'Tis the Season

Hi friends, it's been a while! No energy to explain where I've been and no promises about where I'll go :). But for today some pictures of favorite things/moments this Christmas.

First of all, bought this:


(Haven't yet decided exactly what to use it for. It's filled w/brown paper pages. and I just love it!)

Here:



Then saw this:



And this:



With him:


Saw lots of these:

(Christmas Lights captured by the resident photographer...age 5.)

With him:



And her:



Found this fun ivy topiary on my doorstep from a sweet, new friend:



Made one of these:



With this crew:



Went to church on Christmas Eve with my parents:



Home for dinner and Christmas PJ's:





Looking at pictures w/my mom:



And the grand finale of Christmas Morning!! :)





The Maestro


The Accessory Girl




SOOO excited about her box of shoes from brother:



And SOOO excited to be able to surprise Daddy with a TV:


(In case you can't tell, that's a flying leap, fueled by excitement, into Dad's arms)

Friday Night Flicks

I realized last night that we have developed a little Friday night ritual the past few months. Around 5pm on Fridays, either Hubby or I text or e-mail with a simple message, "Dinner in or out?". We usually opt for "out" since it IS Friday after all. Then we decide where, I load up the kids and meet Daddy at the restaurant of choice for dinner. After eating, he sweetly offers to take the kiddos home in HIS car to give me a few minutes of quiet because, once again, it IS Friday after all. :) And, at this stage in life, a few minutes of quiet at the end of the week is an incredibly valuable and greatly appreciated gift! On my quiet drive home I stop off at Red Box or Blockbuster Express and pick up a movie. By the time I get home Dad has gotten bedtime underway and I help finish that off. After the littles are tucked into their beds we climb into ours and pop that night's movie selection into the DVD. Big, huge, S-I-G-H.
If you know much about Red Box or BBE, you know the selection isn't always the greatest. So we've been branching out a bit to try movies we wouldn't otherwise select. To our surprise, we've hit three for three the past few weeks!
Loved 'em!


Dear, John


Did You Hear About the Morgans?


My Sister's Keeper

Lately, I've realized just how much a few routines in life can ground me and keep me filled up. I'm a planner but a loose one. I like to have a few things in place to give my weeks and days some structure but do not like everyday planned out with no freedom for variety or flexibility (that drains the life right out of me!). It's a tricky balance to strike sometimes. But I was amazed this morning when I woke up feeling like I'd had a shot of life from our little Friday night routine. Although I love the freedom of Summer and thoroughly enjoy some days with no agenda I realize it begins to wear on me about Month #2 (that would be NOW for those of you not counting! :)) and I begin to long for more routine. This is the time I need to guard some of my lifegiving routines the most...early mornings with my coffee, Bible and journal; quiet room time for all (including Mommy!) a couple of afternoons each week; a phone conversation or coffee with a friend; a good DVR'd show or two along the way; a good long walk or bike ride. I'm so thankful for the little ways God refreshes me along the way. Ways that seemingly have nothing to do with Him but in my heart I know those little gifts come straight from His hand just for me...even Friday Night Flicks! :)

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." James 1:17 (NASB).

Delicious Summer Supper

Last week I tried this new recipe and it was DElicious so I thought I'd share. I THINK it came from a Rachel Ray Cookbook...30 Minute Meals, maybe? Last September I had the privilege of making a trip to VA and NC to see two dear friends, who both happen to be terrific cooks! I was in a cooking slump, myself, so as I lounged at their homes kid free I perused THEIR recipes and cookbooks and brought some fresh ideas home. That's where this one came from. Handwritten on Laura's Cape Cod picturesque notepad paper. :) As a slight and random tangent...I am MUCH more motivated to cook from a handwritten recipe or a cookbook w/stained pages. But back to the point. I served this last week on a bed of Spring Mix with a side of garlic bread and finished off the meal with strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. It was a perfect summer supper so I thought I'd share!


