Banana Pudding @ The Well

My go-to banana pudding recipe is this one from Southern Plate.   I like my banana pudding warm.

But this summer, the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club challenged me to try a new one.   This was a great opportunity since I needed a large dessert for our Fourth of July get together.  So I chose this one by Paula Deen.

It is a great cold dessert on a hot summer day and everyone loved it!  Even the leftovers were eaten the next day.  It can and should be made ahead of time.  Those Chessman cookies, with their small bag and big price, were a first for me.  I think one can save that $ and use some of those yummy butter or shortbread cookies from the generic cookie section or vanilla wafers.

And then, just as we were enjoying this new version of banana pudding, Paula Deen was all over the news.  Oh my.  Not good.  Is this true?  Is this really happening?  I live in the South and I'm asking myself this question.  Because we're human, racism and judgement of others is a reality.  We all do it, we all judge others in some way and tend to stay in our comfort zone.  It's not easy to deal with.  It gets complicated so then we avoid it.  Our best chance (and only) of overcoming racism is to see each other as God sees us.  Beautiful souls that we are.  Our best chance is for each of us to individually, deep inside us, seek Him and His wisdom first.  Put God's work first and do what he wants.  Then other things will be ours.  Including freedom from this issue that causes so much hate among us.  Treat others like we want to be treated.  It's not easy, but I believe it is possible.

Banana pudding will always be a reminder to me of this event and my need for Him in my life!

Amtrak Crescent to New Orleans

The Bassman surprised me with a long weekend trip for our anniversary.   Now this was a surprise and a treat because I usually get the travel planner title around here!  I admit I was a little nervous about it too!  Not that I'm a control freak or anything...maybe a little.

We often talked about taking the train to New Orleans and we finally did it!   We boarded the Amtrak Crescent in Tuscaloosa.  The train station itself is old, yet clean, and has a lot of character.

We had never taken a passenger train before so this was a new and exciting experience.

Shortly out of Tuscaloosa, we passed Moundville, AL

We stopped at several stations, each with their own character, to board more passengers.  If the stop wasn't your final destination, you're not allowed to get off the train.

There is evidence in some cities that business was good at one time around the train stations.  But sadly, many of the buildings along the route are empty.

Entering Louisiana, you get a great view of wetlands.

Whew, we had just missed a storm!  This was the sunset after the storm over Lake Pontchartrain.  It was a very impressive site.

And on the train ride back to Alabama, we ran into a special friend.   You see our area, as well as others, opened their arms and hearts to those who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  One of those ladies stayed here for a long time until she felt the need to reunite with her family.  She says this is her home away from home and comes back to visit when she can.  Today, she will tell you how God was working in her life through all of this.  You can imagine our surprise to run into her taking the same train back home!

More later on our trip and how a local blogger gave me some great tips!!

InSPIREd in Cades Cove

When I saw my friend, whose beautiful photos can be found at Rose Street Reflections, has been linking to a meme called inSPIREd, I decided to pull out the photos from our trip earlier this year to Gatlinburg and Cades Cove.

There are several historic places of worship in Cades Cove.

This one is the Baptist church.

They are all rustic, open air and well maintained except for the occasional graffiti from disrespectful tourists.

The grave yards in the back are currently used as family grave sites.

This is the Methodist church.

The wood floors are solid and dusty.

 The wood pews are worn smooth.

"I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  Psalms 122:1

http://sallysaw.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspired-sunday-rural-virginia.html

Follow the Leader

Since the Pope announced he was stepping down, I've been observing the reaction of the Catholic church to his decision.   Most of the reactions I've seen is how upset the people are.  Or maybe that's just what the media is showing.  Since I'm not Catholic I don't have first hand knowledge of the inside scoop on this news.

In the church I attend the leader(s) change regularly.  I know how it feels when the leader changes especially if it is one that everyone liked and enjoyed being around.  It's great to have someone whose leadership and servant qualities are strong and people want to respond to them.  Or maybe the leader is easy to talk to, listen to and one that people want to confide in.  A leader with good qualities will be missed.   When the leader leaves or changes, it creates uncertainty of the future.  What will happen next?  What will we do?

