Still Kickin' -

Hello, sweet friends!!!  I've missed you all!!!
Just a quick note to let ya'll know I haven't forgotten you, I've just had one of those 2 week periods where, well, life just "snowballs" on ya and gets in the way of whatever else you had planned!  But I hope to be back to blogging in a few days - with some new recipes, organizing tips (man, have I got some cool stuff to share with you in that department!) and hopefully some new photos as well.  Plus some other new things I'm working on, too - so stay tuned!  And simply because blog posts are so un-exciting without a picture - here is a totally random one - enjoy!

(((((Hugs))))) to you today - from my home to yours!

Jesus loves you - and so do I!

"Ploughing" ~ a country poem ~

Horse by Bobby Mikul

The little birds by God are fed

But man must earn his daily bread,

And work that he may eat;

Striving his best, as John does now,

The broad ten-acre field to plough,

Wherein to sow the wheat.

Old John, the ploughman, ne'er repines,

Whether it blows, or rains, or shines,

But happy still does seem;

And Dick, who leads the foremost horse,

Goes whistling as he walks across

The field beside the team.

Let us perform as gladly, too,

The work our Master bids us do,

And then we need not fear;

But when from earthly toil we rest,

We all shall meet among the blest

Who served Him truly here.

"One Day At A Time" - Rest & Trust in Jesus!

This video really blessed me today -

passing the blessing along to YOU!

Sometimes we get so stressed and depressed

by all that we have to do each day -

but today is SONday -

so I encourage you to just take a deep breath,

talk to your Heavenly Father -

and let Jesus wrap His loving arms around you'

as you relax in Him!

Coffee!!!!!!!

Yeppers - that's me! 

LOOOOVE me a good cuppa joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Can you tell???)

Any other coffee lovers out there???

Pour yourself a nice, hot steaming mug of your favorite blend -

and let's chat!

Red Box Recipes - Cocoa Ripple Ring!

Today I'd like to share with you a special, down-home recipe from my family's treasured red recipe box!
It's one my Aunt Pauline gave my Mom - probably back in the 1970's when she first got a Bundt pan!

Cocoa Ripple Ring ~

Ingredients -                                                  

Cream together:  1/2 Cup shortening
                            3/4 Cup sugar
                            2 eggs

Sift together:  1-1/2 Cups flour

                       2 teaspoons baking powder 
                       3/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all of the above together alternately with 2/3 Cup milk - beat thoroughly.

Directions ~

Spoon 1/3 of the above mixture into a Bundt pan.  Sprinkle 1/3 Cup instant sweetened cocoa powder & 1/3 chopped nuts (walnuts work well) on top.  Then spoon half the remaining dough on top of the cocoa and nuts, and sprinkle another 1/3 Cup sweetened cocoa and 1/3 Cup nuts on that.  Top with the remaining dough mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

A Treasure Chest ~

Victorian Ransom by Kim Newberg

"The home should be the treasure chest of living."
(Le Corbusier)

Happy Valentine's Day, Dear Friends!

Image courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts

My sentiments exactly!!!

I love spending time with you here -

each and every day!

Wishing you - all my dear friends -

a very

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

14 Days of Love - Last Minute Food & Gifts!

Today I'd like to share with you some more delightful Valentine's Day recipes, food, and gifts from my Pinterest boards - simple gifts for last-minute giving - and easy to assemble.  Enjoy!!

Valentine's Strawberry Brownie Pizza Dessert ~
(now THAT'S a mouthful - pun intended!)

Source: iammommy.typepad.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Hershey Kisses Roses ~

Source: momontimeout.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And top it all off with these easy and adorable little Valentine Hair Bows - made with pipe cleaners!

Source: sugarbeecrafts.com via Pauline on Pinterest

To find the instructions for any of the above - simply click on the picture, then click it again - it will take you right to it!

Hello, New Followers - Welcome!

So very nice to meet you here!  I always feel that when a new follower joins us here - I've made a new friend!

14 Days of Love - What True Love Is ~

14 Days of Love - A Love Letter!

God has written everyone a love letter - have you read your copy yet?
I hope you have - it's so encouraging!  If not - you can listen to it here - you will enjoy it, I'm sure - because it was written out of His Great Loving Heart just for you and me!

Source: dailyaudiobible.com via Pauline on Pinterest

To hear it - just click on the above link - then click it again on the window that opens up - then click on "Daily Audio Bible" in the upper left hand corner.  From there you can choose what you want to listen to.  It will take you right to it!  Be blessed, dear friends!

14 Days of Love - Make Your Own Cute Cards - and a Mailbox, Too!

From my Pinterest boards - adorable & easy homemade Valentine cards - and a mailbox, too!  Just click on the pictures below - then click the pictures that appear - it will take you right to the instructions!

These adorable "Valentine People" cards are found on the Disney website -

Source: familyfun.go.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or you can print off your own "vintage" valentine cards - and "mail" them in this cute, easy to create mailbox - at "Old Road Primitives" - so pretty -

Source: google.com via Pauline on Pinterest

There's still time to mail some love to someone by Tuesday!

14 Days of Love - Treats Sweetened With Love!

Today we have some more (there's no such thing as too many!) easy-peasy sweet treats - made with love!

Scrumptious Heart Shortbread Cookies -

Source: tasteofhome.com via Pauline on Pinterest

These elevate Rice Krispy Treats to a whole new level!

