Martha or Mary or simply confused??

Without a doubt I’m a Martha but oh how I long to be more like Mary!  The problem is…I LOVE too many things!  I always want to try EVERYTHING at least once and I always feel like things have to be perfect before inviting guests over or even opening the door to the UPS man just for a simple delivery! So I can only imagine if Jesus showed up at my door! I. WOULD. PANIC.!!

My brain never slows down it just wants to keep learning and doing and learning and doing!  Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit here and type and not keep getting up??!!  I tend to love everything I learn or do!  Sit still…what does that mean?  I often wonder if I make it to 80 if I’ll still be wondering what I’m supposed to be when I grow up?!  I come from a long line of “learners & doers”!!

My Great Grandma constantly had something in her hands working on it! I could sit and watch her for hours and just learn from her she was over the top amazing and she had a PINK kitchen to boot!!  She had to convert her garage into a fabric/craft room and had to build on a new garage because she ran out of room!  I loved to open her cabinets and just stare at all her fabric.  I have so many dear sweet memories of her.  Oh how I miss her!  My mom always says if the glue gun would have been invented before Great Grandma passed away she would still be alive today making everything she hadn't made before!

My Grandma well, let’s just say she’s over 80 (but acts 29) and on her last cruise her only regret was that she didn't go zip lining!  Grandma next time you go I expect pictures of this venture!

She’s as good as the younger generation on the iPhone/iPad or computer and her texting skills are top notch!  She’s the snazziest dressed grandma you’ll ever meet!  I'm certain it's where I get my love of animal print from!  She always tells me "you’re never too old to keep learning and trying new adventures"!  Her Lemon Meringue pie is the best this side of Heaven!

And my Mom, if you’ve ever been to her house you’ll understand what I’m about to say!  She often forgets for a split second she has company because she’s on to the next project or fixing the next meal all at the same time involving you in whatever she’s doing!  It may even be harder for her to sit still than it is for myself! She has the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone!  She loves to give “gifts” that she’s made for no reason at all.  She has the most decorated packages mailed through the post office any person could have.  Even though we live in the same town, sometimes I want her to mail things to me just to get one of her glorified boxes! One would think she has a deadline to meet because of how she hurries but she’s always so ahead of schedule it makes me wonder if I’m really adopted! I’ve asked her before “Mom, who are you making that for?” and her response has been, “Oh, I don’t know I'm just making it so I’ll have something ready for the next baby shower!” Come on people…who does that??  Me on the other hand…I wait til the VERY last minute then I’m scrambling to finish something but I always pull through!  It’s one benefit of having the “first born child perfectionism syndrome” because I care about every last detail and make sure it perfect before giving it as a gift!

I LOVE having a line of “doers” in my family!  I’m afraid I passed it on to at least one of my children too!  My son Brock is also a doer!  I think his wife blames me but in all honesty…it goes way farther back than me!!  And I'm almost positive that one or more of my grandchildren will inherit this trait!

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

At the Home of Martha and Mary

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I’ve always been confused at the story of Martha & Mary!  If Martha didn’t do it then WHO was going to get the job done? And if Mary didn’t sit at the feet of Jesus then WHO was going to?  I think we have to be a little of both of these women but finding the right combination can get confusing!

Right here right now in the beginning of 2015 I’m vowing to myself and others that I’m going to try my very best to be a little more Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus a little longer.  And I’m 100% certain when my kids read this they’ll panic!  Don’t worry children I’ll still cook for you and make for you and do for you and your youngins too!!

How about you?  Are you a Martha or a Mary or are you just as confused as me...?

"Marking" Memories...

Yes, My Mom WAS Pinterest before Pinterest was Pinterest!  My sisters and I say this ALL the time! Since Pinterest was released my Mom can show us something and say...see I wasn't crazy someone else thought of this too!

We have the best, most creative Mom around!  So thankful for all her creativity and talent!  She inspires me in SO many ways!!