Chicken Caprese Salad

4 pieces boneless chicken breast
2 to 3 tsp Balsamic vinegar
8 slices firm tomato
8 leaves fresh basil
8 slices fresh mozarella
Extra virgin Olive oil
Black pepper and Kosher salt

Heat griddle pan over med. heat. Rub chicken w/Balsamic vinegar to tenderize. Cook chicken 4min. on each side. Splash pan with a little water and rub chicken around to pick up flavor and color from the pan. Remove from heat and let stand for 5min. to room temperature. Top with layer of tomato, basil, and mozzarella, using 2 pieces of each. Drizzle entire dish w/Olive oil (I drizzled w/more Balsamic vinegar as well). Top w/black pepper and salt to taste. Serves up to 4.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Silvery white winters that melt into spring...these are a few of my faavvvooorite things!! Oh wait, I'm not Julie Andrews and this isn't The Sound of Music (although that IS one of my all time favorite things), but today I wanted to share some of MY favorite things lately:

1. My new skincare system from Philosophy. I tried not to be offended when I went into Sephora and mentioned that I was looking for something because I need a little more from my skincare products and the sales associate quickly replied with her perky 20-something self:), "Oh something for anti-AGING?". To which I kindly replied, "Yes.". I have very sensitive skin and have unsuccessfully tried LOADS of different products but she proceeded to tell me how wonderful Philosophy products are and of their generous return policy. So, I took the plunge and to my surprise have been most pleased, especially with the When Hope is Not Enough serum and the free sample of Eye Hope eye cream. I bought the following set and saved almost 50%!!


2. My new earrings from my sweet mother in law. She wanted to get me a special gift when my daughter was born but wanted me to pick it out. We kept trying, to no avail, to find some time to go shopping for a piece of jewelry for me. That was a year and a half ago. I was thrilled a few weeks ago when she surprised me with these. I had purchased some fake ones a while back and was ecstatic to have the real deal. Now I wear them ALL the time...even sleep in them which I have never been a fan of. But I L-O-V-E them and found it so thoughtful of her to surprise me.


The best part about these earrings is that you can add little charms. My MIL generously included a pair in the gift. I toss them on when I want to dress the earrings up a little more. There are loads of options for charms but I thought these were perfect for me.



3. Next up is the Lemongrass Sage Salt Scrub, Bar soap and Shea Butter lotion I picked up at Big Cedar Lodge on our vacation last month. Love it! Love using it, love the smell, love how nourished my skin feels after using it.



4. And lastly, the little surprise I received yesterday from my sweet husband...a just because gift that he knew I'd been wanting for a while. A monogrammed soap dispenser for the guest bathroom which so happens to be the one WE most often use as it's between the kitchen, laundry room and office...the three places we spend most of our time during the day!

Summer Lovin'

Ok, so yesterday Grease, the movie, was re-released on the big screen in a few select cities (mine included). And I have to say I can just hardly contain my excitement! I so clearly remember going to the theater to see it in 1978 with my mom and sister and heading to Wal-mart afterwards to buy the EIGHT TRACK!!, yes, the eight track, folks. (We won't even get into why in the world I was allowed to see that movie at 7yrs. old!!!). I also vividly remember wearing a mustard gold T-shirt with this picture:


plastered on the front of it for picture day in 2nd grade. (It may have been for my "reflection picture". Anyone remember those? The picture of yourself and then a creepy version of yourself up in the corner staring down at the original pic?!? Whose idea was that anyway?!? Eeek!). I digress. I'm DYING to see this on the big screen before it leaves in two weeks but must find a movie companion who will appreciate it as much as I do...and singing along to Summer Lovin' is a MUST! ;) Any takers?!?

