T.o.L. 2.25

Its Thursday!!! One more day and it'll be the weekend!

I was on a bit of a Pampered Chef high this past weekend.  I did my first live party in a few weeks and had a blast.  Reminding me again why I keep plugging away at it. I was super psyched to book a party, which Sunday night turned into a recruit instead! My host messaged me and said she wanted to sign up, and make her party her launch party! So now I have a team member! I also got to chat with my friend/recruiter Joan on the phone Monday night for the first time in ages. 

Joan and Me at National Conference in 2005

Hard to believe I haven't seen her since we left Virginia over 10 years ago. I miss being part of a local team and hope this is the start of good things!

I made s'mores cake at the party. It was a total hit!

Tuesday I became an auntie again! My sister had her baby boy in the wee hours of the morning. Born on his due date! February 23. The kids and I rushed up to see baby Isaac as soon as I got out of work on Tuesday. We snuggled him and oohed and ahhed over his sweet baby face.

In more pampered chef news, the girls and I are having a pampered chef party on leap day. If your local stop in ;) contact me for details. For the demo I will be making Chicken Parmesan Soup in the Deep Covered Baker.  They'll be some other deliciousness available as well. ;)

This morning I awoke feeling so anxious. This is a good reminder for today...

This weekend chance got his first bark box, he loved it! He got a pizza squeaky, statue of liberty ball and three packages of treats. If you have a pup to spoil, check it out! If you use this link, you'll get an extra month FREE and so will Chance!

He's so spoiled. We love our Chancey.

This weekend more partying as well celebrate the nephew, Jacob's 4th birthday. I love having my brother and family in the area now. Also excited for some new church family that will be joining the party as well. :)

Linked up with Amanda today at running with spoons :-)

For Today... {February 16} or  the 17th...spilling over...maybe it'll get done today...maybe not.

Outside my window...
This weekend it was bitter cold.

Thankfully, today it's a bit warmer. But that also led to rain and  ice... and now its back to snow!

I am thinking...

This is something I am majorly struggling with right now.  Especially with running and/or any form of exercise.  I feel it in every aspect of my being.  How do I squeeze it back in?  Any tips? Seriously thinking of saving up for a treadmill. I am looking forward to summer, warmth and longer evenings.  Bike rides and such with the kids but in the meantime I have got to do something.

I am thankful... for safety on the roads this week.  The weather has been not so great. Also a plus I only have ten minute or so drive to work.

I am going... to work on the attitude (again!) I have been super grumpy and discouraged lately.  No reason for that.  Giving up my bad attitude for Lent!

• Do everything without grumbling or arguing.   Philippians 2:14
•  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Colossians 3:23-24

I am reading... Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan from the library. It caught my eye because it was turquoise and there was a dog on the cover. :-P So far I like it.  Trying to get back to reading more.  Mostly last night I fell asleep and napped with Chance.  Also reading a Puppy Place book with Hannah.

I am learning... This is from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  

In my kitchen... I actually made a menu this week! Our dinners have been later because no activities in the evenings due to Winter Break.  It actually makes me happy to come home and be able make dinner. I love cooking and it helps me decompress to be in the kitchen...assuming we don't have to rush elsewhere.

• Monday: Italian Sausage Sandwiches & Fries
• Tuesday: Speedy Enchilada Pie; except I forgot the rice. I made it in my Deep Covered Baker. It was a hit though, keeping that one ;) Hannah requested next time I remember the rice and leave out the beans :P  Also Mikayla made her guacamole
• Wednesday: Chicken, Broccoli and Mushroom Stirfy
• Tursday: Pizza Nite
• Friday: Meatball Stroganoff
• Saturday: Out- going to the Crunch Game

A favorite quote for today... 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.   

Romans 8:35,37 NIV

A peek into one of my days... 

My mister popped into my work with chocolate and flowers on Friday =)

New Spring PC catalogs arrived! YAY!!!!

Secret Sister Reveal with some of my favorite ladies ;) <3

My work buddy this week ;)

One of my favorite things... my church.  Its always been like a 2nd home to me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: candle party, Pampered Chef Party!!, Crunch game, birthday Party =)

From the board room {Pinterest}... * I am planning to make a tshirt quilt for Mikayla has a graduation/going to college gift.  Last night we looked through a couple dozens tshirts we have been saving. I am thinking about a design something like this, perhaps...

