Friday's Fave Five- May 29, 2009

It's time for Friday's Fave Five, a time to reflect and look back on my week.

1. As I've said before I love fresh flowers. Last Friday, I found this bouquet marked down to $1.99. I had to have them! Also, I wanted you to see my candlesticks. I picked these babies up at a yard sale and bought new globes to put in them. Total cost for the pair? $4!

2. On Saturday, my class had a barbecue at my friends' home. Here's some random shots of the group. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of Michael and Merrie and me.

Pastor and Wayne

Steve and Kenton

Glenda and Paula

Carrie

Lisa

Thanks, Paula and Kenton for hosting us. You did an awesome job. Time with friends, priceless!

3. On Monday, Memorial Day, Jim and I took our bikes down to the levee around one of the small beautiful lakes in our area. We rode an estimated 6 miles. I took several great photos, but Blogger is being very slow today so I only had time to load two:

The levee road we were riding on.

Queen Anne's lace near the lake.

Riding my bikes AND getting some good photos, totally one of my faves.

4. Thursday was my oldest daughter's 23rd birthday. Elissa's birthday is always one of my favorite days because that was the day I finally became a mom after 10 years of trying! (Sorry, no photos of this event.)

5. Strawberries: All week, we've been feasting on strawberries. The girls have become hooked on strawberry lemonade. Jim's favorite way to enjoy these treasures is crushed over angel food cake. I like to simply dip the berry in sugar and munch. What's your favorite way to eat strawberries?

If you'd like to join us, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story and share your week.

Thankful Thursday - Hearing God's Voice

Just the other day, I was thinking about why it was so difficult to determine God's voice amongst the myriad of voices vying for our attention in today's world. Then I found out the topic for this week's Thankful Thursday challenge is about that very thing. Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage (Thankful Thursday's hostess this month) suggests that a drawback to hearing God's voice may be a lack of obedience.

After mulling this over, I have to agree. Why should God tell you something else when you haven't done the first thing He told you?

At my first church office that I worked in, we had a standing joke. When Pastor Dale would come in, he'd ask, "Has my fax from God come in yet telling me what to do?" I'd reply with a straight face, "No, no fax yet." "Well, then I better go into the sanctuary and pray," he'd say. And he would do it. (A lot of people say they need to go pray and never do it. He always did.)

Really, I think that is the key. Of course, God could make it easy for us to hear His voice, but He'd rather we take the time to seek Him and know that we KNOW we had heard from God.

What if you've prayed and prayed and still don't seem to hear God's voice regarding your situation? I think that means to stop right there and wait. God's timing is perfect and He will let us know when the time is right.

Now, on to my thankful list:

• 23 years ago today, I became a mom for the first time to an amazing girl! Elissa has brought us so much joy over the years. She has truly been a gift from God and I am thankful that I get to be her mom.
• I'm thankful I obeyed God's promptings over the years and took the jobs that He arranged for me leading me to where I am today - secretary to two of the greatest church families ever!
• I'm also thankful that years ago I prayed for the Lord to lead me to a Christian boy I could date, and as you can guess, that boy became my hubby of 33 years.
  

To read other thankful hearts, visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Tasty Tuesday - Honey Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin

This weekend, we fired up the grill for the first time of the season. Of course, we made the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, but also one of my favorites, Honey Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin. I especially love to take slices of the tenderloin and add to a salad. It makes a great meal!

Honey Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

1/4 C Kraft Catalina Dressing, divided

1 large Pork Tenderloin (1 lb.)

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves

1 TBSP honey

Brush 2 tbsp. of the dressing over the pork. Mix dry ingredients; rub onto pork. Let stand 10 mins. or refrigerate up to 24 to marinate.

Preheat grill to medium heat. Place pork on grill; cover. Grill 20 mins. turning occasionally.

Mix remaining 2 tbsp. dressing and honey. Brush some of the honey mixture over pork. Continue grilling 5 to 10 mins. turning and brushing with honey mixture until pork is cooked through (160 F). Let stand, covered with foil, for a few minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings. (Recipe from Kraft's Food and Family Magazine)

For other great recipes, head over to Jen's site, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

Friday's Fave 5 - May 22, 2009

Another Friday has rolled around, so it's time for Friday's Fave Five - a look back at our week through listing five of our favorite things.