We’ve had a growth chart in her house for MANY years (since I was little, so does that make it a valuable antique?)!  It’s gone through the kids, grandkids, and now great grands!  The other day my sweet granddaughter said “MiMi...how long before I get up to the giraffe?”

My Mom made a chart for me when I became a MiMi!  My grandkids love to measure every time they’re at my house!  Sometimes I have to tell them “we just did that yesterday so I’m sure it’s going to be the same size”. But again…we measure and they stretch hoping to reach to the next animal!

Just a little project...

I know you probably think I’ve fallen off the face of the earth or then again maybe you haven’t even missed me at all!  Blogging has been on my mind for quite some time but Pinterest has kind of gotten in my way!  I see a project…I want to make it NOW!  I see a recipe and I have to try it NOW!  So you see…blogging has sort of taken a backseat!  I haven’t decided if Pinterest is a Blessing or a Curse!?!  Although the following blog post was not inspired by Pinterest!

Last night I ran to town to see if I could find a vase/container for a Christmas arrangement I want to make for my entry table.  Remember I live in a very small community and the closest Hobby Lobby is 40 miles away!  I checked Dollar General AND Alco with ZERO luck! But I did find 3 of these discounted all the way down to $1.25 ea.:

I made these stars several years ago for the older boys:

(they even look like they’ve been packed away for a few years)

I haven’t wanted to put them on my tree for a while because I didn’t have any for the other 3 grandkids and haven’t made time to go to my Mom’s to cut more out with her bandsaw!

After seeing the cute stockings at Alco it got me thinking…and here is what I came up with!  I love them and it took me WAY less time to make them!  Once in a while I have a good thought!

Here’s what I did:

1.)  Sanded the top of the stocking a bit just to smooth it up and get rid of some of the glitter.

2.)  Used one of my red craft paints that was a close match and repainted the stocking top with about 4 coats.

3.)  Used my handy dandy Silhouette Cameo to cut their names out of vinyl.

4.)  Stuck the names on them.

5.)  Used Mod Podge {Sparkle} over the top! {2 coats}

Note:  I may or may not have let the paint dry in between each painting!  {I’ll never tell}

It couldn’t have been any easier!  I think I’ll go back and see if they have anymore today!  I’m pretty sure I bought the last 3 they had but…maybe just maybe…they had some hiding someplace!

~Soup of the Day~

Amy’s  Beef Chowder

1 ½ - 2 lbs. lean ground beef

2 cloves of garlic

½ small onion, diced

Kosher salt & Black Pepper {heavy on the pepper}

In a large kettle brown the above ingredients.

Add:

1 tsp. dried basil

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 T. Worcestershire

2 c. beef stock

3-4 c. water

4-6 (small-med) potatoes diced to bite size

2 carrots peeled and diced

1 small head of cabbage, chopped

1 can rotel tomatoes

2 cans shoepeg corn, drained

2 cans French style green beans, drained

Cook on low until potatoes, carrots, and cabbage are done.

Turn off heat and add:

1 c. milk

1 c. whipping cream

2” hunk of velveeta

2 pkgs. of Lipton’s Chicken Noodle {dry} Soup

This makes a huge pot of soup and is even better the next day!!

*Remember if you're out of ground beef in the house then just substitute 4 large baked chicken breasts, shredded!  Equally as good!!

Just a little Christmas dress...

Often I get so excited to find new things to make that my mind gets super clogged with TMT (TOO MANY TUTORIALS)!!  The other day I found a cute little peasant dress pattern and couldn’t wait to make a Christmas dress for my sweet Aspen!  Sorry boys {Keegen, Preston, & Mac}…I’m NOT making a dress for you, it just wouldn’t be right!  The dress was a breeze to make!  I also learned a new simple technique…Shirring!  I love learning new things!  I followed a tutorial on the internet!  Although I don’t have a Brother sewing machine, the instructions still helped out tremendously!  I always forget how much I love to sew until I pull out my machine again!

