From Where I Sit - Blog Bash 2011

My girl and me, a month ago...

This chair is comfortable, yet lumpy. It belonged to my husband even before I did  :o)

This is my overstuffed recliner, my front row seat to the blogging world.

I love it and hate it at the same time... It's a mellow tan color, cozy enough, yet I have to put two puffy pillows behind me for some sort of back support.

Moriah ~ January 2009      

 

    

Josiah ~ November 2010

I've nursed two babies here, enjoyed our Sunday fellowship meetings here, rocked sick children through the night and dozed off more than once (not during church, lol).

At first glance, I didn't like the chair... it looked old, worn out.

But now it's a good friend. We've been through thick and thin together.

And who knows what the future holds!

Moriah "nursing" her baby

This is where I sit and type - my heart's desire is to be a voice, make an impact, be a light. I hope to encourage and inspire and challenge others. I may not do all of that, especially not all at once, but I hope to do some of it each day. Even if it's only to my husband, and my children. I get to cheer them on, applaud their efforts, care for them and impact their lives.

I'm not just another mom who needs a creative outlet, so I blog. I am Moriah and Josiah's mom who IS creative and enjoys to share ideas, recipes, and

encouraging words with others.

Sweet feet

I'm so thankful for Courtney at Women Living Well. She sets an example to follow - to pursue Christ, be in the Word daily and live a life that pleases God and spurs others to know Him more.

So there's a little about me and my trusty chair. I look forward to sharing more with you as time and life allow.

Blessings,

I'm blessed to get to participate in Blog Bash 2011!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mama Leone's Chicken Soup and some FALL FUN!

Wow! Is it Sunday already? I had hoped to post on Wednesday and Friday, but this week FLEW by! We stayed busy getting ready to host a harvest party for our Kids Club group and enjoying the fall season!

Tonight's dinner is in the crock pot (smelling delicious) and I'm ready to put my feet up and share with you!

Here are a few fun pictures of what we have been up this week :o)

Two of my favorite people welcome IN-N-OUT to TEXAS!!!

(it's a very big deal!)

The whole family in our hats. (It may end up NOT

 being a good thing that In-n-Out is only

20 minutes away from us...)

My kiddos at the pumpkin patch!

He IS Texas grown!

Can't believe we will celebrate his 1st birthday in only a couple of weeks!

Trying on hats with our best friends!

Having fun at the Harvest Party... can you tell? 

A hayride to top off the night!

Piglet, Pooh, and Daddy - headed for fun at a friend's church.

Tired kids... and a happy, tired momma  :o)

What a fun week!

I also have a tasty soup recipe to share with you. My mom passed it on to me and it's a winner!

The slight taste of tomato in a chicken broth/cream base and the extra flavor of onions and celery really compliment the chicken in this soup. It tastes great served with some garlic bread and a salad. Enjoy!

via

Mama Leone's Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 Tbl. oil

3 Tbl. butter

1 onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 Tbl minced garlic

1/2 tsp. dried tarragon

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. paprika

1/2 cup + 2 Tbl. flour

8 cups chicken broth

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

3/4 cup whipping cream or half 'n half

2 cups fresh spinach, sliced

Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Bake in oven (set at 375) for 15-20 min, or fry on the stove.

Dice chicken and set aside.

Heat oil and butter over medium heat in a large pot.

Saute onion and celery until soft.

Add garlic, tarragon, oregano, paprika, 2tsp salt and pepper.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring.

Add flour until combined.

Slowly whisk in broth and bring to a boil.

Whisk until there are no lumps.

Add diced tomatoes and cream.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add chicken and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Stir is spinach before serving.

Enjoy!

I hope that you have a wonderful week with your family and that you can get outside and make some memories. We feed our soul and body each day - so let's choose to feed ourselves GOOD food that will help us grow in the Lord and in health!

