Joy of the Generations

Has it really been a month since my last blog post? Yeah, I've kept a journal for at least 20 years and there are gaps in that too. I decided long ago to give myself permission. Otherwise, it becomes like so many other things in life; we focus on not measuring up and simply step back and let the opportunity to participate pass us by. I'm here! And there. And everywhere.

Here's some pictures of the way I'm spending my time between running 2 businesses. If you want to actually read words and thoughts, for now I'm over at my LifePoint blog.

Collin is 3 months old

Addison will be 2 in July

Ava is 6 weeks old

Nonna and Pappa are happy and thankful!

I Smell Heaven....

I'm fresh from the land of hope. I'm convinced that God sends babies to remind us of that heaven is very near. They come with the scent of heaven and soften our reality. The world is full of chaos but small gifts bring great joy. A few scenes from the last week....

Murder & Mayhem

I've heard the expression, "sly as a fox." I've also heard the analogy, "like a fox in the henhouse." Well...seven chickens later, these are no longer just concepts.

Yep, we've lost 7 chickens in as many weeks. We thought the perp was a neighboring dog. Our clue is that while Builderman was hunting down one of the chickens that had been stolen, (with a great ruckus, I might add) he came on this little dog near the scene with chicken feathers on her nose. Hmmm. Pretty damaging evidence.

I was really hoping it wasn't Lemon (the little dog's name), especially since the attacks have picked up and we have to stop this mayhem.

Yesterday, Jim was outside when the murderer closed in on another victim. He was fast and got away but I think I can safely say, his days are numbered. Jim got a glimpse of him as he fled and...it was a fox.

Of course there's a million life-lessons in this but I'll let you take it from here. I'll just say that the enemy is not always what we think it is and he's sneakier than you'd like to think.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." but that's not the last word in that story. And it won't be in any story as far as I'm concerned. There's good news ahead!

P.S. For those of you who don't know about the adventures of raising chickens, you can see my
post of what happened when they were chicks or you can read Francine River's new book, Her Mother's Hope. It's riveting. Okay - WAY more riveting than anything I've written. To date. That could change. : )

It's a Beautiful Day and I'm Thankful I Can See It

The Power of Words...

This video has gone viral with over 4 million views and you'll see why...


I have things to write and an committed to sharing some thoughts with you... so I'll be back soon!

Pearline's Carrot Cake Supreme

How could you possibly go wrong with a recipe from a sweet lady and champion baker from a small Southern town named Pearline? The only way you could go wrong is to not taste this carrot cake.There are no short-cuts in this recipe, but the blissful orbit you'll go into when you eat this will be worth the time and effort. This cake can make an ordinary day into a special occasion, but this weekend I made it for Jim's birthday. Oh happy day!

Pearline’s Carrot Cake Supreme

2 Cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda|
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 large eggs
2 cups sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (3 1/2oz) can flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Frosting (Below)

• Grease three 9-inch cakepans, line with parchment paper. Lightly grease & flour the parchment paper & set aside.
• Stir together first four ingredients (flour, soda, salt & cinnamon)
• Beat eggs and next four ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrots and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pans & smooth evenly.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center come out clean.
• Cool on wire racks.
• Spread Cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill cake several hours before slicing. Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese
¾ cup softened butter
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
* For deluxe frosting, stir in ½ finely chopped pecans along with vanilla.

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla and pecans.

Now, after preparing Pioneer Woman's favorite Man Sandwiches for lunch with onion strings and this cake for dessert, I only need to walk 132 miles to burn all the calories.

In Like a Lamb - Out Like a Lion!

I figured I'd better show up here before you wrote me off as a blog quitter.
March has been more than a whirlwind so thought I'd journal a recap....

1. Our first grandson was born Feb. 28 and I have been back and forth a lot, cooking, snuggling and thoroughly enjoying the fact that he's less than an hour away. I'm beyond delighted: 2. My mom got to come up with Uncommon Blonde when he was only 1 week old to take the Newborn photographs. They stayed with me and it was a very special weekend!


3. A close family member (who doesn't like to be "uncovered" on blogs and Facebook) was hospitalized with a dangerous, life-threatening situation. Emergency surgery resulted in answered prayer and she is recovering.

4. I spent most of last week in Atlanta on business and was challenged, stretched, inspired.

5. While driving home, I narrowly missed several crazy spring storm cells. Even drove through the mess left by baseball size hail that was piled up like snowbanks along the side of the road. Surreal. I passed through it all safely.

6. Returned home to find another family member battling a scary health issue and went into gear to help there.

7. This weekend brings a regional retreat. Sound relaxing? Well, maybe if I was just attending but minor detail - I'm in charge.

8. I think I can take a breath next week while I pack and start the waiting game for a call to go south when Uncommon Blonde goes into labor with her second daughter.

Busy is in my DNA so I'm not complaining. God is good. I am grateful. Just not blogging much but thinking of you and looking forward to visiting you soon. Thanks for coming by.

A Wonder~Filled Day

He's here!

Our first grandson arrived safely Monday after 18 hours of labor.
I was exhausted.
Isn't he amazing?
7 lbs 15 oz of sheer joy.

I'm headed to the kitchen to prepare some casseroles to take over. It's only an hour from here and I'm thrilled. That may seem far to you but that's only 60 minutes.
My heart sings.