11.30.2011

OPERATION Zipper Pouch

Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.

As the Christmas season begins to get into full swing, it's important that we remember to thank the ones who are making this all possible.

They are the ones protecting us from the harms and evils that fill this world.
They go with the hand of God protecting them & put their lives on the line each minute of every day.
It's our turn to say THANK YOU.
They are away from their families during such a special time of year. 
The least we can do is send them a little something to show how much we appreciate them.

Please share this with your readers, if you feel comfortable.
I'm praying that this will bless many people, not just the soldiers serving overseas but those who take part in purchasing & stuffing the pouches.

Galatians 6:10-So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

11.28.2011

Recipe:Homemade Rolls

Adjust the ingredients so you don't make 6 dozen rolls.

Get the water to the perfect temperature. 

Warm up the milk.

Let the milk cool in the window.

Mix it all up.

Don't put your hands in too soon.

Smile for the camera while your father in law attempts to scrape his hands.

Keep smiling.


Umm...again don't put your hands in the dough too soon.

Push it out. It being the dough, not something else.

Form a big ball and set it in your greased bowl.

Let it rise.
 
Cut it into sections.

Cut into smaller pieces.

Form your rolls.

Let those rise in your baking pan.

Bake it.

Top with butter.

Get excited. 

Take a bite.

Admire your work.

11.26.2011

Craft Show

Today & tomorrow I'll be a vendor at a local craft show!

I don't make anything homemade (yet) but I will be giving those ladies a chance to purchase some amazing gifts for themselves & their loved ones.













Christmas delivery is guaranteed if you order by December 12th.
Simply visit my website, browse the catalog, & email me your order.
I'm throwing in a special little gift for anybody that places an order before tax/shipping over $31 
(along w/ the company's specials for the month) 
You are only eligible to get the gift if you email me your order 
(instead of straight through the website)

11.25.2011

Black Friday Tips

Did you all survive the gazillion pounds of food you ate yesterday?
I did & now I'm working it all off!
Because of course I'm out shopping right now.
{thank heavens for scheduled post options}

It's too late to post any special deals so enjoy some commercials.
For example: Targets Tips.














And because this one makes me laugh too:




Hope you're staying safe & getting all you went for!

11.24.2011

Happy Thanksgiving








Happy Thanksgiving sweet friends.
I hope you're spending the day with your loved ones,
Eating wonderful food,
Being thankful for what you have,
&
Praising the Lord that you are able to celebrate the day.

11.23.2011

Give A Big Welcome To...

Hey y'all, I'm Meredith: I am (among other things) a 24-year old Jesus follower, a Texas girl transplanted to Utah, and a brand new Espey. I am an extrovert, an early riser, a wannabe runner and an improving cook. I've maintained a lifelong love affair with Diet Coke and I always have my toenails painted red.  I blog about the things I love, the things I don't, and show you what it's really like to be a Utahn.  Our life is a work in progress and a learn-as-you-go adventure. My blog is about that adventure - our goal is to bring glory to Jesus through it all.

Thanksgiving favorite...
My favorite thing about Thanksgiving since we've moved to Utah is being blessed with the ability to go home for it.  I can't wait to spend time with our families, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and celebrate! Oh, and eating stuffing until my pants won't button anymore. I love that too.

Find me here...

My blog is a creative outlet for me. I love blogging about things I love, family, beer and wine, with some crafts and style thrown in. I love that is allows me to have a "business" of sorts while being a stay at home mommy to three amazing kids.

Thanksgiving favorite...
I just love being with family. Oh and the stuffing. I love stuffing. 

Find me here...

hello! i'm hannah singer. wifey to patrick and mama to elijah grey.
liz asked what what i love about this holiday.
e v e r y t h i n g! hooray for thanksgiving!
we have a tradition i grew up with that we've continued in our little home.
at thanksgiving we exchange little happies to 'kick off' the christmas season.
an ornament, a new christmas cd, festive tea towels...anything!
of course i cook all.day.long. yum!
we enjoy the macy's thanksgiving day parade on tv, and reflect on
our blessings by chatting about what we're grateful for!
i'm, grateful for the relentless grace of jesus. what a journey this life is!
just over two years ago, we moved from maryland to north dakota.
through the many changes we've experienced as a family,
we have become more closely knit to each other and the lord. 
i blog at happy days. there you'll find the eclectic mix that is my life. 
i'm passionate about adoption, paper goods, homemaking, cupcakes,
coffee and encouraging others. stop by and say hello!


Find me here...

Howdy! My name is Ruthie and I am southern newlywed wife, mama to a cute chunky French bulldog and love of all things crafty. My blog chronicles my life, everything from my relationship with Jesus, the ridiculous costume parties my husband plans and trying to become Suzie Homemaker while balancing a full time job in software marketing. In my house, we love, we hug, we live out loud, we make mistakes and make fools of ourselves. Oh, and I blog all about it!

Thanksgiving favorite...
My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is focusing all my time and energy on my family and the blessings God has given us!

Find me here...

My name is Ashlyn Williams. I am a daughter, sister, girlfriend, momma {to a boxer named Rufus}, & full-time student studying to be a Physician’s Assistant. I originally started blogging back in June as a personal outlet that was for my eyes alone, but it has grown into something life changing. At my blog you can find a little bit of everything from love&faith to fashion&health…along with a little inspiration to get you through the day. I hope you can stop by & join this little ‘unrehearsed’ life I live.

