Thursday, November 3, 2011

My Ma n' Pa


Those are two faces that only a mother could love. And I guess their children, too {wink}. 

Today, I'm thankful for those two crazy kids shown above who I am proud to call my parents.
(now you know where I get it from, huh)

Mom and Dad.

 You know God must love you (or think you are in need of some divine intervention) when He gives you good parents because you really don't see too many marriages that last long these days (ehm, Kim Kardashian - 72 days to be exact, not that I'm judging...just saying) or good parents. My teacher friends tell me stories that bring tears to my eyes about some of their students' parents. And, you can just see by some people's character and behavior that they were not raised by good parents or maybe their parents were just plain old absent from their lives. But by the grace of God I turned out well thanks to good parents. 

My parents have taught me a lot of things, but here are a few that come to mind: commitment in marriage, selflessness, humility, God, the importance of a good work ethic, spreading joy, laughter, perseverance, forgiveness, individuality, embracing your strengths and laughing at your flaws, patience, hope for sunny days, strength on rainy days and love. 

My parents give and give and give, and don't ever ask for anything in return. I see God in them every day, and I am humbled by their love for me. I don't know what I did to be given such loving and funny parents, but I do know that I am beyond blessed and a better person because of them.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

So thankful for my Hubs

Today kicks off Thankful on Paper.
A chance, this Thanksgiving, for each of us to truly reflect on who we are thankful for and actually write them a letter telling them so.
It makes me so excited to think of all the snail mail going out. People's hearts will be touched and smiles will abound.

This week I started with my Hubs, who also happens to be the 2nd thing I am thankful for this November:
I wrote...

My Hubs.

Blake.
Why I'm thankful for my Hubs:

*He loves me.
*He accepts me and my quirks.
*He participates and encourages a lot of my quirks.
*He listens to me and helps me to be a better person.
*He brings a lot of joy, laughter and peace to my life.
*He draws me closer to God.
*He is patient with me.

So, today....I am Thankful on Paper and for the 2nd day of November.....for my Hubs.



"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!"

Psalm 105:1





Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy November!

{Rifle Paper Co}
"In all things, give thanks." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy November, friends! Can you believe it is already here? Wasn't it just over 100 degrees not to long ago when I was laying out by the pool and getting my tan on? Sheesh, time really does fly when you are having too much fun.

November means Thanksgiving and that means Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Well, that AND Giving Thanks :) So I thought I would spend this month Giving Thanks to the One who has blessed me with so much. 

Therefore, of course I have to start off the month with thanking God for finding and saving me. When I think about who I would be or where I would be had God not rescued me, I am beyond humbled...and thankful. I honestly can't remember life without God, having been raised in a Christian home, but I can remember times where I felt lost or when I ran from God, my sin and my shame. It is a lonely feeling and a place without hope. Definitely not somewhere I would ever want to go or be in again. But little did I know then that I was not really lost or alone. God was still with me, watching over me and working through even my brokenness and drawing me closer to Him.

To put into words what God has done in my life and for my life, I'm finding to be very difficult because all that I am and all that I have is from Him. I am accepted, I am forgiven, I am found, I am saved from death and my sin (for my God has conquered both), I have hope (in His promises), and I am forever, unconditionally loved. Oh, and so much more, friends. And one of the greatest truths is, I have done nothing to receive all of this except to believe that He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the Cross as a ransom for MY sin. His love, blessings and mercies are not performance driven. They are new every morning and He extends them to me (and you) in love. 

On this November 1, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior.

May this be a blessed November for you, too!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

"Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see." ~ Linus from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" 

Our home is ready for the Great Pumpkin and all the little Halloween Trick or Treaters. Here is a little glimpse into our festive home :)
Happy Halloween!


The Hub's Wolf Pumpkin.

Frankenstein warns the Trick or Treaters to BEWARE of the Wicked Witch!
The Wicked Witch wishes all a Happy Halloween!

Our colorful pumpkins. I love the Chevron Pumpkin :)
The Witch's Chalice :) haha

Our wicked entry way.

The Haunted Mantle

Our new polka dot pillow covers thank to the help of mom's sewing skills!

Spiders have literally taken over our home!

Nothing like glittery pumpkins and a little color to brighten even the most haunted of homes!
Our DIY Chalkboard with vintage frame displays the week's sinful menu.


Friday, October 28, 2011

Boil, boil, toil and trouble...

{Happy Doodle Land}

It is the last weekend before Halloween, and I'm SOOOOO excited! I love LOVE this weekend! So many things to bake, cook, decorate, make, etc. And I just don't think I'll be getting it all done. At least the flavors of pumpkin continue to go into the month of November. Mmm...pumpkin. {Sigh}

{Making Pumpkin Whoopie Pies for the Hubs!}

Annnnd....Here is our weekly menu:


Friday: Crockpot 3 Bean Turkey Chili and Pumpkin Beer and Pumpkin Bread

Saturday: Leftovers


Monday: Smokey Roasted Chicken Corn Chowder and Caramel Apples

Tuesday: Leftovers


Thursday: Leftovers

Have a wicked, spooky, haunted, pumpkiny weekend!
 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Weekly Menu 10/14/11

{pinterest}

This week was Homecoming Weekend and I really did not feel like doing much in regards to food. Just ask the Hubs. He was (and I quote) "Scrounging for food" on Saturday. Oh well. I can't be on my A-game ALL the time :)

Here is this week's menu...I'm planning for lots of leftovers so I can relax!


Friday: Pasta with Sauce and Bake Zucchini Sticks

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and asparagus


Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Eggplant Parmigiana and salad

Thursday: Leftovers