Thoughtful Thursday Feb 29

On my wishlist................

or

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I be discouraged and why should the shadows fall?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion, my constant Friend is He,
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Let not your heart be troubled; these tender words I hear;
And resting on his goodness I lose my doubts and fears;
For by the path He leadeth but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted; whenever clouds arise;
When songs give place to sighing; when hope within me dies;
I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me...

such a beautiful hymn!

Wordless Wednesday Feb 29

an empty hamper is a rare sight!!

linky parties:

52 Photos/ Morning

Week #8-The next theme on the list is......MORNING. Since I'm not taking any great photos these days, I'm pulling some from my Picasa albums. This sunrise picture was taken in 2009 during our mini get-away to Va Beach. Peter alarmed the clock so we could wake up early the next morning to catch this amazing sight!!

*note: I really need a new camera!!!!!! I am not really taking any great pictures theses days with my point & shoot. I have a birthday coming up....hopefully someone has been listening....;O)

52 Photos/ Good

SNOW GOOD.......

I'm a bit behind on last week's photo. The topic was GOOD, but for the life of me I couldn't come up with a picture. I cheated a bit and pulled one that I took last winter. We haven't had any snow here in our parts of VA, and in a way I'm glad. But after seeing this picture of SNOW CREAM that I made......I'm kinda sad. If you haven't had Snow Cream you should try it....it is sooooooooo GOOD!!!

Traditional Recipe

*a big bowl of snow
evaporated milk
sugar
vanilla

This was how my Mom used to make it. I've since started using sweetened condensed milk instead of the evaporated milk and I add a jar of maraschino cherries makes it even more YUMMY!!

Hoo Are You???? Feb 28 Laundry Edition

1. Do you fold your laundry right after it comes out of the dryer or do you wait? Hmmm...depends on how busy I am. For the most part, I fold as soon as the clothes come out of the dryer {putting them away is another story!!!}.

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use? I am not brand loyal when it comes to laundry detergent-I usually buy whatever is on sale.

3. Do you use fabric softener? I use Final Touch fabric softener in the spring/summer as I love to hang out on the line. During the fall/winter or anytime I'm too busy to hang out, I use dryer sheets.

4. Do you have a front loading washer and dryer or a top loading? I have a front load which I absolutely {LOVE}.

5. On a scale to 1-10 (1 being the least and 10 being the highest) how well do you like

doing laundry? I'd say a 7...I don't mind doing laundry, I just have wayyyy too much of it. Worst part of the whole laundry process, for me, is putting clothes away! Never have enough room {hence closet/dresser organizing on my to-do list!!!}.

Fundraising 101

Long story short, our school no longer sponsors the class senior trip. Sad but true. Fortunately, my son is part of a community that may be small in population, but is big when it comes to support! Nathan is a junior this year, but we are already busy fundraising for their senior trip! This year's graduates have already taken their trip, so now it is all about the CLASS of 2013!!! I'm thankful for the parents {especially the Moms!} who are so willing to give of their time for all the fundraising that needs to be done, also to the kids for being a part of it all {and even showing enthusiasm-after all it is their trip!}, and I'm also grateful for the generous support from our community. The class has chosen to go to Florida-WALT DISNEY WORLD HERE THEY COME!!! so it will take alot of bake sales, pizza bakes, and anything else we can come up with to raise the needed $$$. We did two fundraisers this month, our first being a cake bake for Valentine's Day. 

We were sold out in minutes and it was a huge success! Don't the cakes look D-E-L-I-S-H?!!

We held our second fundraiser last night. We had a Winter Bash & High School Dance. From 5-7 p.m., grades 4th-7th came for an evening of games, food, prizes, dancing, and even a scavenger hunt. They had a blast!!! It was so funny, when they first arrived, the boys sat on one side of the room and the girls on the other, but by the end of night, well, I'll let the pictures tell the rest.

As the younger crowd left, the teens started showing up. The girls were all dressed up, complete w/heels! The music started just a few minutes after 7, and for the next 5 hours, they danced, and danced, and danced {and sang} non-stop!!! They stopped long enough to do a drawing for an itunes card, and get a group picture, and then back to the fun!

It was a great night! I haven't seen them have so much fun in such a long time! They are such a great group of young people, they really deserve some fun, and last night's fundraising dance was just the thing!!! :O)

Wordless Wednesday Feb 22-New Addition

new addition to our family-Selah and big brother Colton

We Want To Know Wednesdays: Pampering Edition

This week Crazymama wants to know how you pamper yourself...

{1} What is your go to color if you paint your nails? do your toes and fingernails match? I love pink...all shades bright & light! Right now, my toes & fingers don't match, but they are in the same color family.
{2} Have you ever gone for a mani/pedi? how often do you go? Mani every 2 weeks {just went yesterday!}, and pedi every 4-6 weeks. {LOVE}
{3} Do you color your hair? do you have a salon do it or do you do it yourself? I mostly do highlights, but not on a regular basis. I tried lowlights around the holidays, but I think I like the lighter tone better. I have an appointment next week-hoping to brighten things up a bit!!
{4} Facials...have you ever had one? I haven't...yet!
{5} Would you or have you ever done botox? I don't think I'll ever even consider it.....
{6} Beauty knows no pain, do you believe in waxing, electrolisis, eyelash extentions, anti-aging creams, micro-dermabrasion, peels, botox? Yes to most of these, but I've only done the waxing {eyebrows}.

