Pictures and Prayers

I just wanted to share some Prayer Request with you all today.

UPDATED @ 6pm Central time. I have to add this prayer request as well.

My friend Kat @ Heart2Heart hasn't blogged in 6 days and all of us that know her ~know~ that is NOT her soooo I called her tonight and talked with her sweet daughter and she told me that Kat is down again with her female issues. I am asking for prayer for Kat. I love Kat so much and it breaks my heart that she is in sooo much pain. First and foremost I am praying for a complete healing but also for Wisdom for Kat in regards to her options and what she needs to do for herself. Please stop by Kats or email her those of you who have her email, and let her know you are praying for her ok!!! It will mean so much to her. Thankyou all sooo very much!

My Friend Beth from An Instrument for HIS Glory and At HIS FEET needs for us to be praying for her sweet daughter Melissa. Melissa just returned from a missions trip in Africa. She was there for 12 weeks and was sick alot of that time she was there. This did not keep her from doing HIS Work or from HIM working in her life ~ NO! Melissa returned home and after a bit ~ she began experiencing that same sickness again. She has been diagnosed with Malaria and is in pain and running a fever pretty continually. She also has liver and spleen issues. BUT! OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL AND ON THE THRONE!!! Won't you please join me and many others in praying for Melissa and asking the Lord for A COMPLETE HEALING in her body!! PLEASE visit Beth and let her know you are praying for their family!!

My Dad. I talked to my Dad over the Thanksgiving break and while he shared none of this with me ~ My stepmom did. She told me that Dad is very weak and is now needing assistance just to get out of bed. She said the Dr. wasn't very hopeful at their last appointment and when chemo treatments don't work that your options start to become fewer and fewer. My stepmom told me that my dads legs are getting worse and to be honest I was so upset that I am just finding out all of this and on Thanksgiving that I really didn't ask any questions or share my heart.....Why are you just now telling me this? Why if he is this bad wouldn't you tell me so that I could have been there for the Holiday? IDK. Is it worse than you're telling me? When I talk to my dad, clearly he is just sharing the good and being upbeat but I want the truth and if he is this bad I want to be there. Would you please pray that I am given some honest answers. Dad is going in for chemo today and if he is strong enough I am guessing they will administer it to him. My prayer is still first and foremost. Salvation. That Dad would KNOW and accept Jesus because I can't even imagine experiencing ANYTHING without my JESUS or the Love of my Father and the comfort of the HOLY SPIRIT.
I KNOW that God is with him ~ of that, I have no doubt whatsoever. I just want my Dad to know it too.

There are many other prayer requests in this bloggy world that are needed and I am just asking that we join in and intercede for those that we know and love that need our prayers today and in the days ahead! Thankyou all soo very much

Here are some pics from our cabin over Thanksgiving :)



This is the first year we took our sweet "tyson" with us and he had soo much fun :) He loved taking walks with us!


My mom AKA "Nanny" with 2 of her grandkids!


Papa. He is a real-estate agent and got a contract while we were away. I shared we had horrible service so this was what he had to resort to just so he could talk on the phone! LOL made us all think of the movie RV ;)


Sunset at our cabin


Love and Blessings to you all

Home SWEET HOME

Oh how I have missed you all, my bloggy friends ♥ ♥


I pray and trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I wasn't able to take my computer with us because our cabin didn't have Wi-fi. I was soo very sad but knew it was a time that we needed to just relax and have some really good quality family time and boy did we ever. We played games, watched movies, took walks and laughed ....oh my.... did we laugh. Oh ya and we ate ALOT :)

We are happy to be home and the laundry piles are widdling down and I am going to sit here and read and catch up on your blogs ~ I can't wait....I missed you all so much!

OH HAPPY DAY....just for Clif

Today is filled with packing, shopping, packing, cooking, packing.....Get the picture :)

We will be leaving for Branson Missouri...YES CLIF you are not going crazy so just for you I am reposting this bit of information! LOL We will be staying in a cabin in Eureka Springs Arkansas for a glorious 5 days. Family games to be played and memories to be made. I am sooo looking forward to this time away. It is my family along with my mom and stepdad and my nieces go as well. We all have such a good time and just chillax.

I am wishing everyone a Wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday! I am so very thankful for each and everyone of you!


and a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY VERY SPECIAL FRIEND CLIF

Love and Blessings to you all!

