Peace like a River

One of my favorite things to do is spend a day

next to a river, just resting, reading, and contemplating.

Each time, I think about what God means

when He says "peace like a river".

To me it means that if there is a quiet place where the rushes

move gently, and the current is slow then the river 

goes along peacefully...

but if there are rapids and the water is being hurled 

over rocks and plunging down in swirling eddys

the river doesn't try to slow down.

It joyfully hurtles along, content and unafraid.

This is how we are encouraged to be...

if life is slow and peaceful, we shouldn't long

for excitement and change...

if troubles swirl around us and we are being 

swept over rapids then we ought to just 

hang on tight and yield to His power.

That is how we will have peace like a river...

Splashing Around in Color

Wild flowers!

Garden Flowers!

Flowers on Dresses!

The world is alive in Color!

My Go-To Salad for Summer Lunch

Confetti Chopped Salad

Romaine lettuce

cucumber

radish

carrots

cherry tomato

(any other veggies you like)

Chop all the veggies in bite size pieces

and add these...

bacon bits

feta cheese

walnuts

Mix with amount of dressing to taste

Dressing

2 T. mayo

2 T. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. dijon mustard

1 T. chopped chives

mix with whisk and then add 4 T. olive oil while

whisking quickly.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Drain a can of garbanzo beans, add to 2 T. hot oil

in fry pan and cook, stirring often for 5 mins. 

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chili powder.

Add a nice amount of fried Garbanzo beans to top of salad

ENJOY!

(Preferably outside with a glass of iced tea:)

I don't like meat very much, but you could add 

cut up chicken too if you like.

Sweet Summertime Girl

"From the lips of children and infants

You have ordained praise."

Matt 21:16

Summer Shirt in Gingham

This shirt was actually a pattern for a pajama top

but I liked it so well I made it into a shirt.

It's one of those things that as soon as I put it on

I feel like its summer at last!

Father's Day Dinner

For Father's Day this year my husband

was very specific about

what he wanted for dinner.

Steak with Blue Cheese butter

(recipe from The Peppered Pantry)

and corn on the cob,
wedge salad, bread and fresh strawberry pie.

I used the papers in the 1st collage for my color 

inspiration, and since his birthday is today

 I put the same colors on his card for that 

also. The pic on the card is of him at 1yr old:)

I knew he liked cranberry juice

so I came up with a recipe for a mixture

of cranberry, grapefruit, lime and soda water
and called it "Cranberry Splash".

I liked the idea of making individual pies so 

they could be wrapped in ribbon with a tag.  
The idea for the jars with banner and ribbon

were from Catch My Party.

Thanks to A Proffittable Life

for the free Father's Day subway art printable.

I think my Cricut was one of the
best purchases I ever made! I am using
it for EVERYTHING!

Gramma's Hot Pool

The phone rang today and when I said

"Hello?" A little voice said

"Gramma, I wanna go hot pool!"

It was Brielle and I knew right away

what she had called about!

When the sun comes out, she thinks its

time to swim, and it looks like this...

A Rubbermaid tub filled with warm water:)

A child is so easy to please!

Outdoors Room

 I'm joining up with the Thursday Link Party @

Delightful Order

 I love to have a place to relax and read outdoors
during the short summers we have.
This is the covered area of our house,
on the back patio, before...

 I had these curtains in my cupboard

that I had gotten from a garage sale. 

They were a little short but with 

the rope tied around them and the posts they are fine.

 I revamped the lantern with rope too, added pots

of flowers, and using an idea from Pottery Barn,

I took 4 lanterns and hung them from rope 

as an outdoor "chandelier".

I also had this canvas in the attic so I hung

that above the "sofa", and with new

pillows and arrangement of furniture it

looks like a brand new, cozy outdoor room!

Peace and Trust

"Peace I leave with you; 

my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

The past few days have brought so much worry 

into my life and I am struggling to have this peace...

if you look very closely you can see there

is a bee right in the center of that flower.

If God can take care of even a tiny insect, 

then surely He can care for all those

who need Him now!

Please pray for Denton

16 yrs old, son of our Pastor

who was diagnosed with Leukemia

yesterday...

and for my nephew Zach (20) who

entered drug rehab Monday.

Finished Playroom

 The picnic table is from Joann and the other

items are thrift shop buys.

 I will add frames with pics to the tree as more

grand kids join the family.

 Craft supplies in a high cupboard with

chalkboard labels so they can be

changed as needed.

 I found this cube shelf at a thrift store

and just added baskets with labels

(from Ross), chairs and a rug

for a reading area.

 A place to do crafts and art work.

The table is from Ikea, the chair was

thrifted and the sign is from the clearance

at Ross.

Because there is a walk in closet I

can hang up all the dress up clothes

and have room for lots more storage as

the grand kids grow into new forms 

of entertainment.

Summer PJ's for Brielle

I've been trying to use up some more of my 

fabric stash on quick projects.

The shirts were $2.50 at Walmart:)

and I just added a cut out embellishment 

so they coordinate.

Sundress for a Sweetie

I made this little outfit for my newest niece.

The fabric was some I had waiting in my stash for 

something special.

Best Mocha Cake Ever, Gluten Free or not!

1 1/2 c. GF or regular flour

2 c. sugar

3/4 c. baking cocoa

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Mix in bowl

Add

1 c. brewed strong coffee

1 c. buttermilk

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla 

2 eggs

Beat for 2 minutes at med speed. Batter will be thin.

Bake in greased 9x13 pan @ 350* for 35 minutes.

Cool.

Frosting

1/3 c. melted butter

1/2 tsp vanilla 

3 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. baking cocoa

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 c. brewed coffee

Beat well and spread on cooled cake. 

Be prepared for pure, indulgent, sweet and chocolatey

wonderfulness!