 

Blessings,

 

Homemade Play Dough {Thoughtful Momma Monday}

Thoughtful Momma Monday



I thought that I would reserve Mondays for posting something to encourage moms, because that is the season I'm in! I hope to share something that blesses my children or helps me care for them

After breakfast, and before heading out to run errands or do a project around the house, I like to tidy up my kitchen. Sometimes I welcome little helping hands with unloading the dishwasher, but sometimes I just need to get the job done. That's where play dough comes in! It's keeps them entertained for a good while and is actually a fun medium to use anytime!

Day 1: Nice, colorful ball of dough to play with!

 It can be a bit sticky at first.

"Mommy, what is that sticky stuff?"

Day 7: Still pliable and lots of fun!

I use the store bought play dough at times but find that it dries out so quickly! Moriah and I made our own and it smells SO good (we use strawberry-banana flavored Jello) and retains its moisture well.

This is a great recipe to make together! It doesn't take long and it doesn't have to be measured perfectly as you aren't going to eat it (but if a little one takes a taste it won't hurt them and you will have peace of mind knowing what's in the play dough!). The Jello powder adds a beautiful color and a delightful smell to your homemade play dough!

There are lots of great tools to use with play dough that you can find laying around your kitchen! Here are some ideas: cookie cutters, a rolling pin, straws, toothpicks, garlic press (makes great "hair"), or even coins!

Without further ado, here's the recipe!

Jello Play dough

(Found here)

Ingredients:

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of salt

2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 cup of warm water

Three ounces of Jello – any flavor/color you wish

Directions:

Combine ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a ball.

Take out of pan and let cool on a plate for a few minutes.

Knead until cool enough to play with. Takes about 8 minutes.

Refrigerate in a Ziploc bag. It should stay moist and pliable for a few weeks!

Enjoy your homemade play dough with your own kids or give it away as a gift (to the little ones on your Christmas list)!

Each time I play with play dough I am reminded of our awesome Creator! Our children were created in His image and we have the awesome responsibility of loving and teaching them!

Genesis 1:27

"So God created man in His [own] image;
in the image of God He created him;

male and female He created them."

Isaiah 43:7

"Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Have a blessed week,

A little video of us having fun with our homemade play dough!

For The Love of Pumpkin!



Paula Deen rarely fails me... especially when it comes to desserts.

Here is one of my fall favorites to make for my family or give to a friend (and my hubby's favorite too)! Guess where I found the recipe? Food Network - that's right!

These simple, no fuss pumpkin bars are sure to please your tummy and your pocketbook.

 My helper, making pumpkin bars this morning for her daddy!

Saying, "Cheese!"

Pumpkin Bars

(Adapted from Paula Deen's recipe)

Ingredients:

Bars:

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Splash of half-n-half (as needed until desired consistency is reached)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.


To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and half-n-half and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.



This is my go-to pumpkin dessert recipe to share with friends over coffee or as a treat for my family.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do :o)



Blessings,

These beautiful Fairy Butterflies say, "Happy Friday to you!"

Moriah and Gianna - two sweet friends!

I'm linked up with:

Our Lighthouse: The Word of God

"I'm Scuppers the Sailor Dog--

I can sail in a gale

right over a whale

under full sail

in a fog."

The Sailor Dog is now a favorite storybook in our home, thanks to my mother who introduced it to us on our last visit to Oregon. We got to bring home a copy and it makes a great bedtime story - it is so endearing!

As I was reading it to a sleepy-eyed darling a couple of nights ago, something caught my attention. On the last page there was a picture of Scuppers in his little boat and ahead of him, high on some rocks, was a lighthouse. It was then I began comparing the Bible to a lighthouse.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"

Psalm 119:105

When our world is shaken, when darkness surrounds us and life is stormy there is a light that will not fail us. It is the precious word of God. It is the only truth in this fallen world - it is steadfast because the author is steadfast.

"The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand."

Psalm 119:130

Art by Jill: Lighthouse at Night

Lighthouses were built to help sailors see through the thick fog and storms and be aware of rocks so they wouldn't crash! They were also build to aid in navigation. They were placed high enough to be seen by the mariner before danger was reached. (Wikepedia)

God's word lights our way so that we know where to walk, but it also shines light on sin so we see it for what it is and we don't crash into it and die! Even so, it's our responsibility to open that word and read it. It won't do us any good sitting on our bookshelf gathering dust.

