Family Fixin's

Catchin up

2010-02-06T21:25:00.000-06:00

So, I havent been good at blogging like I said I would. I dont have time to post a lot, but just wanted to check in and say hi and that I will update everyone when I have more time. With the expected snow and my husband being out of town next week, I will have plenty of time!
I started a new diet this week. Ive done pretty good. Im eating around 1000 a calories a day if that. Ive only got to work out 3 days this week bc the first 2 I was sick. Im working out to Bob from Biggest Loser doing his cardio workout. I LOVE BOB! And Jillian! They are gonna whoop me into shape! My goal is 40 lbs but I dont have a set date to lose it. I would like it gone by my bday which is May 8th. Im hoping in the next month or so to have the first 20 gone. Im going to go on a limb here and emberass myself by posting my "before" pic but I look forward to posting the "after" picture! I dont have the pic with me right now, but my next blog I will!
I just wanted to say hey, that Im still here and really going to be blogging more soon lol! Im looking forward to church tomorrow. Im praying now that my stomach isnt going to act up and my anxiety wont either so that I can make it especially to the pm service. Theres a special healing service going on and Im praying that something is going to happen with my health issues then.
Hope everyone enjoys their weekend. God bless!

Love Family Time

2010-01-20T14:31:00.005-06:00

Well, after a week of being sick with strep and a viral infection, yesterday (tuesday) I felt really good and wasnt sick at all, not even with my IBS, so the 3 of us decided to spend the day together as a family.
Rob, Chloe & my dad went to Jimmes for a late breakfast. I stayed home and did some laundry. Im almost completely caught up on laundry! yay me! Except now, I have dishes calling me name. Ugh!

Anyway, after they came home and we did some things around the house, I got ready and we went out. It was so nice to be able to do my hair and makeup! After a week of being sick and wearin "bummin" clothes lol. We went shopping at JC Penney (had to return some stuff and used some of the gift cards we got there for Christmas).

I got me 2 new pair of shoes! Im so excited! I got some brown ankle boots with heels and just some black loafer type shoes with heels. That way I can wear them with anything, casual or dress! I wore them when we went and ate supper last nite! The brown ones, that is. Rob exchanged is house shoes I got him for Christmas bc I got them too big and he got him some exercise pants. Hes (we both are) starting a new diet and exercise plan in Feb 1. So, Im saving the rest of my gift cards for new clothes after losing my goal weight lol!s

Chloe got a couple of little jogging outfits at Penneys to wear to tumbling and dance. She had money to spend so we went to Wal-Mart and she got a new game (Pet Pals) for her Leapster 2. She loves it! I got the final movie to the Love Comes Softly movie series! I havent seen this one yet. I now own them all! I own the books too. They are my fav books and movie series but the movies do not follow the books at all and that disappoints me. But, still good movies to watch.

We went to El Charro for a late lunch. I am trying to eliminate dairy completely from diet, since I know it does for sure trigger my IBS, so Im proud to say I was able to eat my meal dairy free! yay me! And, I didnt get sick once!

Chloe went with my parents to the Grizzly Basketball game last night. She won a lunch box! It will come in handy for the many picnics we like to take in the spring and summer at Galloway Creek. While she was with them, Rob & I went to eat at Pizza Hut bc I was craving pizza lol. We really enjoyed each others company. When Chloe got home, the 3 of us played on the wii until it was time for bed. I soooo totally whooped them at bowling! lol. I set a new record of 230 and now Im a pro so I got a cool new ball. But, I totally sucked at golf! :( I tend to throw the remote a lot when we play golf lol. But, Chloe does really good so thats all that matters. Her & Rob played a game of baseball and then it was off to bed.

Today has been a really good day as well. Chloe had a really good day at preschool. She was very excited about them playing freeze tag! They made penguin place mats so of course, she had to use it at lunch. I made my famous meatball soup (my very own creation btw) & grilled cheese for lunch and I had a very happy and full hubby & kiddo! Chloe loves my "eatball soup"! So does Rob and he doesnt like soup!

I have felt really good today and Im really glad. I thank God for making me better bc of my sickness Ive missed church in almost 2 mths and tonight will be the first time Im able to go in a long time and Im so excited! I work with Awanas and Ive missed my kiddos! My two fav girls are sisters and I love them to death and cant wait to see them tonight!

Rob hasnt felt good today. He thinks he woke up with what I had, so he's been taking my medicine and is feeling a little better. I pray Chloe doesnt get it. I dont need her sick!

Well, hope everyone is having a good day and has a good night! God Bless you all!

WOW......Its been a LONG time!

2010-01-18T17:27:00.002-06:00

So...its been a little over a year since I last posted on my blog. Life just gets CRAZY busy in the Luck household, especially with a 4 year old who has a busier schedule than I do! I need a day planner just for her lol!

So, lets catch y'all up to date since last October. A LOT has happened since then. Right before I quit blogging, my hubby was promoted to Store Manager at Alltel. Well, since then it is now Verizon Wireless, but he's still store manager! I got to spend a week with him last Nov in Little Rock when he had to do 2 weeks of training. We had a great time. I had never been there. Got to eat at a very yummy Italian place! Very romantic.

We had a really great Christmas. Hubster got me a white gold 3 diamond ring(sorry not good with the karat size but they are pretty good size lol). The 3 diamonds represent the 3 of us forever! AWWWW!

We had a really bad ice storm in Jan. Thankfully, we never lost power but several in our town was without power for weeks.

In Feb, we took Chloe to Springfield for her very own CHLOE WEEKEND!!! She had a BLAST. We went to the mall and Build-A-Bear on fri, went to Incredible Pizza on Sat, and Bass Pro on Sun. And of course, yummy eating in between!

Hubby also took me to Spfd for a surprise Valentine's Day trip. I knew where we going but not where we was staying or where we went to eat. He even had a dress custom made for me at Holy Clothing (HolyClothing.com). I cant remember the name where we went to eat but it was VERY fancy and the food was to die for!

Chloe finished her first year of preschool in May and celebrated her 4th bday with a Hannah Montana party in July. She played t-ball for the first time in June and we were the coaches. We had a blast and will coach again this year.

Chloe started her second year of preschool in August and is learning a lot and loves it!I am still subbing but mostly at Faith Assembly Christian school and I LOVE it! Our family changed churches over the summer and are now attending Spring Creek Community church which we absolutely love! Its a wonderful church and we've made many wonderful friends there!

We are also involved in a couples bible study on thur nights with friends from our new church and we are lovin it, getting to know our friends better, growing closer to God and to each other and in our marriage.

We bought our first house in April. I will post pics soon! We bought an older house with charm and are enjoying fixing it up! It was built in 1920. I hosted my first Christmas with Robs family and my parents here. We had a nice time!

I recently became re-connected with my oldest brother, who I lost contact with about 6 years ago and his family came and we had our first Thanksgiving and Christmas EVER together! It was so nice! We stay in contact almost every day!

Hubby is on vacation this week! Im so excited!

