Blue Skies and Sunshine

What a glorious day today!

I took Riley for a walk this morning.  He trotted along happily by my side, tongue lolling.  I was worried he was going to quit on me but he kept going till we made it home.  Then promptly drank up a bowl of water and took a snooze ;P

After the kids got home they begged to walk down to the playground.  So we did.  They climbed on the jungle gym and we swang high into that endless blue sky.



 For dinner I tried out a new Pampered Chef recipe.  Summertime Spaghetti. From the Spring Summer 2013 Season's Best.  It was delicious ;)  The family loved it.

2 lemons   12  oz (350 g) uncooked thin spaghetti noodles   2 cans (14.5 oz each)  reduced-sodium chicken broth (about 3 1/2 cups/875 mL)   1 cup (250 mL) grape tomatoes   3 garlic cloves, peeled   1 oz (30 g) fresh Parmesan cheese   1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh parsley   3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil   1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground black pepper   2 cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken breasts   1 cup (250 mL) small broccoli florets
Zest lemons using Microplane® Zester to measure 1 tbsp (15 mL); set aside. Juice lemons using Juicer to measure 1/4 cup (50 mL). Break noodles in half. Combine noodles, broth and lemon juice in Deep Covered Baker. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 11-13 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once halfway through cooking using Chef's Tongs. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise using Color Coated Tomato Knife. Grate Parmesan using Microplane® Adjustable Fine Grater. Process garlic, Parmesan, parsley, zest, oil and pepper in Manual Food Processor until parsley is finely chopped. Carefully remove baker from microwave using Microwave Grips. Add Parmesan mixture to baker; mix well using Chef'sTongs. Stir in tomatoes, chicken and broccoli. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 2-3 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender.
Yield: 6

We even ate our first meal of the season out on the deck. It really was a beautiful evening.

YUM!

I tried out a couple new recipes today.  The first is one I saw on one of the Pampered Chef groups I belong to on Facebook.  Mini hand pies.  The recipe I saw online called for canned pie filling and pre-made pie crust.  But basically because I am cheap I made my own pie crust and pie filling.



Basically you cut out circles with the Cut-N-Seal.  Plop a little bit of filling in the middle.  Fold it over and seal it with the Cut-N-Seal.  I sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on top.  Baked at 475 for 16 minutes approximately on my PC stoneware cookie sheet. =)

My lil pies got rave reviews from the Fam.

For supper I made Cowboy Dinner.



I came across this recipe today on Pinterst. It was easy and delicious.  The recipe is over at Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

I made it all in my family skillet.  Because my PC skillet can go in the oven.  And that makes a less pan or two. ;) 

Spring Cleaning-- Day 2

I am so happy I went to bed on a thankful note instead of a complaining one. :)

I woke this morning with a praise song playing in my head.

I have already tackled some of the problem areas on the bedroom... at least the ones that belong to me ;P

My nightstand:

Before:


During: Can you believe all this STUFF was piled under there! I found some great treasures like letters my hubby wrote me while he was in Iraq. Cards and letters of encouragement from dear friends. Birthday cards, a mother's day card from my sister circa 2004/5 ish {I remember receiving it when we were in VA} Old and new photos. Bible verses I had scribbled on index cards. The note booklets from past Ladies Retreats. The invitation to my cousin's {Kelly} wedding.  My Jared bracelet <3 All these goodies were tucked into my basket so I can look back at them when I need a boost.


After:


Even Rosie is appreciative of my newly cleaned bedside ;)


Feeling inspired I moved onto my two dressers...

Dresser 1

Before:


After:


Dresser 2

 Before:


After:

Spring cleaning and other such nonsense

Spring is here.  The warm temperatures are a welcome change!  Seeing the world come to life once more.

The trees are budding.





The first flowers have bloomed.


I was surprised to learn the mister set up my hammock yesterday after he got home.  Hannah and I enjoyed our story time in the yard last night. :)

The kids have been out playing basketball and baseball.  Hannah starts her Tee Ball career this coming Saturday!





