Christmas

~capturing the true meaning of Christmas

Jesus came as a babe

lade in a manger

 lived a sinless perfect life

took our sin upon Himself on the cross

to allow us life with Him forever

by accepting this free gift

What gift can we bring that is fit for a King?

Our love and devotion to HIM.

Praise and Thanksgiving

but, first

 our acceptance of

 Jesus, Christ as Lord & Saviour

this is what He wants for Christmas

John 3:16

~~~

Our families' hearts are heavy this Season.

My father-in-law will be spending Christmas with Jesus.

He went to be with the Lord last night.

Prayer is what others can do

 to share in the heaviness and lighten

the load for those who are hurting. 

 "It's us oh, Lord who are standing in the need of prayer"

Merry Christmas

 from our family

to yours,

~Karen

~Once in a lifetime...

jealousy would be wrong...

 but just to think my duck hunting guys get to see this

 ~ I am a little envious ~

the above picture was the first view my eyes rested upon

when we arrived at the duck blind last Friday morning

every second the view was changing

because of the fog on the river

The boys had been wanting me to go for quite some time.

I agreed, but almost backed out.

45 degrees & 4:30 a.m. - not my favs

We were in Louisiana at our son's home for Thanksgiving.

I heard the oldest & youngest along with their dad

getting suited up in the living room.

Putting on their layers of clothing while dad broke

the news "mom just don't think she can do it".

In a split second,

I had a change of mind ~ just like I'm prone to do.

But, I must say when I loaded in the boat, with help,

 at the launch on the Red River,

I wished my toes & my nerves had still been resting

under the warm covers back at the house.

IT WAS SOOOO FOGGY!!!

I covered my stocking cap head with a blanket

and never peeked until we pulled into the duck blind.

~Words I could hear through the layers wrapping my head~

Dad, I can't see the tree line.

you are on the other side of the buoy where the rocks are

turn the light off I can't see anything with it on

what was that?

there should be another marker - I don't see it.

oh my, there's the port - almost turned in

I had a wonderful prayer time on the 15 minute boat ride.

Mom looked for beauty all around

~when the ducks don't fly

I posted the pictures in order of the morning events.

Fog would thin and then thicken.

The ducks could not see where to fly into.

So needless to say - no ducks, just decoys.

The sun had a really hard time burning through.

A breeze started blowing and blew the fog out.

Or at least that's what the guys said.

I enjoyed every minute ~ even savored my morning coffee.

Just don't think I'm cut out for riding the river.

The oldest son had prepared me for his change in appearance

before we arrived last week.

He had started growing his duck hunting beard back in September.

The shaving date is set for February!

 Oh, my!

The youngest tried to grow one for the week. :))

~the duck hunting make-up is lacking alot

I didn't even give it a try.

Such beautiful pictures painted

 just for our eyes to behold and enjoy.

So glad I did not miss it!

Dad enjoying his time off and time spent with his boys.

  The ride home!



Joining the others for Outdoor Wednesday

12 days + 25 years

12 days....since my last post

oh my!

 How time passes when you are having fun.

We have traveled to Louisiana during those 12 days

to visit family and enjoyed our week stay.

We returned home on Sunday with lots of

 memories, (blogging posts - can't wait to share)  pictures,

 and suitcases to unpack.

Yesterday, our first day back, we took time

 to remember the events of a special day

 that took place 25 years ago.

Our Wedding Day

November 28, 1986

Oh how the hands of the clock have moved quickly.

But, I must say alot of water has run under the bridge, too!

We've learned to love with a much deeper love

and communicate in different ways.

We shared a fun evening together.

(pizza & Wal-mart) = your morning laugh!

I have plans to prepare a nice dinner tonight...

just could not put it all together yesterday.

We are planning to celebrate our 25th

with a memorable get-away

after the first of the year.

It is such a busy time for us,
 this time of year.

Dinner Menu

Petite Dinner Rolls
Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Toasted Pecans

Cornish Hens with Lemons and Rosemary

Green Bean Bundles
Iced Lemon Tea

Chocolate Mint Brownies topped with cream

I am not promising pictures - due to food prep overload. :)

The dishes are Lynmore Golden Rose.

My grandmother gave me

 two demitasse cups with the saucers

approximately 30 years ago.

  I have collected for approximately 20 years

and now have a large collection of this pattern.

~~~

Hope you are having fun

 preparing for Christmas.