Well, that catches you guys up to the last year in our lives! Sorry I havent been on much. I will make it a habit to get on here everyday! Hope everyone had a nice holiday, and are enjoying 2010!

Has anyone broke their new years resolution yet? I havent even started mine lol!

God bless!

Zizzer Centennial Homecoming 2008

2008-10-09T18:08:00.007-05:00

Last Friday was our homecoming parade and game. This year the West Plains High School is celebrating it's 100th Birthday! Happy Birthday Zizzers! Chloe's preschool was in the parade. Their float was a birthday cake with the kids being the candles. The 3 year old class (her class) wore shirts that said Zizzer Class of 2023 and the 4 yr old is class of 2022. They got first place in the float contest and made the front page of the paper! This was Chloe's first year to be in a parade so being the proud mama I am and scrapbooker, I took lots of pics! We went to the football game that night, but only stayed til halftime. It was a good game, but sadly the Zizzers lost. I'm proud to be a Zizzer Alumni and Class of 2000 Rocks! Go Big Red!!!!

Fall is almost here...and with it comes blog giveaways!

2008-08-20T10:22:00.002-05:00

Go over to Calamity Jane's blog http://www.calamityjanescottage.blogspot.com to enter the drawing to win this neat fall bag that she has made herself. She's giving it away! Who doesn't love giveaways right? If you post it on your blog and leave her a comment, your name will be entered twice. You have until the 28th.
Also, check out my mother in law's blog. She has a giveaway as well. You have until the 22nd for it I think. You can click on Country Pleasures from my blog list to go to hers.
I know I haven't been on in forever, but I'm going to consolidate my blogs and just have one so I have more time and can keep it up with one blog better than 3. Hope everyone's summer has been great. Mine has been busy. I'm looking forward to fall. It's my favorite time of year!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-30T15:57:00.001-05:00

I'm a little behind on my posts. Been busy and then I had some dental work Wed so I slept all day! So here's my make up!

The Clothes Line....The Basic Rules

2008-05-10T07:51:00.003-05:00

A fellow farmgirl on the Mary Janes Farm website posted this. I thought it was great and decided to post it on here. Now, the pic is just one I found of the 'net. But, enjoy the clothesline rules and poem!

THE CLOTHES LINE.....THE BASIC RULES

Do you remember?

1. You had to wash the clothesline before hanging
any clothes..... Walk the
length of each line with a
damp cloth around the line.

2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order
and always hang whites
with whites and hang them first.

3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders, always
by the tail...... What
would the neighbors think?

4. Wash day on a Monday...........never hang clothes
on the weekend or
Sunday for heaven's sake!

5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines
so you could hide your
unmentionables' in the middle.

6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero
weather.....clothes would 'freeze dry

7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down
dry clothes.... Pins left
on the line was 'tacky'.

8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes
up so that each item
did not need two clothes pins, but
shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed
item.

9. Clothes off of the line before dinnertime, neatly
folded in the clothes
basket and ready to be ironed.

10. IRONED?????????? ....Well, that's a whole other
subject.

A POEM

A clothes line was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the 'fancy sheets'
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the 'company table cloths
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It said, 'Gone on vacation now
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, 'We're back!' when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way..

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is any body's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

May 8, 2008

2008-05-08T14:16:00.002-05:00

I'm thankful for a lot of things. Since today is my birthday, I guess I'll start with that. I'm thankful that I'm alive and that God has given me yet another day to be with my family and those I love and care about. I'm thankful for the wonderful, Christian man he has brought into my life. He's an amazing husband and daddy. I'm thankful for our precious almost 3 year old daughter that God gave us. She's the joy of our life.
I'm thankful for my salvation, for Jesus dying on the cross to pay for my sins.
I'm thankful for my parents, grandparent and my mother & father in law. I'm thankful for the friends I have.
I'm thankful for our church and the ministry God has provided for us there.
I'm thankful for a lot of things.
To sum it up, I'm thankful for the life God gave me and I'm just trying to live it for him and serve him. I'm thankful for all the blessings around me.
Today, it is actually trying to be sunny instead of raining like it has the last couple of days, so I'm thankful for that!
I'm thankful for all my blogging buddies and for having a place like this that I come and share my life stories, vent when I need to and meet great women online.
Thank you God for all you've given me and blessed me with!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-07T23:48:00.002-05:00

I know we're not supposed to write anything but can you guess what it is?

Thankful Thursday

2008-04-24T10:22:00.002-05:00

My mother in law does a Thankful Thursday post every week and I've decided to start one too.

I am thankful first and foremost for God and Jesus. For Christ dying on the cross to pay for my sins. I'm thankful for my salvation.
I'm thankful for a wonderful Christian husband that God has blessed me with and our beautiful daughter he has given us.
I'm thankful for my parents and growing up in a Christian home.
I'm thankful for wonderful in-laws. I have a wonderful mother in law whom I share a lot with: the love of scrap booking, crafts, and photography but most importantly-the love of Christ. We attend church together and I love that I get to worship God every Sunday with family.
I'm thankful for all my family and friends.
I'm thankful for a nice house to live in, food and clothes. God has provided my family with our basic needs.
I'm thankful for our finances getting better. We've paid off so much in the last couple of years.
I'm thankful for Spring-the weather has been so nice lately-today it is raining but not much. I know we need the rain and come July and August, we'll be wishing we had rain, so I won't complain!
I'm thankful for the life God has given me and for another day to wake up, live my life and be with my family and those that I love and care about the most.
Last, but not least-I'm thankful for all the friends I've made through blogging and I look forward to making more friends in the future. All you have blessed me in some way each time I read your blogs. I'm blessed to know you and I'm thankful for you!
God bless you all!

My first Blog Award!

2008-04-24T09:45:00.002-05:00

I have been given my first blog award! Yea! In turn, I am giving the award to some of my favorite blogs to visit. Thanks Sue for making my day! I hope I can do the same for others!

And the award goes to......

Junebug
The 3 J's
Alpicks Treasures
Daughter of the King
Nin
Utah Grammie

Thanks ladies for having wonderful blogs! I try to visit your blogs as often as I can. I sub a lot, and that doesn't always allow me to get on the internet. Anyways-enjoy your award! Keep on bloggin'!

My own twist to Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-04-19T21:02:00.002-05:00

Rob's dad came over today and we had a BBQ tonight. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. They were yummy! I made some chocolate chip cookies. The recipe calls for 2 tsp of vanilla extract and I accidentally goofed and put in 2 tsp of maple syrup extract but it actually tasted really good. I also substituted wheat flour for regular flour so here is my chocolate chip recipe with a few changes. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Maple Cookies

2 1/4 cup of wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup of butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp maple syrup extract
2 eggs
1 pkg chocolate chip cookies

Stir in all the ingredients. Microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute to soften the mix. Drop balls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

This is how I make my cookies. The actual recipe calls for mixing a couple of the ingredients together and set aside while beating other ingredients and then adding them all together and putting on a cookie sheet. I do it all together so save on time. Prep time for this is only about 5 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

Family Times

2008-04-07T08:56:00.004-05:00

Since this blog is called Family Fixin's and we've been doing a lot family things lately-I figured I'd blog about it.

