Go-Go Girl

Elisan has now affectionately nicknamed Kyla Mae, "Go-Go".

Not sure how it was coined, but Kyla Mae now answers to Go-Go.

However, truthfully, I think KM would answer to anything, since I just tested this theory and called out to her as "Co-Co".

Yep, she answered.

Did I just say I missed Minnesota?

This week I volunteered at my church as it hosted a conference that welcomed pastors from around the world. While there, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with our former pastor of the church we attended while living in Minnesota.

It was such a neat experience to get to talk to him and hear about the growth of their church. That church was one of the few things that I enjoyed while we lived there.

It almost... almost.... made me miss Minnesota... just a teency wheency bit. But, I got over that real quick!

Milk Glass

My friend Leigh Ann, over at The Pink Kitchen asked me to blog about my milk glass collection. And, although it is not huge, it is impressive - if I do say so myself!

First up is a rose embossed plate with scalloped edges.
It looks lovely on my red painted kitchen walls.
(Maybe I could start a blog - The Red Kitchen?)

Next is a small oval serving plate and a set of salt and pepper shakers.

I love this sugar bowl and the ladle.

Here's the matching creamer.

Large water pitcher.


Here's the ensemble.

I have two styles of glasses - six each.


This candy dish holds Q-tips in the bathroom.


This is a vintage Avon bottle.


I love this footed fruit bowl. I bought it off of eBay for $.99...
okay, shipping was $10.00, but still... a great deal!


Hobnail candle holder - I think... anyone know for sure?

Set of taper candle holders.


These really neat plates with the art deco design
are from Leigh Ann herself.
Along with the mugs and the trivet below.

So, that's it. I'm still wanting at least one more piece from my collection and it is a milk glass hen salt dip dish. My mom has it, but she hasn't given it to me yet. I do, however, have a glass hen salt dip dish in green... but, the white one is the one I want!

P.S. - All of the dishes, unless otherwise noted, are from Randy's grandmother's collection that were given to us.

One of my favorite foods is Boudain. If you aren't from around these parts, then you probably don't know what it is, so click here and get educated...

Today, as I was preparing lunch I pulled out the boudain from the 'fridge and KM starting jumping up and down, saying, "Boo-dee, boo-dee, boo-dee!"

After a moment, I finally realized that in her own cute three year old way, she was sayin' boudain.

Fast forward 10 minutes later and I'm on the phone with my mom while we're having lunch. It's KM's turn to talk and my mom asked her what she was eating. Imagine her surprise when KM said, "Boo-dee."

So, my question is... was that a boo-dee call?

(Okay, that was just bad and wrong!)

Fast Walker

I am a fast walker.

I walk fast, even when I am not in a hurry. I walk fast in the parking lot, at the grocery store, at the mall, at church, even at home.

My poor children are usually dangling behind me, as I hurriedly walk from here to there.

I even push a cart load of groceries through the store fast. And I can't stand getting behind someone who is not pushing their cart with equal vigor!

I love escalators, but they are not fast enough, so I usually take them like stairs. Who can resist getting to the top even faster?

I cannot stand getting behind a row of 4 or more people as their bodies take up the entire expanse of a walkway. I mean, c'mon... who in their right mind does that? Not to mention the fact, that they are usually walking slower so they can all get in on the conversation.

Or, getting behind a person, and all of a sudden... they STOP in their tracks. That's worse than slow walking!

I don't know why I am a fast walker. Maybe it's because I'm a fast talker. Or a fast thinker? Maybe I have to walk fast to keep up with my thoughts? Who knows...

All I know, is that if you are in front of me and you are walking slow... you better watch out. I might bump your bottom with my grocery cart... (accidentally, of course!)

The Pit

Have you ever admired someone from afar? Like, that person who when they walk into a room, all heads turn in her direction. And, it is not because she is strikingly beautiful, but because there is buoyancy in her step, a smile on her face or a laugh to be heard. This is the kind of person I admire.

I recently met a person I have long admired. She is that person I just described. But, to add to that, she is the kind of person you want to be friends with. She never meets a stranger and it friendly to everyone. Her family is picture perfect, along with the doting husband.

However, just this week, she confided in me, something that is haunting. She told me that has been recently been dealing with extreme depression.

