Mimi Moment!

We're going to have a baby!!!!  Well, not Jim and I, but Patti and Rodrick are!  We are all so excited!

What a joy it is to watch Patti and Rodrick as mommy and daddy!  They are amazing!

Happy Birthday, Patti!

What a beautiful gift we received 28 years ago.  I can't believe it has been 28 years.    Happy Birthday to a precious young woman who is a beautiful example of a godly wife and mommy!

What a joy Patti was growing up.  We never had a dull moment and life was full of joy!  This is Patti at 17.

Little Patti at 5 years old.  She was a smart little girl and  full of energy.  It's so fun to see her  in her little ones today! 

The Pioneer Woman

My friend, Jenny, went to a book signing for Ree Drummond.  Ree has a fun blog called,
The Pioneer Woman.  I gave The Pioneer Woman's cookbook to our daughter, Patti, last year.  Patti loved it and has made many of her recipes and goes to her blog on a regular basis.


For Patti's birthday, Jenny got Ree to sign her latest book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, for Patti.    Shhhh....don't tell Patti, it is a surprise.

Jenny (on the right) had her picture taken with The Pioneer Woman and it was in the Oklahoman.  (Oklahoma City newspaper)

Goodbye, Twitter!

Yep, I did it, I ended my career with Twitter.

Why? (thank you for asking)

I always forgot I had it and failed to post my every action each moment of the day.
I can't imagine, who would care what I am doing.
My life isn't that exciting to post for the world to see.
Trying to always make my life more simpler.

Goodbye Twitter.....

New Bible Study!

My friend, Kathy Howard, has a new Bible study out that I think you will all love!  This is Kathy's third study.  Enjoy this short interview with Kathy!

Kathy, what prompted you to write on this particular topic?

Over the last few years, many Christian women I love and admire have endured difficult circumstances such as life-threatening illness, divorce, death of a child, and financial hardship. The quality of their faith significantly affected how they endured these trials and how God worked in them for His glory. God strengthened and guided them through their close relationship with Jesus.

Their experiences made me wonder how I would do in the same circumstances. Like most women, I manage to juggle the everyday things of life – work, family, ministry, and home life – without too much difficulty. But sometimes, even in just a small crisis, my self-sufficiency is shaken. Would I stand firm in really hard times or would these trials knock me flat? I began to ask God to show me how my faith could be prepared.

So why Peter? Why is he a good example for us to study?

Peter was just an ordinary man, a fisherman. He worked hard. He had a family and friends. Peter was passionate and a natural leader, but he was also headstrong and impetuous. Peter had sworn to follow Jesus unconditionally, no matter the circumstances. Yet on the night Jesus was betrayed, his faith wavered and he denied His Lord. But then several decades later Peter willingly faced martyrdom rather than deny Him again. This study is about what made the difference in Peter’s faith. Unshakeable Faith looks closely at Peter’s life and teachings to discover some of the key characteristics God built into his faith that helped him stand firm in the face of death. That’s the kind of faith I want to have.

What’s unique about this study?

I love to study God’s Word. Learning about God, His ways, and what He desires for us is wonderful. But if we don’t apply what He teaches us, let it shape our lives, then we fall short of the full purpose of study. Unshakeable Faith not only leads readers into learning God’s Word, but it also purposefully helps readers apply it. In addition to each week’s application section, there is a “Faith Shaker” story that helps us see how that faith trait works in real life. These stories are about real women who have faced a life trial with which many readers will relate. Readers get to see how their faith keeps them standing firm. A strong faith in Jesus Christ does work in real life!

Where can readers get a copy of Unshakeable Faith?

The study is available at most online bookstores and many Christian bookstores. If your local bookstore does not carry it more than likely they can order it for you. Here are a few links to online stores.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unshakeable-Faith-Traits-RockSolid-Studies/dp/1596692979/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295970163&sr=1-4

New Hope/WMU Bookstore: http://www.wmustore.com/product.asp?sku=N114134

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Unshakeable-Faith/Kathy-Howard/e/9781596692978/?itm=1&USRI=unshakeable+faith+by+kathy+howard

Christian Book Distributors: http://www.christianbook.com/unshakeable-faith-traits-rock-solid-living/kathy-howard/9781596692978/pd/692978?item_code=WW&netp_id=834962&event=ESRCN&view=details

Mimi Moment!

Jack LaLanne will be missed!

Nathan is a huge Jack Lalanne fan!  The day he passed away a couple of weeks ago was a sad day around here.  Nathan was in mourning.  In honor of Jack, Nathan had a juicing party.  Those that are most faithful showed up.  Me, Dad, Sarah and of course Nathan.  He made a concoction of spinach, carrots, beets, celery, etc. etc.  I don't know what all went in the juicer.  He then poured us all a glass and we had to toast to Jack, as Nathan played the theme song from his television show. :)  Anyway, everyone loved it and downed their juice.  I, on the other hand, was having a problem.  I just couldn't drink it.  I took a couple of sips and even used a straw thinking it would help.  I finally convinced everyone to split mine amongst them.  They did.  Nathan was not very proud of his mom, but what can I say.  Maybe I will be able to drink it next time......Sweet Sarah made Jack Lalane brownies.

Iris' Pecan Pie

  
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of Karo Syrup
1/4 cup of melted butter
3 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups pecans, lightly toasted
Pie Crust

Prick pie crust with fork, brush with melted butter, bake 3-4 minutes.
Mix ingredients in order listed, pour into pie shell and bake at 350 degrees until done.

*I had to call Iris to see how long she thought it would be until is was done.  She said about 45 minutes.  So that is what I did. I toasted the pecans for about 5 minutes, when I asked about that too.  You don't want burned pecans, so you have to watch them closely.

 Also, I have not stepped into the world of making my own pie crust.  I used the Pillsbury Pie Crust, which I think is delicious. Maybe on my next pie or two I will step out of my comfort zone and roll out my own crust.

Pie #2

Remember the story about my pie's that I am making for my brother once a month?  Well, his second request was a Pecan Pie.  Several years ago, a precious lady we know made a pie for our family for Thanksgiving.  It was the best pie ever.  That is the pie Burt wanted.  So, sweet Iris sent me her recipe and I made it.  Yes, this was my first Pecan Pie to ever make.  (I've always left pie baking up to my mom)  He said it was perfect!  Of course, what else is he going to say?  Thank you Iris for your recipe!  I will cherish it forever!  It is now called Iris' Pecan Pie!