Who's in your front row?

Through my blogging friend, Kat at Justabeachkat, I found a new blog that really talks to me. It is called Glasses of Grace and yesterday, Dianne wrote what I think is a perfect post. To read it, go here to read "Who's in your 'front row'?". It will definitely give you something to think about.

Too cute not to share......

Betty Crocker's Flip Flop Cake

Flip-flopping on what to serve for dessert? Create the talk of the dessert table with delicious colorful "sandals."

Prep Time:45 min
Start to Finish:2 hr 30 min
Makes:15 servings

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Tray or cardboard, covered with foil

2 containers Betty Crocker® Whipped vanilla frosting
Assorted food colors
About 40 small round candy-coated fruit-flavored chewy candies
Assorted colors Betty Crocker® decorating icing (in 4.25-oz tubes) or Betty Crocker® Easy Flow decorating icing (in 6.4-oz cans)
1 roll Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot® Green Apple Wave® chewy fruit snack (from 4.5-oz box)
2 edible pansy or silk daisy flowers

Heat oven to 350°(325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Cut cake lengthwise in half. Continue cutting each piece to form flip-flop shape as shown in diagram. Place pieces on tray. Freeze pieces uncovered about 1 hour for easier frosting if desired.

In small bowl, mix 1 cup frosting with food color to make desired color; frost sides of each flip-flop. In another small bowl, mix 1 cup frosting with second food color to make desired color; frost top of each flip-flop. Place small candies around side edge of each flip-flop to look like jewels.
Decorate top of each flip-flop with decorating icing. Cut two 6-inch pieces from fruit roll; cut pieces lengthwise in half. Arrange on flip-flops for straps. Just before serving, top with flowers. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 480 (Calories from Fat 180); Total Fat 20g (Saturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 4g); Cholesterol 40mg; Sodium 300mg; Total Carbohydrate 72g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 56g); Protein 2g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 6%; Iron 4% Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 4 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 4 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 5 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Variation
Use your favorite flavor Betty Crocker cake mix instead of the yellow.
You can use paste food color to get more intense colors without diluting the frosting.
Cake will be easier to frost if you freeze the cut pieces on a cookie sheet 30 minutes to 1 hour before frosting

Painting the Nest

This is our home as it looked when we bought the house. We have done some landscaping. But the house is drab to me and needs a face lift.

DH had a storage building built (a mini home at 16 x 16) and I had to go ahead and pick the shingles for the roofing. The roofing I chose was Estate Grey knowing we were going to paint the house and replace the shingles on the house. Now we are at the paint stage. Or choosing the paint colors. DH would really like to go grey.

Here is one with white shutters and black door that is very striking actually, even with white shutters!

Then we have this two. The first is grey with black shutters and the second is actually grey with navy shutters. Even though it is not the style of our home, you can get an idea of the coloring. The shutters could go navy or they could go black.

Now we have my favorite. I love a white house and have always wanted a "big" white house. I just think it is a classic.

Now we will be adding a portico to the front of our house, for architectural interest as well as protection from the elements. So just for decorative interest, I have added the following picture. Love the pots and plants flanking the front door.

Now it is your turn. Please give me any comments on any of the houses so I can work to finalizing our color choices. Thanks in advance for your help.

Pink Lemonade Pie

Pink Lemonade Pie
When it’s hot outside, cool off inside with refreshing frozen lemonade--pie, that is! This treat combines frozen lemonade concentrate with vanilla ice cream and whipped topping for one cool pie. This pie comes from Betty Crocker and it is very refreshing without being too sweet or too rich.


Prep Time:30 min
Start to Finish:4 hr 30 min
Makes:8 servings

Graham Cracker Crust
1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers (20 squares)
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons sugar

Filling
1 quart (4 cups) vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 can (12-oz size) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 container (4 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Red food color, if desired
Lemon or lime peel, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients until well blended. Press in bottom and up side of 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown; cool.

In large bowl, mix ice cream, lemonade concentrate, whipped topping and a few drops food color. Spoon and spread ice-cream mixture into cooled crust.

Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. Let stand at room temperature a few minutes before cutting. Garnish with lemon peel.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 360 (Calories from Fat 170 ); Total Fat 19 g (Saturated Fat 7 g); Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 230 mg; Total Carbohydrate 45 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 3 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 12 %; Vitamin C 2 %; Calcium 10

Time Saver
In a hurry? Pick up a ready-to-use graham cracker pie crust, and you can whip up this pie in 10 minutes! Just freeze, and enjoy!