We enjoyed a big Easter dinner at my grandma's house on Easter Sunday. She made this bunny cake in the picture above: I will have to get the recipe from her and post it sometime. We were to go to Rob's mom's for dinner but only he went b/c Chloe was fussy and crabby all that day and I kept her home. She had a big day.

I've been subbing a lot the last 2 weeks, so that's why I haven't posted in awhile.

We had a family BBQ at our house over the weekend. Rob's parents and his brother and sister in law and their kids came over Sat night for a BBQ. The kids played outside all afternoon with Chloe's new kitten, Max. We grilled burgers, brats, hot dogs and had chips, dip, cheese, crackers, baked beans, corn on the cob and shells and cheese. Mmmm Mmmmm good! My mother in law made a lemon cake for dessert. That was delic!

It's been nice weather after 2 weeks of almost non-stop rain-we got like 16 inches I think over the course of 2 weeks. It was nice to have a warm weekend and be able to be out in it and enjoy the day with family.

Now, there is rain in the forecast almost everyday this week...bummer....Spring is teasing with us. Of course, as the saying goes...April showers brings May flowers...but still...I'm ready for it to be warm everyday not just here and there with rain in between.

Anyways-we had a good weekend and got to enjoy warm weather and good food with our family so I thought it would be nice to post that on this blog since it's a family oriented blog.

Have a good Monday and enjoy your week!

God bless!

In Memory of Boomer

2008-03-29T10:21:00.003-05:00

I just read at my mother in laws blog Country Pleasures about Boomer. He's a 3 year old boy who drowned sometime this past week. His parents are the new youth pastors at Brin's church. Visit her blog http://www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/ for more on Boomer. The family just had a baby girl and with hospital bills and funeral expenses they need all the financial help they can get. If you feel led to help, please donate $5. Brin has a paypal account set up to do that. The details are on her blog. Let's keep this family in our prayers. I have a daughter who will be 3 in July-I'd be completely devestated if something ever happened to her. She's my life-my world. I will be keeping this family in my prayers. Sometimes, we don't understand why things happen and might even question God, but somewhere down the road someone who is not saved will come to know Christ as their Savior because of Boomer. We also have to realize he's in a better place now and we should celebrate with him bc he's with Jesus! I wish I were there now. God bless you all and may peace and comfort rest with Boomer's family.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T11:14:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter! Christ the Lord is Risen today!!!! Hallelujah! Keep the TRUE meaning of Easter in your heart, now and always!

Happy Good Friday & Happy Easter!

2008-03-21T11:39:00.002-05:00

Happy Good Friday! Though, the name is kind of an oxymoron b/c it wasn't a good Friday for Jesus all those years ago. As we get in the excitement of Easter this weekend-hunting eggs with our kids and grand kids and having dinner with our family-let's not forget what this holiday is really about. As it is with every holiday-it's commercialized.
Today is the day we honor the day Jesus was crucified-he died on the cross to pay for our sins b/c it was the only way that we could be forgiven of our sins and our debts paid so that when we die we can spend eternal life in Heaven with Christ. Easter is celebrated b/c that is the day he arose from the tomb.
Our church is having a sunrise service that morning (though with a two year old-I'm not sure if we'll make it but we'll be there for the rest of it!), then the church cooks breakfast and eats, then has a praise and worship service. My children's church kids are singing some Easter songs. They've been working hard, so they will do good I'm sure!
Tonight our church is having a foot washing service.
Well-I hope everyone enjoys this weekend and keep the true meaning of Easter in your heart-not just today but always.
Have a blessed weekend and Happy Easter!

Ulitmate Blog Party Winner and Easter Egg Swap

2008-03-17T17:35:00.004-05:00

Wow-2 posts in one day! lol
If you read my blog on Mama's Angel then you know about the Ultimate Blog Party going on last week. Well, I had a giveaway sign up and I am now going to announce the winner.
And the winner is......
Tori's Mimi!
I have left you a comment on your blog so I hope you get this! If I don't hear from you in a couple of days I will have to redraw a name. Thanks to all those who left comments and all of the nice new people I met through the party. I hope to get the party started sooner next year.
Also...I am hosting a Easter Egg swap. You just decorate a plastic egg with paper, material, stickers, ribbon-whatever you want and swap with any of the others signed up on the list. So far, I've got 5 already signed up so if you're interested please let me know ASAP as Easter is Sunday so we can get those out in the mail soon! Just leave me a post on here and email me your address (craftychic82@yahoo.com).
Thanks, and happy blogging!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T16:33:00.005-05:00

Happy St Patrick's Day! Are any of you wearing green? I'm not other than I do have on my shamrock socks but that's it! Chloe is wearing her St Patrick's Day shirt. It's cute. It says "Kiss Me I'm American" lol. I remember the big thing in school was if you didn't have green on you got pinched. I was big in the holidays so I always wore green for St Patty's Day. I'd always dress for each holiday.
I bet most of you don't know the story behind St Patrick's day or the shamrock? I didn't until I taught the lesson yesterday in Children's Church. I have a lesson book for different holidays so I did the one for SPD.
Well here is the story behind SPD and the real way it is celebrated (in Ireland-not here).
Patrick is a guy who believe it or not is not Irish. He's not from Ireland. He's from England and he was sold as a child slave and sent to Ireland. As he grew up, he went to seminary school and lived his life serving God and telling others about Jesus, how he loves them and how they can be saved. He felt that God led him to Ireland to tell the Irish people about Jesus and who he really was.
He used the Shamrock to teach them about the Trinity: God as one and 3 persons: God the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost. If you notice-the shamrock is one, but has 3 points and that is what it represents. It's God but also the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Today, in Ireland-SPD is not celebrated as it is here. They go to church for worship. I'm not sure about the whole wearing green, getting pinched and all that goes with it but SPD was not originally celebrated to wear green, get pinched, have parties and so on-it was intended to honor a man who spent his life telling others about Jesus Christ so that they could be saved. Isn't that our duty as Christians?
So-today-if you're wearing green and you happen to have on a shamrock-you should share the story of what the TRUE meaning of the shamrock and St Patrick's Day is really about.

EASTER EGG SWAP

2008-03-14T19:58:00.002-05:00

I would like to do an Easter egg swap. If you are interested sign up here or on the forum at Mary Janes Farm (look for topic Easter Egg Hunt in the General Forums posted by Crafty Chic). All you have to do is decorate a plastic egg with stickers, paper, material, ribbons-however you see fit! Use your uniqueness and have fun with it! I will give it a few days for those interested to sign up so we can get them mailed out soon, seeing that Easter is a week away. Well-hope everyone has a great weekend and sign up for my swap!

Blog Party '08

2008-03-11T18:58:00.004-05:00

There is a blog party going on on the internet. I'm new to this. I have posted more about it on my blog myblessedworld so go there from my link on this blog. Also-go to www.5mintuesformoms.com that is where the blog party is being hosted from. Enjoy the party!

