Thanksgiving 2013 Planning & Zoning

Thanksgiving one of my most favorite holidays.  A holiday that should be practiced more often than once a year and I guess we do in other ways just a different menu.  The greatness of this season is wrapped up in family, food and of course giving thanks.  Here is a picture of my preparations for this great event.  I keep a book, you know journal, that list my prior menu, shopping list and guest attending.  I refer to this each year.  It is full of list, page numbers, recipes, successes and failures.  I either cheer myself on for the new found recipe or say DO NOT MAKE AGAIN....  Two years ago November 23, 2011 we went out to buy our turkey but never made it to the grocery store and came home with a bundle of joy named Lillie Catherine.  Soooo we had sub sandwiches from a local grocery for Thanksgiving lunch but we were giving much thanks that Mother and baby were home and healthy.  Thanksgiving 2012 was awesome!  We all ate and ate and ate including Lillie Catherine.  In fact she liked her turkey dinner so much that she gave up baby food that very day.  This year the turkey was  bought early and the shopping for food began last week at a grocery store where my other favorite granddaughter, Grace Jacqueline works.  So excited to begin the cooking and preparations.  We will be having a surprise guest but I can't say who he is.  I will send a picture at a later date.  He want be joining us at the table but he will keep a look out for snowflakes and monitor the temperature from my covered porch.  Blessings to each and every one of you and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Give Thanks

What a great service today at Victory.  People were saved, prayers were answered, the Word came forth and Jesus was Lord of the service.  I love this mailing that went out and has been handed out at every service.  It is laminated, 5 x 7 and is a perfect reminder for us to give thanks not only on Thanksgiving but everyday.  I have several of them.  I use mine for book markers, propped up on my kitchen table, and I know I'll find other uses.  I am reminded to give thanks for what God has already done in my life whether great or small. A grateful heart is a heart full of God's love.  A grateful heart is a heart open to receive God's best He has for us as sons and daughters. 

Lillie Catherine now you're TWO!

Two years old November 23rd.  How is it possible that time has gone so quickly.  I guess the saying is true "Time flies when you're having a good time".  I cannot express the joy, delight, adventure, pleasure and above all love our granddaughter Lillie Catherine has brought into our lives.  She reminds us daily how much she is like her Mother, Sarah Beth.  Sometimes it's like stepping back into the past when we watch her.  She is so like her precious Mother who has been a joy to us all her life.  Thank you Sarah Beth and David for this wonderful little girl that has filled our lives with happiness these two years.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLE CATHERINE!  We love you forever and always.  Sweet sleep my girls in Jesus name.

Chop Chop Ninja

This is one powerful machine....I love it.  I admit I was a little intimidated by it the first time I used it.  In fact I cut my finger on one of the blades.  If you notice this thing has three blades.  It also has two one serving tumblers with its on blade.  Almost everyday I make myself a smoothie.  My recipe
is 1 cup of lactose-free, fat free and omega-3s milk, 1 tbs. flax oil, 1 tsp. maca root powder and frozen mixed fruit.  Next I just pulse until nice and smooth hardly any effort at all for this great machine.  I call it a machine because kitchen appliance just doesn't do it justice.  You can use fresh fruit and ice cubes.  I prefer the frozen fruit and no extra water.  Very tastee and good for you.  Got it on sale at Macy's plus I had a coupon for another 15% off.  Such a deal!  Can't wait to start my holiday cooking and baking.  Look out cranberries and carrots here I come....
P.S.  Don't lick the blades!  Remember this is not your mixer. I must admit it looks good enough to lick.

Fav Hair Products

Yep, that's me with the curls. That is why I loveeee these hair products.  They are made just for curls. If you notice the labels you'll see frizz-free, set it free, arc angel and flexible hold. All much needed when you deal with fuzzy head, cow licks, and hair that can never ever be brushed or combed once it is dry. NO MATTER WHAT!  I always thought my Mom had given me a perm in this picture but nope not the case.  Of course back then there were no hair products for natural curly hair. I remember trying to deal with my daughter, Sarah Beth's hair.  I tried rolling it, curling irons, different hair cuts but no good.  I was so glad when she came up with these products and how to use them. I still have some bad hair days but they are not as often and usually one product or the other helps out. Love the smell of lavender that is used in the hair spray. Good product and easy on the hair.

I think my Mom, Lillie, is the most beautiful woman in the world. She will be 92 in January and is as beautiful as ever.  Love you Mama. Thanks for my name, Rose Jacqueline, I love it.
 My preacher man says I look just like another little girl he knows named Lillie Catherine, our granddaughter.

Journals, Sketch Books & More

Here's just a few of one of the journals I own.  I buy them when I see them and like the way they look.  Sometimes it's the cover, the shape, ribbons, colors or the pages inside.  I write all kinds of things.  The one with the peacock on it is full of quotes, Bible verses, and some poems, along with my on little sayings.  I also do some illustrating.  I wanted to create these for my children and grandchildren.  It is a way of leaving a part of me for them to have to know me a little better and remember me.  I also enjoy doing it.  It's ok if you're not really a writer or can draw because you're leaving it for people who love you and will be blessed by something that was made for them.  The one with the animals, trees and flowers was written to Lillie Catherine before she was born.  The two little books on the bottom have list of things I'm looking for when I shop, measurements, notes of things I see when I'm out that I might want to do, and so forth and so on. So give it a try maybe it would be for you too. 

Yea Shopping!

Great day shopping in St Louis yesterday.  We were able to find almost everything we went for.  Yes, yes, yes!  We had a great meal at Cheesecake Factory and believe it or not skipped the dessert.  Unthinkable eating at the CHEESECAKE Factory and not having a piece of that luscious stuff.  Oh well, next time. A big thank you to my preacher man for helping out with Lillie Catherine.
I will be sharing some of my favorite things, places, food, recipes, kitchen appliances and whatever comes to minds over the next few days.  I hope some of them will help you and you will enjoy as much as I do.  Looking forward to tomorrow, Sunday, as always.  I love our Church and the people that make up Victory.  Hope to see you there. 

RELAX

Having coffee, tea for me, with my preacher man this morning when he drew this picture to my attention.  Isabelle, our 3 pound poodle, was actually following through with the suggestion.  I immediately went for the dictionary to see just what this word that people try so hard to achieve really means.  It is made up of two words re meaning a change in procedure and lax not tense, rigid and open.  That is a big calling card for all of us!  Lay back, let go of things that cause you to tense up and open yourself up to listening to the Spirit of God.  Most things we worry and fret about never happen anyway.  Re can cause us to change our procedure and lax can help us to let go and open ourselves up and be accessible to the things God has for us as sons and daughters.  Relax on little Izzie !

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Oh Happy Birthday

 Just celebrated my preacher man's, I can't say his age, birthday.  Great meal if I say so myself.  Steaks with blue cheese sauce, potato mashers, salad and hot rolls with lots of butter.  Sarah Beth made his favorite yellow cake with chocolate icing. Of course we like our toppings on our cake.  How about cherry pie filling, ice cream, and whip topping.  Yep you got it we like our fruit toppings.  A southern thing I passed on to my family.  Lots of great presents but as you can see the best and favorite is given by his granddaughter Lillie Catherine. She truly makes a body happy especially her Pop Pop! We love you from all  your family.