Out of the mouths of babes...

This is from one of my clients-she commented on Facebook,

"Tonight Emery was being challenging so I told her that I did not want to go with her if she was acting like that & she said "so I have to go by myself?!"--ha--not exactly the conclusion I wanted her to come to!"

I think this is something I might say! ha!

Only wind...nothing...

This verse struck me today,

Proverbs 11:29

"He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise."

Think on this: I read this in a commentary relating to this verse,

"He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. "

(On a lighter note, as far as the fool being servant to the wise, I suppose we would all enjoy this, just sayin'...)

My two offspring... :)

Lauren colored her hair dark... makes those eyes pop out! I just think she is the most beautiful - in the whole world...

and, then there is little Layton, my mess... Lauren let him get a "blue" baby bottle sucker at the checkout stand in Target. Since we were in my car, I had to wrap a white towel around his neck. He sooooo loved that sucker... mmmmm...

New Version of Taco Soup...

A friend of mine, Lisa Ace, made another version of the popular Taco Soup. It was so good, I really think I may like this one better than my old one. And, I just believe adding fresh cilantro when serving, makes the flavor "pop". Mmmmm...

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1 can black beans
1 can northern beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn (I used Mexi-corn)
1 can (14.5 oz) Rotel tomatoes, diced
1 can (14.5oz) stewed tomatoes
1 onion
1 cup water

Brown meat with onion. Drain excess fat. Add taco mix and ranch dressing mix. Mix well. Drain and rinse canned beans: add to meat mixture. Add corn, Rotel tomatoes and stewed tomatoes plus 1 coup of water (I used 2 cups). Bring to a boil and serve.

Garnish with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese and avocados, if desired!

Party Cheese Ball...

I made a new cheese ball for a party and for the office, here goes:

Pineapple Chili Cheese Ball

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 small can chopped green chilies

1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)

1/2 cup chopped pecans plus additional pecans to roll ball in.

Mix softened cream cheese with next 4 ingredients, form into a ball and roll in pecans to cover. Serve with crackers. I served with Ritz and Wheat Thins.

Can't wait till tomorrow, I am taking this to work!

Momma Bear...

I have to admit, yesterday I felt this way...momma bear angry because baby bear is not being treated the way I think she should be treated. Just look at that bear's face, that was ME. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. I, yes I, just spouted off too much, just bet you cannot believe that! huh? :) By the end of the day, I had made myself exhausted and really stressed and I got a horrible headache. I did settle down. I ended my day by listening to the Revelation song below (several post below), that will surely bring you to your knees.

THEN this morning in my devotional I read this, I suppose this was for me!

Proverbs 10:12

"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."

I did not feel hatred, but I was angry. You know that dissension means, "difference of opinion, disagreement". No matter how I feel, even if I do not agree with someone, or if someone has wronged me, LOVING someone takes less of my energy than being angry. If I would just remember this. I admit I had to confess my attitude. My attitude yesterday affected everyone I talked to, and if you were one of them, I apologize for my attitude. Love covers OVER ALL wrongs, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16

Now that is Love covering all wrongs, for sure!

Warm Bread Pudding...

I realize the picture is blurry, but....

Warm Bread Pudding- I took this warm to the office this morning for our Tuesday meeting.

1 package hamburger buns

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs

4 cups milk

1/4 t salt

1 1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t vanilla

In large bowl, tear buns into small pieces. In a separate bowl, mix the next 6 ingredients together. Pour over bread in bowl and mix all together. Grease a 13 x 9" glass baking dish. Pour mixture in dish and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Mix together, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 t vanilla, and enough milk to make a consistency to pour over the bread pudding. When you take the bread pudding out of the oven, let sit for about 5 minutes, and then pour the icing over the top.

Easy and Delicious, oh and it is good for you-cinnamon is good for you.... lol

Gran and Connor...

I think this is the most beautiful picture...Lelia ( my aunt and virtual assistant) and Connor, her grandson...Love this picture!

There was a little Turtle...his name was ...

I Had a Little Turtle Song

I had a little turtle, his name was Tiny Tim

I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim

He drank up all the water, and ate up all the soap

And now he’s sick in bed with bubbles in his throat.

Oh, bubble, bubble, bubble, … Pop!

Layton has been singing a song, and Lauren asked his school, this is what he had been trying to tell us.....he kept waving his arms and then saying "pop"... :)

Cutie pie...

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended...

Click on the link below to view the chart for the Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes:

Easy to Read:

http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/documents/2009-NAR-Issue-Brief-Homebuyer-Tax-Credit-Changes-1104-1107.pdf

What's for Dinner?...

Lisa Ace gave me this recipe yesterday and I made it for dinner. Ran to Brookshires at 3:30, put it in the oven, ran back to my office, and... wahla, it was done when I got home. Yum! I am eating it on a sandwich at work today!