I want to be a Mary....

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way,

he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

She had a sister called Mary,

who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.

~ Luke 10:38-39~

My blog friend Kat, over at JustABeachKat posted "For now just call me Martha" . Her post really got me to thinking and this book has just been plastered on my heart since reading her post. Today, I stopped in at the Bible Book Store and picked up a copy. Fortunately, my edition includes a 12-week companion Bible study. Hopefully when I finish studying this book, and finish the Bible study, I will be more of a Mary instead of a Martha. (For more information on Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, check out the info provided by Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781594150098&itm=2 )

To go along with this study, I really feel that my prayer life is lacking. I just don't have the knack for praying that so many people have and I also can't pray aloud. Never have and doubt I ever will. My prayer is that I am never asked to lead a prayer in public. However, I am going to work on this area of my life as well. Elizabeth George is one of my favorite Christian Womens' authors. I love all of her books and was hooked after reading A Woman After God's Own Heart. As I was glancing along the book shelves for my Mary/Martha book, I stumbled over some Elizabeth George books I have yet to read. One really jumped out at me. It is entitled A Woman's Call to Prayer; Making Your Desire to Pray a Reality.

I really think these 2 books are going to enrich my life and my daily walk with God.

Man of the House

I'm glad my DH and I don't have to be this way!! :D

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

Happy Birthday Brookie Doodles!!

Today is my baby's 15th birthday and we of course spent most of the morning at the DMV. She now has her learner's permit to drive and did a very good job driving us home. After showing off her pride and joy (the permit), we had a girls' day out with my DM, DD, niece, and myself. We went and checked out the movie Hairspray. Very enjoyable chick flick or mama-daughter movie. And with the exception of some race issues (the movie is set in 1962), a very clean movie. Enjoy the rest of your Monday!

Southern Splendor on a Sunday

This painting is aptly titled "Southern Splendor" and is by artist Jim Booth. My DH and I won this painting at auction benefitting the NC Waterfowl Association. The painting itself is beautiful but made me stop and think of thinks that are just plain ole Southern. Looking at the painting you see the beautiful moss dripping from the trees overlooking the marsh at sunset. You can almost smell the marsh. Even though I am not yet fortunate enough to live on the marsh or water, I do realize how fortunate I am to live in the south.

While at COSTCO the other day I came across 2 books that pointed out decadently different the south is. The first was a book called Southern Cakes. It is by Nancie McDermott who is a cooking teacher and lives here in the south, here in NC actually. According to the website for the book SOUTHERN CAKES: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations, you should "Taste the chocolatey goodness of Mississippi Mud or marvel at the extravagant elegance of the Lady Baltimore and there will be no doubt that Southerners know how to bake a cake. Here are 65 recipes for some of the most delicious ever. Jam cakes and jelly rolls; humble pear bread and peanut cake; whole chapters on both chocolate and coconut cakes—each moist and delicious forkful represents the spirit of the South. A Baking 101 section offers the cake basics, some finishing touches (that means frosting and lots of it!), and the how-to's of storing each lovely concoction so that the last slice tastes as fresh and delightful as the first". And we southern belles love to bake.

Now of course, Southerners love to enteretain as well. And many cannot entertain without a traditional Mint Julep, or Milk Punch, or Plantation Punch. That leads me to my second book:

Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions & Classic Libations by Denise Gee. The publisher offers us this little tidbit on what will be a classic book for Southern entertainers:

'"Don't mind if I do . . . " Welcome to one of the South's most cherished traditions the cocktail hour. This charming volume overflows with Southern spirit with classics like the Mint Julep and the Hurricane to new concoctions like the Blueberry Martini and the Peach Mojito, each drink is as relaxing as a riverboat ride down the Mississippi. A checklist of Bar Necessities ensures that there will be more than Southern Comfort in the cupboard when company calls, and recipes like Devilish Eggs or Sweet and Sassy Pecans will keep hunger at bay until dinner. Raise a toast to old-time Southern hospitality.'

So whether or not your partake of a Dixie Drink, come join me on my wonderful dock jetting into the marsh during the sunset and have a big ole hunk of Mississippi Mud Cake. And don't worry, I always have a cold glass of sweet tea or lemonade to quench your thirst.

