Monday, March 30, 2015

BABY STEPS...

I've gotten started on my DECLUTTERING at last!  Been thinking about it and even reading books, articles and pinning things on Pinterest about it! Last week I spent some time in my closet and donated about 30 articles of clothing I no longer wear.  I also decided to do a "small project," the kitchen craft cabinet!  I figure little successes will give me confidence.  :)

Don't fail me friends, tell how good this looks:

Before

 Oh, the mess to go through!
 And even more.
After:  What do you think?  

Just in case you were wondering, I did employ the KEEP, GIVE, TOSS method.  I also asked myself the same question like in my clothes closet - Have I used this in the last year?  It helped me a lot.  I did end up doing this on two different days so we ate outside on the patio, so the Hubs was okay with it all over the kitchen table.  Now on to bigger messes! And I've got 'em....


Friday, March 27, 2015

PRACTICALLY PERFECT IS NOT FOR ME...

We just spent a few days in  Celebration, Florida and I now know that"perfect" destination spots are not for me.  We stayed here because it's beautiful and was close to a conference my husband was attending.  I thought I would love being in Disney's planned community but it was just a little too fake for me.

Ok, I admit the hotel muffins were amazing!

Besides the walking trails in the area, these were the best thing about the hotel.  It was beautiful but lacked personality.  I wasn't comfortable there.  I wasn't really comfortable in the town at all.  Not a lot of shops - just restaurants.  Maybe it is the best thing ever for some, but not for me.

New Smyrna Beach, however, is a different story.  On a whim I got my husband to drive over there for the afternoon.  It was a little over an hour away.  I did a little internet research and found out about a few things I thought we'd like.  I found some good shopping on Canal Street and enjoyed The Hub.

 From there we walked a block and ate at Dolphin View restaurant, right on the water.  In fact, they were cleaning the fish right there beside the restaurant and the pelicans were lined up to get a bite!
We didn't see any dolphins but it was still a pretty view!
 This was in the back of the restaurant by the restrooms - loved it - reminded me of the 70's!
Then as we were walking back to our car, I saw this on the bench.  I had to take a picture and message it to my son because when he was little he thought it was funny to take one of his sister's Barbie dolls, take the clothes off and wrap it and give it to her for her birthday - his original gag gift!



Finally, we drove over the bridge and took a little walk on the beach.  I loved it even though it was cold!  Lots of old hotels here in New Smyrna Beach.  The ice cream shop was stuck in time too - it was called Frozen Gold.  Everything just reminded me of when I was growing up in the 1970's!  

So for me, give me an interesting town any day over a practically perfect town.  



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

AN EVENING IN EPCOT...

I don't know how we got this lucky 2 years in a row...getting in free to Disney!  Our niece is working there now in the Disney College Program, so we met up with her, rode some rides, ate in Morocco, and watched the fireworks!  

Actually, we shopped at the outlet mall a little before picking her up at her apartment, and we bumped into her at a store with her roommate!  Great minds shop alike.  :)
Maybe you already knew this, but I didn't!  Disney has finally let Starbucks into their parks! The Hubs was pretty happy about it since he goes there nearly every day! ( I know, I know...but a guy who offices out of our house most of the time has to get out!)
My niece and I by one of the beautiful flower towers during Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival.
NEMO!


Sunday, March 22, 2015

I'M GLAD IT'S OKAY...


  On vacation I saw this sign for sale in a shop and couldn't resist taking a picture!  Love it.

Friday, March 20, 2015

GREEN APPRECIATION...

It just so happened this year that I was in Florida for St. Patrick's Day...and I was appreciating the greenness of it!  Maybe it was because I was a Girl Scout...but I love the lush greens and walking and taking in nature!  We stayed in Celebration, Florida because my husband had a conference nearby.  Celebration is known as a Disney-planned community and it is really beautiful.  They have lots of ponds and small lakes, walking trails, boardwalks through some thick forests, and some beautiful neighborhoods to walk through...and I did that for three mornings in a row...

Come and enjoy Celebration!


























 Yikes!  Saw more than one of these during our stay!