The spiritual leaders of the church have a higher calling.  But they are still human.  And the organization of the church on earth is subject to change.  Humans disappoint and things change, like it or not.

The answer is to know whose you are and who you follow.

That's why it's important to follow The Leader.  There's only one and he doesn't disappoint.  Life around me can change all it wants to, but my Leader's promise is to never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6). And he's the only one I can count on for a relationship with God (John 14:6).  And He even makes reservations for me (John 14:2)!

Lakeview Sunset

The winter sunset colors are pretty.

I've been trying to capture the silhouettes too.

Wheeler Lake

The window of time is so short, the sun disappears quickly!

God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.  Genesis 1:5

He's the perfect artist too!

Happy New Year and God knows my heart

I enjoy the holidays, ALL of them, all year long.  Because it is usually an opportunity for us to gather with family and friends or just rest and relax on a day off.  In early December, I told the Bassman that this Christmas is different, yet I couldn't describe how.  No words for it.  I told myself I wasn't going to stress, yet I did.  And I got a nasty fever blister to show for it!  Ugh.

So I had to remind myself what Christmas is all about, Fear not!

We played our traditional fun greedy Christmas game on Christmas Eve.

Me and my mother

We had a Hawaiian Christmas complete with a Left Right game with a Hawaiian theme.  Here are those that dared to wear their aloha wear.

So looking back into 2012, our family has grown and so have I.  I still wonder what I'm doing leading 20-year-olds in a Sunday School class!

I didn't see my stepdaughter over the holidays, she didn't come around at all.  So I'm praying for her and my stepson.  For healing and moving forward.

I saw first hand how job situations are affecting people.  My daughter's friend, whose family couldn't afford a plane ticket home, stayed with us over Christmas break.   I am thankful that my husband has a job and can provide for the family...more than we need.

I saw a close friend experience a cancer diagnosis and treatment for her husband.  I pray for healing for him and support for my friend for whatever she needs.

Another friend told me that she didn't attend church during Christmas because the songs remind her that her son passed away during this time of year.  But I'll be back this Sunday, "He knows my heart!", she said.

He knows my heart.  God  KNOWS my heart.  And I like that.

Welcome 2013!

Fear Not!

If you've made it to this Christmas Eve and you're still not done with the shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping and you've passed one too many irate shoppers...AND holiday overload has completely set in...

"Fear not", as the angel said to the shepherd, "for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas!

Mary, did you know?

First things first.  The nativity scene is the first Christmas decoration I pull out of storage.  Yeah, it's a material thing, but it's a symbol of what this season is about and that's what's important.

When I bought my nativity scene, I wanted one that had nice colors and the figurines had "normal" looking eyes.  I mean, who wants the wise men or any others to have wonky eyes?  Is that too much to ask?   You know what I'm saying!

Now about Mary, an unmarried virgin carrying the child of God!  She has an awesome faith story.

Can you imagine the responsibility she felt of what was given to her?   Can you imagine

the faith she had

that God would see her through the circumstances she found herself in?   

He would see her through her relationship with Joseph.  He would see her through with dealing with nosey neighbors or anyone who questioned her or had anything negative to say.  

He led Mary like he leads us today.  He made her strong.  He leads us through whatever we are going through if we let Him.

He gives us Hope. 

I'm not a parenting expert by any means but I know there is only a few short years to impress upon our children the values and morals that we want them to carry on in life.  And in their children's lives, and in their children's lives...you get the picture.   We don't know what our children's choices will be or what's in their future.   I know choosing God to lead is the most important decision we can make in life. 

I imagine Mary, raising her children, didn't know exactly what to expect.  But wouldn't you like to ask her?

Linking with:

Home for Holy Days 2012 at Imparting Grace

God answers prayer but I was on vacation

At some point as a Christian, at least for me, I find myself anticipating what God has planned next for my life. He doesn't lay out all His plans for our days ahead of time.  But we do see His signs along the way if we look for them.  If we already knew His plans, we would likely forget about Him.  It's the constant daily relationship with us that He wants!