Talk about a reality check. It reminded me, that just because we look like we have it all together on the outside, we can be falling apart on the inside. It also reminded me, that without warning we can fall into that same pit.

I recently listened to a teaching by Beth Moore called "Get Out of that Pit!" Let me tell you, if you have never heard Beth Moore teach, you are missing out. I encourage fellow Christian believers to download and listen to all of her teachings.

She is such a poignant teacher that I literally burst into tears listening to her lessons on life and words of encouragement.

I now look at my new friend differently. Not because I feel sorry for her, but because I can relate to her. None of us are perfect, even if we try hard to put up that front. I hope all of my friends out there know that I love them just for who they are, no matter what the circumstances. And I hope the same holds true for me.

Life Choices

I've been away for the last few days. Not away from home, but away in my thoughts.

I've not blogged much this week because my mind have been on other things.

Randy and I are at a fork in the road right now and we're trying to decide which path to take. It's not necessary that I go into all of the details now, but trust me... it's a doo-zy!

So, all of my thoughts have been consumed with this fork-in-the-road-thingy and not on blogging. My apologies to the millions of readers out there that tune into my thoughts daily.

But, just so you know... our marriage is as strong as ever, so don't even go down that wretched path...

Happy Easter

We're in the middle of an Arctic Blast, so I didn't take these pictures today! But, here are my girls posing for an Easter picture.

This digital layout design can be downloaded here for free!

As I was sorting the laundry to wash, Elisan walked in the laundry room and offered to help.

I said, "Take all of the white clothes and put them in this empty basket."

She said as she was picking up her first piece, "Ew... but they're dirrrrty!"


Later,

Good Friday

I'm sitting here at my computer, with the window open, listening to my girls swing back and forth on the swing set. They are giggling, singing songs and playing pretend.

The cool breeze is blowing over my arms as I'm typing and I hear the song birds in the distance.

It is Good Friday.

The day that Christ died on the cross for my sins, so that I could be forgiven and have everlasting life.

Today, over 2000 years ago, a man, Christ Jesus, was crucified on a cross. A cross, with nails bore into His hands and feet. A man died for me. He died for my girls. He died for my family. He died for you.

And because he died for me, I'm free.

Like everyone else this Easter holiday, I will be making preparations for Easter... dying eggs, gathering goodies for the Easter basket and planning a huge dinner for my family.

Yet, I won't forget the cross. The beautiful cross that is a symbol of my salvation.

Boys! So soon?

A while back, one of Elisan's classmate's parents approached me giggling, "We want to meet Bryce's (not his real name - you know... to protect the innocent and all...) future mother-in-law."

I'm like... "huh?"

They go on, "Oh, Bryce talks about Elisan all the time. He even says he's going to marry her when he gets old enough."

Now, I'm all for the love-of-my-life-I'm-going-to-marry-them-one-day story..., but hey... this is Kindgergarten... STEP OFF!

So, I giggle with them, feigning excitement and never really thought about it until...

Yesterday, Elisan brought home a present. It was shoved down in her backpack in a crumpled gift bag. I opened it up and what do you know? It was a picture, in a frame of her classmate Bryce. IN. A. FRAME.

Ahem.

So, I ask her. Hey, Elisan what's this? She says, "Oh. Bryce gave that to me."

I probe further, "Did he give everyone in class a picture?"

She replies, "No, just me."

Me, "-----." (Speechless -- yes, can you imagine, for those who know me?)

So, I ask you, internet world... this is weird, no? Am I over-reacting?

I mean, I like Bryce, I like his mom. So what that Bryce likes Elisan. Who wouldn't? She's a great kid. But, wow... so soon.

So soon.

Needless to say, Elisan wasn't fazed. She still thinks boys are silly and stinky. Hun, I've got news for you... they still are.

Yummy Food!

With grilling season upon us, I wanted to share one of my favorite cream sauces that we put on top of grilled chicken and serve over a bed of angel hair pasta.

This sauce is very versatile and can be used as a dip, served with chips or veggies!

Chipotle peppers can be found in the Mexican food section of your grocery store.

Enjoy!


Chipotle Cream Sauce

2 chipotle chiles (from a can) plus 1 T. of their adobo sauce
4 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
1 Cup sour cream
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon white pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

Mix ingredients well in blender to smooth consistency. This can be made ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature. This sauce will work well on grilled chicken or pork.