ABC's Thankgiving Style

I thought it would be fun to think of a word for each letter of the alphabet for something that I am thankful for. Feel free to try it yourself.

A- Apples
B- Brian ♥
C- COFFEE !! caffeine :)
D- Doggie treats ....they are making my son $ right now :)
E- Eggs
F-Fall
G- Girlfriends
H- Happiness in my life!
I- ICHI-BON ...a favorite restaraunt of mine!!
J- Jesus
K- Kim ` FOR GIVING ME THIS IDEA ;)
L- LOVE ♥
M-MOM
N-being a "NONI"
O- Oxygen
P- PaPa
Q- Quiet
R- Rylee
S- Salvation
T- TOGETHERNESS
U- Unconditional LOVE of Christ
V- Victory in Jesus
W-wit from my husband......who had quite a list of "w's" for me LOL
X- Xray machines! without them they would not have found the whole in my heart 12 yrs. ago
Y- Youth...I love them so!
Z- Zebras ...yep love those colors




see if you can do it :) I am soooooo THANKFUL for YOU ~ MY FRIENDS!! I LOVE YOU ALL


Love and Blessings

Spiritual Sundays

Today is going to be sooo good at Spiritual Sundays! I don't have any official word on it ~ I just feel it in my Spirit!! This is the Thanksgiving Edition so as you read these words please know that I am thankful for YOU and your FRIENDSHIP! I am so thankful to the LORD for it is HIM that has brought us together! May each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving as you sit around your tables spending time with your loved ones and offering thanks up to our Heavenly Father.

I found this Thanksgiving hymn and immediately knew I wanted to share it for Spiritual Sundays and didn't even know it would be the Thanksgiving edition.......but the Lord did :) Enjoy!


COME YE THANKFUL PEOPLE COME

Come ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field
Fruit unto his praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of the harvest! grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take his harvest home;
From his field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Give his angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In his garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
Bring thy final harvest home;
Gather thou thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
Come, with all thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

Sir George J. Elvey (1816-1893), organist at St. George's Chapel,
Windsor Castle for nearly fifty years, wrote the music
to the well-loved Thanksgiving hymn about 1844.
The lyrics are by Henry Alford (1810-1871).

Love and Blessings

Randomness

UPDATE ON DAD (NOTE: for my new friends, my dad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer this past May. He is being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. If you would like to add his Prayer Button to your blog ~ Please do! It would be greatly appreciated! Thankyou ALL in advance for your prayers)

His Dr. is changing his chemo meds beginning this coming Monday. The previous meds were not effective according to the CT scan so he will begin the new meds this week and this chemo will be weekly now. HIS legs are VERY VERY weak, and he has lost more weight. I am not sure how this is possible because he is sooo skinny but it is true. His legs are just getting weaker and weaker. He got a cane to help and I asked about getting a wheel chair but he says "NO, not yet." He hasn't been "IN" to his work in a week and 1/2 which surprised me ....he is still working from home some but it is HUGE for Dad not to go INTO work. He sounds "tired" when I hear his voice on the phone and not near as upbeat as he was before. Thanks for your continued prayers!! It means so very much!


I just wanted to thankyou all for your prayers for me this week specifically in regards to my rehab for my rotator cuff surgery. I only had one other day that brought me to tears but thanks to Rosels advice I did ask for the really strong pain meds JUST for when I am at Rehab and the Dr. approved them soooo that has helped tremendously! My Praise report is that I was only able to do one stretch up to 90' and this week got it to 110' YAY!!! They are just working on Range of Motion and not strengthening yet because for some strange reason I haven't healed the way normal people do and need to get my Range of Motion fixed first. I long for the day that I can actually dry my hair and put my make up on like I used toooooo!!! LOL


I got some awards this week.....Thankyou girls! You are all sooo very sweet and I love and appreciate you all!!

This one came from Christy Rose and Kat




This one came from Andrea at Arise 2 Write



This one came from Kat

These 2 awards require that I tell you a few things about myself that you all didn't know...hmmm

1) I am a junkfood junkie ~ oh goodness Kathy Please forgive me ;) I don't like very many veggies and not alot of fruit either but I am praying for a change so that I will .....I truly WANT to be healthy

2) I started working when I was 14. I worked at a Convention Center in the concession stand. I got to see some great concerts and some really awesome sporting events....

