Weakness for Sparkles!

On our way home from San Antonio, we stopped in a little town called Boerne.  (It is pronounced Birney.)
I found a cute boutique that had all of their jewelry 1/2 price!  I had to control myself but did manage to get these sparkles!

Tryin' To Be A Ross Shopper!

On some of the beautiful blogs I visit, so many of the ladies shop at Ross and find the best deals and share them on their blogs.  So......I decided to give it a whirl.  I went one day last week and it was crazy in there. It really isn't my favorite place to be on a Saturday afternoon.  I went against my rule of shopping on Saturday. :)  But, I just had to go see what bargains I could find.  I snapped a little picture of my loot. 


A couple of interesting observations: 


Security guards at the door made me a little nervous and the tall poles on the baskets were a little annoying.  *I would love to spend a while in there and organize their shelves for them. :)

Found some book boxes, like Liz at Savvy Seasons. :)  Some greenery, glass domes, an easel and a beautiful bowl that I forgot to put in the picture.  The blue glass piece came from Hobby Lobby. Now, to figure out what to do with these items. :)

Fun in San Antonio, Texas!

We took a quick trip to San Antonio this week.  If you ever get a chance to stay at the JW Marriott Resort, I would go for it if I were you!


While Jim golfed, I explored San Antonio shopping.  How thankful I am for a navigation system that decided to work really well that day!


My Aunt and Uncle, who I haven't seen in a few years live in the area, so we were able to meet them for dinner one evening.  It was so good to see them!  I have some special memories of them when I was growing up.

The view driving up to the resort in the evening.  Better have your walking shoes, it is a huge place.  

View from our balcony.  Rainy day, so you can't see everything.   Golf course is in the background.

A nice surprise from the waitress at the restaurant in hotel.  The food was delicious at the 18 Oaks.

Bad lighting, but had to share my sweet Aunt and Uncle.  

Heart Talk Newsletter

As most of you know, I am the Women's Ministry Director at my church.  Each month we put together a newsletter for our ladies.  We recently sent out the January/February issue of our newsletter, Heart Talk.  I would love for you to check it out and see all that we have going.  I love the work that goes on in this ministry and the ladies are so much fun to serve with! The newsletters are always posted on the blog I have for our women's ministry at  www.aheartforwomensministry.blogspot.com 

You can view the latest newsletter here:

Heart Talk

Blog Award!

I am so honored to receive The Versatile Blogger award from Shanita 
of Embellishments by SLR!

  Thanks so much for passing this on to me! Shanita has been a blessing as 
a new friend in our sharing 

one of our favorite things, and that is caring for and decorating our homes.

The rules for this award are:

• Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Send it to 15 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them

7 things about me:

I was born and raised in 
West Texas!

I love the traveling in the Eastern part 
of the country!

I killed a poor little deer 
with my car!

I could eat Mexican Food three times a day,
 7 days a week! (I think)

God has been so good to me, despite my 
many shortcomings!

My husband calls me a "night-crawler" 
 I come alive at night.

I don't do very well with blog awards that have
 assignments with them. :)

The 15 blogs I am awarding are:

All Things Refined
Btwixt & Btween

*More coming....15?  Whew....

A Girl Like Me....

When a girl like me...

grows up without the love and security of a father, it leaves you with some scars.

Scars that only the love of a Heavenly Father can heal.

Those scars are things like insecurity, fearfulness and non-trusting.  Those don't really make good qualities for a good wife.  As a young girl, getting married and having children were not part of my life plan.  

After I became a Christian at the age of 14 and got involved in a strong church, the Lord began to show me that marriage was a good thing.  I watched married couples in the church.  I saw some not so good examples and I saw some wonderful godly examples of what God had intended for marriage to be.  As an older teen, I began to read books on how to be a godly wife and mother. The desires of my heart turned and I had hoped that I would someday be a godly wife to someone that I could trust and love.

When I met Jim at 19, I knew there was something different about him than I had seen in other guys.  He loved the Lord with all his heart and I felt safe and secure with him.  He was someone that I knew I could trust with all of my heart.

