BRB (Be Right Back, I Think!)

Takin’ about a week off!

Will be back with some really, really great things….

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR’S THIS COMING NEW YEAR!

Mucho LOVE!

Somebody’s BIG DAY!

Happy Birthday, Big Daddy!

You’re our man….

Trustworthy, noble, ethical, wise.

You’re somethin’ else…..

Funny, smart, goofy, fun-loving.

And your our’s….

And we’re blessed.

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Christmas is Cookin’!

HIYA!

I am soooo excited….because the Lord has been soooo good to me and multiplied my efforts and helped me use my time more wisely than usual!  ☺

I am not only DONE shopping (granted I only bought my firstborn ONE gift)….I'm almost done cooking!

Here’s what I did today:

1.  This…Bleu Green Bean Casserole!  Gorgonzola, bacon, cream, OH MY!

Once again, my little co-op magazine!

 

2.  Sweet Potato Casserole (pretty sure Pop requested this one!)

 

3.  Lots of this Cinnamon Honey Butter to take caroling on Wednesday night!  LOVE our church family!

 

4.  Started on a recipe for Latvian Bacon Rolls….from the Penzey’s catalog….but I can’t find a recipe online.

But I am pretty sure bacon wrapped in a homemade bread pastry can’t be bad.

 

5.  Finished up the six dozen of Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls today….and instead of the making the maple icing on the second batch…I did this…

1 bag of powdered sugar
1 tsp of almond extract
1 tsp of vanilla extract (I finally found some Mexican Vanilla!  The BEST!)
1/4 c butter
3/4 c milk

OH MY WORD.

Don’t make these.  Don’t change up the frosting. 

Mostly because you WILL experience immediate addiction, and you might wanna buy 2 or more extra gallons of milk to go with these.

They are goin’ to the freezer immediately lest Big Daddy lick each and every pie plate clean.

 

Otherwise, I just have a couple of pies to make for Big Daddy’s Birthday Extravaganza and I’m DONE!

Gonna enjoy the wonderful sweetness of this Christmas IN PEACE!

 

SO, WHAT ARE YOU COOKING THIS CHRISTMAS????

Lubbock, Isreal, Etc….You Know, Things That Go Together

Hey!

I’ll be poppin’ in this week with posts as I can….I have a cooking schedule all set up in the iPhone calendar…and we have lots movin’ and groovin’.

Lots of Christmas cheer!!!

(And SOMEBODY’S BIRTHDAY on December 23!  Yahoo!)

Finished up ALL of my Christmas shopping as of yesterday….had to go to The Big City…and it was WILD.

You might think that Lubbock, Texas in all of it’s humble surroundings of cotton fields, friendly folks, and churches, would be a place of equally-as-humble drivers.

OH NO.

Lubbock, Texas is renowned for it’s CRAZY drivers. (I might say it’s because we had Bobby Knight on the roads around here for several years….but it was going on waaaaay before him)

I detest driving in Lubbock during the holidays…I pretty much detest driving in Lubbock most of the time. 

I’ve gotten slower and less aggressive in my older age (and probably from driving in a town of less than 800 folks), and I just feel like every green (or yellow!) light is the checkered flag at Daytona.

But yesterday seemed to hold a special protective peace about it.

I got into a couple of tight places in a parking lot, and NO ONE yelled or flipped the finger or tried to run me over as I walked in to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

It actually  turned out to be a very productive day…and the only hassle I had was waiting in a couple of long lines (HOLLA!  The Walmarts!).

Maybe that’s a small miracle.

 

 

Speaking of miracles…as of late, I’ve been in need of a skin miracle.

I’ve had some crazy up’s and down’s….I usually have oily skin….but this time of year, it has it’s dry spells.

And I have been using these two cleansers…..

Ahava Purifying Gel Cleanser (photo from drugstore.com)

This stuff is AWESOME for oily skin.  It also treats existing breakouts…it’s not an acne product, but the combination of ‘stuff’ in it (dead sea salt complex, minerals) PROMOTES HEALING!

I am telling you that I have had trouble with some cystic acne (hormones.  BOO.) and it even decreases the healing time from 5+ days down to 2-3 days.

I adore it.

It is from Israel. (Hello!  Healing!  Jesus was from Israel!)

I have a huge love for Israel.

So, there you go.

 

On dry days, I’ll use this….

(photo from zappos.com that has the best online deal for this!)

Ahava Cleansing Cream

from Amazon.com……

“A delicate cream soap for daily use, developed to deeply cleanse the skin. This moisture-rich formula efficiently removes make up and impurities from the skin, leaving it supple and remarkably smooth. Gently massage onto wet face. Rinse with water.”