3) I have a dream and that is to just lay with tigers and lions, just snuggle with them....I ADORE them but know that I will have to wait until Eternity for this to happen

4) When I went to college I went to be an accountant but I hated college, hated being away from my mom and home soooo....I quit and realized I do NOT have the personality to be an accountant. I went to Beauty College at the age of 30 and THAT fit me perfectly :)

5) I am deathly afraid of frogs!!! LOL




That's enough Randomness for tonight :) Love and Blessings to you all

Thank Goodness Its

Kim hosts Friday Funnies and today is Thanksgiving Edition soooo enjoy and please go visit Kim and enjoy some laughs today ~ You will be glad you did :)


YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF:

You've ever had Thanksgiving dinner on a Ping-Pong table.

Thanksgiving dinner is squirrel and dumplings.

You've ever re-used a paper plate.

If you have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say
Cool Whip on the side.

If you've ever used your ironing board as a buffet table.

On Thanksgiving Day you have to decide which pet to eat.

Your turkey platter is an old hub cap.

Your best dishes have Dixie printed on them.

Your stuffings secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.

Your only condiment on the dining room table is ketchup.

Side dishes include beef jerky and Moon Pies.

You have to go outside to get something out of the 'fridge.

The directions to your house include "turn off the paved road".

You consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food.

You have an Elvis Jell-o mold.

Your secret family recipe is illegal.

You serve Vienna Sausage as an appetizer.



Happy Friday everyone!

Thankful Thursday

Iris from Grace Alone hosts Thankful Thursdays and today her theme is LIFE. Please join in and share your Thankful heart today or just visit and read some of the others thankfulness ~ You will be blessed!

When I saw Iris' theme I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me about what to post and guess what.... I sat here and wrote my own thankful post about what I thought I should write and it just didn't come out....it wasn't flowing. So I asked the Lord "what do you want me to post?" and again I had the same prompting.....so today this is what I felt the Lord wanted me to share. Forgive me Lord, for not obeying immediately but as I did your Peace washed over me.

He is the giver of Life. Our Heavenly Father who has our LIVES in His hands....May you be blessed at you watch and listen to HIS Words as they speak to you about your LIFE. I know someone needed to hear this word today.




IN HIM

My Daybook

FOR TODAY... November 17, 2009

Outside my window... COLD, CLOUDY, SPITTING RAIN

I am thinking...... how excitied I am about going away for Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for... everyones prayers yesterday!! I sooo felt them Praise God and YOU ALL

I am wearing... Jeans, Hoodie and my UGGS

I am remembering... when Rylee was born and cannot believe she is about to be 1....ONE....UNO.... How is this possible :)

I am going... nowhere today :)

I am reading... just finished What the Bayou Saw and will be posting my review later. Have decided to wait to read Karen Kingsbury's new book Shades of Blue until our trip next week....ahhhh ~ can't wait :)

I am hoping... to be very organized and shop for everything we need ....just not sure when that is

On my mind... considering creating a blog just for book reviews....hmmm, what do you all think?


Pondering these words... "I am thankful to be raised in a Christian home and I see the difference and am thankful that we don't have to deal with those types of things because of all of the work you and Dad have done and how God has brought us through." Sweet words from my daughter during House Church this Sunday morning :) *sniff sniff* thankyou LORD for it is YOU

From the kitchen... Beans, homemade cornbread, pork chops, green bean casserole, paninis, easy this week

Around the house... getting ready to Break out the Christmas decorations, packing up to go to Branson and Eureka Springs and warm fires in the evening....Just one of my favorite things about winter

One of my favorite things~Seeing the relationship with my children change as they grow and mature....watching my Son and His daddy work together on School projects. My DH is such a patient and loving man and I just fall in love all over again when I see him and realize how the Lord blessed me with this precious loving man!

From my picture journal...

Ok and REALLY GOOFY TOOOOOO ......If I don't blog tomorrow ~ you will know that I did not survive the evening LOL

He sent this picture text to me when I showed him via a text how much gas I DID NOT have.....


For other daybooks please visit Peggy here

Love and Blessings

"What the Bayou Saw" by Patti Lacy

Today Christian Ficion Blog Alliance has given me the privelege of reviewing "What the Bayou Saw" by Patti Lacy.


