Happy Anniversary, my love.

US NOW..... US THEN....Today we have been married for 26 years over half of our life. Timmy and I married so very young, we actually grew up together.
I know the boy my husband was and I was there, holding his hand, as he became a man and he held mine as I became a woman.

Timmy and I have worked on our relationship over the years, we both had to do a lot of dying, crying, and have weathered many storms together.We have also done a lot of caring, loving, celebrating and enjoying each other.

~ Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day ~
We have two amazing sons, that we love so much and are so very proud of. We also have a beautiful DIL and a precious grandbaby on the way, due Christmas.
It seems like only yesterday and it seems like so many years ago that we had our babies !

We have been truly blessed , thank you dear God.

1 Corinthians. 13:4-13
Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And now faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love.

~ I LOVE YOU, Timmy ! ~~~~~Happy ANNIVERSARY !

I Love You
I Love You,Not only for what you are,but for what I am when I am with you,not only for what you have made of yourself,but for what you are making of me.

I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

I love you for putting your hand into my overflowing heartand passing over all the foolish,weak things that can't help,dimly seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all thebeautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find.

I love you because you are helping me to make of the dreams of my life

not a thought but a reality,Out of the works of my every day not a reproach but a song...Yes, a Love song.

~ Roy Croft

"The great blessing of a happy marriage I think,is that a man and woman have time to discover each other and cherish each other more as time goes on."

TAKING A SHORT BLOGGING BREAK,
WILL BE BACK SOON TO VISIT ALL OF YOU !!

Today I am linking with http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/
for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

and also with my friend Connie @ http://mealplanningwithconnie.blogspot.com/
for Finger Lickin Recipe Fridays !

~ Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup
8- white potatoes

3 cups chicken stock

1 onion, minced

1 c. heavy cream or half and half

6 c. of shredded cheddar cheese
Cube all potatoes. Add stock and onion. Cook on low for 8 hours.
An hour before serving, add cream and cheese.

Continue cooking on low until time to serve. Serve hot.
*You can add more cheese on top, bacon, chives, sour cream, whatever you like.

Serve with crackers, bread, cornbread, whatever sounds good !

~Enjoy !!

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.—Psalm 118:24

O GOD of peace, By the might of your Spirit lift me, I pray, to your presence, where I may be still and know that you are God; Help me to be more humble, kind and show your love to someone today.
Amen.

Happy Birthday to my baby boy !

Today is a day of celebration, why? because,14 years ago today, God sent me another beautiful baby boy that we all fell in love with the moment we saw him !
~Happy Birthday Matthew !

You give the gift of peace
and tranquility to every life you touch.
You are precious to me.
You are blessedly reliable, dependably good,
pleasant, loved
and treasured by all who knows you.
You are sweet, responsible and a great teenager !
You are a gift of peace and tranquility in my life.
Happy Birthday!

Today I am linking with http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/

for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

and also with my friend Connie @ http://mealplanningwithconnie.blogspot.com/

for Finger Lickin Recipe Fridays !

This is one of my favorite banana pudding recipes a friend shared with me and I also made it for my sons 14th birthday tomorrow. He wanted pudding instead of cake !

Banana Pudding ~ no cook
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla wafers
14 bananas, sliced

In a large mixing bowl, beat pudding mix and milk 2 minutes. Blend in condensed milk until smooth. Stir in vanilla and fold in whipped topping. Layer wafers, bananas and pudding mixture in a glass serving bowl. Chill until serving.

My mother, Rose. I miss you so very much.


If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my Mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away.


~Happy Mothers Day to all of my blogging friends and family !

This and That...

~Praising God that we are safe after this past weekend

that we had here in West TN.

These pictures are from some of the tornado destruction in the next nearby town.

We had tornadoes touching down all around us,

one only a few miles from our home.

Friends that had really bad damage to homes but thankfully none hurt.

We also had so much flash flooding across West TN, so much water everywhere.

~Praise God we did not have any major flooding in our hometown.

I do enjoy spring but not the terrible storms it always bring with it her in Tn.

Wow was I excited yesterday when fed-ex left a package at my door. I won this Ecosmart bundle of great nontoxic items. Haven't had a chance to use all of them but really like the family insect repellent.

A BIG THANK YOU TO my friend Pam @ http://momsmutterings.blogspot.com/ .

I love her blog, she blogs about family, her pets, nature, book and item reviews, its awesome !!

PLEASE join me in NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

today Thursday May 6, 2010.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

~ Today I am asking all of my blogging friends and their friends to join me in prayer to lift up this sweet child and her family during such a difficult time battling childhood cancer.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin

I have been a long time donater to St. Jude in Memphis and follow many of their patients and pray for them and their families. I happened upon Ellies blog through another I was following and was so touched by her mothers faith, courage and love.

I saw how awful this disease is and what a terrible toll it takes on the body and spirit when my mother fought the battle of breast cancer. Seeing what she went through as an adult, I couldn't imagine a child having to face this ugly disease, the treatments and long difficult days you endure. So I try to always give and pray for children fighting cancer.

Ellie Potvin, a 8 year old twin, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. I have been following her blog for over a year and now we must storm the heavens for a miracle for this little girl !

http://www.liftupellie.com/

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin

I also have a link on my sidebar to her website and they are also on facebook. Please visit and please Pray !

Love and blessings to you all !

YOUR FATHER KNOWETH

He knoweth the need of my life
For shelter and raiment and food;
In each trifling care of the day
The word of His promise is good;
He knoweth my thought from afar,
The wish that I never have told,
And every unspoken desire
His wisdom doth grant or withhold.

He knoweth the way that I take;
Each step of that way He hath planned;
And, walking through sunshine or storm,
I walk in the shade of His hand.
In deserts untrodden and drear,
Where foes in the darkness may hide,
He leaveth me never alone;
He sendeth me light and a guide.

He knoweth the need of my soul ---
The trial that calls for His grace,
The weakness that leans on His strength,
The fear that looks up to His face.
He knoweth what sifting is best
To scatter the chaff from the wheat
And lay all my self-righteous pride
Low down in the dust at His feet.

~ Annie Johnson Flint ~

Cooking in a box ~

My peach cobbler I cooked at the lake. This was our first time to try cooking in a box and it worked great !! It got much hotter than I expected it to, the cobbler turned out delicious. Of course, eating by the lake added to the goodness !

The outdoor oven is just a box cut with one side that folds up for the door. Inside for the rack are about 6-7 coat hangers stuck through from side to side and they make a sturdy rack. I used an aluminum pan for the cobbler and put about 10 hot charcoals on the bottom. It would have been better to put the coals in an aluminum pan. I just used a pan that rolls came in for the cobbler and will use one for the coals next time. The box has to be completely covered in foil, no cardboard showing inside and out.

My recipe, you could also use this recipe in your oven at home. Enjoy !
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 stick butter
1 can peaches
1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup milk
It took about 45 minutes to cook in my outside oven. It was delicious !

A great day at the lake with family, I am blessed !

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises,

he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth.

"Hosea 6:3 (NIV )

http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/

Stop by Loris place for more WFW posts.

Have a very blessed day !

Roses...

A Dozen Roses: stand for "there are dozens of ways I care about you."
Two Dozen Roses: stands for the 24 hours in a day and tells that

"you think about them every hour".
Three Dozen Roses: signifies a deep love unlike any other.
Four Dozen Roses: means unchanging and unconditional love.

Makes one wonder how much love is in a garden of beautiful roses ?

Lord I come before You, desiring to provide thanks.

Father, I have so much to be thankful for, things unseen and seen,that

Thank you for the beautiful roses and the gift of sight to see them.

Lord, I desire to be thankful, to appreciate everything that comes across my path.

Thank you for so much for your Love.

I thank you and Praise you. Amen.

He is Risen.

He is not here; he has risen!

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: Luke 24:6

Have a blessed Easter, Praise God, Jesus lives.

Lovely spring

Genesis 1:11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.

SPRING

The alder by the river Shakes out her powdery curls;

The willow buds in silverFor little boys and girls.
The little birds fly overAnd oh, how sweet they sing!

To tell the happy children

That once again 'tis spring.
The gay green grass comes creeping

So soft beneath their feet;

The frogs begin to rippleA music clear and sweet.
And buttercups are coming,And scarlet columbine,And in the sunny meadows

The dandelions shine.
And just as many daisiesAs their soft hands can hold

The little ones may gather,All fair in white and gold.
Here blows the warm red clover,There peeps the violet blue;

O happy little children!

God made them all for you.

~by Celia Thaxter

Have a blessed day !

Today is WFW !

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a Bible verse!

The link is on my sidebar if you would like to join in and be blessed.

Father, Blessed are you, Creator of heaven and earth,you made the world and offer it life.

Remember us as we begin our work,that we work in harmony with others.

May we do what is useful and good and together build a world that is pleasing to you.

To us and all whom we meet today, give your joy and peace. Amen.

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday and I am thankful for the ORDINARY DAYS .

If you have about 7 minutes this video is so well worth watching.

Thank you Laurie @ http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ for hosting.

Link to video ` Ordinary days ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Praying you all have a blessed ordinary day !

Blessings to my blogging friends !

This day I call to me:

God's strength to direct me,

God's power to sustain me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's vision to light me,

God's ear to my hearing,

God's word to my speaking,

God's hand to uphold me,

God's pathway before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's legions to save me.

~from A Retreat With St. Patrick

May you be blessed with

warmth in your home,

love in your heart,

peace in your soul

and joy in your life.

~ Irish Blessing

Have a wonderful day !

Today is Tempt my Tummy Tuesday,

to enjoy more great recipes or join in click the link on my sidebar.

Ladies, thanks so much for hosting !

Strawberry Smoothies ~
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 (8 oz.) container strawberry yogurt
1 cup strawberries ( fresh or frozen )
1 cup ice cubes

COMBINE sweetened condensed milk, yogurt and strawberries in blender container; cover and blend until smooth.
ADD ice cubes gradually with blender running, blending until smooth. Serve immediately.

Yummy !!