The week started out with some troubling issues to work through. When you have a week like that, it is sometimes hard to think about favorite things. If you really think about it, though, you can find lots of good things even in the midst of trying times.

1. Among the issues we had to deal with over the weekend was the installation of our new vanity and sink. All these years, we have only had a very small pedestal-type sink in our bathroom. Finally! A new vanity with a top where I could lay my glasses down when washing my face! That part was a favorite. The part where the sink had a couple holes in the part the drain fit into? Not so favorite ... We had purchased the sink and vanity at a town over 45 miles away, so we had to schlepp the sink back and exchange it.

2. The bright spot of the day? Since we had to travel to take back the sink, we figured we might as well stop at our favorite pizza place. Their specialty pizza with the unusual ingredient of apple slices is to die for!

3. On Tuesday, our daughters' school hosted their annual Spring Concert that showcases the band and chorus. I like going every year to watch my daughter perform, naturally, but also it is fun to see how the kids have grown and their wacky outfits (and their families' attire as well). It is amazing to me what people will wear in public!

4. All week, the hubby and I have been trying to work into our schedule bike rides with our new bikes. Last night, we rode 5 miles on our bikes. I think that's a pretty good start! As we rode along, the air was filled with the fragrance of honeysuckle. An added bonus!

5. New favorite quote: "Your faith has no influence if you don't have a lovewalk." -Joyce Meyer. This was timely for me to hear. No matter how upsetting circumstances may be, I must walk in love if I want to influence others for Christ.

Join Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story and read more favorites.

Thankful Thursday - Nature

Today's theme at Thankful Thursday is being thankful for nature.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I am so thankful for the beauties of nature! I love nothing better than photos of flowers and landscapes showing the beauties that God has made. It's so spectacular! He could have just created the earth with the bare necessities to sustain life, but He went way beyond that. Our God is an extravagant God!

I do not understand how people can actually believe that all this beauty "evolved." When you consider:

the beautiful sunsets ...

the awe-inspiring oceans and beaches ...

gorgeous flowers (and so many different kinds!) ...

lush trees and cool inviting forests ...

the mighty rivers and green hills ...

azure blue skies and white fluffy clouds ...

the fields and grasses ...

How can you not believe there is a God? I think of this scripture:

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20

I am so appreciative of the beautiful world God has created for us to enjoy. I will forever be grateful. Just imagine the wonders we will see in Heaven if it's so wonderful here on earth!

You'll find other posts about thankfulness at Lynn's Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Tasty Tuesday - Chop Suey

It's time for Tasty Tuesday, a blog carnival featuring, what else? Food! Today I thought I would share another classic recipe from when I was growing up.

This recipe is one my mom used during my teen years. Since we hardly ever ate Chinese food, this was an exotic recipe for our family.

CHOP SUEY

1 chicken

2 TBSP flour

1/3 stick butter

3 slices bacon (chopped)

2 bunches celery (cut in 2"pieces)

1 onion finely chopped

1 can bean sprouts

Boil chicken and cut in pieces. Reserving liquid for stock. Melt butter in frying pan, add flour and brown. Add chopped bacon, onion, and celery. Cook until soft.

Add bean sprouts, chicken, and 1 cup stock. Cook until sauce is reduced and all ingredients well blended. Serve over rice.

Mom and my sister are coming to the midwest to visit me next month. I think I'll serve them this dish and see if it sparks any memories!

Join Jen at Balancing Bedlam and Beauty for more yummy recipes.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 18, 2009

FOR TODAY, MAY 18 EDITION...

Outside my window... glorious sunshine and slightly cool temperatures. It's just the way I like it!

I am thinking... that even though my weekend was tiring and troubling, I can stand on Romans 8:28, and feel comforted that all will work out well in the end:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

I am thankful for... God's word that gets me through troubling times.

From the kitchen... I'm planning on grilling a pork tenderloin sometime this week. I don't know if today is the day or not. Also, I'm doing an apple pie for my hubby!