Sally Stevens lives in Normal, Illinois and teaches at Midwest Community College. It is 2005 and Hurricane Katrina has brought about the issue of racism to the forefronts of the minds of Americans once again.

Shamika did not report to class. Mrs. Stevens liked Shamika and was very concerned by her absence. Before the period had ended a knock came to her classroom door. Detective Price stood there waiting with questions needing answers. He informed Mrs. Stevens that Shamika had been raped and beaten. Earlier that morning Mrs. Stevens had been in a "situation" by some of her students in regards to her kindness towards Shamika. The young boys wore swastiska's and didn't like blacks.

In "What the Bayou Saw" Sally deals with racism as much today as she did in her younger days. As she goes on with life, her past is catching up with her and her lies are as well. For me, I couldn't put it down because I had to see how and what happened to Sally in her youth and how Shamika and her Aunt handled the situation. Truth is unraveled slowly in this book and it keeps you turning pages! I would recommend this book, it is filled with Suspense, Lies and a woman who hears the Lord and wants to do things her way until she relents....finally. That is something I can relate with for sure :) Watch the vlog and see what you think




The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825429374


love and blessings

Short. Sweet. Too the point.

Talked to my Dad this morning. He was on his way to Mayo to receive an IV treatment of just fluids for hydration. They will be doing this once a week now in hopes this will help strengthen Dad. He sounded somewhat better but is still very weak. He is still having alot of problems walking, stumbling, getting up out of his chair. He fell again. His chest pain is gone and has not returned ~ Thankyou Lord! He said he feels that is was just the chemo meds and I am soo very thankful there has been no sign of it returning.

Some of you have asked for an update on my shoulder. Honestly, it is still slow and I am still in ALOT of pain. I began Rehab last week and on the first day that they actually did the exercises and stretched me, I was humiliated. I got through the exercises pretty good but when I went to the table to be stretched after about the 2nd one I was in tears. It was excruciating!! She didn't stop either. She recommended I take pain meds before I come in next time and I looked at her and said "I did take them before I came today"....."OH." she says. We continued on with the stretching and so did my tears. I was so embarassed but honestly I couldn't help it.....It just was horrible. I return this week 3 times and to be quite honest I am scared to death. The Rehab nurse said I am only 25% of where I should be and she mentioned that I may have to return to have my dr. perform a "manipulation" on me. That is where they would put me asleep and go into my shoulder and move it so that I can move my arm. This is not something I want to do AT ALL!

I am just asking for my prayer warriors to pray for my Dad and for this shoulder situation. I trust the Lord has all under control, HE has a plan for each and everything that needs to be done.

Thankyou to everyone ~ it means so much knowing that you are going into the Throne room on our behalf ~ I love each and everyone of you!

Book Review

I just LOVE how the Lord brings things into your life at the PRECISE time when you need it most! But that is just how OUR Father is....HE just loves us so. For me, this book came at such an appropriate time!

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain ~ Uncover the hidden potential in life's most common struggles is written by Paul Meier, MD and David L. Henderson MD.

What... you ask are life's most common struggles? According to Dr. Meier and Dr. Henderson, they are:

Injustice
Rejection
Loneliness
Loss
Discipline
Failure
Death

"The first paragraph in the Introduction says this:

Edward Payson, a 19th Century minister in Portland, Maine wrote the following words despite losing the use of his limbs to a debilitating illness that eventually took his life:

If God had told me some time ago that HE was about to make me as happy as I could be in this world, and then had told me that HE should begin by crippling me in all my limbs, and removing me from all my usual sources of enjoyment, I should have thought it a very strange mode of accomplishing HIS purpose. And yet, how is His wisdom manifest even in this! For if you should see a man shut up in a closed room, idolizing a set of lamps and rejoicing in their light, and you wished to make him truly happy, you would begin by blowing out all of his lamps; and then throw open the shutters to let in the light of heaven."

WOW!! What a way to begin a book ~ it drew me in and never let me go!