So I found myself wondering and maybe I was praying about what was next or who was next in my path.  Who will have an influence on me?  Who will I have an influence on?  And the harder question, will I be ready?

On our visit to the gulf this past summer, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a teenage girl as she laid down on the lounge chair near us.   She was by herself and no one else joined her.  No family or friends seemed to be around anywhere, no one.   A fleeting thought of this being kind of odd crossed my mind.  It was hot on the beach that day.  Maybe I should speak and offer her a bottle of water.  But I was quickly distracted by conversation with my family, watching ocean waves, enjoying snacks, people watching and whatever else and I didn't notice her again until later, when she got up and left.

Later that evening, we were walking down the sidewalk, meeting people along the way, sometimes speaking to them and sometimes not.  I realized that we passed the same girl that I saw earlier on the beach.  I mentioned her to my husband, and when I turned around to look I didn't see her again.

There was just something that seemed sad about her.  If she was sad, would my speaking to her make a difference?  Would offering a bottle of water make a difference?  It certainly wouldn't have hurt.  We left the next morning and I didn't run into her again so all I could do was pray for her.

Was she that next person in my path?  Probably.  Looking back, I'm humbled by having seen her.  I'm humbled by how quickly this passed by and how easily I am distracted.  I am humbled by the fact that there was something there and I missed it.

As I was fixing my lunch and thinking about writing this post, this verse came to me.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

He is a God of second chances and will carry on to completion.  He will keep working on me for sure and He will give her another opportunity too by putting someone else in her path.

I won't forget that humbling event and my next vacation will have a different perspective!

Out of my comfort zone

A few months ago I agreed to help lead a new young adult Sunday school class.  After spending more than 10 years in children's ministry, this is way outside my comfort zone!  I can lead on a first grade level, but lead adults?   Children are so eager, adults can be so reserved.

They say that young adults age 20-40 these days want God and a spirit filled life, but are not interested in church as it is today.  How do they worship if not with other believers?  I don't know.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my story with the new class.  That's what we're called to do, God put the opportunity there so I told them about it.  It's not a story of surviving hopeless addiction or abuse or anything like that.  It is a story of how God worked in my life.  It is a story of how, if one finds themselves in a situation where the decisions they make aren't working out, God is ALWAYS there for us and will lead our decisions.  We just have to be willing to let Him lead and have faith in his leadership.  AND realize that we are not perfect.  We do make mistakes and He DOES forgive us.

There are currently 3-6 people attending this class.  Pray for me and this group of young adults.

It's exciting, yet so out of my comfort zone!





 

I am the woman at the well

Life is what happens when you're making plans, right?  I've been busy cooking and crafting and taking pictures and reading blogs and getting ideas for my next project and before I knew it this post took the back seat.  That happens too often!  I get busy and don't take the time to talk to people and get to know them much less talk about faith.  Faith and God are sometimes hard to talk about.  What do you say?  What will they say?  So I'll share some things here that happen to me at the well and hopefully you can relate too. 

I am the woman at the well.  My past is not perfect.   I wouldn't say that I am an outcast in today's society nor am I famous (ya'll know I'm not, ha ha!).  I am just regular old me.  And just like the woman in the Bible (John 4:1-26), He knows everything about me.

When I invited God in my heart at age 12, I didn't really understand what it meant.  I felt His presence, it felt good, it felt right, but I didn't understand it.  There's so much more to it than the way it felt!  I didn't know what to do with what I had either.  As time goes on, through high school and college I knew and loved the Lord but did little to keep myself close to him.  I proceeded to live my own life.

After ten years of marriage, I learned I was pregnant with another man's child (twins to be exact!).  I was the one with the stable job and he was beginning to have health issues.  With my husband aware of the situation, I broke the news to the man I was in love with and I stayed in the marriage for a couple of years. 