 

SO, I’ll have some more skin secrets that I’ve come across lately….but until then….don’t get run over in Lubbock, Texas or wherever you finish Christmas shopping!

Maybe Lubbock, Texas gives me the chance to bless those who curse me.

Or run me over.

 

 

Happy Jesus’ Birtday Week!

Such Blessings

By His great grace, I have been sustained during these past few weeks.

SO mightily has He worked on my behalf…..we have seen a miracle, watched the kids in a Christmas program….more in a minute….and I’ve been all over the country (how we West Texans say, “everywhere”) getting my Pearly Girl (aka a white Ford Expedition) road-worthy.

I’m home for a day and then who knows?!

I might just hit the open road!

Anyway, Wednesday was our church Christmas program…..our litte fellers were so perfectly cast….man, it is FUNNY….

Uno the Shepherd (sorry for the fuzzy face! Hated to put a kid on the ‘net w/out parental permission!)

He’s tender-hearted, compassionate, and sweet-spirited.

 

 

 

Dos the Donkey (do I really need to give any descriptors here?)

PERFECTION.

No other word.

 

I couldn’t have cast these two any better if I did it myself.

 

Oh….and this….

I was the narrator.

Big Daddy isn’t the only ‘Mouth’ in this family!  haha

Notice the hair!  It’s gettin’ long!

Yay!

 

Okie dokie….one more thing….

Because it has been SO dry here….even my oily skin is a wee bit crack-a-lackin’….so I bought these a couple of years back to help treat Dos’ eczema.

And he seems to have outgrown that….and I had these leftover….and they have been a Godsend!!!

Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment Colloidal Oatmeal

LOVE this stuff.

It soothes your skin…..and makes getting in the bed after a long day in the cold temps so much nicer.

 

Now here’s a sweetie-pie picture….remembering the old days….when Dos had eczema….haha….

Such babies.

 

God Bless Your Weekend!

Dippy Do-Da

If you’ve hung around here for any time at all, you know that I, like most folks, am a swinging pendulum concerning my eating habits…..following a diet….cutting back….making some a lot of Pioneer Woman’s recipes…scouring cookbooks…especially for desserts…oh my goodnesses….

And really it’s a constant struggle for me to not cook really good (i.e. unhealthy) food for my family.

I love to cook.

I love good food.

I’m a Texan…so chocolate, butter, and gravy run deep in the roots of my family tree.

Yes, we Texans love food about as much as we love Mama.

 

Anyway, because we are getting a little older everyday….and we have kiddos to stay healthy for….and because it’s just time to tighten back up a little (right before Christmas!  I know, right?!) 

Anyway, I don’t mind splurging here and there….and we will for Christmas….but when we’re home and just doin’ our thing….I like to keep it light on the carbs and salt….and heavy on the vitamins and protein.

I just wondered if you have seen this at The Walmarts?…….

Tzatziki Dip

LOVE it!

It’s a yogurt-based, low-carb, low-fat, cucumber-y-, dill-ish dip.

I seriously love it.

It is great on carrot sticks, pita chips, sandwich wraps, and my kids even LOVE it.

That, my friends, is a small Christmas Miracle.

 

Because I’m also always trying to find yummy and different snacks….I concocted this….

A dollop of Tzatziki dip, a bite of avocado, and a sundried tomato on a whole wheat Ritz.

I know the picture looks like kiwi and dried strawberry on cream cheese, it’s not….I had four or five for a snack, and I’m tellin’ you…it was pretty yum-yum.

 

Ok, so have a lovely, lovely day and go get you some Tzatziki!  Greek stuff RAWKS!!

We’ve Gone E-Mealz!

Woo hoo!

We visited the local care center today….with the precious ladies’ bible study that I don’t get to attend as often as I’d like….and the boys, too…it was so wonderful to give the residents gifts and to pray with them.

BLESSINGS!

Man, the care center folks just bless me to pieces.

 

One lady said, ‘I’m just here ‘til I go to Glory!'

AMEN!

How precious!

 

 

So, I want to share something with you that is AWESOME.

In fact, it’s coming very close to REVOLUTIONIZING my grocery shopping!

OH YES IT HAS.

Click HERE to head on over to the E-Mealz website!

 

 

I LOVE E-Mealz!

I would ask that if you sign up, would you click on the pic above, perty please?

 

It has all sorts of meal choices….from just about any store you might want…even special dietary needs…like gluten-free, low-carb, low-fat…

It gives you a menu, recipes, and shopping list all-in-one!