I highly recommend this book to any and all because let's face it ~ who hasn't experienced something in their list I gave above! This book will encourage you in ways that only the Lord can say because as you read it and also read and see each Scripture that these men have placed with each situation you will have your own perspective and your own ears to hear just what the Lord would say to you. I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind before reading it because just like anything else ....If you are willing to look within and do what you are being led to do.....changes will be made and a healthier happier you will emerge.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson sent me this book for free and asked that I give an honest review of this book. I receive no other compensation and the opinion is my humble but honest review.

If you would like to purchase this book please Visit Christianbook.com. Thanks!

Spiritual Sundays

Today I wanted to share my "Jesus Calling" devotional with you all. May it bless each of you that way it did me!


BASK IN THE LUXURY of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you: radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by MY blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from GLORY TO GLORY. Rejoice in this mysterious miracle! Thank Me continually for the amazing gift of MY SPIRIT within you.

Try to depend on the help of the Spirit as you go through this day of life. Pause briefly from time to time so you can consult with the HOLY ONE inside you He will not force you to do his bidding, but HE will guide you as you give HIM space in your life. Walk along this wondrous way of collaboration with MY Spirit.

So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord ~ who is the Spirit ~ makes us more and more like HIM as we are changed into HIS glorious image. 2nd Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)


Bless you my friends ~ for other posts please visit here

Thank Goodness Its

you have to really listen to his chair.....and wait for it ......wait for it





Everyone have a blessed and joyfilled Friday

Tried and True recipes - DESERTS -

Today over at Kims you will be able to find some really wonderful deserts!! I have gotten soo many wonderful recipes this week and I just sooo appreciate Kim for hosting this wonderful Tried and True Recipe week! So without further ado...adue...aadoo?? however, you spell that word LOL here is our family's tried and true favorite desert(s).

This Apple Pie is AWESOME and it is sooo pretty but trust me it doesn't last long! My DH makes this for every holiday not just Thanksgiving. Our kids ask for it on birthdays as well. I must give honor to my late Mother-in-law ~ for this is her awesome and amazing recipe.

Apple Pie

5 -7 Granny Smith apples
3/4 to 1 c. sugar
2 T flour
3 T. red hots
2 t butter
dash of salt
pie crust ~ store bought or make your own

Peel and Core apples and slice thinly. Combine flour, sugar, red hots, salt and mix with apples. Line 9" pie plate w/ bottom of pie crust and fill w/ apple mixture. Dot with butter. Put on top of the pie crust pinching the sides. Save the extra crust and put aside. Slit top of the crust and sprinkle with a bit of sugar. Take the extra pie crust and use cookie cutters according to the holiday and cut out cute pie toppers and place on edge or in center according to how much extra dough you have. It makes such a cute added touch! Leaves for Thanksgiving, Trees for Christmas, Hearts for Valentines ~ you get the idea
Cook for 45-50 min @ 400' or until golden brown on top.

NOTE:::: LINE OVEN WITH TINFOIL BC THIS OOZES OUT BIGTIME! if you don't use a really deep pie pan

This is our other favorite desert and from my Nana. It is a classic but I just received this recipe last year so it is so very precious to me!

Classic Chocolate Sheet Cake

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 sticks butter or margarine
1 c water
3 T Cocoa
2 eggs beaten
1 t. soda
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla
stir flour, sugar, add salt. Combine butter, water and cocoa and bring to a boil. Mix with dry ingredients. Combine eggs, soda, vanilla and buttermilk and beat into mixture.

Grease and lightly flour 10x15 cookie sheet and pour in cake mixture.
Place in Oven 15-20 min @ 350'

While the cake is baking prepare the Icing!
1 stick butter
4 T cocoa
4 T buttermilk

Place butter is pan and melt then add cocoa and buttermilk and bring to boil. Remove and add 1 t. vanilla and 16 oz powder sugar.
Pour on cake as soon as it comes out of oven.

This is the BEST AND MOISTEST CAKE you will EVER eat!!!!

I want to thank all of you for your prayers yesterday while I attended my first rehab for my shoulder. Let's just say it was tough and it's gonna take a bit before they can start to strengthen my arm because my range of motion is no where near where I should be BUT we will get there.

I wanted to ask for prayers for my dad. I talked to him last night and he has been experiencing some chest pain and is very weak from the round of chemo already. He slept most of the day on Wednesday and unfortunately his doctor did not call in regards to this chest pain. My stepmom is concerned as am I, but I know the Lord is on the Throne and is hearing the cry of my heart and the prayers of each one of you! Thankyou Lord for what you are doing in my daddys body, heart, mind, soul, and Spirit!


Love and Blessings

Main Dish Recipe with Kim and Thanks to those who Serve

At our house we love a Turkey but one year we finally tried deep frying it and OH MY....It is the juiciest, most tender Turkey you could imagine! So for us we are hooked on cooking ours this way:

Deep Fried Turkey ~ McGhee style

Prepare the turkey removing everything from the inside and wash the bird well, inside and out patting it completely dry so this will reduce the intense splattering that could occur when lowering turkey into the oil.

Injecting the Turkey:

There are many choices for injections. Store bought or homemade. If you opt to make your own homemade version just be careful that you don't put something in the marinade that won't pass through the syringe. Make sure that you purchase a syringe that is made for injecting marinade :) If you purchase store bought marinade you pretty much can choose any type and if you have a "specialty meat market" they are sure to have special marinades and great advise from their employees as well.

You must use a turkey fryer. We fill ours with peanut oil to the proper level as per instructions. They fryer will also give you the proper cook time as per poundage of turkey. Lower very slowly into fryer and make sure to NOT OVER FILL with oil. OIL BURNS.
Most fryers come with a thermometer to ensure that the inside of your turkey is properly cooked so we tend to go by that more than the exact time. It will be golden brown and cooked perfectly. Let stand for 15 min. or so before carving. ENJOY

NOTE: typical cooking time for an avg. size (15lb) turkey is 45 min. ~ Just so you know and can cook according to all the other dishes you are preparing. Instructions will be included but again use thermometer and it will tell you when inside is done.


Also today is Veterans Day and I just want to thank each and every member of the Armed Forces who are serving or have served for their protection, dedication, and sacrifice for our Freedom and to all of their families as well. Our prayers are with each of you.

Love and Blessings

Cooking with Clara

OK.... If you are Rosel and you are here again .....I promise this is my last post for the day ~ LOL


As I said, I have been in the kitchen ALOT and this is part of what I have been doing. I found this sweet grandma Clara on of all places .....YOUTUBE :) and from my great friend and fellow blogger MIKKI




Mikki was given permission from Clara's family to start a little club "Cooking with Clara" and I wanted to share what I have learned and cooked from Clara's cookbook.

This cookbook has some wonderful stories and shares what growing up in the Depression was like. She has such a joyfilled heart and such a wonderful family. I love being able to hear and share in her memories, and with each recipe you learn the story behind it. In Cooking with Clara her ingredients are typically very few and relatively easy. This week I chose Clara's Sugar Cookies




You will need:
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c (1 1/2 stick butter)
3 large eggs
3 c. all purpose flour
pinch of salt

preheat oven 350'

Cream the sugar and butter together. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs and then add them to the sugar mixture.
Add about 1 1/2 c. flour and mix it into the batter until flour disappears. Work the batter into a dough, adding the rest of the flour.

On a clean work surface spread out an even coating of flour. Take a handful of dough and roll it out in the flour, shaping it into a roll.

Cut each of the rolls into 3 in. sections, giving the smaller sections each a couple of small cuts in the middle and then curling the sections into half moons. NOTE: I chose to use cookie cutters and make them festive using leaves, pumpkins etc.





Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake @ 350' for 13 to 15 min.

Remove the cookies and let cool for at least 30 min. before eating them

Clara was always excited to receive these cookies and would divide them with her brother, if there was one remaining they would cut this one in half. The kids were able to have coffee (not alot) and would dip these cookies into their coffee and in her words "We had our cookies day and night, so we were happy."

So in honor of Clara I made a pot of coffee and sat down and enjoyed her Sugar Cookies


Clara's book is available at Amazon.com

Love and Blessings

Tried and True recipes - SIDES -

Today Kim is sharing tried and true recipes for the side dishes. If you would like to join or just find some new recipes please go HERE.

Today I am going to share our families favorite and MUST HAVE side dish....

