Giveaway

Head over to Cynthia's and tell her what you like best about blogging to enter her 1 year Giveaway. You have until June 5th when she will pick a winner.

Frugal Fashion Friday

Thought I would link up w/ Jen today for a Frugal Fashion post. If you have not tried thrift shopping, it is a great way to save on clothes, it is a definite must in my opinion. some wonderful I live in a small town, so the selection is more limited, but some great finds just the same.

Izod Capri 2.99

2 pair Eddie Bauer shorts like new 2.99 ea.

Skirt New 2.99

Madison brand(Our Belk,s better brand) New 1.59

Head on over to check out Jen's posts today, and I am going to start looking for those core pieces that she has shared. She had some great coats, and several different styles that add a lot to your wardrobe. Have a wonderful weekend! Jackie

Tasty Tuesday- Graduation Treats

My best friend's son graduated this weekend, and I volunteered for brownies. Rather than just a plain brownie, I made the brownies in mini muffin pans, then while they were still warm, I made a little indention in the top to hold a cherry or a Hershey kiss. Everyone liked them, and a little more than just a plain square brownie. A friend made a variety for the chocolate bar @ my daughters wedding. You can add a strawberry slice, a dollop of cool whip to dress up a plain brownie mix. I had also seen these on Bakerella, and wanted to give them a try. Mine however do not look quite as wonderful as hers, but everyone loved them! She had put hers on lollipop sticks, but I couldn't find anything that would hold these, and the humidity was so high I was afraid that they might fall apart, so the cake platter was the best choice. Next time I will do them a little bit differently, but I had fun with them just the same. In a small town I am very limited to what I had to work with, so I made the best of it.

Chocolate Graduation Hats

Now head on over to Jen's to see what else is cooking.
Jackie

You know you are desparate when.....

you read the package to see how often you can do this.....

I have had a sinus infection and I finished the last of my antibiotic today, and it still doesn't look like my nose is clearing up. I absolutely do not want to do another round of antibiotics and I have taken so many Mucinex. I can definitely tell that I am better, however something has made me feel totally worn out with no energy at all. Last year I started w/ chronic sinus infections and this has been the worst one yet.

Do any of you suffer with this? I am open to any helpful suggestions. The Dr. has suggested allergy testing. What do you think? I need to get to feeling better soon. Let me hear what has worked for you. Hope you all have had a wonderful Memorial Day and looking forward to a great week! Jackie

To Those Who Have Served........

.....and to those who are still serving our country.

We Thank You!

Definitely Mexican !

While visiting my daughter last week, we had a birthday party for my son-in-law. Now you must understand, my girl loves putting together a party! My regret is that I don't have better pictures to show you. When I finally got around to taking pictures, I was in hurry mode. We went with Mexican, because it was easier to feed a crowd on a budget. Above are the table covers I hemmed out of bright fabric. She now has two long table covers to use again.

Pretty flowers she brought home from the garden shop where she works. We just popped these into my metal basket w/ a little bright tissue and ended up with a cheery table centerpiece. They also ended up being part of my Mother's Day gift.

Of course we had chips and salsa!

Homemade Pico De Gallo.

They have a wonderful outdoor area where we sat everything up.

Table for drinks and desserts.

I will leave you with the Southwestern Salsa recipe we used from Southern Living.

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds

2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 red pepper, minced

1 small purple onion, minced (1 cup)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Toast cumin seed in a skillet over medium heat 1-2 minutes or until brown and fragrant, stirring often Combine cumin seeds, black beans and remaining ingredients. Toss well , cover and refrigerate up to one week.

We made this the day ahead so the flavors have time to mix. This is a great addition to your Mexican feast, or even adds a great taste to the common salad. Have a great day! Jackie

Empty Nest Again?

Remember my trip to see my daughter last week?

Here we are riding down the road.

This little girl stayed behind.

We've had her since October, while they worked on renovating their house, but her Mom said it was time for her to come home.

Doesn't she look like she is missing me already?

For those of you who have asked how my daughter is doing, she is doing well. Her hemoglobin had dropped 2 points which explains why she has been so tired, but we expected that. She had her first Remicade treatment while I was there, and will be going for another one next week. Hopefully she will be able to tell a difference very soon. Thanks so much for your prayers. Jackie

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Sandy at 4Reluctant Entertainers asked what recent savored memory we might be willing to share. One that we have made with our children. She shared about making pancakes with her daughter, and what fun they shared with just the two of them while everyone was away. If you have not read her blog, go here to see what one fantastic lady she is.

Friday evening my son and I went to see my nephew's college baseball game. He is a pitcher, so I never really know whether or not he will be playing, but I have recently felt the desire to show my support whether he plays or not. My son and I really enjoy these times together, and even though he is now 21, he doesn't mind a night out with his mom, and I am so glad!

