Celebrating Home

Look what I received in the mail this week...

Seven boxes which contain a decoration of some sort

{mirrors, sconces, vanity tray, glass vase, picture, etc}

to someday beautify a home of my own!

AND...

I got them all for only $30, even though their value was...$164!!!

Talk about a deal!

Of course you are thinking, "How?" "Where?" and "No fair!"

A couple of weeks ago my mom hosted a Celebrating Home Party at

our house. It was a great party; boy, do I have alot to live up to...

Besides gorging myself on my Mom's fine delicacies, I also decided to have a book party of my own. I took the books to work not really expecting my coworkers to make any purchases.

I was wrong...

I ended up having SEVERAL purchases; so many that I received $88 of FREE (don't we all love that word) merchandise, as well as four items at 1/2 price!!

I was shocked and thrilled beyond words.

Those seven boxes are still on bedroom floor; I shake my head in amazement every time I look at them...

So, if you want to receive great home decor for discounted, unbelievable prices, think about hosting a Celebrating Home Party; you won't be disappointed.

DIY Christmas Planner

With the holidays upon us, I came across a neat craft here

for my mom and I to do together to help us keep organized!

For a total of about $5, we crafted, glued, and giggled

while putting this Christmas Planner together...

Since the sisters behind 1825 did such a great job with

giving detailed pictorial steps, I decided to just leave

you with our finished projects.

My planner contains four tabs, while

my mom's contains six; suited to our needs...

So...if you are freakishly addicted to organization like my Mother and I,

then this planner is definitely something for you!

The Van

I have the opportunity to work on a bus route that picks up children from a neighboring town and brings them in to church on Sunday mornings. I have been a part of this ministry for 9 years now; and it is such a blessing, something I truly enjoy doing. For the last two years, I have had the job of riding in the shuttle car and bringing children to the bus, since our route is pretty wide spread. I always thought that shuttle drivers had the easy job, not having to be on the bus as much, but I have since learned differently. I actually get to spend more time, one on one with children before taking them to the bus!

Up until 3 1/2 months ago, my "shuttle partner" was Liz (she got married, moved to CA, and left me...;).

{us on our last shuttle run together} :)

We have so many memories from those Sunday mornings, driving in her parent's green mini van. One of our favorite children, would definitely be this little man; Jordan. We had so many intent conversations with him; he is such a thinker...

Since Liz moved away, the green van has died and been replaced with a new white one. Yesterday morning I pulled up to Jordan's house and he bounded out to the van. He sat down and was silent for awhile then said,

Boy, this van sure brings back alot of good memories for me...

Oh, really (I chuckled), like what?

Well, you know of you and Miss Liz picking me up together and all the fun we had...

Whatever happened to that green van; I miss it...

I explained that it had run its last course and had to be replaced.

Oh, he said sadly, then brightened up a little... You know what? I think that they should have a parking lot at church with all the old shuttle cars-like the green van-that way we could go sit up in it... You know, like when we are lonely and miss Miss Liz and want to think back to good times...Don't you think that would be a good idea?

Agreed...

Boy, I sure miss that green van {and its shuttle driver}! Love that kid...

Change

Change...

Sometimes subtle and slow, but nonetheless, clearly evident.

It will happen whether or not we are watching.

Changes are happening all around us.

In God's beautiful creation it is easy to see this natural phenomenon,

yet not so easy to observe in people.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and observing lately of this very thing.

Why do people change?

Does it mean that they were never who they pretended to be?

Is it due in part to their circumstances and or location?

Did I only see what I wanted to?

Naturally, growing into adulthood will bring changes, both for the good,

but also sometimes for the worse.

I look at myself and see how I have changed.

Maybe not as noticeable as the autumn trees,

but there has definitely been change.

Sometimes it is difficult to accept the changes that have taken place

in people we once held dear, but acceptance is necessary

to bring composure and steadiness and thus move on.

Change is after all the alteration from one state into another; a transformation.

Change is inevitable, but I can look at the seasons and know that God knows best.

So, although people and friends are changing around me,

I can lean completely and fully on Him;

for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

{the photographs were taken over the interval of one week of the same tree}

A day in the life of Westchester Township

This Saturday I was able to participate with several other volunteer local photographers

to document a typical day in Westchester Township. It was a photography project

sponsored by our Public Library and the Westchester Township Museum.

I was given a certain area to photograph in the a.m. and had such

an enjoyable time driving around taking random pictures of our community!

Here are a couple collages of some of the pictures I was able to capture...

Sharing my mosaic over at Mary's; click here to view more!

Italian Dish!

Despite living in a predominately Italian family, we do not eat Italian dishes as often as I would like. Since my Father grew up eating it almost every day, we usually limit it to once a week for him! One (of many) of my favorites though is...

LASAGNA!

Can't help my taste buds from watering just

looking at this deliciousness...:)

Start by browning 1/2 lb. of ground beef

Cook lasagna noodles according to back

of box...

Combine 12 oz. of ricotta cheese with two eggs and 1 1/2 c. of mozzarella,

and sprinkle in some garlic powder and oregano with a touch of cinnamon.

Set aside.

Once hamburger is browned add 1/2 lb. of Italian sausage,

then mix in 1/2 jar of Spaghetti sauce to moisten the meat.

Tell your mother (who has these Italian dishes down)

to pause so you can get a picture of both the food process and

of course, its lovely chef!

Pour spaghetti sauce, just enough to cover the bottom of

a 9x13 pan then start to layer with cooked noodles followed by

1/2 ricotta mixture...

...then 1/2 meat mixture, followed by lasagna noodles, etc.

For the last layer cover with the remaining spaghetti sauce

and Parmesan cheese. Generously sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Bake covered with aluminum foil for 40 minutes, then uncover

and cook for another 10.

Bon Appetit!

Wait for God's Afters

It is the end which justifies all and explains all. It is to the ultimate goal that God's eye is ever turning. At the right moment the shining harvest will appear! What thought the seed may seem to perish in the dark cold ground! What will that matter when the blade burst forth, and the ear unfolds, and the full corn waves over the golden harvest field?

Luther was once in earnest prayer over some matter of great moment, desiring to know the mind of God in it; and it seemed as though he heard God say to him, "I am not to be traced."

If God is not to be traced, He is to be trusted.

"After these things things Jesus manifested Himself."

"Nevertheless afterward."

However dark the nows may be in your experience, the afters of God are worth waiting for!

God's ways may be hidden, but

Wait for God's Afters!

{Mrs. Charles E. Cowman excerpt from Springs in the Valley}

[sharing in Mosaic Monday, linger here to view more]