Fun Friday

This last Friday was one of my favorite Fridays of the year so far!
It started with having GT for the weekend.  After a nice long after school nap we went to Kyle's first piano recital at "My Sweetest Friend's, Isy's".  Isy is her piano teacher. She taught Nate and me many moons ago too ;)
We're so proud of our "Little Bird"! She was very poised...

Isy, Bobbie & Kyle

 "Bobbie had a little prize for her" ....Fairy key chain

 GT

 Mommy

 Daddy

Poppy & GT

"Lamby"

It was a gorgeous Spring Phoenix evening.  Uncle Nanie was there too but he didn't show up in any pics this time :( Probably because he was making sure I was in a few. Thanks Nate!
On to Clay's baseball game!

Stealing 3rd!

 Treats & silliness!
 There was a ring around the tub THAT night!


Thanks for visiting!!

THE BEST( I HAVE EVER MADE ) EVER APPLE PIE!

The other day I had the itch to make an apple pie and I miraculously had all of the ingredients!

I was short an apple or 2 but I figured it could be a "skinny pie" ;)

I didn't have my own recipe so I went on a hunt via the internet and found this one on Allrecipes.com which I modified a little.

It was quick and easy, my kinda recipe!

The thing I love is that it turned out DELISH!

"Apple Pie by Grandma Ople"
1 package pie crust (one for bottom layer,one for lattice top)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6-8 peeled and cored apples, I used Gala

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. 
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.                

Thanks for visiting!

April Showers?

Friday we headed up to the cabin. It was chilly but not that unusual for Payson. We made our usual stop at Safeway to pick up milk and coffee creamer cause we can't survive without the later.
I was even so excited to see that they had huge branches of
Cherry Blossoms in the floral department. Wow! I hadn't seen that since I was a child back in Michigan, I never see those in Phoenix. I was thinking what a beautiful spring day tomorrow was going to be ;)

This is what we woke up to instead~ SURPRISE!!!!

This was definitely better!!

"April showers snow brings May flowers"

It's supposed to be 80 degrees on Wednesday!!

Arizona "is like a box of chocolates...."

I love her 

Thanks for visiting!

Sing!

I LOVE music! I love all music, except rap, sorry.
It gets to my soul. If anything can get to my heart faster, it's a song.
Today I was home alone and when that happens my music gets cranked up and I sing and dance knowing that I can be free to let the words speak to my heart and encourage me.
The one that really got to me today was " If Today Was Your Last Day" by Nickelback.

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life.

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

That got to me on so many levels. You can hear a song over and over but sometimes it's just new. Today was one of those days.
Today the line "What's worth the price is always worth the fight" hit me like a brick. My thoughts went immediately to what Jesus did for me. He fought for me and you. Died the worst death possible. He must think we're worth it. That's humbling. The best part is knowing he has won the fight!


I hope you can feel and hear beauty in music each day.
Thank you for visiting!!

$17 Chair Re-Do Reveal

TA DA!!!!!

Remember how it all started?
$17 for the chair,
lots of muscle work in the stripping and repaint.
The upholstery fabric cost $75, more than I wanted to pay but I love it ;)

It was a long time coming, but worth the wait :)

Thanks for visiting!

Egg Fun

Every year we color Easter Eggs.  It's especially fun with the g'kids.  They bring you back around to the beauty of making them "distinctly different" cause it's their creation.
Here are a few pics from our evening.  Notice the dirty faces, (I'll explain Kyle's fingers in a minute), we all just came from Clay's baseball game where the little ones got nice and grubby! 

 Don't you just love the "Jack 'O lantern" shirt for Easter? :)

Kyle has what is known in our family as "Shrek Fingers"...

 She has no need of "egg dippers"

Here's what Poppy does... 

Thanks for visiting and I pray that you and your loved ones have a beautiful Easter weekend!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life!"

John 3:16

Year One

Speaking of anniversaries...Today is the one year mark of my first posting.
I decided a year ago today to start a blog to log a little of my life, my family, my ideas, thoughts, crafts and such ;) 
After a year I would have it printed as a memento and keepsake for myself. Journal a year of my life for memories sake. 
I haven't really spent a lot of time going back and re-reading my posts on purpose. There's a lot that I don't remember posting so I'm excited to see what will be printed up and "surprise" myself when I open it up to read it. 
I remember saying in the beginning that I hoped to be an encouragement to others, that is so very important to me. So if you were encouraged and would like to leave a comment, it would mean a lot to me to hear from you, to have it for my "printed keepsake".

Anniversaries

Today is my Tommy & Melissa's 8th anniversary!
February 27th my Heather & Michael celebrated their 13th anniversary!
I just gotta tell you that as a mom, I feel so blessed.  My children have found their soul mates.  God has given them all they need. It is a peaceful feeling to know that I can trust my child, the one I will always want to protect, with that other person. 
Mike and Melissa have become "my other kids" or sometimes affectionately called "The Imports" ;)

Congratulations! I love you guys!!

xoxox

Happy Birthday to My Sister ( Belated )

I know this birthday post is late, I can't believe I didn't do it on her special day! She knows how much I love her and how so very blessed I feel to be her sister! 
Teresa is like my very own sister. We have that special bond that you don't always get when you marry into a family. We share so many loving memories and fun times. We are miles apart but close in heart.
I love you my dear sister. Happy birthday!
xoxox