I am wearing... one of my favorite dresses, brown with mauve flowers.

I am creating... a new look in our bathroom.

I am going... wherever He leads!

I am reading...(still) "It Takes So Little to Be Above Average" by Florence Littauer. I'm getting a lot of good ideas from the book.

I am hoping... to influence my world for Christ.

I am hearing... silence.

Around the house... a few little routine things need to be done.

One of my favorite things... fresh cut flowers (see my picture thought below.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: bike riding, organizing, studying.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Gorgeous Irises!

Join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to read other daybooks.

Friday's Fave Five- May 15, 2009

Yay! It's Friday! It's time to reflect on our week and decide our 5 Favorite Things:

1. Sunday was Mother's Day! This is now one of my favorite days of the year, but it wasn't always so. When I was struggling with infertility for 10 years, Mother's Day celebrations became painful to me. When I finally became a Mother, my first Mother's Day was spent in a hospital! That's right. Can you believe it? My daughter caught an eye infection (paraorbital oculitis, I believe it was called) and she had to be in the hospital on IV's for 6 days. Since she was only 11 months old, I stayed with her night and day, and that's how I spent my first Mother's Day. Since then, Mother's Day has become a highlight of the year. I always get to go out to eat, and for the last couple years, we take my mother-in-law out on Saturday for Mother's Day, so I get two meals out!

2. My second favorite thing is my new bike. This is my Mother's Day present from my hubby. I know it's just a bike with no speeds and coaster brakes, but that is what I'm most comfortable riding. And it's true, y'all, that once you've learned to ride a bike, you can get back on and ride one no matter how many years later it is.


Here she is, my new Huffy blue bike. My very first bicycle was also a blue Huffy!

3. My next favorite? Fresh flowers! And even better, free fresh flowers! A couple ladies at the church were discussing their gardens. I chimed in with saying that is why I love my digital camera - a non-gardener like me can enjoy someone else's flowers without all that labor. An hour later, one of the ladies came back to the church with a big bouquet of flowers for me!

A closeup of peonies and iris blossoms


Fresh flowers for my desk

4. My newest favorite quote:

"A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue."
Thomas Brooks

Instead of always saying what you think others want to hear, sanctify (or set apart) your heart. Don't be like everyone else! Set your heart's desires on God.

5. Thursday night: My hubby and I put down a new bathroom floor. It's definitely a favorite because the old one had been there since 1981! I'm sore, though, from crawling around on my knees as we laid the tile ...

Would you like to hear how everyone else's week went? Join the crew over at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story!

Thankful Thursday - Wisdom

This week's topic: What wisdom has God given you recently about a situation or relationship? How has His wisdom changed your life? What is your favorite scripture about wisdom?

My favorite scripture regarding wisdom is this:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 NIV

Isn't it great? If we don't know how to handle something, we can ask God who is willing to help us - and He won't make us feel bad about needing help!

I'm so thankful that He generously helps me no matter how many times I ask. I'm the parent of three teenage and young adult daughters - I have to ask for help all the time!

To read other thankful posts, visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Six Unimportant Favorite Things

I was tagged by RealMomma over at A Real Momma's Daybook for this little meme, Six Unimportant Favorite Things. I'm kind of amused at the idea because, let me tell you, my favorite things are important to me! So, I guess perhaps what is meant favorite things that you could live without if you had to do so.

Here are my six in random order, because random is what we do at my household.

1. Index cards. They are so useful. I use them for all kinds of things - leaving notes for the kids to tell them to unload the dishwasher, scripture memorization cards, lists, bookmarks, etc. I could go on and on. Another good thing about index cards is that they are cheap!

2. I have certain favorite fonts that I like to use on the computer. No Times New Roman for me. I like Arial or Verdana for most of my writing.

3. I like earrings that are dangly or else hoops. No post earrings for me. I mean, what's the point of wearing earrings if your hair covers them? I wear earrings every day. I might forget to wear a necklace or a bracelet but I must wear earrings.