Pinned: Quilts
Source: uploaded by user

Post Script * Spring is just around at least with Pampered Chef.  Below are the items disappearing at the end of the month.  Some are already sold out as you can see. Order at www.pamperedchef.biz/amylaforte.  Be sure to check out the OUTLET while you are there! Click SHOP then OUTLET.

 If you love the cranberry get it now! The pieces are going a more neutral grey and white March 1.

I am considering having a Leap Day-- Soup and Slippers Pampered Chef party...anyone interested?

Linked up today with The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Ash Wednesday

This morning again as I slipped into my space at the table and pulled my Bible into my lap I was over come with love for that worn book. I so love my Bible. I love that this book hundreds of years old still speaks today. Living and active. Personal each day. I love the Bible in general and mine specifically.  The places where I have underlined, made notes and prayers.  The pictures and notes from my family, friends and Sunday School class tucked within the pages.  Occasionally a scribble from the one of the kids were small.  Coffee stains.  All a testament to time spent at His feet.

Today is Ash Wednesday.  The beginning of Lent.  A season of reflection and confession leading up to Easter.

"It is appropriate to enter into a season of celebrating the finished work of Christ by assuming a posture of repentance, confessing our need for a Savior." -SheReadsTruth

Last year I attended Ash Wednesday service at my church.  My father led the service and urged us to give up something for Lent.  Fasting.  To take that void of something, whatever it was we choose to let go, and turn it to God. To use that missing something to intentionally focus on God.  To draw closer to Him. You can read more about that HERE.  I haven't decided yet, if I will give something up this year.  I am doing the Lent Study with SheReadsTruth, as mentioned above.  The quiet time at my kitchen table, it grounds me for the day.  Brings focus and purpose.

This morning as I opened Facebook I looked through the memories "On This Day." I love this feature. It never fails to make me smile. =)

Today it brought me to a blog post, the preview picture Hannah's chubby baby hand in mine. The entry of that day, mirroring so much of what is in my heart today.

I hope as a mom I am doing an ok job.  Sometimes I wonder.  Bedtime Bible stories have fallen by the wayside as they have grown.  Mostly putting themselves to bed these days. Family devotional time too has slipped away as life gets busier and busier.  I, myself, nearly everyday, spend my coffee time at the kitchen table.  Bible, journal and pen in hand. I pray for them. Oh, I pray for them.  We go to church as a family. We have conversations as opportunities and questions arise. I pray as they grow up they will always have a love for God and His Word.  That He will always be the foundation on which they build their lives.

2.9

For Today... {February 9} 

Outside my window... It's snowing. It's been so warm here lately. It's kinda nice and relaxing to sit and watch the snow fall.

I am thinking... of all the things I need to do.

I am thankful... for my husband. That he can fix things like a leaky hose on the water heater :/ Also thankful it was just the hose and not the water heater itself that was leaking! And that Mikayla happened to be in the laundry room this morning and notice.  Had it not be discovered until tonight, there would have been much more water on the floor! God is good. =) My mister is pretty great too. <3

I am creating... trying to finish up Greyson's quilt so I can start the one for my sister's little guy who is due to arrive just about any time now!

I did get the troop flag done for girl scouts. I was surprised how good it felt to sit at my sewing machine again. =) I need to find more time for things like that...

I am reading... still reading Season of the Dragonflies by Sarah Creech. I also started Thrive by Mark Hall as well.

In my kitchen... last night I made BBQ bacon stuffed meatloaf. It was so good! Its from Pampered Chef's  dinner in your Deep Covered Baker  cookbook.  We served it with homefries and tossed salad.

Planning to make a few more recipes from this book in the coming week! Sometimes its good to revisit your cookbook shelf! I forget about recipes I love because I am always trying new ones! Plus pinterest tends to be my go-to for recipes these days.  I have a whole shelf of cookbooks, I need to utilize it more often. Or let them go (so not happening).

A favorite quote for today... 

A peek into one of my days... 
Saturday was World Thinking Day.  Our troop had Ireland this year.

Hannah in front of our booth

Getting into the spirit ;-)

And Chance. Because. Dog. =)

One of my favorite things... dogs =)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Looking forward to the Secret Sister event at church on Friday night. Saturday-- shopping and lunch...prom is coming up ;-) Mikayla has been itching to go to Chipoltle ever since she got a gift card for Christmas.

