Chapter 2...Ms. Perfection

Welcome to YES TO GOD Tuesdays. Remember you can visit the host of this Bible study, Lelia at Write From The Heart and read what other women are saying about this particular chapter.

Chapter 2- Ms. Perfection (Behind Those Eyes by Lisa Whittle)

Chapter 2 begins by Lisa describing the Great Sunday Morning Fakeout. Do you relate in any way? I know I certainly do. How does the Great Sunday Morning Fakeout begin in my home? Well, let me just tell you. It happens within the first half an hour of being out of bed usually. My children are complaining about having to go to Sunday school. One of my children (who will remain anonymous) doesn't like what he has been told to wear because otherwise he would wear the same thing every single Sunday. I am seeing some progress in this area to be fair.  I don't have anything to wear. Women you know what that really means. I don't like what I have to wear and I want something new. I'm just sayin'. Why is it that only on Sundays, my boys seem to really push each other buttons more than any other day of the week? In the meantime, I'm getting angry, impatient, and frustrated. I'm reminding (yelling) at the kids to turn the T.V. off  because they need yet another reminder that we don't watch T.V. on Sunday mornings. Jessica gets up on her own, but if I have to go in her room one more time to make sure she's up, I'm going to blow. I'm having to deal with this all on my own because my husband is a pastor (even more reason to put on that smiling face right?) and he has already been at church since 7:30 A.M. All I want right now is for a peaceful, beautiful Sunday morning and for everybody to just be like Jesus!

I then walk down to church. Our friendly greeters are waiting at the door for my precious family so we can enter the House of the Lord. Do I sound sarcastic when I say that? I don't mean to. Sort of. Actually as I sit here and write this, I'm cringing because I can feel the stress. Anyway, my smile goes on. 

You know the rest of the story I'm sure. We've all done it if we are honest. We say hello with the prettiest of smiles. When asked how we are, our response is,"Great!" Everything is great. Our marriages are great. Our children are great. Our spiritual life is great. Or is it really?

We strive for perfection in every area of our life. Lisa states, "We are buying into the notion of perfect wife, perfect mother, and perfect package, at the expense of ourselves and our loved ones." Well said, don't you think?

Several years ago, God took me to a place of having to deal with the idea that I had to be perfect. Who I was, in my mind was based on what I looked like and what I did. It stemmed from nothing more than wanting to please those around me.  I really came to a complete place of brokeness before the Lord over this particular issue. I couldn't live up anymore. I was tired, drained, spiritually and emotionally worn-out, and really living a complete lie. To myself, to my husband, to my family, and to God. 

Lisa says, " It doesn't take us very long to see and know that in our flesh, perfection is not even remotely possible. But while it is not possible to achieve this on earth, perfection is, perhaps, the most common characteristic that women impersonate."

When I am wanting to live that "perfect" life, I leave no room for Jesus. I'm too focused on me. I don't want to live a life like that. A life without freedom to be who God really created me to be. I want to give my attention to knowing God and surrendering to His will and His way in my life because then I can be a woman He uses. A woman that still has flaws and imperfections but is allowing God to use them for good. 

I was challenged to really search my heart through this chapter. I know that God has brought me much growth in this area. He has made areas that were weak and broken whole. He has replaced lies with truth. He has brought restoration. I won't think for a minute, however, that I won't struggle or have the temptation to be in the place of wanting to be the perfect wife, mother, or woman. In fact, I just found myself in that place last night at my youngest son's baseball try-outs. Yep, I did all the measuring up and comparing to the other moms out there. Do I look as cute in my jeans as she does?  Is my son as good as all the other boys out there? After all, behind every perfect child you will find a perfect mom. Right?

The struggle to fight those areas of wanting to be perfect and have it all together will always be there. This side of heaven anyway. I have to go back to truth though. The truth of who Jesus is and that I am made in His image. Through Jesus, I can have the courage to let my imperfections be seen because I want to be real to those around me.  I can love my husband and my children well knowing that in spite of all my mistakes, God covers them with grace. 