We are getting our decorations

 down from the attic tonight and

I'll be sharing my home with you.

~~~

I have missed visiting with all of you.

Hoping to play catch-up soon.

:-)

Karen

~food, fun & football

hAViNg FUN

 with the youngest son today

I took requests for the evening meal

and he suggested

Jambalaya

Zatarain's New Orleans Style

Jambalaya Mix Original

and added sausage & pre-cooked chicken

GEAUX LSU!!!

~thursday & friday nights

Thursday nights our football team
 (The Warriors - the white jerseys)
 are treated to a

home cooked sit down meal

before the game on Friday.

Last night we took our turn in helping
 prepare the meal. We prepared enough for 70+
  The menu consisted of soups, chili, and gumbo.

Guess who cooked the gumbo?

I posted the recipe last October.
 Click here if you would like the recipe.

It was a hit!!!

That's our boy!

His mama thinks he goes up against

the ones, way to big for him.

The boys are makings great memories

on Thursday & Friday nights.

Not only memories being made 

but, the guys are hearing

 important principles on Thursday nights.

They are finding they have some great role models

whom they can come to anytime &

someone who cares about them....

Last night was special,
 not only for getting to help
plan & prepare the meal,
 but Nathan was able to share with them.

He asked the boys to help him with the
 object of the game
and then he related those things
to the game of life.

Choosing the right team
&
Giving your all

Friday nights spent in the stands!

Cheering them on to victory.
 The team's fans are die-hard supporters.
Home or Away
~~~
We are 3-0 in our division.

GO WARRIORS!!!

Today is August 4, 2011



I'm not one when it comes to

 journaling, blogging, posting, sharing ...

to get silly,

too sentimental,

or simply too personal.

But, I want to share this day with you.

It started out the same as usual.

BUT,

 I hear no sounds coming from this

BECAUSE

this one

HEADED OUT TO SCHOOL!

I had to share this day,

because it is a special one!

He is in HIGH SCHOOL.

Did I forget to say

~9th Grader~

(where did the time go?)

SO NOW

it is quiet,

mom can have her

 peanut butter & banana sandwich for lunch

no cooking for the hungry boy

until dinner - (supper-time)

AND IT'S

I was in a hurry snapping the pictures against his will,

(not the best pics in the world)

but you can see his personality shining through in this

one - if you look closely!

Just hope he gets "alittle" more serious at school!

He is my Simple Pleasure today.

Full of FUN all the time!

(and his mom's getting her Senior Discount this year)

Can't you just see me asking for this when he and I go

out to eat.  Bet, I'll have to slip around to request one!

HE will crawl under the table.

Hope you day is filled with fun & laughter.

Linking to:

Mighty is our God

Recently while visiting our son,

he and I drove down to the river one evening,

and of course I haven't learned to carry

my camera everywhere I go.

He reminded me of my phone camera.

The sunset gave the side of the bridge the warmest glow.

I seemed small from where my feet stood.

A few days after arriving back home,

I transferred the picture from the phone to the computer.

As I opened the picture and saw how the

bridge was the focal point of the evening sun,

I was reminded of God's strength.

What comfort and peace we can have resting

in His might.  He is working all to our good.

Heartaches, Hardships, and Trials

require our dependence upon Him to show HIS strength.

I have faced some large, overwhelming circumstances

in my lifetime, not as great as some may have faced, but have

looked back and questioned how did I make it through?

It was my Lord and Saviour who showed His strength.

Who provided the peace in the midst of it all.

His word is so real for today.

2 Corinthians 12:9 speaks of HIS strength and power.

I've shared the following passage from The Message translation.

But HE said to me,

My grace

(my favor and loving-kindness and mercy)

is enough for you

[sufficient against any danger

 and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]:

for My strength and power are made perfect

(fulfilled and completed)

and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness

and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ

(the Messiah) may rest

(yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

Wishing you a weekend filled

with renewed strength.

Karen

Linking to the following: Spiritual Sundays, Scripture & Snapshot

Sweetness...

...the aroma was heavenly...

...juicy...

...no need for this...

I'm sure some prefer

do you eat yours with salt?

...memories from long ago...

Daddy would hold & tilt

and

I would drink the juice to my heart's tummy's content.

This is my nephew's son.

My dad would have enjoyed him so much!

Simple Pleasures

 =

Sweet Juicy Watermelon

Sweet Precious Memories

Sweet Baby "Elbow Sugar"

I'll be joining the others on Thursday

for Simple Pleasures.

Cookies & Milk + Blanket & A Nap

The recipe reads

 "Best Sugar Cookies in the World"

 and the title holds truth!

I wanted to share it with you.

This recipe was tried in my kitchen for the first time,

approximately six years ago

and it now is my stand-by!

The batter is so light and fluffy.

This cookbook is from our former church
and great recipe is included.

I must say the cookbook had two publications,

such a "big seller".

I drop mine in the little yellow bowl

 containing the sugar and roll them around.

I don't make them "perfectly round & smooth". 

  I like the fact "mama's fingerprints" can be seen.

  Do not let them turn brown,

I must say this is the secret to a soft sugar cookie.

The cookies will firm as they cool.

~~~

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." Barbara Jordan

~~~

 

I had fun preparing these for my guys this past weekend.

My nest was full for Mother's Day!

Our boys having fun with dad.

Mother's Day 2011