~ Think Like a Tree ~

Soak up the sun

Affirm life's magic Be graceful in the wind

Stand tall after a storm

Feel refreshed after it rains

Grow strong without notice

Be prepared for each season

Provide shelter to strangers

Hang tough through a cold spell

Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring

Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky

Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling.

~ by K.I.Shragg

Dear Father,

I thank You for mercy, for forgiveness, for purity, for providing for my needs.Thank you dear God for our beautiful nature, the trees, the moon, the stars, the ground we walk on. Help me to not take any of these and so many of my blessings for granted.Thank you for the blood of Jesus, your precious lamb.

Amen

I received this great award from my friend Connie in MS @ http://mealplanningwithconnie.blogspot.com/ . Connie has some fantastic southern recipes. I have tried many of them and they were all great. She shares encouraging
verses and quotes ! You will gain pounds just reading her blog !

The rules for accepting this award are:
1. Post the award.
2. Thank and mention the person who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to seven bloggers whom you think embody the spirit of the Kreativ Blogger Award.
4. Name seven things about yourself that others don’t know.
5. Don’t forget to notify the seven Kreativ Bloggers about their award and post a link to their blog.

~ I volunteer once a month at a local nursing home.
~ I have a bachelor of science degree in Education.
~ I lost my Mother to Cancer almost 4 years ago, and still miss her so much.
~ I love to make chocolate fantasy fudge with my husband, it is our specialty !
~ I am pretty good at Scrabble, ask my son and husband ( Well, they might not admit being beat by mom ! )
~ I am very proud of my boy scout son, Matthew !


I also received this Beautiful Heart Award from my dear friend Trish whose hometown is also in TN. She is a lovely person, inside and out, one great grammy ! Her blog is always a blessing to me . http://grammyoffive.blogspot.com/

Instructions:

1. List 4 things that keep your inner self beautiful.

2. List 4 things that keep you physically beautiful.

3. Tell us about a precious memory you keep close to your heart. ( Optional )

4. Share this award with 5 other people that you think have a beautiful heart too.

5. Link the blogs of the people you chose and link the person's blog who awarded you.

6. Have fun!

Inner beauty

1. My inner self is beautiful only because of Jesus Christ. I am nothing without his love.

2. Humility, I pray everyday for God to make me more humble and understanding.

3. Joy, I try to share joy and kindness with others.

4. LOVE!

Physical beauty

1. Good hair color.

2. Good hair cut, thanks to Stacey !

3. Blue eyes

4. Bubble baths and perfumes, love em !

Thank you my dear sweet friends for these beautiful awards.

If you follow my blog, please accept these awards from me you are all very deserving.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word

through photo’s & a Bible verse!

Visit our dear hostess for WFW @ http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/critty_joy/ .

Thank you for visiting , have a very blessed Wednesday !

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

Today is Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, to enjoy more great recipes or join in click the link on my sidebar. Ladies, thanks so much for hosting !

FIESTA CHICKEN

~ Ingredients
2 1/2 cups pasta, uncooked
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup chopped red peppers

1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/4 cup Italian Dressing
4 tablespoons chile powder
1/2 cup Salsa
3/4 cup Sour Cream

For those who like mushrooms, I like to add 1 cup ( optional )
~ Cooking Directions
Cook pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.

Add chicken. Cook

Add peppers, dressing and chili powder;

cook 3 min. or until chicken is cooked through, stirring frequently.

Stir in salsa and sour cream.
Drain pasta.

Toss with chicken mixture.

Sprinkle with cheddar or parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy !

Hello sweet friends ~

Hello my dear blogging friends ! I hope this post finds you all warm and well. I have missed you all.

We are still so very cold ! Just clearing from winter snow and lots of ice and they are calling for more winter weather for us later in the weekend.

Not sure of many of you, but I am really so ready for some warm spring weather.I do enjoy the comforts of winter, a warm fire, staying and watching movies and throwing snowballs but am ready to put up the coats and gloves and bring out a light jacket.

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."- ~ Proverb

I recently received some wonderful awards and wanted to share them with you, sorry it took

me so long to get some of them posted. I am very thankful for each of my blogging friends

and for the awards you have given me.

My friend @ http://heartnsoulcooking.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html presented me with the Happy 101 award.

The rules are to post the award image and then list 10 things that make you HAPPY

~ 1. Spending time with family and friends.

~ 2. Blogging and reading blogs.

~ 3. Trying new recipes

~ 4. Hot bubble bath on a cold night

~ 5. A good back rub, foot rub, shoulder rub... from my husband

~ 6. Family game time ~ love to play scrabble with Matthew

~ 7. Good home cooked comfort food

~ 8. Forgiveness of my sins

~ 9. Cuddling with our dogs

~ 10. Freshly shaved legs on fresh clean sheets

Of course, I could go on and on....simple things make me so very happy !!

I also received the Prolific blogger award from my sweet friend Andrea and her Sitka @

http://andrealuvsallgodscreatures.blogspot.com/ .

Please stop by and visit both ladies, they have wonderful blogs.

Thanks again so much ladies.

If you are a follower, please take both awards, I would be honored. Blessings to you all !