Sweet Weekend from my Spring Porch

Today I am talking around the idea of a Spring Front Porch. So I write this note about my weekend I am seeing myself on a porch something like this.  

Oh, yes or one like this, well more porches later...

We had a wonderful weekend with family over to celebrate our son in laws birthday. I cooked dinner. As requested my famous meatloaf, baked mac n cheese, and roasted potatoes. Melissa made his favorite cake, Fun Fetti. I know there are so many amazing cakes and that’s what he wants.

With Spring in the air we under the new weather plan. Tornado season. So we are checking the weather as we go to sit for dinner because our son tells us we are in for quite the night. Sure enough…. Well, it’s been damp and wet all day so we will check the weather later on to see what up by the time everyone is ready to leave, they may want to bunk down in the basement by the reports we are getting on the news.

Then during dinner we heard a HUGE BOOM!!! I thought it was the cat in the basement. I knew she was down there, and there were a stack of boxes, maybe they were knocked over.  We played on the Wii. I bought a new game for us. Ever watch the show “Big Balls”  hehe “Wipe Out”? well that’s the new game. Lots of fun.

As the kids all went home Kevin opened the door to the garage and let out a  Oh!!! The damp weather I was telling ya about, Well the tape to the seam on some of the sheet rock let loose. Nearly half our garage ceiling was all over the garage floor and car!! There was nothing up there nothing putting weight on it! It JUST FELL!

We did make it through the night. It was a bumpy ride. The closest to us was 3 miles away got hit and there are power lines and trees down all around. The schools are starting on 2 hour delay so they can get some clean up done and make sure streets are passable.

Ok, so on with some pretty Spring Porches

How sweet is this little garden porch? Take a book and enjoy some sweet tea out here!!

And finally I think I could watch the kids on bikes and say Hello to all the walkers while petting my kitty all from that pretty white wicker chair.

Happy Monday I hope you all have a wonderful week!

AMAZING LOVE

I'm constantly amazed at the restoring desires of our God. Sometimes we think we're beyond restoring, that we've done too many crummy things. I was studying a restoration story this week and I'm going to share it with you. Hold onto your stretchy pants.

The history of the nation of Israel is filled with those in need of restoration. Liars, cheats and philanderers abound. In Genesis 27 Rebecca convinces her son, Jacob, to trick dad - who is blind with age - into giving him the blessing that belonged to his slightly older twin brother Esau.

Here's how the interaction played out:
Jacob carried the platter of food to his father and said, "My father?"

"Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it -- Esau or Jacob?"

Jacob replied, "It's Esau, your older son. I've done as you told me. Here is the wild game, cooked the way you like it. Sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing."

Isaac falls for it, blesses the wrong kid and Jacob then had to flee before the burly anger of his brother.

Now here comes the good part...Jacob gets tricked, does some tricking himself, and then the day comes when he must face his brother again. He sends gifts ahead to try and soften up Esau. Then the night before the coming encounter Jacob wrestles with an angel.

You heard me.

Genesis 32:22ff:

When the man (the angel) saw that he couldn't win the match, he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is dawn."

But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

"What is your name?" the man asked.

He replied, "Jacob." Israel means "God struggles" or "one who struggles with God."

"Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."

So, two points of restoration here:

#1. "I will not let you go until you bless me." Now, Jacob is already blessed because he tricked dad into giving it to him. But how blessed do you feel when you trick someone into doing it? Jacob wanted a blessing that he had earned.

#2. Did you notice that the angel asked Jacob his name, just as dad had asked him his name. This time Jacob tells the truth...and out of it he gets a new name and a new destiny.  

You are never beyond God's scope of restoration.

Amazing Love

Chris Tomlin

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.
(Repeat x2)

(Chorus)
Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King
Jesus You are my King
(Repeat x4)

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King

Serving up Saturday Supper *Gluten Free

 Those of you who come by my page often have been seeing changes happen nearly every time you come by. Thank you for sticking with me. I guess it has been entertaining like watching the manic episodes of a desperate housewife. 

I assure you I am ok, I've been trying to decide just what all my blogging will be about and what things to add. One of the things I feel strongly about is Gluten Free Food. I have Celiac Disease. It almost killed me. I went undiagnosed for 23 years and my body was ravished. I have been told by the doctors that any form of gluten is like sprinkling rat poison on my food. So, I have decided to add Serving up Saturday Supper *Gluten Free I hope you will find some dishes you and your family will enjoy!