Thanksgiving favorite...
My favorite thing about thanksgiving is spending time is going to South Carolina to visit family!

Find me here...

Hi! My name is Kelli and I initially started More Bang for Your Bucks as a way to share great deals I found at dollar stores. Since then, it has morphed into my rambling spot- on faith, on recipes, on crafts, and on family, plus the occasional deal still thrown in. My husband and I planted a church in Houston three years ago, and I also share bits and pieces of that journey as well.  We have three kids- Landon, Allison, and Evaleigh. I hope you'll stop by and visit!

Thanksgiving favorite...
My parents have a balcony on their house, and starting in high school, my cousin, sister and I would camp out on the balcony the night before Thanksgiving. It became a tradition that we loved and looked forward to each year. Several years and several babies later, we decided to revive the tradition a few Thanksgivings ago. It was so much fun. We aren't able to do it each year since we all  go to our "other" families (in-laws) houses some years, and the last few years one of us has had a newborn babe. But it is a tradition that we hope to carry on as our children get older!

Find me here...

My blog is about my life as a wife, mom, and singer-songwriter. I write about almost everything and I try to be as open and vulnerable as I can because I think other moms need to hear that they aren't alone in their thoughts and struggles. I'm really all about moms not losing themselves in motherhood, but instead figuring out how to balance their passions and dreams with the love and demands of being a home-maker and mommy. I originally started blogging as an outlet and a place to meet and connect with other moms; and I hope to continue to grow my blog and to eventually turn this in to a source of income for me and my family. I love how the blog world can connect us all together, and I've learned so much just by reading other blogs out there. I also love that it gives me a place to reflect and share my heart with the people I love as well as other readers that are just stopping by. I always hope that something I say will be inspiring  to someone else that reads it.  In addition to sharing my life and thoughts, I also share my music. I mostly just post youtube videos of cover songs and songs that I write. I love feedback and support, and would love the opportunity to have my music featured on another blog. So please ask if it sounds interesting to you.

Thanksgiving favorite...
My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is spending time with family and eating delicious food! And the going through all of the Black Friday sales ads to pick out Christmas gifts for everyone, and a few things for myself as well. I usually don't sleep on Thanksgiving/ Black Friday Eve because I hit the stores at 12am with all the other crazy people! It's silly, but so much fun!


Find me here...



 I started my blog to document my new journeys as a stay at home momma. The more I blogged the more the better I felt. I love writing and my blog helps me express my feelings. It allows me to keep my memories alive. Whenever I read through past posts I go right back to that moment and it feels good! I have also fallen in love with the community that goes along with blogging. I have met so many great people who have shared their lives. People who have helped me realize that I'm not alone in this world. There have been blogs that have really helped me become a better "me".


Thanksgiving favorite...
This holiday is a time where we take time to think about everything we have been blessed with. It's a time where we come together as family and friends and appreciate all the goodness in our lives. I know we should be thankful everyday but life moves fast and sometimes being thankful gets put on the sideline, so it is so nice to have a day dedicated to being thankful. I love this holiday one of my favorites!


Find me here...
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Shop





Thanks ladies for being my sponsor partners this month! 
Be sure to check them out, you won't be disappointed!

11.22.2011

A Tough Day...






Sorry if it seems I haven't been posting much lately or if in the upcoming week, I don't post much. Thanksgiving is a very difficult holiday for us because of the timing. For my entire life, we have celebrated the holiday & my grandpa's birthday together. Usually meaning lots of family, think 10 children (with tons of grandchildren) all gathered at my grandparents for a big celebration. Holiday gatherings, of course, aren't the same..especially this coming one.


Today would have been my grandpa's 84th birthday. I spoke a bit about my relationship with him here.
He was like my father. He raised me.
I lived with him for most of my childhood. I had a different connection with him.
I feared him.
I loved him.
I admired him.
Sadly, at times, I was angry at him.


His beloved pond & geese. All of those geese would return each spring. Don't ask how I'm sure they did, because they just did. I had 2 pet geese when I was little. Cheech & Chong (yes, I'm aware those are hardly names a child should know, but I must have just heard about them) Anyways, these 2 birdies would wait for me to get off the school bus & then follow me around like I was their mama. I felt like I was their mama, ya know like that movie "Fly Away Home" where the girl builds the machine to guide the geese to warmer weather? If I could have done that, I would have. My grampy thought it was the funniest thing, but he knew exactly how I felt. Because he felt the very same way, but for many more.


He was always joking around with me. Of course, he could get very serious. Especially when I did something wrong. But unlike, my mom and her siblings my punishment usually resulted in just a lecture. 


He loved racing. Dale Earnhardt to be exact. He actually met him, maybe more than once..I'm not sure. He went to the dirt track races every Saturday until his health didn't allow that. He watched every race until he lost his sight, and then he listened faithfully.


In many ways, my grandpa should have taken part in walking me down the aisle. He, along with my mom & grandma, raised me.


I wish my little sisters would have gotten to spend more time with my grandpa. 
I wish I could call him today & ask for his advice on numerous issues in my life. 
I wish I could introduce him to my future children.
I wish I could spend his birthday with him.

The tears I shed today won't last forever. 
The sting of missing him won't last forever.
 I know that someday soon I'll be reunited with him in my Father's house.

So during this week of giving thanks, hug your grandparents. 
Tell them you love them. Don't let small things affect you.
Your days are numbered with them, especially them. 
God has given you the opportunity to seek their wisdom & knowledge.
Don't waste that opportunity.