It had been raining but we took a chance and went anyway. It is about an hour drive, but the closer we got the rain had passed earlier and we got to enjoy the game. After the game was over around 10:00 it was on to IHOP for a late night dinner/breakfast. I enjoy great conversation with him, and he is constantly encouraging me in my walk with the Lord. What more could a mom ask for?

Life gets busy, and we can let the busyness steal the opportunities for time spent together, time that can never be replaced. I encourage you to take the time. It won't be something you will ever regret. Have a blessed week! Jackie

I Can't

• I can't solve our world's economic crisis.
• I can't solve our world's spiritual crisis.
• I can't make our world's leaders make right choices.
• I can't nominate the right person for the Supreme Court.
• I can't make people understand the value of a human life.
• I can't stop wars.
• I can't erase famine and poverty.
• I can't turn a world that seems upside down, right side up.

Here's what I can do.

• I can stand for righteousness.
• I can humble myself before God.
• I can ask for forgiveness.
• I can ask that God will be merciful to His children.
• I can call on the Sovereign Lord of the universe to change what I can't.

....and YOU can too! I just finished reading a letter from our Pastor with a reminder to wake up, pray for God's forgiveness, and pray for a generation that is growing up not knowing who God is, what it means to be a Christian, and understanding that there is only ONE way, and that is through Jesus Christ. Focus on the Family has also issued a request that we not have just a National Day of Prayer, but a National Year of Prayer. I believe God is challenging me to pray daily for our nation and the place we find ourselves today. Will you join me? I will try to post a reminder every week, to keep myself accountable to do this daily.

"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:13-14

Please notice this is not talking to those that do not know the Lord, but those that belong to HIM. It is my prayer that you will be willing to join me daily. I know this has been a little heavy, but God calls us to obedience, and for me, this time obedience means sharing what He has put on my heart. Have a blessed weekend. Jackie

Remember when............

Yesterday when I took the dogs for one last walk before I leaving my daughter's , this triggered a memory of days gone by. Isn't it funny how a tree, a smell, the look of a certain house brings back those childhood memories. For me, yesterday, it was this Mimosa tree. The Mimosa has beautiful pink feathery blooms and fern like branches. When I was a little girl we had about three of these growing on one side of our house. I cannot tell you how many hours were spent under those trees. We were able to climb through the branches easily because the branches started very low at the trunk of the tree. You didn't have to climb far, and then you were sitting among the feather blooms and calming shade of the tree.

In the late summer the tree puts on bean like pods and they dry in the fall. We used to pick the pods and remove the seeds to make necklaces. I can remember stringing seeds until I had a beautiful dark brown necklace of Mimosa seeds. We played house under the branches and shared many adventures under the shade of those trees. It was long before the days of video games, reality TV, home computers, and so much more that has shifted the attention of our children today.

And no, I am not that old, but it was definitely a simpler time. For those of you who are wondering I was born in 1961. As I looked back remembering, things seemed so much more peaceful, and it didn't take much to entertain us girls. As I type this morning, I had to ask myself where is my peace? Am I looking at the past to bring me peace, or am I looking to the ONE who brings all the peace and rest I need?

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy -laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Have a blessed day, and hope my rambling triggered some fond memories of days gone by, for you too. Jackie

Home Again!

Yes, I am back! As you can see, I only got one post in last week too! When I got to my daughter's she said, " You haven't blogged in a week!" No kidding. I will be back regularly as soon as I get my thoughts together and laundry caught up. I have one day to try to catch up a little and then I am subbing Friday and Monday. Next Monday will most likely be my last day to sub for the school year. I am looking forward to some projects over the summer, maybe a little beach time, and some visits with family. Looking forward to catching up with each of you. Hope your week is going well! Jackie

Monday Menus

A little late posting today, since I had to sub, but here goes.

Monday: Low Country Boil & Salad
Tuesday: Pasta Shells stuffed w/ Ricotta and topped w/ Sauce & Cheese, Garlic Bread, Salad
Wednesday: Bridal Shower @ church
Thursday: Roast w/ Carrots and Potatoes, Rice and Green Beans

I was excited to come home and find a hidden package of shrimp that we had frozen a while back, and had all of the other ingredients for the LCB. It was delicious, especially after the chicken nuggets I had eaten at school today!

That's all for this week since I will be leaving Thursday afternoon heading to my daughters. She is planning a birthday dinner for her husband and we will be doing a lot of Mexican.

We both would appreciate your prayers. She will begin Remicade treatments on Tuesday, so I will be staying to go with her for the first treatment. Please pray that she responds well to the treatment. She hung in there for a long time not feeling well at all, and she is ready to start feeling healthy again.

I hope everyone has a blessed week, and hope to get in more than one post this week. Jackie