: sugar-free cheesecake with "lite" cherry topping

Bottom Right: fruit salad (chunky pineapple, grapes, chopped apples)

~Slices of the cheesecake~

~I love having generational pictures~

Friday afternoon, I went to the church to help decorate the gym for the Mother/Daughter Luncheon. Here are a few pictures of the gym after we were finished. The theme this year was "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

~The tables~

~The stage~

These items came from one of the "girls" back yard! Lovely!

I had a good time helping decorate and of course, enjoyed the fellowship with the other ladies. I'll post some more pictures tomorrow from the luncheon.

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

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Love,

 

"Hubbie," "R," "D," and "S"

Happy Monday

~For today, Monday, May 3, 2010~

Outside my window~

the skies are cloudy and gray, rain is falling, but the temps are comfortable

I am hearing~

the coffee pot brew my morning coffee

I am thinking~

about some friends who are traveling later this week

I am thankful~

for a wonderful church, and a great man of God as our pastor

I am remembering~

visiting my grandparents (Dad's side) and at the time we weren't required to wear seat belts. While we were traveling, my brother and sister and I would lay down in the back of the station wagon and look at the stars.

I am reading~

my Bible~and so thankful I have a copy of my own

I am hoping~

that some family plans come through

On my mind~

is a list of things I want to get accomplished today :)

From the learning rooms~

school is winding down (16 days left!) WOO HOO!

Noticing that~

my attitude affects my family~therefore, I must guard that influence very carefully

I am creating~

(with a friend) a game for our mother/daughter luncheon

Pondering these words~

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God."~Ephesians 4:30

From the kitchen~

Monday~mozzarella chicken (moved from a day last week)

the rest of the week has not been planned yet :)

Around the house~

are some things that need to find their home

One of my favorite things~

are memories of family times...and I love my Hubbie's kisses!

A few plans for the rest of the week~

school every day

Wednesday~church

Friday~decorating the church gym

Saturday~Mother/daughter luncheon

From my picture journal~

Not my fence, but it sure is pretty!

I'll be linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook tomorrow. Please hop over there if you want to join or read other daybooks. I hope you have a great Monday!