Source: wantsandwishesdesign.blogspot.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And top it all off with a nice hot cuppa coffee - sweetened with love!  Or at least with these easy-to-make heart sugar cubes!

Source: skiptomylou.org via Pauline on Pinterest

(all from my Pinterest boards - just because I love ya!)

14 Days of Love - Gifts for All Ages!

Don't forget Grandma and Grandpa, aunts and uncles - on Valentines' Day!
Here is a sweet card your children could make that they would treasure! 

Source: mymontessorijourney.typepad.com via Pauline on Pinterest

This would make a great gift for your pre-schooler - their own giant crayon!  So easy to do - instructions are given here -

Source: familyfun.go.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And to "wrap it all up" - a free printable!!!  (Free is good - we like that!)

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Pauline on Pinterest

14 Days of Love - Getting Your Act Together!

Source: weheartit.com via Pauline on Pinterest

These two little cutie pies obviously have their act "together"!  Sweetness!  But seriously - why not organize the one spot in your home that your hubby or kids treasure/use the most - as a way of saying "I love you enough to help you out here!"  Perhaps that would be hubby's workspace in the garage, or the kids playroom?  Hubby's office area, or your daughter's closet?  As the old saying goes - "Actions speak louder than words" - they say "I love you" louder, too!

14 Days of Love - Red Velvet Treats!

I have some more dee-lish treats to share with you today - Red Velvet heaven!!  For those who are not familiar with Red Velvet - it is a type of chocolate with a rich, distinct flavor - Mmmmmm!!!  Here are links to two yummy recipes from my Pinterest boards.  Why not make these as after-school treats for your kids?

Red Velvet Milkshake ~

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or tuck some of these into hubby's lunchbox?
Red Velvet Marbled Cheesecake Brownies ~

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or maybe make them up to share with friends & neighbors?  The possibilities are endless!

14 Days of Love ~ Time Together

The best gift you can give to your family - is time spent together.  It doesn't have to be doing anything big - or expensive - or that requires a lot of advance planning.  Just taking time to do simple things together, like playing a game, praying or attending church together,  taking a walk, or doing a craft activity with them will be such a blessing!  Even just taking the time to really  listen to them will bring everyone closer to each other.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:17-19

14 Days of Love - DIY Valentine Envelopes

Oh, the possibilities here are endless!!

You could fill these with candy, encouraging notes, Scripture verses, tiny little gifts . . . anything your little ol' heart desires - to bless somebody special in your life and make them feel encouraged!

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

14 Days of Love - Puppy Love, That Is!

(image credit - Vintage Holiday Crafts)

Who can resist a valentine - with a cute puppy dog attached?  I mean - a REAL live, wiggly, puppy dog!  My Mom did this for me one year - and it's a memory I treasure!  On Valentine's Day morning - to awaken me - she made cute little paper valentines that said "I love you" (with each little dogs name signed on "his" heart)- and taped them on my two little doggie's heads - then sent my dogs scampering into my room to greet me!  What fun!!!!!!!  Let me tell ya - there were lots of puppy hugs and kisses that morning!

If you have pets - why not try this and let them get in on the fun, too?  After all - sometimes love comes on four paws wearing a fur coat!

14 Days of Love - Yummy Recipes!

"Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven" - as the old saying goes - or anything yummy from the kitchen (made in the oven or not!)  Here are some delicious ways to say "you're special" to your family and friends - from my Pinterest boards!


Valentine Chex Mix ~

Source: pillsbury.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Crock Pot Candy ~

Source: justapinch.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Teacup Cupcakes ~

Source: marthastewart.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Waaayyy beyond my baking abilities - but a girl can dream, can't she?
Sooooo pretty to look at anyway!!!
(These are just almost too pretty to eat!!!)

14 Days of Love!

I ran across this idea on another blog (I'm sorry, I can't remember which one - I read so many!) - and thought it was wonderful!  Sooooo . . . . . in celebration of Valentine's Day, we're going to spend the next 14 days finding ways to say "I love you, you're special, you are the apple of my eye", etc. to our families and friends!  Each day I will be sharing some creative ways you can do this - and would absolutely love to hear your ideas, too!

To start us off - here is a simple, easy idea -

a link to a printable picture you could frame and

 hang as a sweet reminder in your home -

from my Pinterest boards.  I LOVE what it says!!!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Guess Who's Having a Birthday Today??

Somebody pretty special around here is having a birthday today!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEANUT!!!

Birthday boy is turning 7 years old today!

Can we say "PAR-TAY!  PAR-TAY!"

Time to break out the kitty treats,

Friskies Turkey dinner (reserved just for special occasions!)

and for opening his present -

a wacky little battery-operated mouse that

zooms around the room on it's own!

(Shhhhh . . . that's a secret!)

My precious little furry buddy is a

rescue kitty!  He came to share my heart and home about

6 years ago - from the local Humane Society shelter.  The police had picked him up from wandering the streets - and brought him there.  And am I ever thankful to the Lord that they did!

From what I understand - he apparently lost his first home in a fire, and must have run away scared - poor little guy!!  But now he is the sweetest, happiest little fella -

lovingly nicknamed "The Boss" by my friends and neighbors!

(((((Hugs))))) little buddy - your Mommy loves you!!