As time went on, the burden and weight of my decision were too much!  Even if their father disowned us and I had to raise my daughters by myself, I knew that staying in this situation wasn't the right thing to do.  But what do I do?  Look at all the people I have to talk to to set things straight.  What do I say, what will they say?  It no longer mattered, I was so tired of the decision I had made, I couldn't care what anyone thought.  I had already hurt the two people closest to me.  I had to take the next step...to the altar.

I turned it ALL over to Him.  He is the one and only Guide.  He saw me through this mess of a situation I had created for myself!  God calmed me when I was anxious or when I talked about this.  I discussed it with confidence in the future.  It was the truth!  I also prayed for my ex and God calmed my concerns over leaving him and his health issues.  As soon as the girls were old enough to understand, I explained it to them. 

I am the woman at the well, He knows all about me.  Just like the woman at the well in the Bible, when I was thirsty, at my lowest point and needing Him, He gave me water that would last a lifetime!

Fall Shawl

The fall colors in the yarn section of the Hobby Lobby are just too hard to pass up!  But could I actually get something "completed" before fall was gone?   My list of unfinished projects seems to be growing...including my fall mantel.  It has one item on it...sad, I know.  But that's another post for another day.

The target date for completed afghans was this past Sunday when we prayed for those who will receive these.    We pray for healing and that somehow our God given talents and works of our hands could be used to comfort them and let them know they are being thought of whatever their situation.

This shawl was delivered today to a special lady named Mary.

God bless Mary!

Sharing at:
 

Wednesday @ the Well

I grew up going to church and I didn't always want to go.   It was only when I realized that I needed God's positive influence, that I returned to church.  This was after the long church vacation that some of us take during our twenties!

My daughters grew up going to church and they didn't always want to go either.  I encouraged them to learn, keep an open mind and make a few friends along the way.  So as they left for college, I prayed and encouraged them to find a place to worship.  Do something to keep God in their lives.  God is always here, it's us that moves away.

This summer my daughters wanted my sister and I to come to Tuscaloosa for a visit and see a movie.  And go to worship with them.  Wow, what a sweet blessing to hear that invitation!  We enjoyed our visit and had a lot of fun.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine from high school lost her daughter.   The day I heard about it I couldn't stop thinking about it.  And I think about it often since then. 

I thought I would send a card.  It seemed like it wasn't enough, such a small thing to do.  I felt like the encouraging words on that card would get lost in the tasks my friend had in front of her.  So I intentionally waited and didn't send it right away.

Her daughter was 22 with so much life ahead!   Here I am planning and enjoying being with my daughters while my friend is hopefully starting to heal.  I've never been in her situation.  Only God knows what's ahead.  No matter what, I know I will be needing His positive influence.

I pray for His comfort for my friend and that she knows He is there. 

Now it's time to send that card!

What I learned at VBS

Wow, I missed almost 2 weeks in blogland!  I knew it had been a while since I posted on my bloggo, but I didn't realize it had been THAT long.  

The absence has been for a good reason though.  Among other things, I have been at Vacation Bible School.  I love to teach children about Jesus!   I have been helping with VBS for several years and it's one of those mixed bags of a lot of work and a lot of reward.  And at the end of the week, I am both happy and sad that it's over, not to mention exhausted!

Here are a few things I learned at VBS:

There are no easy jobs.  You would think that snacks would be an easy job, right?  No, just ask the people working in the snack area!  If everyone just does a part, even a small part, everything comes together.   That's the way the body of Christ works!

We may never know the impact what we do has on others.  I already said it's a lot of work with the coordination, getting volunteers, decorations, etc., not to mention managing the kids.   If just one child or even one of the volunteers grows in their life with the Lord it is worth it. 

Include everyone.   No, I'm not a Democrat, ha ha!   God loves everyone and as difficult as it is, we should too.  When the 2 and 3 year olds show up, include them.  There is a way.  Invite the parents to stay and participate.  Grab another willing adult or teen whose job is simply to hold hands, play or read a story with them!

Talk to people.  Especially those I don't know.  I am not a big talker.  Sometimes this is difficult for me, it requires effort.  What do I say to them?  I usually just introduce myself, say "nice to meet you" (like most southerners do) and go from there.  Since I feel I am a better listener than a talker, maybe they will do the talking!  Maybe I'm just supposed to listen.