So from here, I'm willing to keep searching those deep places of my soul because I want wholeness and for God to move in and do what He has to do to make me more like Him. If there are areas that need to be brought to the light, I trust him to do so. I will ask the Lord to quickly, but gently show me when I am desiring perfection over being real. I know what I will find in being real too. Genuine, authentic relationships. Experiencing Jesus in my life as well as those around me because I've given them the freedom to be real too. 

Even perfection has it's limits, but your commands have no limit. ~Psalm 119:96 NLT

A New Journey Begins...

This past week my husband and I had the opportunity to go away for a pastor's conference in Green Lake, Wisconsin. This is the longest amount of time we've ever been away from our children. How thankful and blessed we are to have grandparents that are close by that can come and stay with our children. While we were gone, the kids got to go fishing-almost everyday with Grandma and Grandpa, go to football games, and just be with their grandparents in the events of everyday life. Special memories were made this week in the hearts of our children.

Steve and I had an amazing week as well. I can't even truly begin to put into words the impact that was made on us at this conference. So many issues as individuals and as a couple were brought to light. God had already begun preparing our hearts with little glimpses of where He was taking us weeks prior to us attending this conference. I am so thankful that God knows where to meet us and how to patiently love us knowing that there is so much more He has in store.

God is showing me what following Him is really all about. I often struggle because I love God with all of my heart but so often I feel like my relationship is flat and distant with Him. I am learning that it is not about doing for God, but being with God. I can easily start checking off my spiritual to-do list. Read my Bible... check. Do my Bible study... check. Pray... check. Serve... check. And in the meantime, my eyes are often taken off of Jesus. I want to sit at His feet. I want to embrace His love for me, and be showered with the glory of His grace. I want to give all of me to Him.

God really is taking me to a new place with Him. A deeper place. It's not about my "morning devotions" anymore. It's about experiencing, knowing, and being in God's presence throughout the day. Being in a place where I am hearing His voice because I am quiet. Being in a place where I am allowing the Holy Spirit to move and touch the deep places of who I am.

For a pretty significant amount of time, I've been feeling like I've been in this dry season. I've been encouraged to press on and keep my eyes on Him. I've been reminded that God hasn't left me. I know that these things are true. I know now that it really hasn't been a dry season at all. What I have been going through is really God calling me to go further. To go deeper. To go deeper requires more of me than what I've been giving. Spiritual disciplines in my life are going to be different than they were before. I am going to be different than I was. All because of Jesus.

Steve and I made some wonderful friends this week too. There are five conferences within this two year program that are husbands are all a part of. The first one was back in the Spring, so all the men already knew each other. This was the first time the wives have met though. I have to say that I've never hit it off with a group of women the way I did with these women. We all shared an immediate connection and friendship. For that I am thankful.

We laughed liked crazy and had so much fun.

This really will be a week that I never forget. I will remember sitting by the lake and being quiet before the Lord. I will remember the conversations between new friends. Talking about ministry, struggles, children, and life. I will remember Steve and I sharing our hearts with one another and being able to end the day praying together. I will also remember that Jesus will love me gently and patiently as He draws me closer.

So, my journey begins. Deeper and further than ever before.

Weekend Highlights & Apple Butter Recipe...

I'll be out this week so I wanted to have a quick post before I left. I thought I would share some of the things we did this weekend with you. I am also sharing the recipe for my mother-in-law's Apple Butter at the end of this post.

Don't forget that the on-line bible study of Behind Those Eyes begins Tuesday. I'm not sure yet if I will be able to post about the first chapter or not. Don't know if I will have access to a computer or the internet this week. If you have joined this study, make sure you post about it, or just follow up with the other women who are participating. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts with this first chapter.

