Wordless Wednesday

John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

"Updated Blessings"

Wow....how time flies!!!  So much going on in our busy lives that we forget to take the time to just reflect.....I'm guilty, I'll admit it!  I do have a good reason though! It's called......MY LIFE!!!!!  Whew....what a couple of weeks it has been!  First, my sweet daughter had a HUGE birthday....we had to celebrate in our very own style, of course....

She was so excited to just have a family dinner and a little Surprise Ice Cream Party with a few friends!!!!  At this party, I saw sweet, loving teenagers that have brightened my sweet girl's life so very much.  Not just that night, but on a daily basis....they are lifelong friends...for the most part and have been a big part of her life since Kindergarten!  There are still people who value the heart of a person rather than their status or abilities!!!  Their presence at ABW's surprise party was greatly appreciated!

Then came....Family Thanksgiving Dinner #1.....what a great day!  Four siblings were able to come together with their own loved ones to celebrate the Thankfulness that we share as a family!

Sweet cousins.....

Parents of the previous sweet cousins.....Ralph of EMW and Koda of Bella....

all of the youngest cousins....from 5 of the oldest cousins.....WHEW....it gets a little confusing at times!!! What a large and generational family this is....So Thankful!!!

Sweet sister-in-laws....catching up, talking game.....ha, ha!

The reason for the celebration....what a legacy....what memories....we are making them everyday!!!! So "Thankful" for all of the family in these photos and all of the family that are not in these photos!  I am writing this entry and thinking at the same time what a great family I have on both sides....So "Thankful" for the true love of all, that makes a family work in one accord and be an example of the "True Love" that we should all possess!  We are not all perfect, but, in God's eyes, we are....mistakes and all....He forgives us and  loves us just the same.  Not ONE person is above His divine love and mercy....so why shouldn't we all be striving to have that same acceptance of one another, as He does.....some of us try, some of us don't, some of us give, some of us won't, but..... we are FAMILY!!!!  Thankful for it:)

Then came....Family Thanksgiving Dinner #2.....what a great day!!!! Great food, great company....great ending!!!  So "Thankful" for each HARVEST that this year brought to my family....so many, I can't count! The Harvest of love, the Harvest of growth....in business and in our personal and spiritual lives.....the Harvest of guidance and friendship, health and maturity....what a Thanksgiving this year has been!!!

Psalms 95: 1-6 

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a Great God, and a Great King above all gods.
In His hands are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.
The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

"Wordless Wednesday"

Luke 22:19
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in rememberance of me.

"Love Blessings"

It is hard to believe, but today marks the 20th anniversary of meeting the "Love of my Life"!  That's right, 20 years ago today, I was looking for a special song before I went to church, and Ralph was looking for movies to celebrate the end of final week in college!!!  Little did we know, but we actually found much more than we intended to find!  After our brief small talk and innocent name exchange in the check out line, we were on our way back to our normal lives.  A phone call later that night from Ralph started a whirlwind romance that led us to where we are today! 

It's funny, but Ralph and I celebrate this day as much as we celebrate our actual wedding day!  It is a date that we will never forget!  Happy Anniversary:)

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (NIV)
Luke 12:48

"Wordless Wednesday"

Proverbs 4:21
"Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh."

"Seasonal Blessings"

Wow....this is what I woke up to this morning:). My husband surprised me with our first fireplace fire of the season!!! I love cold mornings with a crackling fireplace, a nice cup of coffee, a safe and healthy family and a surprise visit from my dad!!!
There is something to be said for bow season....it means the men are feeling "manly" and "outdoors-y" and really enjoy early mornings, cutting wood, building fires, making a mean cup of "Joe" and providing for their families!!!! At least that's how it is in my family:). I love it!!!!
I'm also very thankful that Ralph was able to buy him a new buggy for the lease this fall! He has needed a new one for several years and he finally broke down and got one. We will all enjoy putting it to good use for many hunting seasons to come!!! "Seasonal Blessings" are a nice way to start any GREAT weekend!!!

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield it's valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

"God's Artwork"

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "

"Sheri's Italian Sausage & Spinach Soup"

1 1b. Italian Sausage....(hot and spicy)

2 tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Medium Onion, Diced

4 Scallions Diced

2 Garlic Cloves Diced

2 Medium Carrots Diced

1/4 tsp. Fennel seed

2 Tbs. Chopped Italian parsley

1 can Mild Rotel

1 1/2 cans Cannellini Beans...other 1/2 of can (mashed)reserve

1 can of tomato puree

1 Squash diced

1/2 carton of fresh baby spinach

3 cups of chicken stock

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cracked black pepper

**1 to 2 inch Parmesan cheese rind...secret ingredient

In a stock pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add sausage, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, scallions until browned. Add rotel, puree, beans, squash, carrots, fennel seed, 1 tbs. of Italian parsley and stir. Season to taste as you layer in the ingredients. Add the beans, Parmesan rind and chicken stock to the mixture. Bring to a slow boil and add the mashed beans for thickness. Cook on medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes and then add spinach and 1 tbs. of fresh Italian parsley. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes more. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and ENJOY!!! A VERY yummy winter soup! "It warms the soul!"

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not; for I am with you. Be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness."

"Busy Blessings"

Yes, there are even blessings in the busiest of times!!!  WHEW....what a couple of weeks we have had!  I'm so thankful for the strength and energy that the Lord has given Ralph and I to make it through!!!  I am happy to report that we all were able to enjoy a restful weekend, so far, to try to catch up:)  Here are a few pics of our latest "Busy Blessings"......

ABW at Homecoming '09 with a GREAT friend!  She had a great time and REALLY enjoyed her mum that her Aunt D made for her!!!!  I think she wore it everywhere she went that day.....Really!!!!

EMW at one of her many Volleyball games....She is loving it....we LOVE watching her! 

EMW cheering at the middle school football games!!!  She LOVES it:)  I have to admit, I love watching her cheer also!!!  She has been doing it for so long, but I never get tired of watching her.  She's an amazing girl....lots of energy, lots of love and LOTS of fun!!!!!

Here she is with her cheer friends at the competition at the fairgrounds! They did an awesome job....Go Knights!

Fun at the fair!  EMW and friends enjoyed all of the crazy rides, but they enjoyed the company even better!

Ralph and ABW at the fair.....she racked up!!!!  She didn't want to ride the rides, but she sure spent some money on the games.....I think we only left one booth where she did not win a prize!  Happy girl:)

As the week still winds down, I am enjoying the memories that were made with family and friends!  God is so good to us!  We are blessed each day!  I just hope that I take time each day to remember that these "Busy" times will someday fade, so I need to enjoy them while they are here!  After all, maybe they are keeping me young:)  Happy Saturday everyone.....God Bless!

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Wordless Wednesday

Genesis 9:16 "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”