I was a crew leader for the preschool and kindergarten.  I was told I was the best one for this job.  Who knew?  Those of you who know me might be surprised to hear that!  I'm still trying to figure out what I've learned from that!

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Blakelie's Answer Revisited

You can read here about Blakelie's Dash and Blakelie's Answer to get the beginning of her story.  We are still amazed at this answered prayer and I wanted to share a picture of the figurine. 

I believe God is still working on the hearts of our young couple and my prayer is that they see how much He wants a relationship with them!

Sharing with Imparting Grace

Blakelie's Answer

I'm so excited to tell ya'll about this wonderful "at the well" story that happened to my stepson.   He and his wife had been to the doctor and received a good checkup as far as Mom's health situation is concerned.  We're very thankful for that.  

After the appointment, they visited the grave site of their baby.   You can read Blakelie's story here.  One of the decisions they still needed to make was what to put on the grave headstone.   My stepson was talking to his daughter and explained he was at a loss as to what to put on it.  He asked for any ideas that she had, just give him a sign.  And if she couldn't do that, he asked that she just let him know that she was ok.

The next day while at work, he and his crew were planting azaleas at a local golf course.  A crew member dug down with his shovel and hit something in the ground.  He reached down, picked up a bag, and tossed it to my stepson. 

Inside the bag was a figurine of Jesus holding a child.  He turned it over to examine it and this figurine has his initials on the bottom! 

Answered prayer.  Amen.

Blakelie's Dash

A few months ago, I heard a spiritually moving speaker talk about "the dash".  The dash?  What's that you ask?   Family members often include a few words on the tombstone to describe their beloved one's life.   But what about the dash?  The dash between the 2 dates on the tombstone.  Does anyone notice the dash?  What does the dash say?  "What will you do with your dash?" this speaker asked.   He was speaking of what acts we will do to honor God during our lifetime.  His talk stuck with me.  The dash.

But what if there is no dash?  What if life is so short there wasn't opportunity to even breath air much less honor God?   

My husband and I recently lost a grandchild.  She was stillborn at 38 weeks.  We could not believe this was happening.  As far as we knew, Mom and Blakelie were doing fine.  We had enjoyed a baby shower and they were getting the nursery ready.  As we drove to the hospital, I cried and I prayed.  I don't remember what I asked for in my prayer, it's just all I could do at the time. 

While we were at the hospital, a couple of my stepson's friends came by to speak to us.  These young people spoke such hopeful and encouraging words.  I could feel His spirit around us as they spoke!  They didn't know us, they didn't have to do that.

As the situation became much more critical, we had to go to Birmingham.  The windy weather had prevented the special medical team from coming in locally on a helicopter or jet.  The doctor on call made the decision that he would ride in the ambulance to UAB.   He's the doctor on call...this was totally above and beyond his call of duty!  He didn't have to do THAT.  This was another sign to me that God would ride too! 

Hours later as we sat at McDonalds outside UAB, my husband called our pastor to let him know what was going on and to ask for prayers.  The gentleman sitting at the table behind us overheard our conversation.  He spoke as he passed by our table.  He admitted he didn't know us or the situation but offered to pray for us...adding "God doesn't make mistakes".  A total stranger was offering support.  He could have left McD's without saying a word.  He didn't even care that we were not the same race as he was.  God doesn't care what race we are either.  Tears rolled down my cheeks as he went on his way. 

The first of many hospital chaplains came by to check on the emotional well being of Mom who hadn't yet delivered the baby.  This was a critical time and the situation was overwhelming.  I asked if he could pray with us.  He asked Mom and she agreed.  Everyone in the room circled up as he led a prayer of hope and reassurance for our young parents!  The team of experts then helped Mom deliver a beautiful baby girl.  One day we'll get to see her again.

Amazingly, He is still honored by a life that was barely a dash!  If an infant child who barely has a life can cause so many people, some of them strangers, to cross paths and honor Him, can you imagine what the rest of us could do with our life?!