This was a fun but busy weekend for us. We spent Friday evening with a new couple from our church who are quickly becoming our good friends.

How can we not be friends when they bring a dessert like this to share...

Saturday was then spent with the boys doing work in the yard...

I don't know why Ben loves to wear these tank tops, t-shirts, whatever they are. Really, I call them something else, but I won't go there. He started wearing these under his regular shirts because he didn't like the "feel" of his shirt. Ben is VERY particular about his clothes. I know this isn't the first picture you've seen with Ben in one of these t-shirts. He does have other shirts. I promise.

I spent part of the afternoon talking to my sister, Sarah on the phone and to my friend Kim. Don't you just love a great conversation on the phone? I love catching up, laughing, and being able to share what's going on in my life and to hear what's going on in theirs.

Saturday evening we had Steve's parents and sister over for dinner. I asked Mom P. if I could share the recipe for Apple Butter with those of you who have asked. This really has been somewhat of a "secret" recipe that she was given almost 40 years ago by a friend of hers. Like I said in my earlier post about Apple Butter, she has been making it for a long time. I've never had any that even compare to how good hers is.

Apple Butter~

Fill crock pot with peeled and chopped apples. (Sorry I can't give an exact amount on this. I bought a bushel of apples and ended up filling 2 crock pots with apples and still had enough apples to make about 4 jars of applesauce.)

8 cups sugar

4 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. allspice

1/2 t. ground cloves

Here are a few tips...

~Layer apples and sugar otherwise it's really hard to put 8 cups of sugar on top of all the apples once the crock pot is full.

~ I fill the crock pot about an inch or so over the rim of the crock pot because of how much the apples cook down.

~ The apple butter takes at least 12 hours to cook. I start the crock pot on high for a couple of hours and then turn it to low for the remaining amount of time. If it is kept on high, the apple butter will have a thick consistency.

~ During the last hour of cooking, I stir the apple butter with a whisk to break up any remaining chunks of apples.

~ I place a cookie sheet/pan, or whatever will fit underneath the crock pot to catch any of the juice that happens to run over. It does get really messy and sticky!

Enjoy!!!

Our weekend was then made complete by attending church on Sunday morning. Our lead pastor spoke about the Cost of Discipleship. What it really means to take up our cross and follow Him. I think I feel a post coming on with this one! We then spent the evening with our community group having a cook-out. Like I said, it was a busy weekend!

Friends and family. Is there a better way to spend the weekend?

Be back at the end of the week!

Food For Friday...

Casseroles... don't you just love them? I sure do! I especially like the ones that are a little bit different. This recipe is definitely one of my all-time favorites. The first time I made this was shortly after Steve and I got married. It quickly became a keeper. What I like about it this casserole is that it isn't your typical "chicken casserole". Hope you enjoy it too!

WILD CHICKEN~

6 oz. wild rice

1 c. chicken broth

10 oz. french-style green beans

2 c. cubed, cooked chicken

1 can cream of celery soup

1/2 c. mayo

1 can water chestnuts, drained

1 can french fried onions

Prepare rice, substituting broth for 1 c. water. Combine all ingredients. Place in casserole dish. Top with onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

How easy is that!!!

When I have this casserole I usually will have a spinach salad with Craisins, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion. Drizzle it with some raspberry balsamic dressing, or Ken's Steakhouse Vidalia Onion dressing and you have a delicious salad. Add some rolls and dinner is ready!

Back In The Swing Of Things...

After being out of school for two days and then a 2 hour delay this morning, my kids are finally back at school. As many of you know, hurricane Ike made his way through Ohio. For many of my friends, power hadn't been restored until about 8:00 last night. We were so fortunate that we never lost power. Traffic lights are coming back on, gas stations, restaurants and local businesses are re-opening and the city we live in is starting to feel normal again.

