60th Anniversary

I have been having a lot complicated feelings about my church for the past couple years.  Change is so hard for me and this transition time has been rough.  Also in that two years, two of my children have stopped attending regularly or at all.  And that is so hard. 💔

There have been good things too, don't get me wrong.  But my heart still mourns people and dear friends who have left. Although my heart is joyful over new friends who have come. I guess its like that old Girl Scout song... make new friends but keep the old... one is silver and the other gold....

If I am honest, I was dreading this day. I was not on board with this whole anniversary celebration.  I wasn't sure I wanted any part of it. Why? Let's just leave it at there's been a lot of hard lately.

I was over joyed though to learn my sister and her boys were coming and my son was coming. 

At 9 o'clock there was a Church History lesson- which sounds dry and boring but it was a delight. Funny and nostalgic, I enjoyed every second. The Nemitz family has a long legacy at Alive Wesleyan Church.  My grandparents were part of the original charter members that literally broke ground and built our church. 

In the worship service my Dad was honored for his legacy of prayer leadership.  I, for one am so thankful for my Dad and his prayers through the years.

Here is a link to the worship service.

This picture makes my heart explode with happiness. Miss Kim was the children's ministry leader when my kids were small. She has since moved away and has another fruitful ministry but it is always a Delight when she is back "home" to visit. Crazy that the littles she used to love on now tower over her.

Later in the afternoon my mother gave her testimony as well.  Emotional and heartfelt, I'm proud to call her MOM. 💖

Alive felt like home again and my heart was overflowing. I had conversations that gave me hope for the future. I can not even express how much joy it gave me to share this day with my sister and my two youngest children, also friends, old and new.  I know my grandparents would enjoyed this day so much. 

I can honestly once again say I am excited for the things happening at Alive Wesleyan Church.  The love I have for this body of believers, the outpouring of love from this body of believers. There are no words.  It's not a perfect church, but what church full of humans is? Its home though, its family and its where I belong.  

I encourage you to find a place to belong; when you do get involved. It doesn't become home by just sitting in the chairs every Sunday and going home.  Find your place to serve. It will fill your heart, I guarantee.

weekend things

The weather this weekend was so beautiful! The sunshine felt so wonderful!

I made spaghetti and meatballs on Friday.  I had picked up a couple loaves of garlic bread at Tops- it was buy one get one free... I was so irritated when I sliced into the first piping hot loaf to discover somehow we were totally jipped! No butter or garlic! So thankful I had a back up loaf! :D

We tackled our front flower bed. It was so satisfying when it was all done!  Mikayla and I want to make a butterfly garden on the other side, currently researching that project.  Maybe this is finally the year I will have nice flower beds.

Logged more miles! I'm up to 12/310 for the challenge as of this morning.  I decided to count walking the dogs etc.  My legs can not take running 3 miles every day at this point.  But hopefully will be getting stronger.  Saturday's "run" was rough. But moved forward for 3 miles... and ordered myself new wireless earbuds as a reward. ;-) They will be staying in my bag when not in use- so they don't get swiped. Or broken. Or chewed.

I finished this book- a pretty good mystery read.

This cracked me up, I walked in the kitchen to see Ryan and Hannah playing cards.  I asked what they were playing... solitaire. They were each playing their own game of solitaire. 

Sunday Church service... I can not wait to go back to "real" church.

Mother's Day

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day Weekend.

I wanted to try my hand at sourdough croissants. They didn't have nearly the flaky layers I had hoped but not bad for a first attempt. I will definitely be trying these again.  I also ordered a kitchen scale to help with my sourdough endeavors- we'll see if it makes a difference ;-)

Mikayla made these delicious blueberry cream cheese pancakes for breakfast.  This was actually my 2nd breakfast- Rhett made me eggs when we got up.

 They had melty cream cheese bombs all through the batter- so yummy! This recipe is from the Cravings- Hungry for More cookbook.

 Some of the flowers from my children and hubby.