I am thinking that I multi-tasked!!!

1 Beef chuck roast (mine was around 3 lbs.)
1 package brown gravy mix, dry
1 package dried Italian salad dressing mix
1 package ranch dressing mix, dry
2 cups water

Place roast in 13 x 9 inch pan, mix dry ingredients together and pour on top. Pour in 2 cups water, over and around roast.

Bake for around 2.5 to 3 hours. So EASY!!!

Let go...

My devotional calendar this morning: "God is in Control-Let GO!"

OMG, that is so me, trying to hang on....when I know that I am NOT in control of the universe!

Love it!

CRS...Salvation Army and Bicycles...

Today, we had a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) lunch meeting at Hollytree. The CRS designation is one that requires education and production in order to display this designation. We do have a Lone Star Chapter in East Texas, and I have been treasurer for two years. Being part of the CRS, we do have a fund raiser/charity called Chapter with a Heart. We have raised and are donating $2000 to the Salvation Army to purchase bicycles for children. They will be able to purchase around 50 .

We had Captain Zach Bell from the Salvation Army-Center of Hope on North Broadway, come and speak to us today. It was such an eye opener and was probably the best meeting I have been to in a long time. There are 155 families that live at the Salvation Army here in Tyler. He did say that this year the needs are so many more than last year. Just children alone for the Angel Tree is 2500. This does not include the elderly.

If you get a chance, every third Thursday, from 11:30-1, they serve lunch and have a tour. I just think I will be making this tour.

We are so blessed, and I just never realized the tremendous need and the fulfillment of these needs by the Salvation Army.

Vote...Constitutional Amendments

November 3, 2009...Hope all of you voted today. Several constitutional amendments...Appraisal reform, eminent domain. I am headed to the polls now! Realtors FOR the protection of property rights.

Housing Stats September 2009

According to MLS data compiled by the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors

SMITH County only stats.

September 2009 Stats

Number of Sales = 159

Change from last year = Down 1 %
Median Price = $156,000

Change from last year = up 11.5 %

Months of Inventory = 9.3

I will be blogging this report each month. Look under "Label" on the right side of the homepage and click Real Estate Housing Stats to compare each month's stats.

Proverbs 3:3-4

"Let love and faithfulness

never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. "

Love, Love, Love these verses...trying to memorize them now. Three things about love and faithfulness - never leave, bind, and write, THEN you will win favor and a good name, not only in the sight of God but man also!!!

When I think about a writing tablet, I think about the Big Chief tablets...remember those?

Fluffy Honey Butter for Pumpkin Cornbread...

OMG Gina, this has to be made also...

Honey Butter

2 sticks butter, softened

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

Whip all together with an electric mixer and serve at room temperature (can be refrigerated and softened).

www.realmomkitchen.com Serve with Pumpkin Cornbread, recipe follows.

Pumpkin Cornbread...

***Gina Taylor*** We need to try this!!!


Pumpkin Cornbread

½ cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup cornmeal

2 large eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or freshly cooked and processed)

2/3 cup brown sugar

¼ cup canola oil

1 Tbs molasses

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 10-inch glass pie pan or 9-inch square baking pan. Sift flours, baking powder, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in cornmeal. In separate bowl, beat eggs lightly. Whisk in pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and molasses. Make a well in the dry mixture. Add pumpkin mixture and blend batter with a few quick strokes (just until blended- don’t overmix. I also do this this a fork). Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cornbread is browned and the surface has a slightly springy feel.

I am going to try this soon, this recipe came from http://www.realmomkitchen.com/

I love pumpkin, and I love cornbread... I will post the changes that I make to this recipe. I know that I will cut out the canola oil and add applesauce. I also freeze any extra pumpkin that I have left over. Usually, one can of pumpkin will make two recipes...

Layton and Blanca playing...

Layton and Blanca playing...click on the arrow above to play!

Haircut...All Head...

LaLa reading to Layton...

Layton's new haircut...

Layton playing with Blanca...(dog)

Layton and Boo Boo...

Layton got tickled at Blanca...throwing a toy to her...

I could just lick on that head!!! lol... I did kiss all over that head!

Layton can't sit still...

Layton showing off...

I guess you can tell I love that kid...

Baby Redneck...

Is this cute or what? My Aunt Lynn's grandson...

When did we forget this?

Proverbs 1:9-10

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

I read these verses this morning...I started over in Proverbs again, November 1...hopefully, by the time I am older than dirt, I can recite Proverbs... :)

Guess I should take note with these verses, since I love garland and necklaces...ha!, just saying... (that is what Lauren would say).

Young Longhorn...

Need I say more?... :)