It's really been a fun couple of days with kids. We've been able to sleep in a little longer, and have lunch together. The boys cleaned up the yard, and Ben even got to go play 9 holes of golf with his Dad. Surprisingly, there was a golf course about 30 minutes from here that was open.  Sam got to do his most favorite thing in the whole world- visit the Air Force Museum. The only day the museum is ever closed is Christmas.  Jessica enjoyed sleeping in and spending the night with her best friend.  Last night, we went to the high school soccer game. I think everyone was just really glad to be out and have some sense of normalcy.  Sam got to be one of the "ball boys." which was a pretty big deal:)

Today, I am off to run some errands. I will then come home and catch up on a bible study I am working on and perhaps even get a little cleaning in. I hope you have a good one!

Apple Butter Time...

Fall in our house means one thing... Apple Butter! 

My mother-in-law has been making apple butter for years. Grandma is known for her apple butter. She has learned over the years to even keep a supply in hiding so that there is enough to last throughout the year.  About six years years ago, she shared the "secret" family recipe with me as well as sharing the technique of making apple butter. Come the first of September, my mother-in-law will start keeping her ears open to where we will be able to find apples. We do have an orchard nearby but we aren't always fortunate enough to get there in time or the crop hasn't been very good that year. 

This year, however, apples were in abundance so we sat out early one morning to go picking...

I brought home a whole bushel...

With this many apples to peel, you have to have one of these...

Ever since the boys were very small they have been part of making the apple butter. They really do enjoy making it as much as eating it...

This was probably the juiciest bushel of apples we've ever had. The juice was going everywhere-the floor, the cabinets, the refrigerator and us! After we finished we all had a really nice shower.

Once the apples were all peeled, it was then time to chop and get them into the crock pot...

Let the cooking begin...

The secret to the recipe is the cooking time-12 hours! The next morning we woke up to the wonderful smell of apple butter.

I found a really great tip from Sandy at 4 Reluctant Entertainers. Instead of using the water bath method to seal the jars, she suggested just turning the jars upside down to allow them to seal. I gave it a try and it really worked! Here is the canning method I used:

~ Place jars in a boiling pot of water for about 10 minutes. You can also run them through the rinse cycle of the dishwasher. Dry jars before use.

~Boil the canning lids and rings and keep them hot until ready to use.

~Fill the hot jars using a wide mouth funnel with jelly, preserves, jam, or apple butter.

~Make sure the rim of the jar is clean.

~Place hot lid onto the jar and screw ring onto jar tightly.

~Flip the jars upside down so the heat of the apple butter is in direct contact with the seal.

~Cool jars slightly, and then turn back to upright position.

~You will know if the jar is sealed when you push down on the lid and it doesn't pop back up. With a few of mine, I just had to push down on the lid and it sealed. 

My pantry is now stocked with jars of apple butter and even a few jars of applesauce. 

Of course with all this apple butter you have to have lots of biscuits!!!

Ike Makes His Way...

It's actually Sunday night as I sit here and write this post. I usually find myself on Sunday nights getting ready for the upcoming week. I pull out my calendar and just go over appointments, meetings, soccer practices and games, guitar lessons, and Jessica's work schedule. This week is a busy one for me.  I like Mondays really because it's a new beginning and I feel like I have a fresh start. Typically, I try to leave Mondays open so that I can be here at home. Doing those couple loads of wash, straightening up the house, and just having a little down time.

As I sit here tonight though, I have just found out that my Monday won't be as I had planned. School has just been closed for tomorrow as a result of hurricane Ike making his way through the state of Ohio. We have trees down all around us and I honestly think that we are one of the few in this area that still has power. I've shared before that we live on the highest point in the county.  I just looked out the window to the neighborhood across the street where typically you can see homes with all their lights on. There is nothing but darkness. I've talked to family and friends who have been without power since early this afternoon and have been told their neighborhoods look like war zones. After watching the news, we have found out that over 200,000 people are without power in this area. They are saying it could take days before power is restored. Winds reached 63 mph here in Beavercreek. 

