Brutal Honesty

Random thought for today:

NOT KNOWING HOW TO DO SOMETHING {or doing it less than skillfully} IS NOT A CHARACTER ISSUE UNTIL YOU REFUSE TO OPEN YOUR MIND to the possibility of a way/a better way AND BLAME the messenger, the circumstances, or ANYTHING..........OTHER THAN YOURSELF

Then, NASA, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

Is this true, false, perfectionistic, demanding, or.........
insert adjective/opinion

I can't help myself....I just have a passion for pretty!

I made my Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Icing AGAIN! This time I decorated it for Valentines..........Boo Hoo that I was too sick to go to the party. Hope it was enjoyed!

"but Daddy said I could................"

Jesus called this morning. He told me that HOPE was like a golden cord connecting me to heaven and that the more I clung to the cord, the more HE would bear the weight of my burdens.  HE further said that as I clung to HOPE, HE would send HIS rays of Light to reach me through the darkness. (Psalm 46:1, Romans 12:12, and Romans 15:13)

Upon hearing this message, I lovingly recalled a scene from my childhood. My younger sister had a fondness for spending warm sunny spring and summer days playing in a young Mimosa tree in our front yard.. The tree, however, was weak wooded and fragile and often broke under her weight. My Mother was constantly scolding my sister for "swinging" from the limbs of that tree. My sister repeatedly insisted to my Mother that she was absolutely not "swinging"...........from the tree limbs, but rather she was only holding on to a limb and lifting up her feet! Ah, the simplicity of our childish perspectives!

It occurs to  me that our heavenly father, GOD, wants us to swing on the cord of HOPE. HE promises that the more we swing, the more HE will bear the weight of our bodies and our burdens. We are allowed to pick up our feet in total reliance on HIM. And to make it even better, HE sends sunshine through our darkness, enabling us to "swing" happily through all of the days of our earthly lives.

Instead of trying to rationalize with my Mother, my sister should have just said.........."but Daddy said I could".

Belinda Carlisle...............YOU ROCK!

Today I am envisioning this scrapbox and all the potential it offers for bringing the craft room of my dreams to life...................so I am humming softly to myself (an old habit) and wondering.................could HEAVEN really be a place on earth?

Vintage Christmas 2011

This is a collage of some of the Christmas decor at my home this year; thinking of using this as the photo for my Christmas card next year! What are your thoughts or suggestions?

Rosemary for remembrance

I made this strawberry cake/cream cheese frosting (FOUND ON PINTEREST!) for an adult edible gift exchange this year.......... I added ribbons, rosemary, and gift "shreds" to dress up the presentation. It looked pretty enough to be immediately "stolen" three times very quicky! I hope the recipient enjoyed it and remembers me for years to come.

Angels watching over me

I outfitted an antique dress form with a vintage Christmas sheet music "dress" and some carefully preserved angel wings from my now grown daughter's childhood costume ...........then I added a few embellishments and VIOLA...............my vintage Christmas angel came to life! I loved her and she stole the show!

My favorite memory of 2011

                        I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always; as long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

Reflect on what type of garden you are at this point in your life.

• A neglected garden – overgrown or healthily wild?
• A kitchen garden – full to overflowing, producing food for many?
• A formal garden – impressive, providing space for others?
• A suburban garden – both beautiful and practical?
• A cottage garden – modest, but with the potential for abundance?
• A secret garden – a place only known to you?
• Or another type of garden?

I call it conscious living, but a rose by any other name would still smell sweet

Why You Should Hang Up Your Robe

Posted: 07 Oct 2011 10:10 PM PDT

We are blessed today to share a devotional and GIVEAWAY from Glynnis Whitwer. Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as the Senior Editor of the P31 Woman magazine

My first instinct was to leave the clean, folded clothes on top of the dresser. Granted, my arms were filled with freshly laundered items, so it would have been difficult to open the drawer while balancing the stack. I had an excuse for leaving them on top. Didn’t I? Instead, I pushed past my instinct, took 30 more seconds, and placed the clothes neatly in the drawer.
This tendency to not complete a task happens with surprising regularity. I toss my bathrobe on the bed, drape jeans on the tub, and set the television remote on the nearest counter top. However, sometimes, when I’m a bit more self-aware, I take the few extra steps needed to actually finish the task.
Years ago, I realized my practice of stopping short of finishing what I started led to a cluttered home and office. Back then, I had a multitude of unfinished tasks that I lived with. It wasn’t all simple things like putting away clothes, but included larger tasks like leaving a wall half painted.
Starting a project is fun, and usually involves a burst of energy. Then, that energy wanes as I approach the finish line. Instead of pushing to complete the task, assignment or project with excellence, I lean towards settling for good enough. Unfortunately, when I settle for “good enough” consistently, I learn to live with mediocrity. And accepting mediocrity is far from where God wants me to be. You see, finishing what we start is more than a good organizational or home management skill. It’s also a spiritual discipline.
As I identified the tendency to settle, I realized it affected me in a variety of ways throughout my life. In the past I accepted a distant relationship with God rather than one of intimacy. I’ve limited my understanding of Scripture to a surface level. My relationships with others have gone no deeper than, “Hi, how are you doing?” Instead of pushing to explore the fullness of what God offers in all areas, it is easier to stop short. Perhaps it’s safer. Simpler. And with less personal discomfort or inconvenience.
Interestingly, it’s actually been somewhat easy to address this issue. I admit the tendency within myself to settle, and I get firm with myself about it. Now, when I would prefer to leave the dryer full of clothes, or emails half typed, I say to myself, “Finish what you start.” I make a conscientious decision to finish the task at hand before I move on to something new. Obviously, there are some projects that require more effort, but this works on many of my issues.
I’m not sure of all the reasons for stopping short of finishing with excellence, but I do know the results. I end up with unfulfilled commitments, open loops and shallow relationships. That’s a far cry from the life Jesus came to bring, which is full and abundant. Not a partial life, but one lived with pushing to the limits and exploring the outer reaches.
Maybe that seems a deep principle to pull from putting clothes in a drawer or a dirty bowl in the dishwasher. However, the discipline of finishing well is one that is woven through my life … or it’s not.
So I guess I’ll take the extra step and actually hang up my robe. It’s one more stitch in this tapestry of finishing well that God is trying to create in my life.

