A bit of whimsy

As I was going through my computer today after it had to be reloaded (post crash). Thank you to my son for fixing it for me. Anyway I came across a project I did a long time ago that always brings a smile to my face so I thought that I would share it with you all.

It all started as the church I was attending at the time was hosting a Christmas party where each table is hosted by someone different and it is your pleasure to decorate your table in a style all your own. All the ladies were sitting down and talking about the event and that it was not supposed to be a competition but to have fun. I decided to do something totally out of the box and the project was born.


The little houses started out as simple plain brown cardboard.

It is amazing what we can do when we allow ourselves to think in a way that is different from our normal course. What evolved through this process was so much fun. Something I had not allowed myself to have in such a long time. It appeared that I had just been taking life so seriously that I truly needed this.


The plates are painted bamboo plates with clear plastic on top to eat off of.

On several occasions I have gotten this set out just for fun for a lunch with friends. We really do need to have fun.

These are simple whimsical ornaments attached with pipecleaners hidden by the small white fur. The candle holders are filled with plastic crystals and topped with a round candle.

We should always try to allow our creative side to be nourished. Life is meant to be lived in color so why is that we insist on black and white.

What are you chasing?

I have entered a very different season of life. I find myself asking some very hard questions. As our entire family has entered a year of transition it is only fitting to look at my own life and ask my self if I am going in the direction that will yield fruit? Am I on the path that God has called me to? I find that over the past year I have been cleaning out both heart and home. I find that I have had to let go of relationships both friend and family that were only one way energy drains. What I mean to say is that a relationship should be an exchange of life not just a drain out to one party.

I have let go of groups that I have been teaching and am even considering come changes to my company. I truly have peace about the decisions but it does beg the question...what am I chasing?

I am chasing the will of God, the perfect peace of our Lord. I want to be used as a vessel. I long to teach young women how to become productive Home Managers. how to embrace a way of life that will render them great joy. I yearn to help people find first that you must clean out your heart before you will ever be able to tackle your kitchen table.

So I challenge each of you to consider what is it that you are chasing. Are you chasing your tail like a dog? Are you chasing someone elses' dreams? Perhaps you are sitting idly by waiting on someone to come along and tell you what to do.

I say leave the drawing board and take action.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Since childhood homemade cinnamon rolls have marked the arrival of fall.

This is the dough after the first rise. The bowl was a wedding gift my mother started out homemaking with.



After the first rise I roll out the dough and do a melted butter wash then  sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture with just a hint of nutmeg. Roll it up and then slice it in 3/4 " slices and place in a 9-13 pan.  Sometimes I make a special pecan a sugar glaze to place them on top of in the pan....crunchy goodness.                                 

Here they are piping hot out of the oven glazed with a cream cheese icing with a hint of almond extract.

I have made hundreds of these over the years. The recipe originated in a little town in Kansas from a very special lady named Elsie....

 

Happy Fall ya'll !!!

On Your Mark...Get Ready...Get Set...GO !!!!

If you are like most people this announcement makes you think you are at the races. Spectator or runner this gets your adrenaline pumping. It is exciting to cheer someone on to do their best. That is my goal here to cheer you on to do your best.

Every home must have a manager. Sometimes this happens by default, but someone must manage. If this task has fallen to you or if you have chosen it I want to encourage you in knowing that you have the most important role in life. You possess the skill to help each and every family member in your home have a positive “Launch” into the day.

In order for us to do our best we must be at our best. We need to launch from a platform that sets us up for accomplishment.

What is the “Mark”?  The “Mark” is your destination for each and every day. Where do you need to be? What do you need to do? How are you going to do it? Why does it need to be done?

What is “Get Ready”?  “Get Ready” simply means you must be prepared to hit your “Mark”. What tools do you need? How much time do you need? What training do you need? Will you need help?

What is “Get Set”? “Get Set” means to hold fast don’t get ahead of yourself. To have a solid “Launch” you must do so from a solid foundation of preparedness. Then hold steady, don’t jump the gun, listen, wait for it…….

GO GO GO

I challenge you to remove you and your family from the high speed race track and place them gently in a foot race. Ask yourself the questions as I have asked them above.

Do you know your “Mark”? 

Are you willing to put the work in to “Get Ready”?

Will you choose to slow down and wait for the right timing so that can “Get Set”?

Before you blow the whistle or fire the fun or shout out the “Go” signal….make sure you have plan that helps you to “Launch” you and your family from a solid daily platform that sets you up for success.

If you fail to plan you have planned to fail.

You can do it….hang in there…practice makes perfect…don’t give up…the hardest things in life are hard work and well worth it.

We can not have a gourmet life on a drive thru investment.