Potato Casserole by Loren

2lb. thawed frozen hashbrowns
1/2 c. melted butter NOTE LATER: you will also need 1 stick of butter for topping
1 t. salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c. chopped onions or I use Onion Powder (1 t.) if you aren't an onion lover
1 can cream of chicken
1 pt. lite sour cream
10 oz. or 2 c. monterey jack shredded cheddar cheese

Mix in a large bowl and put ing. into 9x13 baking dish

now take that other stick of butter and place on stove to melt. Once it has melted pour Cornflake crumbs (found on baking aisle by cornbread mix) into saucepan .....You need enought to cover the 9x13 dish, so I am guessing 2 1/2c. Stir, mixing and soaking up the butter. Spead onto casserole dish making sure to cover every square inch of casserole.

Bake uncovered 350' for 1 1/2 hours


This recipe is a favorite and a MUST HAVE on my daddy's side of the family. I remember many a fights for the uncooked noodles! These are simply divine!

Homemade NOODLES

4 eggs
1/4 c milk
1 1/2 t salt
3 c flour
3-4 cans chicken broth

Mix first 4 ing. thoroughly. Will be "tacky" Make into 3 parts. Flour surface and rolling pin. Roll each one as thin as you can get them. If you put them together to roll and cut put flour in between it makes a cylinder. Slice noodles and unroll each to place on surface to dry. Sprinkle with flour. When dry, shake and dispose of excess flour or it will thicken broth too much. You can freeze them now or if you are ready then it's time to cook. Pour chicken broth into pan and bring to boil. Pour in noodles and cook until done.

Happy Cooking :)

My Daybook

Outside my window... So FOGGY!!! Rain is in the forecast and I can feel it in my bones!

I am thinking... what a wonderful evening we had with our daughter, son-in-law and that precious Grandbaby of ours!! What a JOY she is!


I am thankful for... the teamwork that my family has. We work together so that no one feels overloaded

I am wearing...workout clothes so I can get on the elyptical when I am done with my many posts today :)


I am going...to be starting re-hab this week on my shoulder....I am so nervous and hope it doesn't cause too much pain and inflamation

I am reading...What the Bayou Saw ~ Patti Lacy (my new CFBA review book) Shades of Blue ~ Karen Kingsbury, Schooled (for my son and I am almost done) just finished my Thomas Nelson review book "Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain and will be posting today or tomorrow

I am hoping...that my Dad does not get as weak as he did after his last chemo treatment. That Kat(heart2Heart) and Beth (At HIS Feet) are both feeling better today!

On my mind... How quickly time is going and how I'm sooo not ready for my sweet daughter to be moving out and going to college ....it is going to come way to quickly


Noticing that... I really love learning new recipes and being in the kitchen (which is where I have been so much lately) I hope to be half as good a cook as my mother and grandmother because THEY ARE/WERE AMAZING! But my husband is still way better than I......HANDS DOWN

Pondering these words... Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans5:3-5

From the kitchen... Alot of crock pot meals this week: French Dip Sandwiches, Pork chops, ~ it is a busy week


One of my favorite things~ the friendship of my children......my heart just swells seeing them just enjoy spending time together and laughing, being so silly! They so "GET" each other


From my picture journal... My sweet Rylee ~ she is getting so big!


Love and Blessings

Want a NEW "tried and true" Recipe??

I am joining Kim who us sharing from her cooking blog today and this week is going to be sooo much fun PLUS if you want to get some new recipes for your thanksgiving week, this will be the place for you!!

Today is APPETIZERS sooooo. If you need something for your church bible study thanksgiving luncheon, or something to take to work or send to DH's work for that thanksgiving celebration, or just something to make before your own thanksgiving dinner, today is that day. If you would like to add your own recipe you can link up here and at the end of the week our Sweet friend Kim is going to be giving away a Gooseberry Patch booklet. Who doesn't love Gooseberry!

I love Appetizers don't you :) Here are some of my & my family's VERY FAVORITE:


Green Bean Bundles from Loren McGhee

3 cans LONG green beans
1/2 lb bacon cut in half

1 c. bean juice
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
salt & pepper

mix together the bean juice, brown sugar, dry mustard and a little salt and pepper.

take 2-3 green beans and wrap uncooked bacon around the green beans (remember to cut it in half) and fasten together with a toothpick. Continue to do this placing them close together in a shallow dish. Pour juice mixture onto green bean bundles and cook at 400' for 25 min. turning the bundles over about half way.