Let's take a walk down history lane....

2008-03-10T12:42:00.006-05:00

Good afternoon! Hope everyone is enjoying their day. The weather has been nice here in our town. A nice change from all the cold snow and ice last week. I was browsing the web for some farm pictures and I came across these that someone had took when they visited the Laura Ingall's home in Walnut Grove. There are some neat pictures and history facts here so I thought I would share with you guys. So-here's a little history lesson for the day

Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, Missouri. The home of Laura Ingalls-Wilder. This is where she wrote The Little House On The Prairie books

Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she wrote Little House series

Near Independence, KS. A reconstruction, of course. The Ingalls family lived here from 1869 to 1871.

This is the Ingalls' plot in the De Smet cemetery (L-to-R: Carrie, Mary, baby, Ma and Pa). Laura and her husband, Almanzo, are buried near their farm in Rocky Ridge, Missouri.

This is the where the dugout home was when the Ingalls lived on the Banks of Plum Creek (she wrote a book based on her life there. I had that book as a kid-I think I still have it somewhere). This is all that is left of the dugout. It caved in some time ago.

The photographer took these pics standing at the bottom of the creek. Looking up you can see the board which is where their dugout home was.

This is the museum in Walnut Grove.

This is an actual picture of the Ingalls girls. If you ask me-they did a pretty good job when they casted the girls that played them in the tv show Little House on the Prairie.

Laura Ingalls was born in Wisconsin in the 1860s. Her parents, Charles and Caroline, moved the family around the Midwest throughout the 1870s and 1880s. During their numerous moves around the Midwest, the Ingalls lived in a sod "dugout" on Plum Creek, near the town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

In 1880, Charles got a job for a railroad company on the barren plains of eastern South Dakota in what is today the town of De Smet and moved his family there. Laura, who was 13 when she moved to De Smet, finished high school there and became a school teacher, married Almanzo Wilder a few years later, then moved with him to Missouri.

When Laura was in her 50's, she began writing about her childhood adventures in the various places that she'd lived. She based her book, On the Banks of Plum Creek on her experiences of living in the sod dugout near Walnut Grove, and based another book, called Little House on the Prairie, on her experiences of living in a little house -- and on the prairie, no less -- in Independence, Kansas. She based several other books, including "The Long Winter" and "On the Shores of Silver Lake," on her later experiences in De Smet, South Dakota.

In the 1970s, NBC created a television series based on Laura's childhood experiences, although the producers took some liberties with her stories. Instead of having the family live in a dirt cave, they gave the family a wooden house, called the town "Walnut Grove" (which has a better ring than "De Smet," I guess), and called the series "Little House on the Prairie," though it wasn't set anywhere near Independence, Kansas. This was an amalgam of her experiences in Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

*to credit where I got the pictures and info here is the link*

http://www.delsjourney.com

I grew up watching the t.v. shows. It was one of my favorites and I still enjoy the reruns. I hope to own the seasons on DVD one of these days. Historical events fascinate me. I hope you enjoyed this little history lesson! I live about and hour and half from Laura's home in Mansfield. I've been to it as a kid. We took a class trip there in elementary. I hope to go back some day with my family.

Take care and God bless!

Happy Weekend!

2008-03-08T08:10:00.005-06:00

Good morning everyone! Today is Saturday-hope everyone is enjoying the start to their weekend. Got any big plans? I'm not sure what I'm doing. I plan on calling my mother in love b/c both our hubbies are working today so I'm sure we'll get together.

I have joined Mary Janes Farm. I am now a farm girl! My user name over there is Crafty Chic so if you're a farm girl look me up over there and say hi! I can't wait until we buy a house out in the country (which we have our eye on one) and then I will be a true blue farm girl. I'm definitely a farm girl at heart. I can't wait to have my own garden, and chickens. We're going to have goats. I want to learn to make soap, lotion, all sorts of things. I can sew so at least I've got that already! If you're not a MJF gal then you should sign up! Just go to www.maryjanesfarm.org The website is awesome and I'm so glad I joined!

I "borrowed" this image from my mother in love (thanks Sue!). This weekend is Daylight Savings Time. So, don't forget to set your clocks forward. So, if we're SPRINGING forward, I sure hope that means Spring is just around the corner b/c let me tell you I am sooooo tired of the snow and cold weather. We had snow again this week. I'm sick of it! I want to be able to wear capris and flip flops!

Well-I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Happy blogging! God bless you all!

Pray for us please......

2008-03-03T11:47:00.002-06:00

Well-I'm going to the doctor today to find out just exactly what is wrong with my stomach. A year ago I went to him b/c I was having trouble either with diarrhea or constipation. He said I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and to eliminate dairy from my diet. So, I did that and felt better and lost about 50 pounds. But, then I kind of got tired of not being able to hardly eat anything so I found this over the counter medicine to treat Lactose Intolerance and help you digest dairy. So, I was doing OK with that. But, then I got really constipated (sorry if this grosses you out!) for like a week and a half and Rob (my hubby) had me do a colon cleanse with him. Well-that lasted 3 days b/c it made me sick. So-I went back to no dairy. All I really eat now is fruits and veggies. But, it doesn't seem to be helping b/c now no matter what I eat I immediately go. I can't travel-even the 6 mile drive to church bothers me. I get on the road and my stomach bothers me and makes me think I'm going to go then I panic and get stressed b/c there's no bathroom and I feel I won't make it in time to get to a bathroom then I get nauseous. This has been going on about a month and a half. Yesterday was my great grandma's funeral. My hubby officiated it. It was his first sermon. It was just a graveside service. The cemetery is about 10-15 minutes away from town and once we got there-I knew I was going to have to go. Thankfully, there was a gas station about 2 miles up the road, so my cousin ran me up there. Only, I was there so long we missed the funeral. I feel bad b/c I missed Rob's first funeral and I missed the funeral all together. So-needless to say I'm sick of this. I pray that my doctor will not just push on my stomach and say it's IBS like he has in the past. I pray he will do whatever it takes to find out just what is wrong. I need to be healed from this. I can't keep going on like this. It's controlling my life. I can't do half the things I used to b/c I'm always afraid that after I've ate, I'm going to get sick and I just want to stay home and be by my bathroom. So, please pray for me that this will be taken care of and I can feel better. Chloe has been sick the last few days. She threw up the last couple of days, ran a fever, and has been coughing. I'm taking her with me so he can check her too and get her some medicine. Just keep us in your prayers! Thanks and God bless!

A Legacy Says Good-bye On Leap Day

2008-03-01T23:13:00.004-06:00

First of all- I copied the pic off my mother in law's blog-Country Pleasures. Thanks Sue! So-it is kind of interesting that Leap Year comes only once very 4 years. Ever think about why that is so? I do. I wonder what causes us to have an extra day in the month of February every 4 years? I guess God knew that once in a great while, we could use an extra day in our busy lives. I sometimes wish it came more than once every 4 years-how about you?
Well-this Leap Year was interesting for me. My great grandma Faye passed away about 1:00 that morning. She was 93 years old. She had been in the nursing home for about 5 years now. She had Alzheimer's Disease so she didn't really know much or anyone the last couple of years. She was a very devout Christian. She is no longer sick, hurting or in pain and she is in Heaven with Jesus, her husband and my grandpa. She is my mom's grandma.
She was a good old fashion, down to earth, plain Jane. The most important thing to her was her family. She always fed you when you came over. I remember every time we went to visit she gave me candy. I always ate those peanut butter things you get at Halloween in the black and orange wrappers. I will miss her, but I know she's in a much better place.
The only weird and sad thing is that b/c she died on Leap day, we can only honor the day she died once every 4 years. But, her memory and legacy will be alive and remembered every day of every year. My husband Rob is officiating the service. This is his first funeral so be in prayer for him. A lot of my family that will be there aren't saved and don't attend church. I pray that God can use her remarkable life to witness to them so they will accept him as their savior and change their life. Keep our family in your prayers.
On a happier note-Happy Leap Year! God bless!

Another Ice Day

2008-02-22T09:18:00.004-06:00

I haven't been on in a couple of days so I didn't do any Valentine's Day posts. I hope everyone had a good V-DAY and celebrated the day with the one you love. I told Rob I didn't want us to buy each other gifts this year. I had been doing little things each day-1 for every day of Feb until the 14th. He got me a really romantic card & he surprised me and took Valentine's day off (normally he would work 8:30am-7:30pm and we wouldn't have gotten to go out). This was the best gift of all b/c I enjoy spending time with him. Between him working full time at Alltel and being a pastor-I feel I don't see him much. He's been off the last two days so that was nice! He took me to Colton's that night for supper. I had the catfish-yum-o! We've had ice here the last couple of days. It's really slick out there. I've got some laundry to fold, dishes, beds to make and vacuum and then the rest of the day is mine so I'm going to do some crafting! If you've got some "nice" weather going on that's keeping you stuck inside-make a day out of it! Read a book that you never have time for, read a magazine (my two favorites are Woman's Day & All You), work on a craft project you've been wanting to do or curl up on the couch and watch a romantic movie that you know your hubby will never watch with you! At any rate-this is your day to do what YOU want-so relax and enjoy it! I know I'm going to!

Looks, like SNOW, but it's ICE!!!

2008-02-13T17:18:00.005-06:00

Our slick driveway

The sidewalk in front of our house

It looks like snow but it's not-its a thick layer of ice. This was taken Monday morning, the day it was raining. We had a ice storm all day and night Monday night. It's still on the ground today. A lot has melted but as cold as it will be tonight, it will freeze again. The pics I took are looking out my front door. Chloe thinks its snow. It's a doozy walking on our sidewalk. It's really slick. I can't get my car out of our driveway b/c it steeps down. Well-I could probably get it out, but coming back in, I'd probably slide right into the house! The schools have been canceled Since Monday but I think they will be going back tomorrow. Chloe and I have just been hanging out here. A friend of mine from church and her 3 kids came over yesterday. We went out for lunch and the kids played at the house while Michelle and I visited. It was nice to get out for awhile after being cooped up inside the last coupe of days! Chloe has her valentine's day party tomorrow at school. We made her box earlier today. It was her first box. She's excited about her party tomorrow! I'm off to figure out supper, so everyone take care and Happy Valentine's Day!

Sweetheart Banquet @ church

2008-02-11T13:51:00.002-06:00

Sweetheart's Banquet King & Queen 2008

The Newlywed Game Winners!

We had our Valentine's Sweetheart Banquet @ church Saturday night. It was SOOOOO much fun! The men cooked for the ladies and served us and did the dishes! I even have pics for proof! Rob & I were one of the 4 couples to play the newlywed game. Rob's mom & stepdad attend church there and they played the game too. And they won! They made a good comeback b/c in the first round they were losing but they made a comeback and won the game! It was so much fun! Rob & I were crowned King & Queen! Ahh! We also had categories for the hen-pecked husband, the man with the best hair (a bald man won that one!!!) and the most love sick couple! An older couple won that one! It was so much fun! I can't wait til next year! Yesterday was the 6th anniversary of the day Rob proposed to me :) I've been doing a valentine for him every day since the 1st so yesterday I gave him a valentine card that when you open it up it plays the song "At Last". I would say yes to him a gazillion times over! He's my best friend, my soulmate, the love of my life. He's the best valentine in the world! I got more valentine's in the mail today and when I get all of them, I will post a pic. It was fun participating in the V-day card swap. I want to do this every year! Well-I hope everyone is enjoying their day. We are having ice rain today. The roads are slick. There's another storm on its way now. I hope that it won't get too bad where we're without power. That happened to a neighboring town 2 hours away last winter and some parts of that town still haven't fully recooperated and that was a year ago. So-please keep our town and surrounding areas in your prayers. Have a good week and God bless!

Chocolate Giveaway @ Country Pleasures

2008-02-08T16:29:00.001-06:00

My mother-in-love is having a giveaway on her blog at Country Pleasures (you can go to it from my blog-just click on the link under A Family Tradition). It's got to do with chocolate and that's all she's telling us! You have until Valentine's day to sign up so hurry on over to sign up! Who doesn't love chocolate? Yum-O!!!!

A Game of Tag!

2008-02-02T19:12:00.001-06:00

I found this pic off the internet. It's cute. It's strawberries in the shape of hearts. Very fitting for Valentine's Day!

I've been tagged to answer these questions all with the #4 so here goes!

4 Movies I'd watch over and over: The Notebook, Because I Said So, Sweet Home Alabama & The Love Comes Softly Series

4 Places I've lived: I have only lived in Missouri, but Rob & I have moved a lot so I'll just list the first 4 streets we've lived on: Sesson St, Arkansas St, Utah St, & W. Third (now we live on E Third! With 2 other moves between W 3rd & E 3rd)

4 Shows I watch: Jericho, 24, One Tree Hill & FRIENDS (cuz I own all 10 Seasons-I used to watch Gilmore Girls when it was on-it's my fav show-I plan on buying all 7 of those seasons!)

4 Places I have been: Panama, Mexico, Louisville KY, Memphis TN

4 People who email me: Sue, Sheila, Rob & Danny L

4 Favorite things to eat: Chinese, Mexican, Ravioli & Pizza

4 Places I would rather be: Heaven, church, in a new house & ditto Sue-I'm always happy at home

4 Things that I look forward to this year: watching Chloe grow-she will be 3 this year!, buying our first home, our new church that my hubby pastors growing, & seeing friends & family members that have strayed from God or don't know God to be saved, come back to him & be in church

4 people to tag: Terri, Jules, Nin & Deby so girls Tag your it! Have fun!

Snowy Days & Hot Chocolate Go Hand In Hand

2008-01-31T21:56:00.000-06:00

It's snowing today in our town. It started about 9, and has snowed all day off and on. It's now night time, and cold enough it's going to freeze. My favorite thing to do on a cold, rainy or snowy day is to curl up with a blanket and good book and drink either hot tea or hot chocolate. So, in honor of today being our first official snow day in West Plains, I decided to search the internet for a homemade hot chocolate recipe. I found tons of them but decided on this one. I like peppermint and hot chocolate so why not put them together? Now, I haven't actually tried this myself, but I will in the next few days and let you know how it turns out. If anyone else tries it-please feel free to let us know how it tastes! You can find this recipe and many more at http://coffeetea.about.com/od/chocolaterecipes/r/whpeppchoc.htm
Enjoy!

White Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz white chocolate, chopped
3 1/2 cups milk
6 hard peppermint candies, crushed fine
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2/3 cup whipping cream

PREPARATION:

Beat chilled cream with crushed mints until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate for about an hour. Meanwhile, heat milk to a simmer, them mix in chocolate. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add mint extract and stir through.

Pour into mugs and top with minty whipped cream.
Serves 4

Simplify Your Space

2008-01-28T15:38:00.001-06:00

Well-it's been awhile since I've made a post on here. I've been really busy. Chloe had the pink eye last week but only for a day Thank God! Rob's work hours are better and I'm subbing a lot. The church is going great! So that's a quick update. I've been reading a new book I got the other day called Simplify Your Space. It's a Women of Faith Book. I LOVE it! As I read, I'm going to post ideas and suggestions on here so visit me often! The author uses the CALM approach to organized space.
C= Create a plan A= Approach it by sections L=Lighten up and let go M= Manage it simply

The first chapter is taking your kitchen by sections, cleaning everything out, organizing it and getting rid of the things that aren't necessary to keep. I'm fixing to clean my kitchen this way so I will do a before and after pic! Until then, Hope everyone is having a good Monday and enjoy the rest of your week! God bless!

I made the red heart pillow for our Etsy store. It's available now so head on over to heart2home.etsy.com and shop til you drop! Remember-any of my items that I list on my blogs, if you buy directly from me, I won't charge you shipping and handling!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2007-12-25T17:06:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. I pray each of you have a blessed new year. It's been a wonderful year for us, especially with Rob becoming a new pastor. We look forward to the new year and what God has in store for our family and our new church. In the excitement and spirit of Christmas, let us never forget and always hold dear to our hearts that the TRUE meaning of Christmas is Jesus' birthday. He is the reason for the season. He is the reason for life. If we don't have him as our personal savior and haven't repented of our sins, we have nothing. We lose out on eternal life in heaven with him. I pray each of you know Christ and if you don't, please don't put off salvation any longer. What better time to accept him than on the day we celebrate and honor his birth. The greatest gift you could ever receive is the gift of salvation. Christmas begins with Christ so keep Christ in your heart and life all year long.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......

2007-12-15T10:19:00.000-06:00

Christmas Blessings to all! I trust everyone is doing well and keeping warm now that winter is pretty much here! We're supposed to get snow this weekend-anywhere from 1-8 inches. I pray it comes later tonight b/c our Christmas program is tonight at church and I don't want to postpone it! Pray for the kids tonight. The little kids will have their program at 6 and then the teens play will be around 6:30 when the little kids are done. I work with the little kids and they have been working so hard on their songs and reading parts. I pray that all goes well for them tonight! I'm in the teens' play-I play a teenager! This weekend is the last time to get your name in for my Ornament Swap-I will draw names Monday and let you know then so that you can get it out before Christmas. I only have 4 people that have signed up, so calling all bloggers to participate in my swap! PLEASE! well-gotta go finish cleaning house and do some stuff before practice tonight. Take care and God bless!

Christmas Ornament Swap

2007-12-08T12:46:00.001-06:00

Christmas is my favorite holiday and favorite time of year. I love decorating my house for this blessed season. It's so much fun, and even more fun now that I have a child. She's 2 and 1/2 and really into Christmas this year. She loves the lights, the trees and all that goes with it! She has her own 3 ft tree in the living room with the big one and she even decorated it herself-with a little help from mom. In light of the Christmas spirit-I would like to have a Christmas Ornament Swap. I think this would be fun. So-I'm going to give it a few days to have any interested contestants sign up by leaving me a post or emailing me at melissaluck@yahoo.com and then I'll draw the names and let you guys know so you can get them out in the next week or so. Please pass it on to all your blog buddies so they can join in. I don't have many blog friends and would love to meet many many more! Also, I challenge any who wants to either leave it on my blog or on yours or on both-what your favorite tree ornament is. I have many favorites-my most favorites are the snowmen with our names on it but I really like this crotched Santa stocking ornament that I have. It would be my fav. Also, tell what your "theme" would be of decorating your tree. My "theme" for my tree in the living room is Santa. I have a little Coca Cola tree in the kitchen b/c my kitchen is coke. Well-I hope everyone is enjoying the blessed season, keeping warm, staying healthy and being safe during the hustle and bustle of Christmas. May God bless you all and Peace be with you always! Now-go sign up for the ornament swap! please!

Season's Greetings!

2007-11-29T00:07:00.000-06:00

Happy LATE Thanksgiving! Hope everyone had a blessed day and remembered to tell God thanks for all the blessings he's given you, both big and small, good and bad for it is only by his grace that we have what we have. I'm SO VERY SORRY that I haven't been on in an eternity. I've been subbing A LOT and the days I'm off I'm busy taking Chloe to "school", tumbling, doing grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, cleaning house-though it never seems to stay that way! you name it-It seems like time doesn't stand still long enough for me to collect my thoughts-and believe you me there's a lot of them running around up there! I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the wonderful Christmas season. It is very important in all of our hustle and bustle of the season to not ever forget, put last or take out what the TRUE, REAL & ONLY meaning of Christmas is...Jesus Christ's birthday-the Son of God who was born on this day to a virgin named Mary. God sent his ONLY son on this earth. He lived an incredible life of 33 years and then he was crucified between a cross and 3 nails to die for MY sins, to die for YOUR sins so that WE ALL would have the chance to believe, accept and live it so that we can live eternally in Heaven with him when our old bodies leave this worldly, sinful, wicked earth. Christmas has become too commercialized. People aren't even saying "Merry Christmas". It's now "Happy Holidays"-well guess they didn't realize that that "holiday" means "holy day". anyways-I get so tired of the true meaning being left out. it's not about presents, trees, lights, decorations or anything like that, though I enjoy all of that. It is a time to get together with your family-but I'm sure we all have family who doesn't believe in Christ or God, doesn't claim a faith or attend church who desperately need Christ so that they can be free from the eternal gates of hell- rather they realize it or not they are lost without Christ. It is our jobs as Christians to tell the WHOLE world about Christ-starting with the ones we love, the ones we're closest too-our family and friends. Don't leave Christ out of anything-your life, heart, prayers, thoughts, but especially Christmas. If we take Christ out of everything-we have lost all hope of surviving life on this earth and the hereafter. Give your loved one the best Christmas present they could ever receive-the gift of salvation. Help lead them to Christ so they too can live eternally with him in Heaven. If you are reading this and don't know him, or don't know him very well and want a closer relationship with him-don't wait another second. Pray earnestly right now and ask God to forgive you of your sins, live in your heart and life forever, live it, read your bible and pray daily and find a good bible teaching church and attend as often as you can so that you can grow in your walk with Christ through preaching, prayer, song, worship and fellowship with other believers. That's what it's all about. I know this is long, and I've probably rubbed some the wrong way, but it's the truth-God's truth-and it's my duty as a Christian to tell others about Christ and how to be saved and that's what I've done so be it if I've stepped on a few toes! Take care and I will try not to wait a month to blog again! Have a wonderful week-what's left of it- and a good weekend. Merry Christmas early and remember-JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! God bless!