Secrets of the South

Bloody Mary Shopping List
Spirits:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
13th Colony Vodka

Mixes:
Zing Zang
Fat & Juicy
Bloody Brando
V-8
Clamato

Extras:
Lemons
Limes
Celery
Pickle Spears
Pickled Green Beans and Assorted Vegetables (okra, carrots, cauliflower, etc)
Olives, a variety of stuffed and pitted
Banana Peppers
Pepperoncini
Sea Salt
Seasoned Salt (bacon salt is always a hit)
Old Bay
Celery Salt
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Worcestershire
Steak Sauce (A-1)
Horseradish
Hot Sauce (3-4 classic choices)
Boiled Shrimp
Steamed Oysters
Bacon, strips or crumbles
Beef Jerky
Pepperoni
 

I love you, Mom

NYE 2010

Decided to forego the partying tonight and stay in with DH. Made the absolute best garlic cheddar oven fried chicken. Was going to serve it with a good southern cracker salad, but the saltines (never opened) smelled bad, so..............served it with steamed spinach and a good bottle of Pinot Noir instead. Wonderful meal! Cleaning up now, and then probably a good movie! Should be a wonderful end to the Holiday season. Happy New Year, all!

Kittencal's Moist Cheddar-Garlic Oven Fried Chicken Breast

By Kittencalskitchen on J

Directions:

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

1. 1Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. 2Butter an 11 x 7-inch pan (if using more than 4 breasts use a larger pan).
3. 3In a bowl, combine melted butter with fresh minced garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and salt.
4. 4In another bowl, combine the dry breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon garlic powder and coarse ground black pepper.
5. 5Dip chicken in butter mixture; then in crumb mixture.
6. 6Place in prepared pan and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until cooked through, larger breasts may take more time (placing the chicken on a rack in a pan will produce an extra crispy crust).
7. 7Top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella the last 5 minutes of cooking (this is only optional.

anuary 26, 2004

Photo by run for your life

685 Reviews

• 
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Servings: 4

About This Recipe

"This is for serious garlic lovers and the chicken bakes out so moist and tender! grated cheese may be sprinkled on top of the breast the last 5 minutes of cooking if desired but that is only optional, double all ingredients for more than four breasts and adjust the amount of garlic to suit taste, for the coating amount you might be able to get away with 5 or maybe 6 very small chicken breasts, but I would suggest to increase the amount slightly --- to take this dish to yet another level about 10 minutes before the cooking time is finished drizzle the top of the chicken with a little pasta sauce then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, return to oven for about 10 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked and sauce is hot and cheese has melted, and for a lemon-garlic flavor add in 3 tablespoons lemon juice to the melted butter/garlic mixture --- *NOTE* for a healthier alternative Smart Balance Butter Blend may be used in place of the melted butter --- you will love this chicken! Visit my food blog www.kittencalskitchen.com for more of my recipes"

I

My Bottom Dresser Drawer

certainly needs excavating, so...................

I found six light bulbs ????, two corset type (one with garters, one black lace/one white lace) lingerie garments that I doubt I have ever worn and certainly cannot wear now because they are too small, four or five pairs of shorts that are way too big for me currently, a pair of too big pants that went to a windsuit I once owned, some hardware that came with the house that we bought 11 years ago that I still have never figured out where it goes, three lime green net bags with drawstring tops that I bought to use in the car as catch all’s, a cute summer cutwork hat, a dusty pink crochet poncho with tags still on it apparently never worn, an orange crochet poncho, the shoulder pads from a purple velour robe that I hardly ever wear, two or three inflatable travel pillows, a white laundry bag with lavender flowers embroidered on it that I use to collect dirty clothing when I travel, a hood for a coat that I think I still have but never wear as it’s too big, a fur collar for another coat (my grey leather jacket), many plastic baggies that I use and reuse for travel to contain my toiletries so they won’t leak, a plastic garment bag ( I have looked many times for one when I packed and didn’t think I owned one), two or three miscellaneous stretchy shirts that are out of style, two license plates, a bathing suit, some bra pads (who knows what bra they go in), a plunge bra that I have never worn and probably never will……….. If I died today, what would someone think when they encountered this collection of “junk” IN MY BOTTOM DRESSER DRAWER.

WHAT'S DOES YOUR BOTTOM DRESSER DRAWER SAY ABOUT YOU?

My Christmas Wish

Look at these storage drawers! OMG, thanks for this inspiration, minlillaveranda.blogspot.com

FRIDAY FREEBIE seed packet download

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3SladD534lujFv66U24Y8gep0-9RNanrUQO6BjO1w1oq7xp2YcJ8EK2EiIKBuJkMM7_EwWWGp2-JpFfNVksE9ENQebDkehRkY4HDzc2yDVl7H3mjSQW5FlakuTbWgJSE1O1XL_dac2gs/s1600/Rabbit+ears.jpg

A Mother-Daughter moment

Glimpses of the reception family table

My New Motto

WHY NOT ME?

My Sweet Girl