4. Cappucino Moo-Lattes at Dairy Queen. They. are. the. bomb. I'm just sayin'.

5. Straws. I like a straw in every glass of whatever I drink. (Even milk.)

6. Nail polish. I must have nail polish on my toes or I don't feel right.

Well, there you have it. My six unimportant favorites. Although, stubbornly, I think they're important and I don't want to be without them.

Ok, now it's time to tag six other bloggers. The thing is, I don't know many bloggers ... so I hope that these will be glad I tagged them!

1. Theresa at Seeking Peace and Pursuing It.
2. Karen at Surviving Motherhood.
3. Gwendolyn at All's Fair in Love and Chocolate.
4. Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.
5. Karyn at Musings from Me.


Here are the rules. Mention the person who tagged you, list your six Unimportant Favorite things, and then tag six other bloggers.

WFMW-Kitchen Essentials-Tableware

Today is the last installment of my Kitchen Essentials series. The point of having a kitchen well-stocked with good quality tools is to enable the homemaker to prepare nourishing meals for the family. Now let's talk about the presentation of that meal.

The family table is an important place to not only eat but fellowship with each other. Numerous studies suggest that eating together as a family helps children as they grow up. I really like a slogan that Leanne Ely, the Dinner Diva, uses, "You're feeding souls, not holes."

Keeping that in mind, I think it is important to set an attractive table when serving meals. I think you need the following:

1. Placemats - I like to have an assortment of placements. You can change the look of a table setting drastically with different placemats. Wal-Mart sells them cheap! Of course, you can find them at yard sales and thrift stores, but it may be difficult to find matching sets.

2. Dishes - If you're just setting up a kitchen, I recommend getting a good plain white set of dishes. You can vary the look by using different placemats and glassware. My favorite brand of dishes? Hands down, it's Corelle! They last forever and clean up well. My first set of Corelle looks as good as the day I got it - 33 years ago!

Now, I love dishes and I have several sets that I have collected over the years. Out of the 6 sets I currently own, four of them are Corelle. I have had stoneware sets before, but for day in and day out use, I just think they're too heavy. If you have your kids unload them out of the dishwasher for you, stoneware is too heavy for them to bang around. My Corelle holds up to what the kids can dish out!

3. Napkins - I do have paper napkins, but when I want my table to look nice, I like to use cloth. It's very green to have cloth napkins and you can make them out of all sorts of materials. Here is a post I wrote earlier about making them out of sheets.

4. Glassware - again, if you are just setting up a kitchen, get clear glasses that will go with everything. Later on, if you have room you can collect different sets to vary the look of your table.

5. Serving bowls and platters - The other day, my 22 year old said, "Mom, you're the only one I know that puts the meal in serving bowls. All my friends just leave the food in pots on the stove and have everyone go get their own food on their plate." I think serving the food on the table makes for a nice presentation, plus it requires manners for the children to learn to pass the bowls and to ask for what they need.

6. Candles! I have used candles for years to make my table look nice; however, I have been challenged recently to step up on my candle use. Here is a post by Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam explaining the importance of candles and the ambiance they create.

If you want the family mealtime to be memorable, then work on having a pleasing presentation. It will add so much to the wonderful food you slaved over to feed your loved ones.

Here are some examples of simple every day dinner settings. (I didn't include the accessories for when you are having a seven course meal!)

My first set of Corelle!

My favorite set of Corelle!

Here are examples using white plates:

Every day place setting.


Fall place setting.

Christmas place setting.


Winter place setting. (Set for my leftie)

A beautifully set table works for me!

For other great ideas, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family!

Tasty Tuesday - Granny's Orange Salad

Today, I'd like to share with you an old family favorite from my Granny's table. Granny loved to entertain, and people loved to come to her house for dinner. She just made you feel like you were her most special guest ever.


When Granny had company, she always had at least two main dishes - just in case her guests didn't like one thing, there'd be another choice. When chided about making so much food, she'd always say that she wouldn't have to cook the rest of the week. She could just eat leftovers - or "leave-overs" as she called them. In reality, most of those "leave-overs" made their way into her guests hands as they were leaving.

She lived in a humble little home, and she had a little bit of a clutter problem, yet you always felt comfortable and "at home" at her place. Practicing hospitality even if you don't have the best of everything was her example to me.