Note: This is a great recipe for those little ones who want to HELP! :)


Pizza Sticks from Loren McGhee

I can of Bread Sticks
24 thin slices of pepperoni

2 T grated parmesan cheese
1/2 t Italian seasoning
1/4 t garlic powder MIX these 3 ing. together and set aside

1 jar of your favorite Pizza Sauce


Separate bread sticks. Place 3 pepperonis on top 1/2 of breadstick now fold bottom 1/2 of the breadstick over the top & pinch them together and begin twisting the pepperoni stick.

Sprinkle the spice mixture onto each pepperoni stick and bake according to the breadstick directions.

Warm 1/2 c. Pizza sauce and pour into bowl for dipping.

NOTE: this recipe is super easy and you may wish to double or triple because these DO NOT LAST LONG AT ALL!! Especially if you have kids around


HOT PECAN SPREAD by Loren McGhee...this one is my personal FAVORITE!

2 T. milk
8 oz. cream cheese softened (whatever version you desire ~ fat free, low fat, all of them work)
1 ~ 2 1/2 oz. jar dried beef
2 T. onion flakes
1/4 t pepper
1/4 c Bell Pepper (chopped finely) ~ red and green
1/8 t garlic powder
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c chopped pecans


Blend milk w/cream cheese. cut up dried beef and add onion, seasonings and bell pepper. Fold in sour cream. Spread into a 2 QT baking dish. Sprinkle pecans on top and bake at 350' for 30 minutes. Serve with Pita chips or melba rounds.

Have a Jesus Filled Monday my friends

Love and Blessings

Spiritual Sundays

When I was 30, I was married and had 3 kids. Two were "ours" and then my stepdaughter was just like mine from the beginning because she was 2 when I came into her life. I fell TOTALLY in love with her and have never known a difference but I always feel I should clarify that because I never want to take place of her mother. I grew up with a stepmom (or 2) and it is always something that was clarified for me so anyway.... :) this is far from the point.

I had always been a stay at home mom and lived in a safe quiet circle of Christian friends and people. It was at this point that I began going to beauty college to get a cosmetologist license and OH MY was my mind blown away. I was in a school with a group of people from all walks of life. But every morning I would stand outside of my car, I would literally do this exercise......I would act like I was zipping out of my body and from my head to my toes I would zip all the way down, I would step forward, and then zip all the way back up saying "Lord, I walk out of myself and walk into your Spirit, may YOU lead and guide me and my Words and may these people see YOU and YOU Only" I was in a mission field to say the least. But you know what the biggest comment I heard while there.....

"You read the Bible Loren, WHY???? It is so irrelevant today!!! Honestly I was AGHAST! and overtime I saw that these people I was going to school with on a daily basis were broken wounded people who needed JESUS. Some were drug addicts, some were dealing with homosexuality. Some were still just kids living in a home who just didn't want to go to church or be among what they called "those hypocrites."

As i was in the Word this week and in reading specifically about this particular book here is what it says:

This book describes the characteristic social conditions of his day: corrupt leaders, unstable family life, widespread immorality, class hatred, and poverty. Though people continued a form of worship, idolatry was more and more accepted and the priests were failing to guide the people into ways of righteousness. In spite of the darkness of these days, he holds out hope to inspire his people to turn back to God.

This book is about people who needed to hear the love of God, a God who wanted to tell them, and the unique way God chose to demonstrate HIS Love to HIS people.

I don't know about you, but this sounds ALOT like where we are TODAY, and not only that but also where the hearts of the people of today are. This book is in the Bible. It is HOSEA and was written in approximately 750 B.C.

I would encourage those who read this and think that the Bible isn't relevant to today.....please pick it up.....whisper a prayer to the Lord and ask for HIS Spirit to speak to you because GODS Word is ALIVE AND ACTIVE. It CANNOT return VOID!!
It truly is a LAMP UNTO YOUR FEET, A LIGHT UNTO YOUR PATH.

For other Spiritual Sunday post I also encourage you to spend some time HERE and read what others have to say or to share about our Father and how HE demonstrates HIS Love to each and every one of us....TODAY

IN HIM

Friday Funnies Turkey Style

Enjoy my friends




For other Funnies go visit Kim at Homesteaders Heart and HEY!! anyone out there who wants to join in and find some new recipes come with us next week to Kims where she will be sharing them with us each day! Come on.....It's ALWAYS fun over at Kims place!




Happy Friday everyone!! Love you