Mikayla and I have started some spring cleaning/decluttering. I started cleaning off the dry sink in the kitchen which quickly becomes the catch all of anything I don't know what to do with. Mikayla  decided it should become the home of my keurig. And appropriated my cupcake stand to use for the K-cups.

Before:

After:

Today I worked a little on the closet.

Before:



After:


Tomorrow I hope to work a bit in our bedroom. :) Stay Tuned...

A few  more gifts counted~

• A morning shopping with Mom
• Lunch out with Mom & Laura
• Coffee date with Magda- its been far too long!
• Jessica is going to be my prayer partner
• time to Blog
• Pay Day $ =)
• getting groceries
• Picking up the phone to txt  Rhett only to see him walk through the door
• Visiting my sister
• Closing a party
• Another PC lead!
• Reading snug on the couch
• The excitement of a friend when I share good news {AL}
• Eph 3:12- we may approach God with freedom and confidence
• Rhett put up my hammock!
• Reading with Hannah in the hammock
• 70 degree day!
• Grass getting greener
• Open Windows! Fresh Air!
• new sneakers for Hannah

Rosie and Riley eating out of the same bowl ;P

Trust Me

Source: Uploaded by user via Amy on Pinterest

Trust is so hard. It's been a reoccurring theme for me this week though. I find myself laying my worries at His feet...next thing I know I have them clutched to my chest, anxiety rolling though my gut.

JB and I text each other repeatedly this week. We both seemed to be fighting the darkness that at times threatens to overtake. And YET!!  We have no reason to fear.  No reason to worry... WE ARE REDEEMED! If God is for us, who can be against us! {Romans 8:31} God is faithful. {2 Thessalonians 3:3} Do not fear, for I have redeemed you {Isaiah 43:1}

Yesterday I feel like I was bombarded with Trust.  I literally read two separate Devotionals.  One came up completely randomly in my Bible.  I opened in planning to find a Psalm to mediate on.  But the Bible opened to 1 Kings, the devotional on the facing page slapped me in the face.  Titled "Nothing's Impossible".

As we drove into Church yesterday I noticed the verse on the sign for this week.  " ...in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight."  Proverbs 3:6

Yesterday in my lil Sunday School Class we learned the Jesus is all-powerful.  Our memory verse is from Luke 1:37; "Nothing is impossible with God."  My three little girls shouted it with gusto.  "Nothing is impossible with God!"

Nothing.  He knows were I have been.  He knows where I am.  He knows were I am headed.  I hope I am on the right path.  I am looking to Him to direct my path so I must be.  

This past week as I grappled with the future and feeling so inadequate I also read Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

 So I carry on.  Good things are coming.  Stay Tuned.

Spring Fever!

This week has been Spring Break.  I have spent a lot of it working.  I did not get to spend as much time with the kids has I would have liked.  I hope today made up for it a little bit.

In spite of the slightly chilly weather.  It was a beautiful day.  At times the sun was shining brightly.  We decided to have our first picnic of the season.  It was pure madness.  But these are the days treasured memories are made from.
 

The kids flew kites. Let me just say flying kites with 6 children four of them kindergarten age or younger is a very foolish venture indeed.





My Dearest friend who encourages and inspires me.


We picnicked on the damp-ish volley ball court because it was warmed by the bright sunshine.


 The kids ran giddy circles.




Riley stole half of Hannah's unattended sandwich right out of the baggie. Did we stop him? No, of course not. We laughed and took pictures!


Today was a blessed day. The start of spring. Here's to many, many more picnics.

Earlier in the week Jess made me this video when I was having a gray day. It certainly brought a smile and laughter.



I am so thankful for this dear friend God brought into my life! She is truly the sister of my heart.

March

March has come and gone... It was mostly wonderful.

Today I can feel spring in the air and am seriously looking forward to warmer temperatures and sunshine!

Hope everybody had a glorious Easter.