Tea Cakes for V Day...

I made Tea Cakes today, I usually make them once a year, not sure why, but...  My grandmother's recipe and her cookie cutter shown in the first picture.

Layton was an accident waiting to happen... :)

P.S. I love you...



Roses, Card, Chocolates and a Buttermilk Donut for breakfast :)
Thank you JB! 



Turtle Brownies...

This was a recipe I got from the TV Guide back in the 1980's. "John Davidson's Turtle Brownies."

Can you believe it is that old... funny. Anyway, these brownies are so good. They are also very EASY. Good to make ahead and take to a party.

(1) 14 oz pkg Caramels (unwrapped)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Microwave for around 2.5 minutes, stirring every 1 minute.

In separate bowl, mix 1 box German Chocolate cake mix,

3/4 cup melted butter,

1/3 cup evaporated milk together.

Add 1 cup chopped nuts.

Press 1/2 of the mixture in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle a 12 oz bag of chocolate chips on top.

Pour caramel mixture evenly on top,

and crumble add'l cake mixture on top of caramels.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Cool and cut in bars. Delish...

Eminent Domain...

February 9, 2011
Texas Senate Approves Eminent Domain Bill 

"Texas property owners would have stronger protections when the government wants to take their land under a measure approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

Property could be seized under a process called  "eminent domain'' only it if would be put toward public use, and landowners could buy it back if the project is not started within 10 years.

The government would also be required to make a ``bona fide'' offer to buy the property.

The changes force the government to deal fairly with "good faith negotiations and just compensation,'' said bill author Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls."

http://lonestartexasnews.com/pages/9164585.php?contentType=4&contentId=7634533

French Toast Casserole...

French Toast Casserole - So wonderful!  Breakfast for dinner today!

6 slices white bread

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. 2% milk

1/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2  tsp. vanilla

Trim crusts and spread slices generously with tub butter. Cut each slice into fourths and arrange half on bottom of  8" baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2  teaspoon cinnamon. Cover with rest of bread and sprinkle with other 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Scald milk (I heat  in microwave 3 minutes); remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved. Beat eggs thoroughly in a separate bowl. Gradually dribble milk into eggs, beating constantly with whisk. Stir in vanilla and pour over bread. Set 8" baking dish in a  13 x 9" pan of hot water and bake 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees or until knife inserted in center comes out dry. 

You can double the recipe and place in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

After you take out of the oven, let casserole sit for 5-10 minutes, drizzle with Butter Pecan Syrup. (you can purchase at Brookshires).

Surely goodness!

PS I forgot to take a picture before we ate, but this one looks very close to it! :)

Lay it ALL down...

I am still reading the book by Anne Graham Lotz, "The Magnificent Obsession".  In a nutshell, Abraham's magnificent obsession with God, his faith...he knew God as his friend.

I came across a paragraph tonight, that struck straight to my heart.  Mind you, this part of the book is talking about when Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son,  Isaac.  Hence, the picture.

She writes talking about her son, "God commanded me to lay him down on the altar of sacrafice.  Unlike Abraham, I wrestled mightly with the painful command.  Finally, God seemed to whisper in my heart, Anne, are you trying to protect your son from ME?  What do you think you can do better for him than I can?"

Wow, talking about hit me in the face... is this so true, what am I holding onto in my life, that I cannot surrender?  It is easy to say... I surrender all... Have I really surrendered all?  Do I trust God enough?  Do I have faith and commitment like Abraham?  "If you want to receive the fullness of His blessing, you must lay it all down.  Lay it down!".

Bite Size is always better...

I read my calendar today, "Trials build patience, make us strong, and teach us that sometimes prayer and truffles do go together."

I had just made a "Ding Dong Cake" for a birthday party.  I made bite size for dinner's dessert.  So yummy, as Layton says.

The recipe for the cake is :      http://shewoodtime.blogspot.com/2010/08/ding-dong-cake.html

Just DO...

Today's verse: Mark 10:27

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

In reading Joyce Meyer this morning, she quoted,
"If you will do what you can do, God will do what you cannot do."
I find this to be so liberating, it is exhausting thinking that I must handle everything. Once again, I do not own the universe! I do my part, and God does his! Yea!

GiGi and Layton...

My men...

I need some sugar...kisses...

Layton is eating sugar, and I need some sugar, I mean kisses...I have not seen him in a few days, I am having withdrawals...I know, I know, I am spoiled ...I love being able to see Layton often...

11346 Sandy Grove Ct, Flint, TX 75762...

New Listing...