This chicken dish is so yummy I promise it is a crowd pleaser!


Greek Chicken

2½-3 lbs chicken pieces                                 

MARINATE:
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Place chicken in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag.
Combine marinate ingredients in a small bowl.  Pour marinate over chicken.
Marinate chicken for several hours or overnight. 
Remove chicken from marinate and place in a lightly greased 9" X 13" pan. 
Bake at 375°F for 1 hour or until done. 

As any retro housewife would do I offered some side dish examples, because I want you to eat your vegetables!

Serve with Rice and a side of grilled Zucchini

 

Enjoy!

Please let me know if you try this what you think and if you like the idea of recipes on  my page.

Pretty Cake, Pretty Cake

Bakers gone to tiny cakes...  The cupcake is all the rage these days, and they are being done up real fancy like too! I just love these with all the colors and fun stuff on them. They look more like a craft party!

I can see most any girl love a box of these cute little cakes for a birthday party instead of a full cake. These are all just almost to pretty to eat!

 People are even given in to the traditional wedding cake and going with a cake top for the bride and groom to cut, but cupcakes for all the guest. My daughter mentioned having this at her wedding and I thought it was a bit odd. She found a cake she loved and we were very traditional folks. But I am starting to see this in tons of magazines.

 Now these are a great idea for flowers!! Defiantly Pretty! How long would you leave them sitting there before eating them? I would feel a bit of obligation wouldn't you?

These are a few little things I found and thought were pretty enough to share. Have a wonderful weekend!

T is for Trent

T is for Trent

This is my husband. my sweetheart my love my darling, well ok you got. We started dating August 16, 1979 the summer after my 9th grade year of high school.

We grew up together, he lived behind our land where we had horses andevery other animal you could think of. He would cut through after school in jr. high because it was such a shorter distance to get home. We went to the same dentist, same church, and we even went to the same barber. Well let me explain that last one. My brother was the one getting his hair cut. But the old man barber, well, he would always ask the girls… “you want a buzz today?” “uh, NO!” as if he was going to really give us one. He would pull out a rubber ear from a drwer and say now if you don’t sit still…. this is what happened to the last guy! Hahaha! Oh the good old days.

My husband Trent with a T had grown with me through so many things. Yes I walked across the graduation stage and down the wedding isle I like to say. Well, I kinda did. I graduated in May and married in January 8th 1983.

So, Mr. T and I have really had a lot of years under our belt already. Oh my what was in store for us. We had no idea I would end up so sick for so many years. What a man Mr. T turned out to be!! He was by my side and told me we were a team. He meant every bit of it and has been the best coach anyone could have needed during the stuff I have had to go through.

Mr. T and I had two incredible kids who are both now married and we one grandchild on the way! Yes, we are part of the rare club “childhood sweethearts marry and stay married”

I wish I had better pictures but my scanner is broken. The story is the same, Mr. T is my hero and so T is for Terrific, Temendous, Trent

Daffodil Shoots and Dilly Heads

.

What can I say......

 

Are there any words....

.

Can you just imagine walking into Target next to this......

                                         

I am so glad winter is just about gone before these made a splash in the pond of big style.....

.Spring is coming soon the daffodils are starting to shoot from the ground. I love those pretty yellow blooms that are our first burst of sunny yellow,  that lets us know we are in for some good warm sunny days ahead!

What's for Dinner?

 

Every one ask it. And if you are the one in charge of making sure it gets done.... well sometimes you want something new every now and then. That is why I am sharing this simple and fun casserole with you.

Cowboy Meatloaf & Potatoes

Ingredients

    * 1 Packages Ore Ida Steam n' Mash Garlic Seasoned Potatoes

    * 1 Pound(s) GROUND MEAT lean

    * 3/4 Cup(s) ONION finely chopped

    * 1/3 Cup(s) BREAD CRUMBS seasoned

    * 1/4 Cup(s) JACK DANIEL'S® HONEY SMOKEHOUSE BARBECUE SAUCE

    * 1 EGG lightly beaten

    * 2 Teaspoon(s) CHILI POWDER

    * 3/4 Teaspoon(s) SALT

    * 2/3 Cup(s) EVAPORATED MILK

    * 1 Tablespoon(s) BUTTER

    * 1 Cup(s) CRUMBLED BACON real

    * 1/4 Cup(s) CRISPY FRIED ONIONS canned

    * 2/3 Cup(s) MEXICAN BLEND CHEESE shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 9x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine beef, onion, breadcrumbs, Barbecue Sauce, egg, chili powder and salt until well mixed. Gently press into bottom of baking dish.

2. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Carefully pour off any excess fat if needed. Adjust oven to broil and place oven rack 6 to 8 inches from heat source.

3. Meanwhile, microwave Potatoes according to package instructions. In a large bowl, mix together hot Potatoes, milk and butter, and mash with a potato masher until smooth. For a smoother consistency, mix with an electric mixer to desired consistency. Stir in bacon and fried onions. Spread evenly on top of beef mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

4. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned. Serve hot with additional Barbecue Sauce if desired.

 This makes great left overs, if you have any.  It a great classic meatloaf and potato dish all in one.  Can't get kids to eat meatloaf? They love to dig in to this one! This is one of those wonderful things where you can add shredded carrots and extra goodies that you like to give an extra healthy kick, and they don't know, or care!

Ms Fancy Pants Got Her Nails Done Up!

Ok, get ready to laugh, everybody does. I just love to play around with nail polish and the colors I wear. Some of these are of me and some I found on the web. They are just fun!

 

God Bless the USA I love the changing seasons. I enjoy seeing what God has for us for each season. I know we get so tired of the snow and cold, but really do you think you would appreciate those bright colors of Spring and warm Summer days so much if we didn't have Winter too?

And then just for a little extra fun the puppy feet need to be pretty too!

I have a busy day today so I have a short post this morning. Maybe I'll be able to get to something later this afternoon! I do hope this gave you a smile and when the weather warms up you decide to get those pedicures and put on some COLOR!
  

I Once Red a Book

Look at this adorable little retro bike. It got me thinking…. Uh-oh! Ok don’t run. I want you to do thinking.

What was your favorite toy or thing to do when you were a child?

 All kids loved to have bedtime stories and some loved to sit and look at books. Many of us grew up to be real book worms. One book I never did like. I really just thought it was scary and an awful image really. As I was writing this I thought, I will find out what the meaning or origin of this story is. Like so many of the nursery rhymes they have some amazing stories and odd that we find ok to tell them to our children. Like "Rock a bye Baby" Is it really ok, and comforting, to tell our baby "the cradle will fall"... ?  Well anyway, I went to Wikipedia and there are variations of reason for the story. Basically "don't trust strangers" OH, OK! Well now I will explain that and read it with a whole new way of thinking. Not so bad.  yikes~

 

 One of my all time favorites were these lovable little pals. I remember the day I got my first Raggedy Ann! I thought she was loney and really wanted her mate. I am sorry to report I never did get Raggedy Andy. When I had my daughter one of the first things she got was a set. She never played with either....  Or cared that they were even in her room for that matter. Isn't that what they say, don't try and live through your kids?

 I did love my Raggedy Ann, but even more than her was what I called "real babies". I was not into Barbie. I always wanted to be a Mom. I played house all the time. My best friend was crazy over Barbie! She had the whole clan. Skipper and all the cousins. She had the big RV and clothes and shoes that would make Paris Hilton jealous.  Barbie is so much fun for so many little girls, were you one of them? 

 I was more into dress up and playing "real life" I wanted real babies and to be all grown up. My grandma had a green house that she turned into a play house. I had a kitchen and she put all her old shoes , clothes, purses, and hats out there. Yes I was dresses to the nines! I had all the best kitchen tools and dishes. and baby good items. I was one domestic diva!

  

 The only thing missing were my crown jewels. Of course I grew up wanting these beauties as well. I am VERY happy to report I have received some. But, well, this set still sits where ever they are when this picture was taken. 

 

So as we dream as little ones and can't wait to grow up..... now I sit and wonder where did the time go? Not only have I grown up, but so have my children who only yesterday I was painting their faces and helping them make forts in the living room. Now we are on to our next chapter and will watch another generation as we will see my sons expecting child dream of what will be!