DON'T TAILGATE THIS VEHICLE...

or you might just get a mouthful of kayaks!

Just had to share this picture my daughter uploaded on facebook of her activities with friends on the warmest day in January!!! As far as I know, everyone and all the kayaks got to and from safely. So the next time you see a crazy group of college kids like this, just smile and remember...we were all there once!

READ THIS BOOK...

This may be my favorite gift this Christmas. Besides my hot chocolate mix, of course. No, really. My daughter recommended this book for me and my son bought it. Awesome book. It could really change your thinking about the incredible God we serve! Some of the chapter titles:

Crazy Love

Profile of the Lukewarm

Serving Leftovers to Holy God


Aren't the titles convicting? I promise you, it's an excellent book filled with lots of scripture and comparisons with the parables of Jesus told and our lives today.

WATCH YOUR STEP...

I know, I went from a pretty post to a PUTRID one.

I about hurt myself, getting out of my car, as I almost stepped on this in a store parking lot the other day!!! EEEK. Yes, it's a squished mouse. Or rat. NASTY. Anyway, I survived. Aren't you glad I had my camera there to document it? (I don't have a fancy phone with a camera)

The moral of the story is to watch where you're stepping...don't get yourself into messes!

Instead, "Whatever is lovely, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil. 4:8

Maybe I'm taking the scripture out of context a bit, but we can fill our minds with nasty thoughts and if we continue it can really "mess up" our lives. We need to avoid those things and fill our minds and hearts with HIS WORD. (Wanted to end with something lovely!)

VINTAGE VALENTINES DECOR...

I joined a Valentine Mantel party, so I had to get busy and decorate! Nothin' fancy, just what I've collected thru the years!
Entry table
Vintage valentines of my Great Aunt's from 1940's


Formal dining room table

Shelf in dining room

Are you doing any special decorating for Valentine's Day?

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS...

Sometimes as a wife and mother, it's just better to keep your mouth shut...

Today my husband and son #2 bought a car from a relative, who will remain unnamed, for $300. Yes, $300. Needs just a little work. Uh-huh. Yeah. Only took them 4 times to jump it to get it going and bring it over here. Yay.
Father and son checking everything out.
A standard transmission...this kid will love that!
Radio stolen and dash messed up...
interior door parts missing...
speaker ripped out...
just a missing door handle, no problem...and those are just the cosmetic things to be done!
Somehow this makes him extremely happy! Check in a few months and we'll see how happy he is about this PROJECT. As for me, I'm just keeping my mouth shut.

CHURCH...WITH A SIDE OF CORNBREAD, PLEASE...

Our church is working towards a gospel meeting in April, and to prepare for it, the elders asked several classes at our congregation to visit some of the smaller churches in the metro area to promote unity. They, in turn, are invited to visit us on a Sunday evening soon. So we visited a small black congregation Sunday night. It was a true blessing to sing hymns with them! Only one other time have I been to a black church, and that was in Jackson, Mississippi. This service wasn't quite the experience that was, but their singing was loud, spirited, and most times didn't follow the notes in the book at all. We loved it! They had an "Old Testament reading" and also a "New Testament reading" and several song leaders. Also, the minister let us know that if we didn't say "AMEN," that he wouldn't know if we were really listening. So even tho it wasn't exactly the norm for us, I think several of our class members let out an "AMEN." We were truly uplifted by getting out of our comfort zones and worshipping along with them!

Afterwards, someone suggested we eat at a BBQ place not too far from there. We went and ate at "Spencer's Smokehouse." It was delicious and had a lot of good things on the menu! They are also known for their Cinnamon Rolls.

I got the BBQ Cornbread. It was a huge piece of cornbread with pulled pork and jalapenos baked right into it! Pretty good with a little BBQ sauce. A little warm for my taste, but really interesting...


Anyway, we all enjoyed the worship service and meal so much, several suggested we make it a regular event!

Let me know if you need directions...

FLUTTERBY...

While my DD was home on break, she created this out of a previously painted canvas:

Those are butterflies, if you can't tell. They are fluttering above the artwork on tiny pieces of wire. She cut the butterflies out of
computer paper. Not sure how she did the wire, but I think it's gorgeous.
A better look!

I should give credit to stumbleupon for the idea about the butterflies. But she executes an idea beautifully! Love that girl. I think it would probably be even more beautiful on a solid color canvas and sold as modern art!