Sparkling Pool awaits you! House Beautiful in Woodhollow Subd/Flint. Inviting entry open to family room, formal dining, kitchen and hearth room. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Large master suite with sitting area, master bath complete with jetted tub and shower, two vanities, and walk in closet. Jack n Jill bath separating the guest bedrooms. Spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and dining area, computer desk, pantry, cozy half bath and utility room. Hearth room opens off of the kitchen and family room. Built in's, great flow for entertaining. Updated paint in last two years, ceramic tile and carpet throughout. Sprinkler and alarm system. Roof replaced Dec 2010. Covered patio, cement decking, opens to a beautiful free style saltwater, gunite pool with flagstone coping. Irregular shaped yard wraps around each side of the house, even a garden spot on back of the property with a manual sprinkler! Country setting, peaceful, waiting for you to call Home! More pics, click below...

Lorri Loggins, 903-571-8033 ~ The virtual tour for this property can be viewed by clicking the link below: http://vu.realbiz360.com/Listing-608204.html

Chillin...

Yep, cutie pie...

Tips and Tricks...

Of course, on our Snow Day, we have watched a ton of TV. I heard a lady today, giving tips for stains, after a party (Super Bowl)... you just know you are going to love these!

1. Wing sauce on shirt ~ clean with lemon juice and salt. Yes, really?

2. Glass rings on tables? Yes, I have those sometimes and nothing gets them off, well, try mayonnaise on a cloth. Wipe clean with sponge, or rag... just sayin'...



Now, aren't you glad I blogged this insignificant stuff today? :)

Chocolate Fudge Pie...

On facebook today, one of my friend's posted "Fudge Pie". I had to make it. So EASY!

"Chocolate Fudge Pie"

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

3 T Hershey's cocoa

1 stick butter

1 t vanilla

2 well beaten eggs

dash salt

Melt butter and chocolate. Add sugar and flour. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir until smooth and pour into greased pie plate. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Delish!

Snow Day February 4, 2011...

My angel...I kind of dug my heels in too hard... :)

Pond frozen over with snow on top...

Gazing ball has a snow cap...

My lil' tree...

A perfect snow day! Jason and I had the day together at home. We ate, took a walk in the snow and took pics, ate, dozed, worked on computers, ate, watched TV, ate, relaxing day! :)

Ta Da...

Today's verse, Proverbs 3:6
"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths".

I have pondered on this verse for several days. How much is too much when talking about God in our personal lives as well as our business environment? Have you ever caught yourself praising, or talking about God, and you think to yourself, maybe I should not, for fear of offending a co-worker or an acquaintance? Okay, if you haven't, maybe I am the only one that has, and I have to ask forgiveness in this area of my life on a continual basis. I have read this verse dozens of times, but it now brings a new meaning to me! The verse says "in ALL your WAYS acknowledge him... I suppose I shall continue to walk daily with my God and let him lead me in the right path.

PS I do not know why I picked the picture of Porky, but he looks as if he is saying "Ta Da"...

My angel...

This post will be long...I am writing for myself. I am re-posting this blog from last year. I need to read this post, because this morning I read Psalm 91 and was reminded how God has angels protecting me, I even Facebooked the verse this morning, because it had such an impact on me.

This image has been on my mind since Saturday, when the flood happened. I have a house that the pipes burst. I took several pics with my phone. This one is in the garage. This image on the right is ? Some say a reflection, but this is my Angel. Call me crazy, but I believe.

This morning during my quiet time, I was reading the last chapter of 2 Samuel. In a nutshell, the Lord was angry with Israel. He sent Gad, a prophet, to David, with a message from the Lord, with 3 options that he was going to carry out against him. One was 3 years of famine, one was 3 months of fleeing from enemies, and the other was 3 days of plague. David's reply was, " I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his MERCY is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men." So the Lord sent a plague. Many died. As the angel was going to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved and said to the angel "ENOUGH, WITHDRAW YOUR HAND!". At the end of the chapter, David built an altar to the Lord and the Lord answered prayer and the plague was stopped.

So, then this morning, after 2 Samuel, I was reading Psalms 91. OMG...this Psalm is basically talking about trusting in God and his protection for us. It recounts 2 Samuel. Ps 91 5-7, in a nutshell, You will not fear pestilence, plague, or thousands that fall at your side. Ps 91:9-12, "If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge--then NO harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning YOU to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

You know I could go on and paraphrase the end of the Ps 91, but I just have to quote it, because the Bible has such powerful passages that no one can say any better, so here is the actual verses.

Ps 91:14-16

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I myself, am so blessed, but I do have hurts, troubles, disappointments. BUT, I do acknowledge God's name, and I know he will answer me, and I know his MERCY (compassion) is perfect. God will only ALLOW what we can handle. I would like to hear God say "Enough, Withdraw your hand" to an angel... He clearly says, he has angels that concern me, and they will guard me.

So, the picture above, I believe, is an angel protecting me. Right behind the garage is the ceiling that fell through. I was being so careful to not stand anywhere that may cave in. I know some that read this will be skeptical, and you can, it is your right. BUT, I cannot forget this image. I take hundreds of pictures of houses and I have never seen this! Hmmmm...what do you think?