The high winds started this afternoon as we were leaving to go to church. We were supposed to be having a picnic and a baptism service outside, but because of the threat of severe weather, plans were changed. There is nothing like a good old fashioned church potluck and we celebrated the people who today made a public display of their faith. 

I couldn't believe how hard the wind was blowing as we made our way down to church this afternoon...

I really was having a pretty good hair day.

When we got back home we found our driveway looking like this...

The thing is, I know that this does not even compare to the destruction and damage that occurred on the gulf as a result of this massive hurricane. My heart goes out to the many people who have lost their homes, possessions, and not being able to have basic necessities- water, power and food. I admire the courage, the determination, and the will they have to withstand the coming days. It certainly has made me have a heart of thankfulness when all I have around me is some fallen trees. At the same time, my heart is breaking because of what they are going through.

Life can change so quickly. The character of God never changes and in that I have peace for today, tomorrow, and the days to come. Let's remember to pray for all of those who have been in the path of this storm. That God would be real to them in a way like never before. That hearts would be turned to Him and that those who don't know the Lord would cry out to Him and believe that He is good and He is near. For strength and rest as they begin to get their lives and homes together again. Jesus, be their refuge in the storm.

Psalm 121~

I lift up my eyes to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel 

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you-

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Happy Birthday Mom...

We hope that this is a special day and we pray that this upcoming year is filled with many blessings. We love you !

Food For Friday...

I thought it was time to share a dessert recipe, so I pulled out one of my favorites...

PECAN DREAMS~

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 c. flour

1- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. chopped pecans

Topping:

1 c. heavy cream

2 T. sugar

1 c. almond toffee bits (I usually find these near the chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x2 dish. in bowl, stir together sugar and flour. Using a pastry cutter, cut the cream cheese and butter into flour mixture until crumbly. Press into pan evenly. Pour nuts over pressed dough and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Whip cream and sugar together, using a mixer until stiff. Fold in toffee bits and spread over cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Also, if you haven't signed up for the on-line bible study of Behind Those Eyes by Lisa Whittle and hosted by Lelia make sure you do. The sign-up was available on her post today. I am so excited to be doing this with my friends Kim, Kristen, Lori and Mekia!!!

Have a great weekend!

Celebrating...

As many of you know, on September 4th our family was remembering two baby girls that were here on earth for such a very brief time. In the midst of our sadness and grief, we are rejoicing in knowing that we will see Allison Elizabeth and Emily Ann again one day. In that we have hope and peace.

Today, we are celebrating because my sister, Sarah is expecting again. This morning, I saw the first official picture of my niece or nephew!!!

I know many of you have prayed for Sarah and her husband, Mike the last several days. You have prayed for my family as well. Thank you really can't even begin to explain the gratitude I have. I am humbled by the outpouring of prayer support and words of encouragement that all of you have offered. You have displayed the love of Christ and have stood in the gap for us during our time of sadness. Now, you can rejoice with us and celebrate this new life, and above all, the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus.

You can read more of Sarah's story here.

Posts that share the story of the girls are "On This Day Last Year"~August 25 and "For My Daughters"~ September 4

God bless you all!!!

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. ~Job 8:21

Behind Those Eyes...

BEHIND THOSE EYES: WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON INSIDE THE SOULS OF WOMEN

Lisa's new release with Thomas Nelson (2008), Behind Those Eyes, is an insightful look at the various roles women play as they cover for the inadequacies that they feel, why they do so, and who they really are in and through Jesus Christ. In Behind Those Eyes, Lisa uses truth from God’s Word on the value of being authentic to discuss the various facades of Ms. Perfection, Ms. Confidence, Ms. Happiness, and Ms. Spirituality. Behind Those Eyes encourages women to face the reality of who they are and who God created them to be. The result helps them to mend broken souls, repair relationships and strength connections with family and friends.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 23rd (only 2 weeks from today!), I am going to be participating in an on-line bible study that Lelia from Write From The Heart is hosting. I will be joining Lelia, Lisa Whittle, the author of the book (you can visit her blog here), and many other women as we journey through this book.  Every Tuesday I will be posting my thoughts and how God is working in my heart. I am really excited about being a part of this, especially since I've never done anything like this before. One reason I chose to do this is because I have been so amazed with the women that I have met through blogging. There are many women out there who are passionately living their lives for Jesus!