Who Knew?????

A man who purchased a new pickup truck had a neighbor who got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). The neighbor went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew?

Water Displacement #40. The product began from a search for a rust preventive solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:

1) Protects silver from tarnishing.

2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4) Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.

5) Keeps flies off cows. (HOW DID THEY FIND THIS OUT, OR BETTER YET, WHY?)

6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7) Removes lipstick stains.

8) Loosens stubborn zippers.

9) Untangles jewelry chains.

10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. Itdoesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed! Use WD-40!

20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

21) Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly

30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31) Removes splattered grease on stove.

32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35) Removes all traces of duct tape.

36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37) Florida 's favorite use is: "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers."

38) The favorite use in the state of New York WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

40) Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.

41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

42) Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry,saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!

43) If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

You can submit your own ideas at the WD-40 website. There is actually a list of 2000 uses for WD-40 that you can download from the site. And 300 uses for the new NO-MESS WD-40 pen.

Thursday Ramblings

Well, I am off to Costco. DH loves when the Costco coupon books come out. He left me a stack of coupons and asked me to go. I just have no energy to fight the crowds but maybe there will be a good book or 2 that I can pick up for our vacation in a few weeks. I also need to pick up a few things for the girls birthday party on Saturday....I think we will do Pizza during swimming and then when we come home, we will do hamburgers and hotdogs. And I can't forget gas, my car is getting low and you can't beat the price of Costco gas.

One of the things I like about Costco is people watching. And observing who buys what! Call it be nosy, I call it being observant. If it doesn't rain this evening, I again have to be the official scorekeeper for our co-rec softball league and tonight should be more enjoyable. One of the teams called last night and asked my DH to play. I love watching him play softball. When we first started dating, almost all of our dates were to the ballpark to watch him play softball.

And since I don't really have anything more to talk about today, I will leave you with this wonderful quote from Ben Franklin.....

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. ~Benjamin Franklin

Have a great day!

HANDY LITTLE CHART- God has a positive answer:

1. You say: "It's impossible"
   God says: All things are possible
   (Luke 18:27)
   


2. You say: "I'm too tired"
   God says: I will give you rest
   (Matthew 11:28-30)
   


3. You say: "Nobody really loves me"
   God says: I love you
   (John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
   


4. You say: "I can't go on"
   God says: My grace is sufficient
   (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
   


5. You say: "I can't figure things out"
   God says: I will direct your steps
   (Proverbs 3:5-6)
   


6. You say: "I can't do it"
   God says: You can do all things
   (Philippians 4:13)
   


7. You say: "I'm not able"
   God says: I am able
   (II Corinthians 9:8)
   


8. You say: "It's not worth it"
   God says: It will be worth it
   (Roman 8:28 )
   


9. You say: "I can't forgive myself"
   God says: I Forgive you
   (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
   


10. You say: "I can't manage"
    God says: I will supply all your needs
    (Philippians 4:19)
    


11. You say: "I'm afraid"
    God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
    (II Timothy 1:7)
    


12. You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
    God says: Cast all your cares on ME
    (I Peter 5:7)
    


13. You say: "I'm not smart enough"
    God says: I give you wisdom
    (I Corinthians 1:30)
    


14. You say: "I feel all alone"
    God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
    (Hebrews 13:5)

Yeah....It's a Giveaway

Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More is having a contest.

Stop by for more information.

Thanks Kat for letting me know about this giveaway.

Something to think about....

I asked God for all things, so that I may enjoy life.
He gave me Life, so that I may enjoy all things.

(source unknown)

New National Holiday

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation ofEaster and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while atheists had no holiday to celebrate. The case was brought before a wise judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the Judge banged his gavel and declared "Case Dismissed."


The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said,"Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yom Kppur and Hanukkah.....yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."


The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said "Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own atheists’ holiday!"


The lawyer pompously said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?" The judge said, "Well it comes every year on exactly the samedate.....April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as April Fool's Day, consider that Psalm 14:1, and Psalm 53 states, "The fool says in his heart, there is no God" Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by scripture he is a fool, thus April 1st is his holiday!"


Pray that some day our courts will be full of these kinds of judges... maybe then we can put God back where He belongs... in everything we do.....