Aspen has a new Frosty the Snowman DVD and she's been watching it over and over so when I saw ^this fabric... I couldn’t resist!  I can't wait to give it to her!

~Christmas Cards~

Have you ordered your Christmas cards yet?  You can't beat this deal and there are over 700 adorable cards to choose from!  But you better hurry...the deal is only good for today 12/3/2012!  I just had to share!  Head on over to Cardstore and get your Christmas cards for ONLY 49¢ ea. with FREE shipping!

Use PROMO code CCP2349

~Lorene's Dressing~

This time of year things get all C-R-A-Z-Y!  I have to tell myself it’s time to take a deep breath and remember that I’m Thankful for SO SO many things!!!  I could bore you with a super long numbered blog post about all of my thankfulness or I could keep it short!  Today I've picked "keep it short"!

I’m so Thankful for the family heritage I have of being in the kitchen baking!  Yes, I do love me some kitchen time!!!  {Matter of fact it’s where I should be right now instead of typing a blog post}

Family recipes trickle down from many generations!  Through the years I’ve acquired many new recipes from tons of different sources!  One of my favorite sources is my Mother in Law Lorene!  I had a simple little question just the other day about one of her recipes and was wishing I had a direct line to Heaven to ask her about it!  I love to be able to cook/bake the things my family loves and requests every year!  In my husband’s eyes, I’ve mastered some of his Mom’s recipes and it makes my heart happy to be able to bake that special dish and bring the memories rushing back to him!

I had a friend ask me today if I made dressing.  I said with a big smile…YES I do!  She asked me in front of my husband and I don’t think she had a clue that THIS is one of those recipes that I’ve worked really hard to get just right!  When my Mother in Law gave me her “recipe” for her dressing, she only gave me the ingredients!  NO MEASUREMENTS!!  She just said a little of this and a little of that!!  It’s one of Mike’s favorites!

Keeping the post short as promised, here’s that Dressing Recipe:

Lorene’s (Cornbread) Dressing

{measurements tweaked by me}

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large skillet melt butter {about 8 tablespoons} then sauté:

2 c. celery, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

Only until onions are slightly transparent!  Pour over the following…

7-8 slices of homemade bread “chickled” up and dried out overnight {chickled is an old family word…just go with it!} it really means cubed or torn apart in pieces! {or you could use dried bread cubes from the store}

8x8 pan of cornbread {recipe following}

1 box Stove Top Chicken Stuffing Mix {optional, I’ve done it both ways and it’s equally good}  If I have it I use it!

6-7 c. chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

Fresh ground black pepper

1 tsp. sage

1 T. poultry seasoning

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed then add:

3 eggs, beaten

{the eggs are my addition!  Lorene didn’t add eggs but I feel like it makes it hold together!}

Mix well!  You can even get your hands in there to get it mixed up even better!  Kind of fun too!!

Pour dressing into a greased pan and bake until done!  Approximately 45 min.

Cornbread

Preheat oven to 400°

½ c. corn meal

¾ c. all purpose flour

½ c. sugar

¾ tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

3 T. vegetable oil

1 egg

½ c. milk

Mix all together and pour into a greased 8x8 pan.  Bake for approximately 20 min.  Pulling out of the oven when top is browned.  Let cool then “chickle” it up!  This cornbread is my recipe.  I’m not sure what Lorene used but this works for us!  I suppose you could use a Jiffy Cornbread mix if you wanted to cut corners!

Alrighty now go mix you up some Dressing!  You’ll have the best dressing at Thanksgiving!  I’ll make mine first thing in the morning!!!  You'll need to prep a little the day before!  My bread is made and drying and as soon as I post this I’m going to go make the cornbread for it!  Good Luck and let me know if it was a winner at your FEAST!  Happy Thanksgiving!