We watched the Church service together. 💖

 Exquisite Mother's Day Dinner- Chicken Picatta and Green Beans from the Magnolia Table cookbook and Potato Smashies (from the Cravings one).  Mikayla put a lot of hard work into all the delicious things she made and I truly appreciate from the bottom of my heart.

After dinner we had a Zoom call with my siblings and my parents. I miss being together in person.

 I went for a little run in the afternoon.  I'm finding I'm having a really hard time getting motivated enough to actually run but am always happy when I get out there.

Apple Dumplings- also made by Mikayla!

Tonight I will be doing a LIVE video on my page- Amy's Pampered Kitchen, there will also be a vegetarian version. ;-)  I'll be going Live around 5 but of course it will be pinned at the top of the page if you need to check it out later ;-)

This is the Day

The LORD has made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

I woke up feeling pretty sad yesterday. I had a dream I was shopping with my mom and sister. Add to that it was Sunday and we still can not go to Church- I was feeling pretty lonesome.  May have shed a few more silly tears over it.  I hope things start to go back to normal soon.  I miss my people.

But then...

Rhett made me a delicious Sunday breakfast. 

It was nice to eat breakfast with him before the kids got up.

 We watched our Church service- this week we had communion.

Side note: the roll I used for our communion bread is also from the cookbook below. I had a couple leftover ones in the freezer.

This picture pretty accurately shows their relationship.  Bruno loves to be near Chance.  Chance is nothing but annoyed by this... and by Bruno in general.

Hannah made Sesame Orange Chicken...and Tofu for dinner.  Super yummy.

The recipe is from this cookbook- Half Baked Harvest Super Simple.  There's loads of yummy recipes in this book, plus a vegetarian section as well.

Turns out it was National Soft Pretzel Day.

So naturally...

This is my recipe- I have been making it since childhood. I have no idea where it came from originally.

Random fact about me:  Whenever I make soft pretzels I miss my sister and want to watch What About Bob?

Birthday drive-by & sour dough

Yesterday was my Father-in-Law's birthday- we did a Birthday drive-by to surprise him; it was pretty great!

Friday night the mister was going to the store- I requested chocolate saying I wish M&Ms made a mixed bag.  He came back with this... and I am sad to report we have pretty much demolished this giant bowl of candy all ready...

In case you were wondering here's my M&M ranking.... 😂

1. Peanut-butter
2. Caramel
3. Crispy
4. Pretzel
5. Plain
6. Peanut

I tried my hand at sourdough english muffins... boy are they tasty! Even the first batch which I burned.

Chance eager to go for a walk...

A gorgeous afternoon run!

My new upgraded copy of Anne of Green Gables came yesterday!  (To replace the one Bruno chewed).  I am sooooo happy.  

 The mister made me breakfast this morning! 💖

I was excited to see my Dad on our Church service this morning :D

Here is our Church service this week-

Happy Sunday Friends 💕  Praying the Peace of God overflows in your heart today!

PS What's your favorite M&M flavor??

He is RISEN! Easter weekend at home

Friday night the girls and I watched the new Trolls World Tour movie.  It was pretty cute.


Saturday the mister wanted to have a Spring Cleaning day... so we did.  It felt really good to get things all spiffed up.

Sunday was Easter! Easter is one of my favorite times of year.  🌷

Of course this year was different and I was a little lonesome- but refused to be sad... it was Easter afterall!

I got up and did lots of cooking, that in and of itself made me happy. 💖

I made sourdough coffee cake for breakfast and it was super delicious!

 The kids found their Easter Baskets

We watched Church~

I am thankful that at least we can continue to worship in this way- but am eagerly anticipating setting foot insdie our church again to worship together in person!

I finished dinner and we feasted. Once I got the kitchen mostly cleaned I crashed for the rest of the day.  Rhett and I binge watched most of Season 1 of All American on Netflix.

All in all it was a nice quiet, homey Easter. 💖

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter!