This has me so excited! Check this out. You won't be sorry.

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Do you know how long I had to wait to tell you this good news?

 An awfully long time.  I'm afraid.

Just wait.  I'm gonna tell you, too!

Hold on a minute.

There is a *NEW* book in town.

Oh, Gooseberry Patch always makes me excited about a *new* release...but it's not like I have a ton of their books. Just one or two...but, now I have three of their cookbooks.  Isn't that nice!  I just have always adored their "simple style". 

But I loved it more that I have been given a FREE book...just for submitting a recipe.

YES! They included one of my recipes into their new book and it makes me so excited.  I've been published, before...but it's been a long, long time...and so, this is fun for me.

What is even more fun for me is "the story" I included along with the recipe.  Gooseberry Patch included it just above the recipe.  Can you read it?

** I do want to clarify that I for -sure-almost-always use a Cornbread stuffing (P. F. Stove-Top) when I make this recipe.  And that I really like the creaminess that the softened cream cheese brings to the dish.  Another thing that I'll do - every now and then - is to sprinkle a small handful of shredded cheddar cheese over the top just before adding reserved stuffing mixture.  They didn't tell you all of that.  I don't know why. 

****

Now.

For the most exciting thing.

Tell me this.

Would you rather buy yourself a copy of this cookbook or if given a chance would you rather win one for FREE?

Silly question. Don't answer that.

Just enter to win a copy of this book! One entry per person please.  Enter here by comments only.
 The giveaway ends this Friday evening, at 10:00pm EST.

** And, for one more clarification.  This is my own doing...just out of my own excitement.

Hope you win!

Calmly Happy

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As I checked my email inbox this morning...this encouraging note was "waiting" for me.  Along with some other details for school, Mrs B. (Caleb's Pre-School Teacher) left this note...in perfect timing for me today.  Not just for me, but for all the other moms as well.  I know this teacher-woman is truly a blessing.  I also know I was really encouraged.  I hope you are too, as I share...part of what she wrote.

(keep reading...)
***
As an "experiment" with Caleb & Aubrey, this week.  I told them about something I used to do when I was a youngster.
 
We would pick daffodils (or Queen Anne's Lace) and add food coloring to the water.  As the flowers would drink up the water, the flowers would change in color or at least have "fringed edges" of color around their petals.
 

Caleb is to take something in for Show & Tell, on Friday, that is Spring-y! 

Think Spring!

 

 

Do you think, this might be sort of exciting for a bunch of 4 and 5 year-olds?  Blue-fringed daffodils?  I don't know, if they'll appreciate this but... we'll see. 
 
Wait.  Come to think of it... I should've added some "happy red" to the water to make them be a bit not so "blue" or green-blue.  Because I do know what blue and yellow make...
 
Wasn't thinking. 
 
All in all, regardless of how these turn out, I will choose to be calmly happy anyway.  In other words... I will (still) rejoice - no matter the outcome {of the day}!
 
Happy Spring!

Dear Mom,
Enjoy this Tuesday. "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 - I just heard this verse again 2 days ago. I purposed in my heart to Rejoice (Bible meaning - full of cheer, calmly happy). I forgot how nice it is to Rejoice through the days. I know life is not easy - some seasons are like Spring and some are hard like Winter. I pray for strength for each of you today as you are at a job or at home, as you parent and as you play. If you are finding it hard to Rejoice - I pray you will talk to God about it and He will encourage you with His love.



Sincerely,
Mrs. B.  (Caleb's Pre-K teacher)

My heart is full.

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We are having one of the most beautiful of days around here, today.  So much so that I'm dreaming...all things gardens.

But.

This morning, as I sat down to type out a few lines, this idea, this reality, of what is swirling around in my head and what I can appropriately fit into a designated time slot...well, it isn't going to work.

In other words.  Where do I start?  What do I have time to say? 

Not much!, to answer my own question.


My heart is full.

Full of tangles and train wrecks, budding ideas and requests.

Beautiful sunshine and stormy-grey clouds.

Fresh air and stale.

Excitement and nerves.

Intentions and angst.

Satisfaction and "enough already".

Limitations and obligations.
***
You know all of this... you can readily relate.  You identify.

This is why I link to Ann's post today.  I so appreciated her thoughts of slowing...her sharing the one reason to slow down.  I hope you choose to read her post.

***

Continuing to count the gifts - # 851 - #878, of the One Thousand Gifts.

Stars overhead ... bright ones, too.  Twinkling...like I've never seen before.

crunch of gravel underfoot as I take my evening walk

dog barking in the distance

honking geese taking flight

the urge to create

Ruth & Boaz - love their story

my first robin sighting, then another, then another

bare feet

that yellow upper lip from smelling dandelions

Mommy!

toothless grin

laundry to hang

the line to hang it on

cold milk in glass jars

our breathing falling into perfect rhythm - just before a deep sleep - love it!

Krazy Glue and JB Weld - work wonders

Redeeming Love!

John 8:12

Children singing their hearts out - up on stage!

this warm spring weather

those Daffodils, Johnny Jump-ups, and surplus of Lamb Ears

opportunity to "pay it forward"

being published - (a fun blessing which I'll tell you more about soon).

pulling from home canned goods to serve guests

hard work paying off

windows open today

encouragement to slow down

then sings my soul...

Friday's Finds | Old Black Shutters

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***

For those of you who are new to this blog and/or just poppin' in - Hello and Welcome!

On Fridays I'll often  feature "a find" of no particular value or sentiment, no reason or rhyme and yet, exactly for all of those reasons I just mentioned...I share it with you!

Today's featured Friday's Find is the pair of old black shutters that sit in the corner of my living room.  For as long as I've lived on my own (around age twentyish-something) ... I've had this "art form" as part of my decor.  It's hard to see on the photo, but they are chippy and chippy is one of those loves of mine. :)  The hinge on the door is also hiding.  Old hardware is another one of my secret fav's.

The only fun story I can really recall over these shutters is on the day I found them.  I was out "shopping" with a cousin of mine.  I told her about this fabulous antique store/yard-chock-full-of-goodies, that I wanted to go to...and her only response was upon seeing it for the first time was, "Bev, this is a junk-yard!"  (Meaning not her style or taste at all).

Uhmmm, yeah? 

Oh, the many, many finds I've found there, over the years.  (sigh)  I think it's near time to go back.

Enjoy Your Weekend!

{Pay it Forward} Mom, this is for you!

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{{Keep in mind...I certainly do not share this post today for accolades.  Please.}}

It's one of those things when Life hands you a blessing...that it is probably best to pass it on by paying it forward, so to speak!  Know what I mean?

Mom, this is for you!  

My, three year old, Aubrey hands me this lovely daffodil.  One of our first open blooms for the season.  It's beautiful!  Yet, yanked right off it's long, green showy stem.  It will need to sit submerged in water...soaking up it's blessing.

Recently, I got to thinking about what it looks like to see Love in Action.  I've been a recipient of this very thing over and over and I know the blessing it is.  I know what it's like to be "overwhelmed" with a good thing granted.  I know what it's like to be overwhelmed.  Period.

I've been reading a lot of what love with it's sleeves rolled up is to look like.  However, I can read all I want to about it, but if that is all I do?  Then what is that?  Nothing.

I got to thinking about another young mom - one whom I regularly see week to week at our church.  I know she is a busy mama, too.  Her three little ones are about the same age as ours.   Lately, she's looked overwhelmed.  Tired.  Unhappy?   I don't know... but she's been on my mind.

I began to think about what a little love in action might look like for this friend of mine.  I hate the phone.  I never call people if I don't have to.  But, I picked up the phone and left her this message to "call me back".  "My friend...I have something to run by you", I said.

 I wondered all night if she would call me back.

You know what?  She did!  She called me back the next morning and took me up on my offer...here is what I said:

"I want to give this to you.  I want you to bring your three children over here tomorrow or the next - whichever works out best for you.  Let me watch them for you so that you can do something for you.  I want you to take at least two hours, for yourself and 'play'.  Go shopping, read a book, take a walk, get your nails done, run errands (alone), go back home and clean, take a nap... what ever it is - have fun!  Be blessed.  Be refreshed.  Take some time for just Y.O.U."

***

I know what it's like to be handed that sort of gift. I also know how much I appreciate and, many days, wish for more of this sort of thing. 

And yet, like this daffodil gifted out to me...

This gift...as it should be. Is simply this.  A gift.

It's heady.  It's full.  Plunked down right there meant to soak it all up in that intended blessing.  Still, there is nothing showy about it.  Nothing fancy at all. 

It's just beautiful.

~

Can you think of someone whom you might bless in the next to near future?  If so, roll your sleeves up and pay it forward - will you?

Around the Homestead :: A ~ Z | The Letters W, X and Y

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Welcome! to what I call
Around the Homestead :: A~Z
This is a self-imposed photo project where I've taken my camera and have hunted down letters of the alphabet characteristic of things in nature and reminiscent of the farm that we live on. My hope is to, one day, make a photo collage and give it as a gift to our landlord and his wife.

***

Taking on the letters "W", "X" and "Y"... that are very self-explanatory. 
Fun photo finds this time around, in my opinion.
Enjoy!

***

Closing this photo project out - sometime soon - with leaving the last letter of the alphabet

for "Z" very end.   No kidding.

You'll see!

Have a great day!

Blossom

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Blossom by blossom the spring begins.

 ~ Algernon Swinburne (1837-1909)

I got to thinking.  Just as blossom by blossom happens in order for spring to begin...so it is within our hearts, day to day.  As we (slowly) make probable changes in a specific area, moment by moment, big things will happen. Something will become of it. Seasons (in time) take on a whole new meaning.  Change is good.

Do you feel it, happening?

What is that one area for you?

:: friendship ::

:: encouragement ::

:: time management ::

:: parenting ::

:: cooking ::

:: cleaning ::

:: organization ::

:: Bible reading & prayer ::

:: extending hospitality ::

That one area that you plan to take moment by moment...will one day blossom into a beautiful spring. Wait and see!

***

:: Photo taken of a card (photo) that one of my sister's sent me, last spring.  I could look at this card & photo forever.  So pretty.

Some Days Are Like This.

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Some days its really hard being a mama....

Isn't that so? 

When the day feels much like it's overwhelming.  Busy.  Spinning-out-of-control.  Hard?

We wonder if we've got it in us.  At least I do.

When there is this sweet, but busy little daughter of mine to contend with... her charming, *red* eyes and all (sorry about that!).  Always drumming up a "need" to express her vivaciousness and such.

And this roly-poly, tootsie roll who is (currently) not feeling so well, here of late, given to teething with a fury...but she's found her toes and I love this. Still smiling through it all... my sweet baby Jayne.

Yet, who has found herself coughing again through the night...and blowing snot every which way to Sunday.

Not so funny.  Poor thing.

And when there is this guy... who, as innocent as he looks here, is having to apologize to a police officer, yesterday, for "playing with the phone" and making an unwarrented, hang-up call to 911.  Yikes!


I think he's learned his lesson on this one.  And will say, " I don't want to talk about it..."  and yet I think he decided to share his lesson learned with his class today, in Show & Tell, at preschool.  We'll see!

You know? Mothering is hard. 

But, I'm thankful that I can find still find the time to sit to the sewing table... in a stolen moment or two... in effort to clear my head, per say.

and make another pair of these Homespun Baby! Shoes... to send out.  (thank you, Melissa B.)

Pour the afternoon cup of coffee.
Listen to soft strains of John Tesh... playing piano solace in the background.  Does anyone else turn on the noise to drown out the noise?  However melodic and soothing?  Just asking.

AND...(sigh)
Through it all...mothering, as hard as it is...still gives a blessed chance to every now and then sneak a bite or two from some fabulous creation.  Yes! I said sneak.  I actually took this photo of this dessert, the other night, while it was hiding in my kitchen cabinet, or else I'd be sitting high and dry without nearly so much as a nibble.

A Mother's Prerogative, I tell you.  Come on, you all know that!

Ultimately.  I'm learning this part of letting my light shine.  Contentment.  Making this secret my own.

My favorite thrill about all of this, is this.  It's not that I have to do this.  I get to. 

Okay, most days...if I'm honest with myself, and with you... I will have to admit.  There are many days when I question my ability.  My course.  My resolve to being the best wife and mother I can possibly be. 

But you know what?

At the end of the day.  When I'm wrapped up in the mere memories of the hard-earned day, my head is on the pillow. I know my Heavenly Father is only a whisper away. And while my husband's embrace is long and tender...when we're left to whisper loud into the deaf ears of the other because sleep has long since carried one of us off into La La land. What matters most is that, in the end, I have been faithful.

I have done my best.

When we feel loved. 

That they know they're loved. 

All is grace...knowing, some days are like this.

***

Joining with Rachel, today at...