From the board room {Pinterest}... *

Pinned: Dogs

Source: 

Big Barker Dog Beds

Post Script *  Signed up for another run. =) I am excited about this one because it is an apple orchard.  One we have frequented many times over the years.  Also because we have a fair amount of Nemitz's running =) Check it out at (https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/LaFayette/OrchardRun?raceRefCode=duI43ZiM)  Its also on my brother's birthday.

Linked up with the Simple Woman'sDaybook

For Today... {February 2} 

Outside my window... its just starting to get light out.  Temps are pretty mild this week, most of the snow has melted.

I am thinking... About all the new spring products and recipes! Mikayla watched the Spring Launch with me last night! We had a ball. I earned one product FREE and will be getting few more at half price when I get my paperwork package next week. One of the many perks of being a Pampered Chef consultant! 

I am thankful... for such a great weekend! A race, a pizza party.  Celebrating Owen's 2nd birthday. Tea party at Church.  Watching Downton with Mik... ;)

I am wearing... Pjs... Lately as soon as I know I am in for the evening I find myself changing into Jammie's.

I am creating... I need to get out Troop Flag together! I will being doing that tonight and tomorrow night so I can bring to Girl Scouts on Thursday night.

Also made a few cards for a few special ladies.  Some going out in the mail today.  I forgot how much I like making cards. =)

I am reading... Season of the Dragonflies by Sarah Creech 

I am hoping... to get new running shoes soon! :D

I am learning... 

Be still my soul, be still

In my kitchen... My kitchen is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the NEW Pampered Chef goodies! Hoping to get some recipe testing in soon.  YUM! :D

A favorite quote for today... 

Trust in Him at all times, you people;Pour out your heart before Him;God is a refuge for us.      Psalm 62:8 NKJV 

A peek into one of my days... 

My best friend threw a pizza party to  celebrate my new job.  We had such a great time.  

Two of her children gifted me with artwork.

 My other best friend gave me these goodies for my new desk. The pens are amazing!

One of my favorite things... Time with the Braskys and Walruses. 💙💙💙

A few plans for the rest of the week: adjusting to my new work schedule :-/ it's harder than I expected. Musical practice for Mik. Piano lessons. Girl Scouts. 

From the board room {Pinterest}... *New Training Plan

Pinned: Runspiration
Source: Women's Health

Post Script *  Get your Girl Scout cookies HERE!
Hannah: https://DigitalCookie.GirlScouts.org/scout/hannah2757
Mikayla: https://DigitalCookie.GirlScouts.org/scout/mikayla4117


Linked up today with The Simple Woman's Daybook! Check it out!

Freezeout 5K

Friday night I ran my first race of the year. The Freezeout 5K to benefit the Rescue Mission.

Added bonus, my mom, sister in law and niece ran it too. It's always more fun when you have a running buddy or three. My dad and brother came to cheer us on.

It's was pretty chilly. 21 degrees. But compared to our training run on Saturday where it was 6 degrees-- it didn't feel too bad ;-P I actually was pretty comfortable once we got going.

Most of the race we stuck together. Following the run/walk prompts on mom's watch. Cheering on 8 year old Maddie to keep her going (& maybe distract oursleves).

Mom urged us if we wanted to keep running and finish strong to go for it.

In the final mile when a walk prompt came- I kept running. Soon Becca caught up with me and we chugged through that final mile together.

As we neared the finish line ones of my gloves fell out of my pocket. I of course went back to pick it up--thinking a real runner would have just kept going. I was surprised and excited to hear Dad and Nate cheering as we crossed the finish line. Thinking they would be inside awaiting our return. After coming out of the finishers shoot we circled back to stand with them as Mom and Maddie arrived just a minute or so after us.

I'm pretty pleased with our time. Certainly not my fastest ever but better than I was expecting for that run. My running has been very sparadic lately. Even more so since starting my new job this past week. But running that race I caught running fever again. I'm on the lookout for a February run. I need to start training in earnest as I have that 10k looming in April. We have tentative plans to run on Saturday morning. I plan to make it to mom and dad's at least on evening to run on the treadmill.

The post race party was pretty good. I enjoyed the band. There was pizza, boneless wings and chicken riggies. And COFFEE.

On the way out Dad found a pen. I think it may have been his highlight of the night. ;)