This pictures was taken in the 70's at a family picnic.

Here is one of her favorite things to serve:

ORANGE SALAD

1 pkg. Orange Jello

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

1 small can mandarin oranges, drained

1 small carton Cool Whip

1 small carton cottage cheese (small curd)

Fruit should be thoroughly drained. Mix dry jello mix with cottage cheese and fruit. Add Cool Whip, then chill.

The salad tasted even better the second day.

If you'd like to see more great recipes and kitchen tips, visit Jen at Balancing Bedlam and Beauty.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 11, 2009

FOR TODAY... MAY 11th EDITION

Outside my window... cars passing by on their way to work ...

I am thinking... of ways I can show love to my family, friends, and people that God puts in my path.

I am thankful for... my family. Years ago, Mother's Day was painful for me because I couldn't have children. Then God blessed me with 3 daughters and turned my tears into joy!

From the kitchen... crock pot barbecue, stuffed potato skins, baked beans and corn on the cob.

I am wearing... black pants, black, fuschia & white top, white earrings, and silver bracelet (Mother's Day gifts!)

I am creating... nothing at the moment, but there are ideas simmering on the back burner of my mind.

I am going... to keep on keeping on.

I am reading... "It Takes So Little to Be Above Average" by Florence Littauer. I've just started this book but the idea seems to be about putting a little more effort into things. That seems a revolutionary idea because it seems to me that most people try to avoid extra effort!

I am hoping... for more wisdom in the area of teaching my Sunday School class. I'm excited because the Word promises that if we ask for wisdom, He will give it liberally!

I am hearing... the hum of the fan. Soon it will be the sound of the air conditioner compresser!

Around the house...things are pretty well under control ...

One of my favorite things...comments from my readers!

A few plans for the rest of the week: continuing with my fitness goals, some bike riding, working earlier in the week with preparing my lesson (something I struggle with a lot!).

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My Mother's Day gifts dressed for Prom!

If you'd like to share your thoughts with us, join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Friday's Fave Five - May 8, 2009

How quickly Friday rolls around again! It's been a busy week, as usual, and here are the highlights:

1. On Monday, I went to my daughter's church with her for a special meeting. It was a very interesting night. The theme of the message was having God's Word in you. This is a topic I'm very passionate about. I feel that too many believers don't study the Word to know what they believe!

2. Tuesday was a beautiful day here in the heartland of America. My hubby and I drove around just enjoying the scenery. Here's a photo I took while we traveled down a road called "Wolf Creek." As I've said before, I love photos of paths, roads, or trails.

Don't you just want to see what's at the end of that road?

Earlier in the day, I snapped a photo of this field overrun by weeds. But they're such pretty weeds:

I just love what God has created!

3. Wednesday was a good day for me because I had the day off. I spent it doing one of my favorite things - organizing and de-cluttering. Things had gotten out of control in a couple areas of my home and I had to do something! I had a list of 14 things to do and accomplished 10 of them. Marking those things off my list felt good!

4. On Thursday, I attended a concert that the community college puts on every year. They invite high school students from all over the region to participate in the concert. Both my younger daughters were invited. I go every year to this event and I love it. Something about 200 young people singing together just lifts my heart. The awesome thing is that they do a selection of religious songs. In this day and time, seeing a school let students sing about God is amazing! It could probably only happen in the heartland ...

5. I'm still working on my fitness goals. I'm up to 16 minutes a day on my trampoline. I'm working on drinking more water. Yesterday I drank 74 ounces. Go me!

So. How was your week? Why not share how things went for you this week at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story.

Thankful Thursday - I'm Thankful for Mom

The topic today at Thankful Thursday is being thankful for Mom.

My mom was at stay-at-home mom in a spiritually unequal marriage. What's worse is that for many years my father was an alcoholic. For most of her married life, she lived a thousand miles away from most of her family. A lot of the time, she had no vehicle, so she was stuck at home with three kids.

Yet, I don't remember her being particularly depressed or resentful over her lot in life. Yes, there were times she was angry with my dad, and we knew it, but she didn't hold grudges or make the atmosphere around the home uncomfortable.