Blakelie's life, her dash, has shown to me that our dash is about Him in our life.  It's about God.  God wants to have a relationship with us!

Kerry

Tag, you're it!

Last week I was spring cleaning blogging along and saw an email where I had been tagged!    Huh?  What?  How?   Lori at Bleak 2 Unique tagged me!  I like Lori's blog and enjoy her craftiness and before and afters and that she shares her faith with us. 

I quickly learned that Tag is a bloggie get t0 know you game!  Fun!  I haven't played tag in years! 

Here's the way it works:

Post a photo and 11 random things about yourself 
Answer the questions that the person who tagged you asks
Create 11 new Questions for the people you tag!
Contact them and let them know they have been tagged!


I'm it, huh?  Post a photo?  Well, just take a look over there at my profile...yeah, that's me.

11 Random Things about Me...
1.  How's this for random...I just finished a tube of SweetTart candy.  It seems to be my favorite lately.
2.  Grandbaby #2 is on it's way.  Another girl.  Can't wait to spoil her!
3.  I come from a large family, 4 brothers and a sister.  There was no way and still is not possible to keep up with everything we are all doing.
4.  My favorite color is blue.  Can you tell?  Actually, there's a reason for the blue on my blog.  I'll post all about that one of these days.  Stay tuned.
5.  I'm a Mom of twins.   One child is a blessing and two is a double blessing. 
6.  I don't like to run.  I do exercise almost daily, love aerobic classes, walking and weights but don't expect me to run.  (Unless I need to run from something, I guess!)
7.  I love Reubens.  Whenever I eat at a new restaurant, I get the Reuben if it's on the menu.  With mustard please, no thousand island dressing.
8.  I love that scarves have been in style, I wear one every chance I get!
9.  I am ready to go to the mountains.  Maybe Blue Ridge.
10.  I am also ready to go to the beach.  The gulf, of course, or maybe the Bahamas.
11.  I have an IT background and my patience is thinning.  I sometimes get frustrated with blogger and my 3 year "old" computer.  Am I alone? 


Now for my answers to Lori's questions:

1. How much time a week do you spend blogging?

It varies really.  I just do it for fun so at least 10 hours.   Multiplied by 14 if you count Tagging posts like this one and Liebster Award posts.  LOL!

2. How many different states have you lived in, and which one is your favorite?

I have lived in one state my whole life.   Neither college or career or family or any other reason has interested or required me to move.  Alabama is my favorite :).
 
3. Are you a "half glass full", or a "half glass empty" kinda person? Explain a little

I'm a realist with a half glass full.  I find that I'm usually hopeful when others are saying "nah, no way".   There are times when we find ourselves in circumstances that we'd rather not be in so stay positive.  There is ALWAYS hope.  Nothing lasts forever!

4. Can you laugh at yourself? Give an example

Yes, I am laughing at myself now as I am answering these questions!  Not that the questions are bad, it's just me.  I guess you have to be here...

5. When you lay down to sleep...what do you think about?...or do you just sleep?

Fortunately when I lay down, I just sleep.  Unless the night sweats wake me up and I find myself thinking about my to-do list!   Just being real, my friends.

6. Would you consider hosting a HGTV show? What would you call it and what would you do?

I would be flattered at the opportunity, but nah, not for me.  I don't like being the center of attention.  I find it difficult sometimes to speak to a small audience much less thousands!  If Kevin and Layla of  The Lettered Cottage couldn't get a HGTV spot, then I know I'm way down on the list.  I'll stick to my just-for-fun blog!

7. How many Pinterest pins have you actually done? If so, was it successful?

I've done 32.  Yes, I actually counted!  I cook pretty often so it's not too difficult to knock out a recipe that I have pinned to try.    That and a handful of crafts.  I am a slooooww crafter and seamstress.   I would consider all but 1 a success.  It was a recipe with italian sausage.  Not bad, just not a keeper.

8. Does your TP roll over or under?...(Over is the ONLY way:)

Agree, over is the only way!  'Nuff said.