Now, 32 years have passed and the blessings are beyond comprehension!  Were those a perfect 32 years?  Of course not!  But after 32 years, the love, security, safety and trust is stronger than ever!  (Those are important issues for a girl like me.)

So, all that to say, when a girl like me makes Psalm 37:4 one of her life verses, great things happen!


               "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart"

I believe He did, by blessing me with a precious husband like My Jim!

How Was It Before Christmas?

After all the Christmas is taken down, it is time to fill in all the gaps with accessories that were put away.  For some reason, for me, it looks very plain and doesn't seem to work like it did before.  So, along with my de-cluttering and organizing, I am also busy rearranging not only furniture, but all the many shelves and mantles.

When we built this house, I knew I wanted shelves, but didn't think about all the keeping up with the decorating of the shelves.  I have 30 actual shelves in units around the house and 3 mantles.  Not to mention all the above cabinet shelves.  It is always a challenge to find just the right objects and knowing how to arrange them.

Mantle in Living Room

Entry

Family Room

Master Bed Room

Election Year Is Upon Us...continued

Texas is my home, so naturally, I know a lot about Rick Perry.  I home-schooled my children and I first became aware of who he really was when he would make speeches defending parents rights to educate their own children.  I liked what he had to say.  He also was strong in his stand on protecting innocent babies from being terminated in the womb.  That was another plus for me.  He stands strong on the gun laws, the human trafficking issue, border protection, balancing the budget.  He is a man of strong character and integrity.  He isn't ashamed to speak of his Savior, Jesus Christ.  He loves his family.  Can you get any better than Rick Perry?  Okay, so he had some flubs during a couple of the debates, he is also human.  He has been very strong in the last few debates.

Rick Santorum:  I like him.  I won't have any problem casting my vote for him if he is the candidate.  I hope he can run a country and take care of his family...he still has children at home.

Mitt Romney:  I don't know, there is just something about him.  He has a nice family. :)  I will vote for him if he is the Republican candidate in November.

Newt:  I used to be a big fan of Newt.  But, I lost it when he had the wife issues.....can't help it.   I like the way he puts the media in their place. Yes, I will vote for him if he is the Republican candidate still standing in November.

Huntsman:  Not sure about him.  I don't have a good feeling when I listen to him for some reason.  Nice family though.  Yes, I will even vote for him if he is the one.

Ron Paul:  Where did he come from?  Texas?  How did that happen?

Michelle:  I really liked her.  I honestly don't think I'm ready for a female president.  I don't know why, I just can't see it.  But, if I had to vote for her, I would have.  She has strong values and she is very knowledgeable.  I admire her family life.

Herman Cain: Well, I just don't know.  Glad I don't have to figure that one out.

Well, there you go.  As interesting as that is, it's said and done.

I'm sticking with Rick Perry.

I'm basically tired of the news already telling me who the best candidate is and who will make it etc. etc.  I'm a FOX News fan, and I'm about to give them up for a while.  If the first primary was Texas, guess who the front runner would be?  The news media would be degrading all the other candidates.  It's getting old already and we have 10 months to go.

Election Year Is Upon Us!

Beverly, What do you think of the candidates that are running for President?  

The White House

Thank you for asking..... :)


Well, after a day of watching the news and all the political news going on, I have to share a few things, just so I can say I got it off my shoulders. :)


I have always been interested in politics.  I care about our country and I don't take our freedom for granted.  I'm grateful for the ones that have served our country and have leaned upon the Lord for their wisdom. 


I care about social issues very deeply.  I feel that our country was founded upon certain principles and if we let them go, we may not have much of a country left.  For some reason the Lord has blessed America in a great way.  I'm am thankful and I feel blessed to be an American.


I am also a strong Christian so the way I vote is always after I've tried to align everything up with scripture.


I've done my share in working polls on voting day, attending precent meetings and also went as a delegate to the state convention twice.  I've written letters, called my senator or congressman when a vote was coming up, etc.