Way to go, Judge!

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING

How To Plant Your Garden First, you Come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses....

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :

1. Peace of mind

2. Peace of heart

3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

1. Squash gossip

2. Squash indifference

3. Squash grumbling

4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

1. Lettuce be faithful

2. Lettuce be kind

3. Lettuce be patient

4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:

1 Turnip for meetings

2. Turnip for service

3. Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:

1. Thyme for each other

2. Thyme for family

3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.

THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

A Frog Story

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patricia Whack.

"Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday."

Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it's okay, he knows the bank manager.

Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral.The frog says, "Sure. I have this," and produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed.Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into a back office.

She finds the manager and says, " There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral."She holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?"

(you're gonna love this)

The bank manager looks back at her and says...

"It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan, His old man's a Rolling Stone."

(You're singing it, aren't you? Yeah, I know you are........)

Favorite Hymns

For my Sunday School class, I have to come up with my 4 favorite hymns. Now coming up with only 4 is quite difficult. Of course, there is Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. But what about the others? For me, I love Just A Closer Walk With Thee, In The Garden, Peace in the Valley, and Because He Lives. Now there are many hymns and worship and faith songs that I love, but these really speak to my heart. If you had to choose just 4 hymns that speak to you, what would they be?

Saturday's Quote

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
~J. Lubbock

Common language

Why oh why are there so many potty mouths? Do people not realize how uneducated they sound? I'm getting really tired of hearing the common language and it really burns me when it comes out of the mouths of imbeciles in front of children.

Last night I was at a co-rec softball game and right next to the private softball fields (owned by a local kids' sports organization) is a public park. The park stays very busy, especially the basketball courts which are closest to the softball field. Now this co-rec league is made up of 8 teams with 3 of them being church teams. And there are always children around. The language that was coming from the basketball courts was atrocious. And we are not talking conversations here but shouting at each other while they played basketball.

Even though I dislike the simple curse words, I can not stand the use of GD or the f-bomb. And it seems more and more people let that bomb drop.

I just wish people would stop and think what comes out of their mouths before they say it and realize how much more intelligent they sounds when they have a bigger and better vocabulary than just plain old common language.

Getting off my soapbox now.

Today the girls have gone to Wet-n-Wild Emerald Point to round off all their hard work this week with the mission work and service projects. It is a quite overcast here so I hope they are still having a great time! Hopefully the sun is shining on all of these hardworking young adults.

Christian One-Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Peace starts with a smile.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!" *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

He who angers you, controls you!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Prayer: Don't give God instructions – just report for duty!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If this blessed you in a profound way today my Dear Friend, PLEASE pass this along to bless others today, tomorrow and ALWAYS! May God bless you from today on out!

Welcome to Wednesday!

" I'm ready to help paint!" ~ Belle

Due to the pocket door being installed in the powder room, we had to do some drywall work, new trim work, and re-paint the back hallway. Because the new trim is paint-grade we decided to paint over the stained trim. While taping out to paint the trim, Miss Belle decided she would help us out. Isn't she cute!?! Although we only have 1 coat of white paint on the trim, the hall looks so much fresher! I think DH is ready to paint the rest of the downstairs trim.

Today seemed to be appointment day. DD1 had her orthodontist appointment, so we had a nice little drive to Pinehurst. Her teeth are looking good but she did have to get rubber bands added today to work on her bite. DD2 had her eye appointment and they discovered she has an astigmatism. Time for new contacts.

This week, the girls have been working with their youth group doing local mission work. They have fed mission workers from World Changers and helped out some. Tomorrow they are going to go help paint at an elderly person's home. And then tomorrow night, they are going to host a block party to spread the word of God. Hopefully the weather will hold out and they block party will be a success. I am so proud of the girls and their willingness to do service work and mission work.

Today, my DM and I decided we are going to take a day a week (may end up being a day every other week) and just going somewhere new. Check out neat shops or galleries and eat at quaint little local places. Maybe even check out some historical sites. This should be fun. However knowing my DM and another lady who will be joining us on many of our outings, I think we will also be visiting many scrapbook and stamp shops.

I hope everyone has a wonderful remainder of the week!

Just a reminder...

TO VOTE!

(Voting ends this Friday)

This is for Mt. Carmel Academy in NOLA to win big from Burger King. Click on "TO VOTE!" above to learn more.