I'm still here

2007-11-13T11:14:00.000-06:00

Hello all. I just wanted to take a minute to tell you that I'm still alive and kicking. I know I haven't been on here in like a month but I've been subbing like crazy. In fact, that's where I am right now. I will try and get on here later this week when things slow down a bit. I have thurs off so I will get back on. Sorry I haven't been on and please don't forget about me! I've got some goodies to share with you when I get the chance to blog. Until then, take care and God bless.

Not my pie

2007-10-17T12:54:00.000-05:00

Just a side note since everyone has been asking...I cheated and just found a pic of lemon pie online to post b/c I made my pie at my mom's and let it set there while I came home so when I actually did my posting, my pie wasn't here to take a pic of! So, sorry for the confusion! Next time I promise I'll take a pic of the real thing!

When life hands you lemons...make a Lemon pie! (Or in my case-lemon instant pudding!)

2007-10-13T15:23:00.000-05:00

Hello...I haven't been on in a few days so I haven't posted anything. I made a real easy pie today at my moms so I'm going to give you the recipe. You can use any kind of instant pudding as the pie filling. I used Lemon.

Lemon Pie

Pie Crust:
1 cup flour
1 stick of butter melted
Mix together in a bowl. Put into a pie pan, patting down the dough with your fingers. Use your fingers to brush it up onto the sides of the pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until a little brown on the edges. If it bubbles up as baking, poke a few holes in it with a fork. Let cool completely before putting in the pie filling.

* Cook your favorite pudding according to directions to make the pie filling.

* Serve with whip cream on top...YUM-O!

Enjoy! I'm taking it to my in laws tonight for supper along with a Macaroni Salad. That's all I have time for right now to blog. I will see you Monday. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! God bless!

Tis the Season to be FALLY...FALL LA LA LA LA!

2007-10-08T12:51:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine wasn't much of one. Rob worked Saturday and I helped my friend/step cousin at her yard sale Fri and Sat. I made $35 which wasn't bad considering I didn't' put much in there. Rob put his XBOX in the yard sale and sold it for $100. He also sold his collection of thousands of baseball cards for the same price on the same day! Cool! Speaking of...that's me and my honey in the pics. I put pics of us b/c I have some great date ideas to tell you and they are cheap!

DATE NIGHT
Don't have a lot of time or money to go on expensive dates? Especially if you have kids-young kids-still living at home? Well here are a few tips courtesy of ALL*You Magazine (www.allyou.com).
1-Dinner & A movie-fix your hubby a nice dinner that is ready for him when he comes home from work. To make it more personal and romantic, have candles lit on the table and romantic music playing in the background. Use your good china for this special occasion. After you eat, the two of you can clean up real quick and then go sit all cozy on the couch curled under a blanket with the lights turned off and watch a movie. You can go to your local movie rental and rent for less than 4 bucks (still cheaper than going to the movie theater), or choose one that you already own. If you're like us and have a DVR or TiVo and have a movie recorded already on there, watch that. Sometimes TV channels like Fox and Hallmark will have good movies playing on the weekends so check that out. Or check out HBO for their free movie preview weekend and watch it for free! If you really want to make it feel more like the movies-pop some popcorn and drink soda! You can even buy your favorite candy bar at the grocery store and have it too! And it will be much cheaper than buying it at the movies! If you do dinner and movie on a night that you have the kids, make it kid friendly. Make a fun dinner like Sloppy Joe's and mac and cheese, and choose a family movie such as Charlotte's Web or Madagascar.
2-Have a picnic-pack a picnic basket with your favorite sandwiches, chips, dip and drinks and take a blanket outside to your backyard and have your picnic under the stars. If it's warmer weather-don't forget bug spray! Once again, you can make this a family affair and do this with your kids. If the weather permits-take your kids to the park and have your family picnic there.
3-Have a coffee date-go to your local coffee shop and drink a cup of coffee and share a pastry. If you're like me and don't go for coffee, try a latte or hot chocolate. One of mine and Rob's favorite places to go to have coffee (well him-me a Dr. Pepper or hot chocolate) and sit and talk is Huddle House. We also like to eat there for breakfast (along with Brenda's Cafe which is just up the road from our house). This can also be a cozy date at home. Set the alarm clock to get up earlier than the kids normally do and sit out on the porch sipping your coffee and watch the sunrise together. Or do this at night after the kids have gone to bed and watch the sunset! Either way-it's very romantic!

FALL DECORATING TIPS
Now is the time to decorate for FALL! We don't celebrate Halloween b/c we are Christians and it's a Pagan Holiday. So, instead of decorating with ghosts, goblins and witches I just decorate with pumpkins, scarecrows, and yummy fall smelling candles! We love to take Chloe to our local Pumpkin Patch and I buy pumpkins of all sizes there to decorate with. We plan on taking Chloe this Saturday. I've posted some pics at the bottom to show my Fall decorations.

Fun Fall Activities
1-If your town or one close by has a Pumpkin Patch, that's a cheap activity to take your kids to. Ours cost only 2 dollars and there's an animal maze and a hay ride included. Plus, there's lots of great backdrops for the perfect fall picture to take of your kids!
2-Get together with your church, family or friends and plan a hot dog roast and hayride. Our church has got one planned for November. I can't wait!

FALL RECIPE
This is a recipe that yours truly created. I had some peaches that needed to be used and I just created this recipe with stuff I had in my kitchen. My husband came up with the name. I submitted it to Gooseburry Patch and I plan on submitting it to Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. Hope you enjoy!

Peachy Pumpkin Pie Flip-Overs by: Melissa Luck

2-3 peaches, sliced

2 tsp butter

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

2-3 tbs pumpkin pie spice-more if needed-you really want to bring this flavor out

1 tsp brown sugar

1-2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar

Powdered sugar

Ginger

1 can of crescent rolls-use more if expecting more guests

In a median sauce pan add the butter, the peaches and all of the ingredients. Simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes on medium-high. After 10 minutes, put on the lowest temperature and set aside.

(Your crescent rolls can be cooking for the first 5 minutes while you are simmering the peach mix). Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Lay the crescent rolls flat on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle each one with ginger-however much you want. Bake at the temperature the directions say to. Bake for 5 minutes, right as they are starting to get golden, then take out of the oven. Take your peach mix and spoon a table spoon of mixture onto each roll. Roll into a crescent and hold with a toothpick. Put back into the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes; until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Serve with your favorite ice cream for an extra yummy taste!