I am a Republican by conviction.  I read the platforms of the different groups and the Republican Party is the one that aligns with my beliefs.  I don't understand when I hear people say, "I will vote whoever I think can do a good job, I don't care if it is a Republican or Democrat."  The point is, there is a reason there are different political parties.  They believe and promote different values.  So, the first thing anyone should do is read the platforms of the different parties and then decide which one you will promote and put your trust in.  Then, such as an election year as it is now, you choose the candidate that best promotes your beliefs and values.


This time of year, we always have several that work to get our vote so they can be the one candidate that will run for the office of President.


I don't like long posts, so I will continue in another one.  The lineup for the Republicans that are seeking the White House are...... 

Friends, Family and Snow!

I'm sitting by the fire reading and blogging.  (That is the reason for the extra posts today.)


We are supposed to get up to 8 inches of snow today.  I've been fighting a cold the last three days and today is the worst!  I have a cough to go along with it now.  Such a beautiful day and so much to do and all I can do is sit here.


I had a friend call and she delivered her famous Taco Soup with all the trimmings.  She had no idea I was sick, she just wanted to bring it.  She will never know how much that blessed me!  Not to mention it was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!


Friends, Family and Snow? (and taco soup) Can it get much better than that?  It makes this terrible cold a little more bearable!

Finally; A Show I Enjoy on HGTV!

Donna Decorates Dallas!

My favorite show on HGTV.  I love the way Donna decorates and what fun to watch her go to Market and put things together for her clients.  She also has a shop in Dallas called, That's Haute.  My daughter went there last week and brought me back a fun prize from her store, a crown for my candle!  I love it!  She said the store was just a fun as we thought!  That will be on my list the next time I head to Dallas!  Donna Decorates Dallas comes on HGTV every Saturday evening. See what you think.

Donna Moss of  the program on HGTV, "Donna Decorates Dallas."

It's Snowing...Again!!!

It's Snowing!  

We had snow on Christmas Day and now it is back and it is absolutely beautiful.  My camera doesn't show the huge beautiful flakes coming down.  I will take another one later.  It is supposed to snow all day today with up to 8 inches.  Is that possible here in West Texas?  After our drought all through the summer, this is such a blessing to see. 

View out the front door.

Words of Wisdom

Whether you're pushing a stroller or a grocery cart or an aluminum walker, whether you are single, married, or a widow, whether your challenge is eight children or no children, whether life has you nursing children with measles, a husband with cancer, or your own osteoporosis, your life counts--counts mightily--as you face its challenges with a heart full of devotion to God. 
- Elizabeth George

I love reading each day's quote from her daily calendar.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Apron

I love aprons and found this one last year at Pier One.  I had to add the "diamond" necklace. :)

More Simple Christmas Decor...

I love ribbon!

Memories of Disney World!  I love Disney World at Christmas!

One of my new ornaments.  I love teapots!

Cute stocking!

Found these cute chair covers for the bar stools in the kitchen.  

Can't beat cupcakes and gingerbread men!

Arrangement in living room.  This is what Christmas is really all about.  What a magnificent gift; Jesus!

Mantle garland in living room.

There it is, my simple Christmas decorations.  It will be a special time as we remember the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!!!

Snow In West Texas!

It's a miracle!  Snow!!!!

You can't see the soldier, but trust me, he is cute!  I'll take a close up tomorrow.

Snow makes the world so pretty!

A Simple Christmas...

A Year to Simplify Christmas…

I usually have a tree in every room and decorate anything that doesn't move.  This year a lot is going on, so I decided for my sanity, I would simplify. 

Tree in entry way.  I removed all the fall decor and added a few of my favorite items from my gingerbread tree that I usually do in the kitchen.

I love the top hats and couldn't leave this one out for the entry tree.

I bought this tassel at a gift shop last year after Christmas at 75% off.  This makes me smile.

Didn't know what to do, so just picked a few items from my stash.

I love filling these for each holiday.

These look good enough to eat!  No calories!

I ordered these dishes last year from Dillard's on sale. I see I missed a cup, better go get it out. :0

I picked a few things to display in the cabinet.

We put a soldier at the front door.  Every time I pass the door, I jump, I think someone is there.  It is supposed to snow tomorrow, so I will take a picture of the outside tomorrow.

More tomorrow……