Summer Advice

Ideas for help with skeeters...you know...those pesky things we get in the hot,humid south.

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...just wipe on & go..Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October. He said it works. He was right. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it. Every one he has talked into trying it works on them. Vitimin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)


If you eat bananas, the mosquitos like you, - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.

"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time "camping out" say that the very best mosquito repellant you can use is AvonSkin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.

One of the best natural insect repellants that I have discovered is made from clear real vanilla. This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects.

If none of these work for you......Get a FROG!!

JAPANESE BEETLES (from Old Fashioned Living)

The Japanese Beetles are in full swing here, so Iwanted to repeat this excellent tip from Mary on how she handles these nasty pests!

I used the cheapest lemon dishwashing liquid I could find, and poured it along with 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol,(see below) into the container of my hose-end sprayer and sprayed it on my garden, berry plants, and appletrees. Imagine my surprise the next day when I went out and only saw one beetle on the area I had sprayed! On the other side of my fence I had not sprayed, and found multitudes of them! I am so happy I found a safe, effective (and cheap!) way to finally take care of these critters. It also cuts down on the amount the kids eat on the sly, since they need to bring it in to wash it before eating! I put the 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol in the bottom of myhose-end sprayer container, and then filled the rest up with the lemon dish soap. Mine mixes with water from the hose to make 6 gallons of spray. I noted that this spray does not seem to bother the bees, who were merrily buzzing around the garden the next day.

Today's quote:

With the first gleam of morning rays,the garden is a prism of a thousandhues refracted in tiny does of crystaldew, a dazzling quilt of millefleur colorscovering the sleeping flower beds.

~Duane Michals

More Saturday Eye Candy...

I need your help!

I have a friend in LA whose daughter's school was hit hard from Hurricane Katrina. The school is in the finals for a $50,000 charitable contribution Burger King's "Campaign for your Cause". They're in the top 2 right now out of more than 4000 organizations.

You can vote once per day through July 13. If you wouldn't mind, I'd really appreciate it. $50,000 will go a long way in helping to pay for some of the damage this school sustained after Katrina...10 ft. of water does a LOT of damage...expensive damage.

Anyway, here's the link....choose New Orleans and then vote for Mt. Carmel Academy. Thanks

http://www.campaignforyourcause.com/

(pics courtesy of Mt. Carmel Academy)

Travel Safely for the end of the Holiday Weekend

As the July 4th week holiday starts coming to a close, I want to wish everyone safe travels back to your home or whatever your destination.

In NC alone, there were 20 fatalities and 1,355 injuries on North Carolina roads during the July Fourth holiday last year, state Department of Transportation statistics show. There were 15 deaths and 1,177 injuries in the same period in 2005.

Magellan's, known for their travel supplies offers great advice for those traveling this holiday or any holiday. Check out the great information on travel safety.

Once again, travel safely this weekend!

July 4th

The 4th of July....time to honor America and I believe all of the Americans past and present who have made this country the home of the free and the brave. AND that includes our military. So a big salute to all of you that serve or have served....THANK YOU! For the 4th we went to see Team USA play Team Japan in baseball. It was Opening night for Team USA and in honor of the 4th, team USA's uniforms were camoflauge shirts with the Team USA logo.

From the Durham Bulls website: "Independence Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park was one for the record books, as USA Baseball opened their 2007 season with a 7-2 win over Japan in front of their first sellout crowd at the DBAP. If you weren't one of the 10,063 people at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on July 4th, check out the game highlights and slideshow in the Flash Box on the Durhambulls.com homepage.

The fireworks were spectacular as music centered on the USA and America was played in the background. All in all....a great night. This was of course prefaced with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs!!

The Powder Room

is finished!

Checkout before, progress, and final pictures!

Happy Birthday.....

to my brother today!! also celebrating this month:

Birthdays: April, Julie, Brooke, Patsy, Carson, Brittany, and Bobby.

Happy Anniversary to April and Wayne this month.

Introducing Little Miss Southern Belle

better known as "Belle". I came home from the Women's US OPEN golf tourney yesterday and found this adorable puppy waiting for me. My DH surprised me like you can't believe. She is 7 weeks old today and we are on our way to the puppy department at Target and at Petsmart to pick our puppy stuff. By the way she is a pekingese.