Happy Weekned!

2007-10-06T09:11:00.001-05:00

Well-it's the weekend. No big plans. Rob is working today...fun fun...he doesn't have another day off except Sunday of course until next Saturday. I don't like him working all of these weird hours. I wish they'd give him his old hours back. Things are going great at Hilltop. We fit in so well there. The church has really welcomed us with open arms. They've become family to us. We've got so many ideas and can't wait to start planning things to do with the church and the youth. I'm in the Christmas play. I play a teenager. Think I can pass for one? It was only 7 years ago that I graduated high school so surely I can! It's funny b/c my friend Michelle is the one who wrote the play and is leading it and some of the lingo in it such as "loafing", "he'll can you" (getting fired), holy roller....the teens have never heard those expressions. I have...course if you knew my mother I've grew up hearing expressions that even Rob has never heard. But, it's funny b/c the teens keep trying to change the things written in there. Should be interesting when the final day comes to put on the play! Well-I made some peanut butter cookies last night. My grandma's recipe is my all time fav. Always has been my entire life. But, a few weeks ago my mother in law made some that only has 4 ingredients...and flour is not one of them...kind of weird but they do taste good...almost as good as my grandma's but hers will always be my fav! So I used that recipe last night and that's what I had for breakfast today! So-I'm passing on the recipe to you guys. Enjoy!

Quick & Easy PB Cookies
1 cup PB
1 cup sugar
1 lg egg
1 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together . Make balls and drop on spray coated cookie sheet. Press down with fork. Bake at 325 for 13 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top (optional)

CRAFT IDEA For your kids or grandkids
Now that it's October and Fall is in the air, leaves are falling on the ground. Pick a few real pretty ones. Use red, orange, brown or yellow construction paper. Rub glue sticks on the leaves and sprinkle red, yellow and orange glitter on the leaves. Glue leaves to the paper. Hang on the fridge for all to enjoy! For the young at heart, you could even do this and then frame it.

Health Remedy
This is the time of year when colds, runny noses and headaches are near. My mother in law is big into the herbs and something that she's got us hooked on is Echinachea. It comes in pill form and tea form so I recommend that you do both every day. It will help fight the colds and to keep the colds away. Can't beat that!

Exercise Tip
Want a flatter stomach? Do 3 sets of 20 crunches daily. Try to exercise early or mid morning because it will help you feel great during the day! Add 3 sets of 20 leg lifts to work your lower half of your body.

Daily Scripture
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

May God bless each of you! Keep Him first in your heart, life, marriage, family, relationships, etc and he will bless you! Live your life for Christ. If you're not living for him, you're not living at all! Enjoy your weekend!
In Christ~
Melissa

25% off Items at Etsy Store!

2007-10-02T15:41:00.001-05:00

Hello! I haven't been on in awhile. How is everyone? All of our Halloween and Fall items are25% OFF so hurry on over to HEART2HOME ETSY STORE at www.heart2home.etsy.com and shop til you drop! My mother in law has a new blog with the same ideas as this one so visit her blog at www.cozycountry.blogspot.com If you have any FALL decorating tips, recipes, etc please post them on here. All of October and November is a FALL theme, so please feel free to leave any tips or ideas that you have. I decorated my house inside and out yesterday while Chloe took a nap for Fall. I've had two of my very favorite big scarecrows that go outside stolen. They were stolen earlier in the summer. It makes me mad that people would do that. My mom gave me one of the scarecrows...she had it for years and then quit putting it out b/c teenage boys would take people's pumpkins in the neighborhood and throw them out in the street so I took it b/c I liked it. It was a little faded so it's not like it's worth anything. Probably some teens. but still....just burns me up! Well-here is a recipe for you. I made these last night....it's really quick, simple and easy! Rob and I love the cheesy biscuits at Red Lobster but ya know it's kind of expensive there so we hardly eat there. So, here's an easy way to make the same great tasting cheesy biscuits at home. I fixed spaghetti for supper last night and decided to make biscuits too. Now, I just used the Jiffy All purpose baking mix to make the biscuits but you can use any biscuit mix or if you have a homemade biscuit mix follow that recipe and then add in the rest.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
1 cup Jiffy All Purpose Baking Mix
2/3 c. Milk
1-2 cups shredded cheese-any kind
A palm full (about 2-3 tbs) of garlic pwdr

Pre-heat oven according to mix directions. Mix the ingredients together. Using a tablespoon, drop biscuits onto a spray-coated pan. Bake according to mix directions. Serve warm with butter....YUM-O!

OK-so I know it's not like some gourmet recipe....I did say it was QUICK, SIMPLE AND EASY!!!! With a 2 year old around, that's how I like it! but still, they were yummy! nothing to it! and they were better than Red Lobster if I do say so myself!

Health Tip of the Day:
Want to reduce the chance of having breast cancer? Drink lots of purple grape juice! I read in a magazine the other day that drinking grape juice reduces the risk of having breast cancer. I love drinking grape juice. I have a glass every morning! So ladies, drink lots of grape juice so you lower your risk!

Exercising Tips:
Don't have time to go to the gym to exercise? Or just don't have the energy to go (like me!). Here are 3 exercises you can do right in your own home or neighborhood.
1. WALK
This is the perfect time to start walking. Fall is the walking season. Now that the nights are cooler, take your kids or your honey and go walking. Rob and I went walking the other night at my favorite walking park and then sat on the bench for awhile and talked. Though we were "exercising" it was VERY romantic. We also take Chloe in the stroller with us-She loves it. Sometimes she gets out and walk too.
2. PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS
If you have young kids or young grandkids, playing with them is exercise in itself. Chloe loves to exercise with me. She loves to imitate me doing crunches and legs lift. We finish by running in place. She thinks it's fun and games. I'm getting a workout and burning calories and we're all having fun together!
3. CLEAN YOUR HOUSE
A lot of magazines are really pushing here lately that a good way to exercise is to clean your house. You burn lots of calories and your house is clean! I hate to clean, so if I think of it has exercising instead of cleaning, it gets done faster! So start vacuuming and watch those calories go away!

Scripture of the Day:
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

God Bless You Always!
Love & Prayers
~Melissa~

A new blog & Fall Welcome!

2007-09-24T14:13:00.001-05:00

Good afternoon! I want to welcome you all to my new blog! I had been thinking of changing my Mel's Scrapbook blog and making it more than just scrapbook ideas-I wanted to include recipes, cleaning ideas, home remedies, crafts, and much much more! I had been thinking about it for awhile and the other day my mother in luv told me that she was starting a new blog that was kinda of similar...so I'm not really stealing her thunder-mine was still in the making before I had talked to her but I don't think she will mind if I'm doing the same thing. Our blogs won't be the same anyways. To welcome the first day of Fall and the first day of my new blog, I am having a giveaway. So, please leave a post and tell me why you love Fall and leave a Fall tip...can be an organizing tip, cleaning tip, decorating tip, favorite Fall candle or recipe...whatever you do traditionally this time every year! My giveaway will end on Friday. Happy Fall to everyone!