Looking back, I realize that our home was our haven, a shelter from the world. It's remarkable when I think of it because life with an alcoholic is anything but peaceful. Women really do influence the atmosphere of home, so it was because of my mom that it always felt good to come home.

She kept our home running smoothly, but the two main things that I remember that she always did was serve a hot meal at the dinner table every night of our lives, and take us to church every Sunday morning without fail.

It would have been so easy for her to not go to church. When your husband doesn't go, you can come up with all kinds of reasons to stay home. Yet she didn't give in to temptation. She was determined to raise her kids in church. And it paid off. Her husband did quit drinking and got saved and went to church with her the rest of his life, and today all three of her children are involved in church.

I'm so thankful that I had a mom who hung in there when times were tough and set the example for me. I'm sure her reward in heaven is going to be great!


If you'd like to hear about other moms, visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Works For Me Wednesday-Cheap Moisturizer

In honor of WFMW's Frugal Edition, I am reposting one of my earlier tips describing what may be one of the cheapest things I do! I've been thinking about it and I think this may cost me $3.90 for an entire year ...

Today's Work For Me Wednesday tip may be one you've heard before, but it's a frugal one that bears repeating.

After a shower, before drying off, I use baby oil. It's awesome! I just spread some on, towel off, and ooh-la-la, soft skin!

Seriously, baby oil is a cheap moisturizer -- I just use a store brand that costs $1.89 in my area -- and it lasts a long time. It also makes your tan look richer and seem to last longer. For a paleface like me, that's a bonus!

It works for me.

To learn more exciting tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

What's On Your Mind '09

Today at "What's On Your Mind, '09" we are talking about busting the myth that Christianity is all about being a good person.

The first thought that came to my mind when I was considering this topic was this scripture:

"...for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles,

that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: "

Romans 3:9-10 KJV

and,

"But we are all as an unclean thing,

and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ..."

Isaiah 64:6 KJV

We've all sinned, none of us are good. Even on our best day, when we've done everything right, we're still not holy and pure enough to meet God's exacting standard. Our actions might be right but the intent of our heart is often wrong.

"The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

Well then, what's a girl to do?

God knew we couldn't earn our way into heaven, so He provided a way - Jesus!

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:6 KJV

In this day of political correctness, we want to believe that there are many ways to get to Heaven, but it's just not true. There is one way and His name is Jesus.

My Sunday School class has been studying Galatians. The Galatian church wanted to believe that a person must keep the Mosaic law and believe in Jesus to go to Heaven. There is something inside of man (pride) that wants to be in control of his own destiny and earn his way into heaven. Here is what Saint Paul had to say:

"... if keeping the law could make us right with God,

then there was no need for Christ to die."

Galatians 2:21 NLT

Christianity is not about being a good person. It's about needing a Savior, repenting and asking Him to live in our hearts. Then when God looks at us, He doesn't see our sin, He sees Jesus!

To find out what others had to say on this topic, visit Shane at Heart Reflections.

20 Of My Favorite Things

1. Color-burgundy

2. Dessert-Texas Sheet Cake, or is it No-Bake Cookies ... anything chocolate!

3. Smell-orange blossoms

4. Flower-impatiens

5. Animal-parakeet

6. Month-May

7. Beverage-McDonald's sweet tea

8. Pair of shoes-currently...black sandals with kitten heels

9. Snack-currently... pecans and raisins

10. Song-currently..."For All the Days That End in Why" by Poet Voices

11. Book-all time favorite: "Sophie's Heart" by Lori Wick

12. Fruit-grapes

13. Hairstyle-chin length swing

14. Piece of clothing-currently...tunic that has brown, lime green and white designs

15. Store to clothes shop-J.C. Penney's

16. Season-Spring

17. Hobby-scrapbooking

18. Thing to collect-angels, houses and churches

19. Movie-Second Hand Lions

20. Restaurant-O'Charley's

Want to share your favorites? Link up at Peggy's Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 4, 2009

FOR TODAY, MAY 4th Edition...

Outside my window...

sunshine! And I thought the forecast said mostly cloudy.