If you would like to participate, visit Lelia and let her know. You will need to purchase a copy of the book and be ready to start on the 23rd. Also, if you are participating, I would love to know as well. Even though we can't be together in person during this study, I know God will grow our hearts together and we can share, pray, and encourage one another through our words.

Have a blessed day!

5 Things...

My friend Kim from Seasons Of My Heart participated in this Meme on Friday and I thought I would join in...

5 things under $5 I couldn't live without...

1.) Lipstick and Chapstick

2.) 4-pack of chicken-minis and a small diet Dr. Pepper from Chick-fil-A.

3.) Dove shampoo

4.) Orbit wintermint gum

5.) toothbrush and toothpaste

5 favorite movies...

1.) The Wizard of Oz

2.) You've Got Mail

3.) Gone With The Wind

4.) Little Women - the original

5.) Emma

5 baby names I love...

 

1.) Caroline

2.) Kate

3.) Elizabeth

4.) William

5.) Christian

5 songs I love...

1) Faithful One (Selah & Christy Nockels)

2) He Reigns (Mercy Me)

3) Somewhere Over the Rainbow- especially the version by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 

4) At Last by Etta James

5) Potter's Hand- Hillsong ("P.S." as my daughter would say, I've met Darlene Zschech!)

5 life changing moments...

1) The day I accepted Jesus Christ.

2) Marrying my husband, Steve.

3) When I held my children for the first time.

4) Following God into full-time ministry.

5) This June when my daughter graduates from high school.

5 current obsessions... not "current" but ongoing...

1) All things peanut butter & chocolate- reese cups (especially the ones that are in the shape of an egg at Easter), Haagen-Daaz peanut butter & chocolate ice cream, and hot chocolate & peanut butter bread. 

2) taking pictures

3) Iced Tea

4) reading

5) and of course blogging!

5 places I want to go...

1) Italy

2) Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah, Georgia

3) Israel

4) Grand Canyon

5) on an Alaskan cruise

5 appliances or kitchen tools I could not live without...

1) hairdryer

2) washing machine

3) cookie dough scoop from Pampered Chef

4) coffee maker

5) My new Kitchen Aid mixer

Feel free to join in next!

Happy Grandparents Day...

We love you!

You are a special part of our lives!

Thank you!

I want to thank all of you who lifted our family, especially my sister Sarah and her husband, up in prayer yesterday. You have touched our hearts and have displayed much love and encouragement. Thank you so very much.

The recipe I am sharing today is called BLT salad or in our family, That Good Salad. For the last eight years or so, some of our good friends have been getting together around Christmas time for an annual dinner. Last year, this particular salad was served. It is by far one of the best salads I've ever had. I make it ALOT for our family because my children absolutely love it. I hope you enjoy it too!

BLT SALAD otherwise known as THAT GOOD SALAD~

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 bunches romaine lettuce (I actually use 1/2 romaine and 1/2 leaf lettuce)

2 c. chopped tomatoes

1 c. shredded swiss

1/2 c. shredded parmesan

8 bacon slices, cooked and cut into pieces

croutons

Combine oil, lemon, garlic, salt & pepper in a jar w/ a tight lid. Shake well. Chill.

Layer remaining ingredients in a salad bowl. Pour dressing over salad when ready to serve. Toss salad before serving.

Have a wonderful Friday!

In Memory Of...