Monday, March 16, 2015

PRETTY TABLESCAPES...

Thursday was our last Bible study for the school year and last luncheon!  We always let each group decorate their own table and it's fun to see what everyone does!  I forgot to take pictures before it started so they were already starting to be used if they look a little messed up...






Looks like everyone is thinking about springtime!

This was one of my favorites - I just love the contrast!
These were on the black table, made by the leader.  They are memo blocks.  She also gave each of us  group leaders one as well!  Really cute.




Here's my group table - shhh...don't tell I used the same decor from last year since I had exactly nine plates leftover last time!  I used doilies that were donated to the Women's Ministry over a blue runner and burlap tablecloth.  All my group members were new so I don't think they knew....

I did make these flatware holders out of a paper doily and brown kraft paper.  I wrote on it the scripture from Mark 4 about the parable of the mustard seed.

That's all, folks!



Thursday, March 12, 2015

SPRING REFRESHER...

Lots of fun and an upbeat spring theme was going on Tuesday evening at our church RefresHER!






 The class that hosted this time focused on both physical and spiritual fitness! We even ate a healthy menu:  Chicken kebobs on lettuce, brown rice, fruit and strawberry shortcake.  Oh, and pita with hummus! Love that stuff!  

They asked our Body & Soul exercise class to come and do a demonstration- here's our leaders!
 We had fun even though we felt a little like we were "performers."  We got the whole crowd to join in as we stretched at the end.  So it was different, but lots of fun!




Tuesday, March 10, 2015

NERVOUS...



Seems I can always find something to blog about!  Even with three BIG kids, I find their lives interesting and they don't mind me occasionally sharing about something they are doing.  There's always a new recipe to try and post my opinions about.  Lots of fun activities to share.  But something I don't post often is my TRUE thoughts and feelings.  This week finds me a little nervous.  Lots of activities happening, things I am responsible for, and that puts me on edge.

All of these events revolve around women so I guess there's always a chance for DRAMA.  RefresHER has a record breaking registration this time with 250 women coming tonight, and that's great!  A little scary, too.  I am facilitating a new class on Wednesday night at church, and Thursday morning I have Bible study year-end class and our big group luncheon and then I'm hosting my Bunko group that evening!  Not to mention my son is hosting a dinner for 12 at our home Wednesday night (He says he will help me cook).  AaAaAUuUGgGHHh!  Sorry, just had to release some tension.

This morning this scenario came to mind.  In Luke 10, Jesus is going to the home of Mary and Martha to have a meal.  I believe these two women really knew and understood possibly more about Jesus than some of his own disciples who were with him constantly.  Call it women's intuition.  Martha wanted to make everything perfect for the Lord.  What did He say to her?  "Martha, Martha..you are worried and upset about many things...but only one thing is needed."  Mary had chosen to sit and visit with Jesus while Martha had just been too busy!  So I'm trying to find some moments this week to sit and be still in the midst of all of this, take a deep breath and also do the one important thing...spend time with Jesus.

So I'm asking you this morning to say a little prayer for me and all of us "Marthas" in our busyness.  Pray that God will be glorified through these activities and women will be encouraged.  Thanks!

Saturday, March 7, 2015

STICKER COLLECTION...

One of the good things about moving into an old house is that sometimes you just don't really care what the kids do to their rooms!  Maybe that's where my kids got their creativity?  I found this picture this week that shows my son's bedroom door 9 years ago with a couple of signs and a few stickers on it...the doors were hollow and we thought eventually we would replace them with heavier ones, so I wasn't too worried about his "decorations." 

 9 years later...and hundreds of stickers later, we still haven't replaced the doors! Maybe I'll let him take his sticker collection with him when he moves out for good.   

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

CAULIFLOWER CRUST...

Wow, I never expected to like this!  Cauliflower crust pizza.  Find the recipe HERE.

 See the amazing transformation right  now!
 Finely chopped, then zapped in the microwave
 Cheeses, spices, and an egg added

Voila!  Now just add your toppings!
 In comparison to the Boboli crust pizza (right)

Delicious.  I'm serious!