Ash Wednesday

52 Weeks of Organizing: Taming Paper Clutter

LET'S GET ORGANIZED!!!
Week #3: Paper Clutter

This is a biggie! Paper clutter....since I save pretty much every receipt, bank statement, and who knows what else, we seem to accumulate an awful lot of papers, hence the paper clutter. I've pretty much gotten a system in place {it's only taken me 28 years to do it}, but even with my 4 step system, the paperwork often gets backed up and even overflows! I have narrowed it down to 4 places in our house that important paperwork can be found.

STEP 1: I keep a basket in my kitchen that holds monthly bill paying supplies. I posted about this some time ago, but you can click on this link to read more about it. This works very well for keeping me on track each month. I know exactly where all my bills to be paid are, as well as receipts for that current month {or two}.

STEP 2: Receipts, such as insurance paperwork, or things I might need only a few times a year, go in a binder which I posted about last month.

STEP 3: Once the month {or two} is over, I file papers in a photo box, file being the key word here. I used to just open the box and toss in the receipt, but over the last year, I have taken the time to label categories and file accordingly {medical, bank, household, etc.}. This makes it so much easier and saves me hours searching for a receipt when needed.

STEP 4: The final stage of my paperwork, it ends up eventually in a file box. This is where you will find yearly taxes, receipts for major purchases, and other receipts that I may or may not need throughout the year. I like knowing that I can pull a receipt from 3 years ago if I need to. This box holds 3-5 years worth of the most important receipts. Any other receipts get shredded after a few years.

I know you are thinking that is still too many places to keep receipts, but this works for me. Our receipts used to be all over the house, in different drawers and boxes, and worst of all unfiled! This 4 step system keeps our paper clutter under control, and I've saved myself so much time looking for that receipt I know I have, but can't seem to put my hands on when needed!!

I'm linking up to a bowl full of lemons for a linky party: one project at a time-hope you'll join in too!

Valentine Banner & Mantel Sneak Peek

I'm blaming Pinterest for all of this.....all of the DIY projects, the decorating, the crafts, the organization, the cooking & baking {I don't even like to bake...LOL}, my newfound love of scarves and monograms, and anything that involves chalkboard paint! My Dad is pretty much ready to boycott the Pinterest website...LOL, because he is my helper when my latest project involves carpentry {see below post featuring my new ledge shelves}. He really thought I was nuts when I tried to explain that I wanted to turn my old pine sofa table into a mantel...yes, a mantel. :O) I'm obsessed once again, this time with mantels. I shared my love of mantel decor, but we don't have a fireplace that I can decorate with all the cute ideas I've pinned. Then I stumbled on a picture of a "floating" mantel, and the rest is history! Dad did the necessary cosmetic work to the table and voila'....I now have a gorgeous new mantel! I still need to pick up a little more decorative trim to add to the bottom, then I'll post more pictures, all decked out for Spring!!!
I had made a Valentine's Day Banner, but didn't get a chance to hang it this year. After Dad hung up the mantel and I got it painted, I put up the banner to get some pictures. Love it!!

printable {from Pinterest} and some twine

Here is the table I used for the mantel...I've had this little table f-o-r-e-v-e-r! It was definitely time for a makeover.

I painted it China White. It needs a little more trim, but I love it!!!

Check back soon to see the finished project and my Spring mantel decor!

Garlic Lime Chicken

I tried a new recipe for dinner today. It was soooooo good...and easy! I served this yummy Garlic Lime Chicken with some penne noodles w/ butter & fresh parmesan cheese and a salad!! My version of 30-minute meals! :O) I also just recently discovered my new favorite salad dressing- Creamy Poppyseed. I know it's been out there forever, but I just started buying it after eating the best salad in the entire world at Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom. My bottle of Kraft doesn't quite measure up to Y&Y's version of poppyseed dressing, but it's as close as we'll get to it until we return next year! Hope you'll give this meal a try!!

Garlic Lime Chicken


3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves


2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 lime


1. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, thyme and parsley. Sprinkle spice mixture generously on both sides of chicken breasts.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute lightly. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 6 minutes on each side-turn frequently. Sprinkle with the juice of half of the lime. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently to coat evenly with sauce. Serve with lime slices as garnish.

DIY Ledge Shelves-project complete

A few weeks ago, I posted about some ledge shelves that I saw in Pottery Barn that I really liked{see Ledge Shelves }. I couldn't justify $55 for each shelf, so I bought the wood and Dad made them for me. I finally got them painted, and he came and hung them a few days ago. I {love} them!!! They are perfect!! Thanks Dad!!!

cost of wood: $18

4 feet long

a few coats of paint (with my free qt. of Glidden paint )

the pictures sit nicely on the ledge

I may change the pictures up a bit, and I'm still looking for a vase to put on the top shelf

framed printable from Pinterest

The finished project! What do you think?