9. How many pets do you have?...What are they?

Let me be clear...my daughters have 4 pets.  When the girls were little, I didn't have time for pets.  Yet I knew the value of a pet to a child.   So I reluctantly agreed to having pets and had the whole "you're responsible" conversation.  Since they are away at college now, I had no choice but to adopt the pets as mine.  I mean, who else is going to feed and pet them?  And the cats need a face to swish their tail in when they jump in your lap, right?   We...er I...have 2 dogs and 2 cats.

10. When was the last time you played a board game? What game was it?

It's been a few years ago.  We had a ball with Apples to Apples.

11. Have you bought an area rug lately? If so, what brand, style, color etc. was it?

Nope, I have not.  I hope to be shopping for one one of these days after I get the hardwood floor installed!  My latest purchase was a couple of small sisal (I think) rugs to try in the sunroom.    I got them at Old Time Pottery so they were cheapo.  I love the natural look of the rug in a sunroom environment and just wanted to see how they would do before I purchased a large one.

It's been fun and as newbie blogger, I'm getting back to some  posts that are piling up and some much needed updates to my blog header, I mean look at how plain it is!  Maybe I'll come back to this one day and tag some others...how many was it...11 questions?


Kerry

Liebster Award and Where 2 or More are Gathered

Candy over at Pickin and paintin has passed on the Liebster Blog Award to my blog!  I was so honored and excited!  I enjoy Candy's blog and the shabby distressed look she creates.  I'm ready to do a chalk paint project after seeing her projects!  



The Liebster Blog Award {Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest or beloved"}

It's an award in the blogging community given to an up and coming blog, having less than 200 followers.  Now, I am to 'pay it forward' by passing the award to 5 other new, up and coming bloggers.  In the search (which takes time), I ran across several new blogs that I enjoyed very much!   

As I was searching for you, I noticed that a couple of you have something in common.  Your faith and blessings.  And your willingness to put it on your blog.  Not in a boastful way, but sharing it.  Not "in your face" kind of sharing.  Just the kind of sharing faith that we're supposed to do.  Offering support and friendship.  When I started my blog I thought I should share my faith along with other things in life that I love.  So it is possible that I saw your blog because you share your faith!  See?  He leads us that way.  "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them."  Maybe we should create a "He Loves You" award?  I hope you are blessed because you shared your faith in some way. 

Now, let me say this is for fun so if you chose not to accept (as I almost did), no problem, and we'll all move on to our next post!

Shirley @ housepitalitydesigns .  Where It's All About the Hospitable Home.  I love her colorful blog header and the Pass It On Project!

Pam @ The Best Laid Plans loves to cook, embroider and other crafty projects.  And shares her family love too.  So.do.I.  Enjoy!

Oh my, look at Francine's furniture updates @  Sky Blue Creations.  I love the old white and burlap chairs.

Lisa's thrifty finds and budget decorating  at Budget Design Girl caught my attention as I am trying to do the same thing!   

Check out Kristel's Pottery Barn knock-offs at The Velvet Door! 

Spring Forward to New Life

Last summer I planted a few herbs in pots.  I used them as often as I could in the dishes that I made.  So flavorful, much better than dried.  Even looked for recipes to use the fresh greens...chives, oregano, cilantro, thyme and mint.  I moved them indoors into the sunroom for the winter trying to prolong their life.  I didn't have a clue if they would do well or not.  I'm not really much of a gardener much less an indoor gardener!   One warm sunny southern winter day, I put them back outside for a good watering and dose of sunshine, and forgot about them!  Oh no, frostbite!

But with spring comes new life.  And the oregano seems to have survived my treatment of it.



Oregano

 And mint is a survivor too.  When the Bassman mixes a mojito, all I have to do is go out and grab some fresh mint!



Mint

 There are a few lonely green leaves struggling on the thyme plant, not sure it will come back though.  There is always hope.




Thyme

  Just like these plants endure and survive the circumstances they are in, we can endure and survive our circumstances too.  All we need to do is look to Christ, the giver of new life! 


Kerry