 Today our family is remembering two sweet and beautiful girls that came into our lives. Allison Elizabeth and Emily Ann. To hear the special story of these baby girls you can visit my sister at her blog Nesting In Pleasant View. 

Your lives are remembered and celebrated today. 

We love you so much Sarah, Mike, Allison and Emily. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of you. We miss you more than words can even explain. One day we will be together again and there will be a celebration like no other. 

Revelation 21:4~ "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Psalm 85:5 (NLT)~ Happy are those who are strong in the LORD, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.

Glimpses Of Fall...

This morning when I was making the bed I looked out our window and saw this...

I know this isn't the greatest of pictures, but if you look closely you will see the leaves that are starting to turn colors. Even though it has been in the upper 80's the past few days, I know that the cool and crisp days of autumn are quickly approaching. It's not uncommon here in Ohio to have temperatures in the 80's through October and I remember one year we even had snow. 

This weekend I was out and bought some mums...

The change of seasons between summer and fall is my favorite I think. One reason is because I absolutely love the colors- browns, golds, and reds. We have many trees around us so I'm hoping for a spectacular show of colors this year in spite of the dry summer we've had. 

 Even though I love the care free days of summer and pretty much no schedule to follow, I am ready for a routine again. Soccer practice and games, guitar lessons, youth group, and bible study are all things that are being put on the calendar again. I find comfort in a routine. 

Once the cooler days approach I know it's time to bring out my favorite soup recipes. I think I could have soup every night of the week. It's also time to bring out the recipe for pumpkin bars, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin whoopie pies. Yum!

I really am more of a homebody so that is another reason why I love this time of year so much. I'm ready to sit by the fire in the evenings playing games as a family, reading a book, or watching a movie. I'm ready to make our home look and smell like fall. Mums and pumpkins by the front door, and leaves and pumpkins set upon the mantle. Yesterday I brought out my favorite candle for this time of year- caramel apple. Even though it was almost 90 degrees outside, it felt like fall inside. 

Yes, I'm ready for fall. Maybe I'll spend the day gazing out my bedroom window knowing it soon will be here.

An Award and 6 Things About Me...

Thank you to Carrie from Buzzings of A Queen Bee for passing this award onto me. 

Now, I am going to pass it onto some of my favorite blogs. Make sure you go visit these blogs because I promise you will find lots of inspiration, encouragement, and great decorating ideas.

Kim from Seasons Of My heart

Kathryn from Pure Wells

Lori from All About Me, Moi, and I

Sandy from 4 Reluctant Entertainers

Genny from My Cup 2 Yours

So, here are the rules for passing this award on...

1.) The winner(s) can put the logo on their blog.

2.) Link to the person you received the award from.

3.) nominate other blogs (up to seven) to pass the award along to.

4.) Put the links of those blogs on yours.

5.) Leave a message on the blogs of people you've mentioned.

Please know I won't be offended if you choose not to pass this on! This is just for fun and to recognize those GREAT bloggers out there! I have really enjoyed getting to know each of you.

I'm also joining with Carrie in her first tag about sharing 6 things about yourself. So.... here are 6 things about me that you may not know...

1.) One of my favorite cold weather snacks is Hot Chocolate & Peanut Butter bread.

 

2.) I am TERRIFIED of tornados. It's from watching The Wizard of Oz too many times, even though it is my all-time favorite movie.

3.) I have run a half-marathon.

4.) I've never been on an airplane. I have been on a little two-seater plane with a friend of ours and let's just say it wasn't a pleasant experience. 

5.) My dream vacation would be to go to Italy.

6.) I wish I could sing. When I say sing, I mean like really sing. I am completely tone deaf according to my husband. He is an incredible singer and has very patiently tried to teach me to sing. He will say, "Sing this note, can't you hear it?" Yes, I can hear it, I just can't make it sound like that. Oh well. 

Now, if you want to join me in this tag, just list 6 things about yourself on a post and make sure to let me know!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!