Convicted

Maybe there was some question in my last post about being addicted but there's no doubt about it, I am convicted. Deeply convicted. For the past three summers I have gathered with several girls from church, whose paths I wouldn't otherwise cross, to study the Bible together. It's so interesting that I don't really know a ton about these women but I do know their hearts and that creates a unique bond and connection that is difficult to describe. Nonetheless, this summer we are studying Linda Dillow's book, Calm My Anxious Heart. When we decided on this book I thought it sounded good but really had no idea what it was all about. But let me just tell you, these past few weeks I've been blown away each time I've cracked open that book. God is convicting me. And hopefully changing me. Last week the chapter was Content to Be Me. The focus and scripture memory were based on several verses in Psalm 139. I've read, and even memorized, vs. 13-14 hundreds of times but this week it struck me like never before. "For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.". In the discussion questions she challenged us to read it every day out loud and pray it back to God. It's amazing to really meditate on those verses and think about what it means. He made every little part of me. Just how HE wants ME to be. Perfectly for the purpose he has for me. Something Linda Dillow wrote struck me hard. She said, "ALL of your abilities...and your DISabilities...were created to fit the unique plan God has for you.". For the most part, I like how God has created me and am ok with my personality, abilities and talents. BUT where I struggle is often feeling like I need to be MORE than that. I've shared a little about my perfectionistic tendencies and I think this is a place it rears it's ugly head. I typically feel ok with who I am and what I'm up to. But as I fight the messages the world sends us to have it all and BE it all, I am tempted to look around and see what others are doing and feel like I just don't quite measure up. Pondering the things in this chapter has freed me up so much. I don't need to be MORE, I need to be exactly who He has created me to be. And not only that but I want to be like David and even PRAISE Him for who He's made me to be...my abilities and my disabilities. I think of His other works (the mountains, the ocean, my children) and find it so easy to praise Him for those works but find it harder to praise Him for the work of creating me. As I read that passage and prayed for fresh insight, all I felt was sweet, tender conviction that I can breathe easy and rest in who He's made me to be. And a gentle reminder that He takes it very personally when I am down on myself for not being something He never intended me to be. Verse 16 has always brought great comfort to me and even now brings excitement to my heart. It says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." It is exciting to think that He has already written what He has for me today, tomorrow and the next. It almost feels like a gift waiting to be opened and enjoyed. I just need to make sure I'm opening the gift that has MY name on it.

Addicted?

So, I realized this week that I'm addicted. Addicted to my morning coffee. It hit me one afternoon when I had a SPLITTING headache for no apparent reason. It went something like this in my head..."I DIDN"T HAVE MY COFFEE THIS MORNING!! THAT's why I have an awful headache. Oh, great, that means I'm addicted again. But, oh well, who cares? There are worse things to be addicted to. And I thoroughly enjoy my creamy, sweet morning coffee.:)" I go through phases of drinking coffee every day, then laying off, then picking it back up. I've always been more of "social" coffee drinker but have enjoyed it more frequently the past few years, especially the last
1 1/2 after my sweet girl was born. I think there's something about the ritual of it, too. Nonetheless, it got me thinking about what else I'm "addicted" to these days. Here's my list:

1. My cup (or two)of French Roast with a generous amount of Hazelnut cream.

2. Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series. I know, I know, I'm way behind but I am not a fan of starting something that's such a commitment from the get go so I've waited on picking them up. BUT I'm hooked...catching every moment I can to curl up somewhere and find out what's going on with the Baxters. I'm only part way in to Remember (book 2)but am even wondering this minute when I'll be able to steal some time today.

3. Lundberg's Brown Rice cakes...toasted (said in the same tone as "buttered" or "layered" for those of you that that would mean anything to) and topped with one slice of provolone and two slices of turkey or with crunchy peanut butter and raisins. DElicious!

4. Words with Friends pass and play with Hubby on the iTouch. We've always been big fans of Scrabble...we have regular Scrabble, Deluxe Scrabble w/the swivel board!, travel Scrabble and now WWF. We've often taken our Travel Scrabble on dates if it's to a coffee shop or laid back sit and linger type place (yes, I do realize we sound like we're about 85 years old but hey we like it. :)). BUT now that it's on the iTouch we play a lot more and have loads of fun!

5. Last but certainly not least is my beloved Sonic Happy Hour!! I've loved it for years but have found myself drawn there probably 2-3X each week lately and find myself considering how to get there by 4pm the other days :). Little guy now calls the front passenger seat his "Sonic Seat"...that tells you how often we go there. An Ocean Water or a Lemon Berry Slush are my Happy Hour faves. And a large ice water w/lime is my anytime fave...the combination of that ice and styrofoam cup can't be beat! ;)

Ok, so maybe more little pleasures than addictions. Nonetheless, what about you, what little things do you look forward to in your day? Do tell! You wouldn't want to leave me alone in my addiction now would you?