And you know me….well, I LOVE to cook some good ol’ butter-filled, stick-to-your-ribs, crazy-good foods…so I thought I’d try this and it might be like ketchup-on-cardboard…

BUT, NO!

I have been so pleasantly surprised.

The recipes are GREAT!

My kids have lapped it up….as has Big Daddy…and I just switched our plan to the low-carb plan….they even have meal plans for 2.

SO, I HIGHLY recommend you give this a looksy and if you decide it’s for you, please use the link above by clicking on the “E-mealz” image.

We’re an E-Mealz Family!!!

Please Vote?!?

I really don’t wanna brag….I mean, really, bragging does not become anyone…’cuz it’s just downright self-serving….so, I’ll do my best to refrain….

But, tell me, you just tell me, what would you do if you were looking at this picture????

 

 

I mean, people, I am not gonna brag.

OH MY WORD!

I’m gonna GUSH!

Can you believe the utter gorgeousness of these children?

OH HELP ME.

I AM ABOUT TO FAINT.

 

SO, I need your help.

We are doing some photos for the G-parents…..and I need your opinion…..

 

 

 

COLOR?

OR

 

 

BLACK AND WHITE?

 

I am so torn.

And I am so dumbfounded….at the sheer preciousness of these five.

HELP ME!

 

Oh, here I go again….one more….

SEPIA?

 

And, just for fun…..

 

I kinda love crazy, weird, creepy, head-sawed-off photos….haha….look how the boys are all standing….and the sweet little lady on the end….that is precious!

Have a GREAT weekend!!!!!

(Got a new nail polish and a GREAT food thang to cover next week!!!!!)

Some Random Thursday Things Goin’ On ‘Round Here

Home today…..cleaning closets and whatnot….doin’ some schoolin’….and looking at some truly wonderful DIY gift ideas for Christmas….OH I THINK I AM SO EXCITED!

I think my people are gonna like this stuff.

 

 

And gettin’ some new inspiration for some Sassy Flowers….

As you can see, I’m diggin’ some earth tones with pops of orange and teal.

So weird how I go through different phases of inspiration.

Just soooo diggin’ mustards, corals, grays, and creams.

 

 

 

A few of our very minimal Christmas decorations….

My Oma’s OLD scale…she gave it to Nana Kerry and Nana Kerry let me have it.  THANKS, NANA!

It’s pretty cute with bright Christmas balls!

 

Forgot to turn on the twinkle lights on the grapevine…they are really cozy at night….kinda crazy….kinda whimsical….kinda FREE….all except the two grapevine wreaths…for about $3 each….

We put Santa on the cake plate….kinda like we got Santa’s head on a platter….haha….since we killed him this year and all….just a little irony for all of you who think we’re sorta weird for ‘ruining’ Christmas for our kids….haha….

Thinkin’ I might put all of the glitter stars back on the tree branch on the right side….pics make it look kinda shoddy….oh well, it’s cute in person….

Except that when Tater was visiting, I asked him if he thought it was too busy….and he said, “uh, yeah, it’s pretty wild.”

“Like is it a shenanigan?” I asked.

“Yep, but it fits you.”

Thanks, Tater!

 

Have a lovely day!

I Think I Forgot To Tell You….

That we have a new addition to our family!

Just what we needed….

Meet Whiskey

A 16 year old….Welsh pony….a sweet as the day is long….oh, does Dos ever LOVE him.

We all love him.

If I told you how we came about this ol’ feller, you wouldn’t believe it.

Big Daddy did some tradin’…..in the form of the owner of Whiskey LOVING our Blue Lacy dog, Chief….and really wanted to trade for him….but it would have broken the boys’ hearts….anyway, they settled on a deal….and needless to say, NO MONEY (or dogs) swapped hands.

I call that a BIG OL’ BLESSING!

‘Cuz my baby boy is the happiest little buckaroo you ever saw….

(His face when he saw Whiskey for the first time)
(Some fat-baby hands for the squeezin’)

Priceless.

Thank you, Mr. Larry, for your wonderful gift.

‘Tis a blessing indeed….and I pray that the Lord blesses you beyond measure….’cuz you’ve made my little boy’s dream come true.

Amen.

Coffee=Life

I am pretty sure our holidays are gearin’ up now….my list tripled in the past few days….and that’s ok!

But, I am determined to NOT let Christmas rush take me over….I’ve got most of our shopping/gifting done….so that’s good…..I’m pretty sure that our gifting is going to include some of these….

Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls

Who just emailed me asking to be on my Christmas list????

Haha!

 

 

 

If you don’t know my love of coffee….well, you do now….I LOVE coffee….I consider it an essential ingredient to successful homeschooling…and living….and I just keep getting more excited by the day as I found these at The Walmarts….