I am thinking...

that this is such a wonderful time of year!

I am thankful for...

my kids being healthy.

From the kitchen...

spaghetti and garlic bread.

I am wearing...

black pinstripe pants, black shoes and accessories with a coral pink tunic.

I am creating...

order out of chaos. (This is my favorite answer and an on-going project!)

I am going...

to take a day off Wednesday. I'm so looking forward to it.

I am reading...

"The Painting" a book containing 4 novellas about a painting that is passed from generation to generation. It's pretty interesting ...

I am hoping...

to continue meeting my fitness goals.

I am hearing...

the tick-tock of the clock.

Around the house...

dusting and cleaning up my launch pad and desk. (OK, I didn't get it done last week!)

One of my favorite things...

checking things off my to-do list.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

tonight I'm visiting my daughter's church for a revival meeting, as I said Wednesday is a day off, and Saturday, we're taking my mother-in-law to Kentucky for a catfish dinner to celebrate Mother's Day.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My three chicas in their prom finery.

To read other daybooks, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Sunday Dinner Rolls

I'm linking up this post with Tasty Tuesday's Parade of Foods over at Jen's Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. There's a ton of great recipes over there!

Recently, I've been posting regarding Kitchen Essentials. In my last post, I shared how I love my bread machine so much that I've worn one completely out and am on my second one. I use the bread machine mainly for pizza dough and dinner rolls. I've been asked to share my dinner roll recipe.

Sunday Dinner Rolls (in the Bread Machine)

Assemble in the following order:

1 C warm milk (I nuke mine for 1 minute.)

1 egg

¼ C Crisco

¼ C sugar

3½ C flour (I just use all-purpose flour.)

1 tsp. salt

2¼ tsp. yeast

Set machine on your dough cycle.

Once cycle is complete, turn dough out on a flour-covered plate or cutting board. Shape rolls - I pull out a handful of dough, pat it out into an oval and then fold over. Place in greased pan. Let rise for at least 30 minutes in a warm place. (I preheat my oven to 250°, then turn the oven off when I put the pan of rolls inside.) Then bake at 450° for approxitmately 15 mins.

Yum!

This makes approximately 2 dozen rolls.

Sometimes, if the whole family is not going to be home for dinner when I serve rolls, I form all of the dough into rolls, but I freeze half of the recipe and save to thaw out, rise and bake for later. Nothing like fresh, hot bread!

Friday's Fave Five- May 1, 2009

It's Friday! Time once again to share 5 favorite things from our week

1. Last week, I mentioned that I had a "free Saturday" coming up. My hubby and I chose to take a drive to one of our state parks in our area. We went to the lake where there is a walking trail and found a bench to sit on and just enjoy the breeze.

I always enjoy pictures of paths or roads because you can always imagine where the trail leads. In this case, this path went along the lake and those are some fishermen (or fisherkids) at the end of this path.

Here is the view of the lake from our bench. Aaahhh, it was so relaxing! Enjoying the fresh air and resting are totally some of my favorite things to do.

2. Later that same day, I used my new oven for the first time and made apple coffee cake from Jen's recipe at Balancing Bedlam and Beauty. You can find her recipe here.

Trying new recipes equals one of my favorite things!

3. On Sunday, I made something new for our all church fellowship that is held after evening worship every last Sunday of the month. I got this idea from a lady who comes to the church I work for full-time. Little mint sandwiches that look like mini burgers! Here is a shot of one beside my coffee mug so that you can see how mini they look:

These are mint patties layered on vanilla wafers. Frosting tinted to look like mustard and ketchup holds the concoction together. On top, I brushed clear corn syrup on to hold on the sesame seeds.

At the fellowship, everyone was impressed with them and they were eaten quickly. Making something everyone likes is one of my favorite things to do!

4. I've worked up to 15 minutes a day on my mini-trampoline. Reaching a goal is definitely a favorite. Next week: 20 minutes a day.

5. I've been enjoying my latest manicure, acrylic nails with white tips. It's my favorite.

Share your week with us! Join Susanne at Living to Tell the Story and tell us your favorites.