Image from this site

WOO HOO!

I got the Mocha Mint….pretty sure I have a MAJOR crush on all things ‘mint’….I may have to get all of ‘em….before the season is over….

 

 

 

 

image from this site

My other new favorite….our local convenient store…which is actually the reason Dos breathes and lives….it’s called ‘Chillers’…and he calls it ‘Shillers’….well, it is the equivalent of a circus, fair, and pony ride in convenient store form….as far as my kids are concerned….anyway, they have a GREAT coffee station….and they serve this coffee called ‘Taste of Texas’…..

And now they sell it in bags….here’s a descrip…..

Taste of Texas-Flavored Coffee

A unique blend of cinnamon, vanilla nut, and a rich cocoa with Texas sized flavor and aroma.

You KNOW I am lovin’ it!

Yep, Texas in a Cup!! 

AWESOME!!!

 

 

Alrighty, hope you are ROCKIN’ this Tuesday!!!!!

Does This Post Make Me Look Long-Winded?

What a weekend!

We got a visit from Tater!  The Legal Eagle!

Not even for 24 hours….but, hey, what can one say but ‘be ye thankful’? ☺

In about two weeks, we are planning a little fun-trip to see him in the middle of Texas Heaven…..

Shopping, Riverwalk, Fredericksburg, Shopping….all within SHORT driving distance….OH, THANK YOU, JESUS! 

This summer I am already seeing some Six Flags and Schlitterbahn…..and no hotel!!

This is such a blessing for him AND us!

Although, he may not think so when we decide to move in with him!

 

Big Daddy went to the playoff football game in Sweetwater, TX….and, well, we lost.

But that’s ok….they had a great season….so very proud of those kids.

Meanwhile, I was back at the house keeping some little ones so their parents could go to the game….and had some sweet, sweet friends of mine over for coffee, snacks, and a live streaming video of a wonderful Christmas program from The Ramp in Hamilton, AL.

Seriously….SUCH a blessing of friendship….I am so thankful.

 

Caught up with a lil college football action….you know we LOVE some o’ that!

How ‘bout those Auburn Tigers?

WOOT!

#1 in the nation!

Playing in the National Championship!

LOVE IT!

(I attended Auburn University for two years before transferring back ‘home’ to Texas Tech!  Auburn will ALWAYS have a special place in my little heart….lots of special memories!)

 

 

Then, on Saturday night, like clockwork….we opened up the church for fun and fellowship.  My goodness….it’s always even more blessed than I can imagine…..I LOVE our kids….we just load our two boys up and they mesh right in with the rest of the kids….even Dos…they all squeeze and love and play with him….and aggravate him….just like real brothers and sisters…

Just like I hoped.

God Bless ALL of our kids.

And Sunday….oh, sweet Sunday….day of fellowship….and receiving of the fresh serving of The Bread of Life….how it sustains us.

 

And we’re continuing right on with our daily Advent readings….I so recommend to you to research Advent….if you aren’t doing anything like this, you’re never too late to the game….we all look forward to each day’s reading….like unwrapping a little present every day!!!

Even if you just keep it saved on your desktop and read each day for your devotion.

Your life will be changed.

Don’t think I’ve ever anticipated the birth of Christ quite like I am this year!

 

What we’ve found….

Lots of blankets and snuggles are a good thing.

 

We love these books….

-Christ in Christmas:  A Family Advent Celebration

-Bartholomew’s Passage (a similar book to what we read last year…Jotham’s Journey)
We LOVE the books by Arnold Ytreetide.  He is a skilled storyteller….and the kids LOVE the adventure and suspense-filled stories….SO highly recommend these books as read-alouds.

And they always end the adventure with a surprising twist….

 

And, of course….I cannot tell you how much we are LOVING this FREE E-book by a most beautiful author…Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience….who’s writing is breathtaking….heart melting….just what we need this season….and everyday….so full of His presence….

A Jesus Advent Celebration Devotional

It has changed our hearts….as only He can do….

 

 

And, finally, I made a dessert this weekend….I’ve tried to stop making so many desserts….but I figured that we’d been SOOOO good that I decided to really do it up…

 

And because of where we live, we receive the Texas Co*Op Power Magazine….I LOVE this little magazine…..it has soooo many little sweet nuggets of joy…..from places in Texas to visit….to articles on what folks across this great state are doing….just love it…and they always have recipes….

So, I made this one….

Triple Threat Treat

OH MY HEART.

That’s me repenting.

For making AND eating this.

I really don’t even care for pecans….but I had a lot to use…and Big Daddy loves ‘em….and oh sweet mercy….

A sand tart, pecan pie, brownie stack.

{No words}

If you try it, be ready for The Grocery Bill…NINE eggs in this recipe….not to mention the myriad of other ingredients….

 

Alrighty….have a truly blessed Monday!!!!

Fridays Are So FLipPin’ Awesome

OH YEA!

YAHOO!

Finally….another nail look….it’s been awhile….but you know it’s time to get a little bit   cra-see around here…

black meets glitz….

China Glaze ‘Liquid Leather’ (inky glossy black)
topped with
Pure ICE ‘Beware’ (silver glitter)

TOTALLY FUN.

 

 

 

So a couple days ago, I took some pictures of The Cousins….I haven’t had time to edit much…..but I did get this one shot….but if you know me IRL…..you cannot tell anyone you saw this….because it might have to do with Christmas for my in-laws….SSSSHHHH!  DON’T TELL!!

They don’t have internet so I think I’m safe….unless one of you tells….and I will know and I will tell your kids the truth about Santa, too….☺

But how could I keep the cuteness a secret?

We’ve got some lovely, lovely chromosomes in this gene pool.

And a baby who I could squeeze the ever-livin’ daylights out of….I mean, really, gaze upon the preciousness.

Oh, all of ‘em for that matter…..

{weak in the knees}

 

 

Happy Friday!

NO WAY?!

This is sooo sweet!

Check out this line of super affordable, super yummies….

Suave Limited Edition Holiday Body Washes

I got the Peppermint Bliss. (There’s also Candy Apple, Holiday Pear, and Toasted Vanilla and Sugar…all heavenly…I know because I sniffed every one of' ‘em like an old hound dog)

I got mine at The Walmarts on an end-cap in the HBA (Health and Beauty Aids) section.

That’s right, I know Retail Lingo.

Don’t mess wit me.

 

And, otherwise, have a perfect day.☺

Upside Down Christmas

Without writing a small book here….things have shifted in our household….and our lives….for the incredible…maybe a little radical…grace-filled….

I’ve prayed and asked God to show us how to do Christmas this year…and He has slowly but ever-so-surely replied….and I just want to share.

 

First off, FOR US, we got a very clear answer to tell our kids the truth about Santa Claus.  Please don’t hate on me☺….I’m not saying that’s what you should do….I’m just saying that I asked the Lord for an answer….and this is what He showed me THE DAY we prayed for guidance….1 Timothy 1:3-4….

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may

command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote

themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial

speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

And if I’ve learned ANYTHING, it’s that if I ask Him for guidance…that I MUST be willing to obey….His Word is not a suggestion for me….but a path of security that I must follow….why would I ask and then not obey?

I am learning that God is not a God of good opinions and suggestions…that He means what He says….especially when I ask Him…

 

So, that is where our family has started.

Yep, we’ve faced some folks who think we’re crazy….nope, I don’t judge anyone else who wants to do Santa…not my place….BUT I’m already seeing His blessing and His hand on our Christmas…

 

And, don’t worry, we’ve STRONGLY instructed our kiddos not to tell any other kids ANYTHING about Santa….my kids won’t change your plans….don’t worry….but if you ask ‘em, they’ll tell you the truth….and it didn’t wreck their lives….if anything, it has revealed a rawness and specialness to teaching them to give of themselves….

And that Santa doesn’t give EVERYONE a gift….

But Jesus Christ does.

It’s called Eternal Life.

 

NEXT, He placed this into my path….

Jesse Tree Advent Calendar (I love the reason it’s called a ‘Jesse’ tree..denoting the lineage of Jesus from the line of Jesse, father of David, tribe of Judah)

 

So, we are doing each and every day….up to Christmas Day….and instead of  our traditional HUGE, SPARKLY, CRAZY Christmas tree…we’re doing this….

 

A simple Tree….made of rugged wood….still a tree….just smaller….and covered in handmade ornaments tied to bible stories that all foreshadow Christ’s coming….Advent….waiting to see this shoot of Jesse arriving to provide a sacrifice….and a cross….who would restore our hearts to our Father.

 

 

 

And our prayer as a family is for Him to show us NEEDS of OTHERS….during a season of blessing and family and abundance….we have an obligation to share.

And I’m not sure what it’s gonna look like….I just know that it’s not going to look like last year….or the year before….that our abundance is a reason to share….and Thanksgiving hit me so hard as I looked around at a family full of love….

And realized that many don’t have that same gift.

They would a million times over turn away a plate full of food and choose love.

And that’s what Jesus says to do.

LOVE.

And that’s what we’re asking Him to show us  HOW to do.

 

Hope this Christmas rocks your world.