His word is to be the final authority in our lives and will daily aid us in navigating the waters of life if we allow it to!

For a long time I tried to dig into God's word daily yet it was such a struggle and I felt like I was failing my King and my family. I am so thankful for the chance to join many other women on a journey through 1 John this fall. This study is hosted by Courtney and Angela at Good Morning Girls.org. I am encouraged and held accountable to read the word and then have the opportunity to share what I'm learning with friends!


***You can do this as well! Find a friend or two to walk through a book of scripture together. A verse or two each day is enough to meditate on. There is such joy in learning God's word with others!***


May you (and I) hunger for more of God's word - His true and precious promises!


Blessings,

I'm linked up with:



Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

If you can't tell by now, I love to bake tasty treats and give them away.
(A great excuse to try a few!)

You can find past baked goods recipes here:

• World's BEST Snickerdoodles
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Melting Moments - Easy Christmas Cookies

Here's a timeless recipe for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. You can add so many different goodies to them! Actually, I'm enjoying one right now!

I added chocolate chips and M and M's to these!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

(adapted from Better Homes and Gardens 14th Edition)

Makes 4 dozen (or 2 dozen if you make the cookies large - like I do)

 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips*

 

Directions:

 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

 

2. Beat together butter and peanut butter until well combined. Add sugars, baking powder and baking soda. Beat until combined.

 

3. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in flour. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

 

4. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown around edges.

 

5. Remove to wire racks to cool.

 

*Add your own variety*

dried cranberries
pecans

chocolate chips

M and M's

peanuts

butterscotch

coconut

raisins

white chocolate chips

The possibilities are endless!

Gotta love having a little helper. Her favorite part is licking the spoon :o)

 

Being goofy in the kitchen!

Enjoy a few then share them with a neighbor! (Make sure there are no peanut allergies first though.) These are so delicious and chewy. You will want to make them again and again!

Have a blessed weekend,

 

 

 

I'm linked up with:



His Great Name

Good Morning Girls!!!

Four of our fourteen GMG ladies!
We had a wonderful lunch and visit last week.
Me, Deanna (due in March!), Dawn & Barbara (due in Dec with a boy!)

(My son looks like he is trying to escape for his life... lol)

Beautiful Alanah

My girl enjoying the sandbox

My boy - getting so big!

Maddie - such a sweetie!

Paired up :o)

I am a part of a LARGE group of ladies (Good Morning Girls) who are walking through the book of 1 John this fall. Every Wednesday I hope to write a little something about what I'm learning from my time in the Word of God. We are on week 4 of the study and I'm enjoying it so much!

These are some tidbits of encouragement that I have taken away over the past couple of weeks:

• Just as the author John did, I am to speak what I have seen Christ do in my life. (1 Jn. 1:2) Courtney's challenge to our GMG group on week one was to share our testimony with others. Here is mine.

• This life is about fellowship! Fellowship with Christ and with others. (1 Jn. 1:3) I was placed in my family, my neighborhood, my circle of friends to participate and contribute. Each of us has talents and gifts that would be missing if we didn't share them with others.

• I get to be light to those around me! (1 Jn. 1:6-7) Not only are we, as believers, to follow Christ but to BE Christ to others - His hands, His feet, His arms of love...

• Continually confess my sins, so that I can be forgiven by God - He is faithful!!! (1 Jn. 1:9)

• Love God by keeping His commands, keeping His commands shows that I truly love Him! It's a win-win situation  :o) (1 Jn. 2:5)

• I am to forgive others freely and quickly. If I hate my brother, I walk in darkness. (1 Jn. 2:9-10)

Overall... I'm learning A LOT! Most of these truth I have learned before, but am so thankful for the reminders! And, learning alongside my dear friends is priceless! I so enjoy reading different insights and questions that come from my GMG group.

This week I'm stuck on 1 John 2:12:

"I'm writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name."

HIS NAME!!! JESUS - the Lamb who was slain. He is the Perfect One, God's only Son! There is power in His name. There is no sin tied to His name - He is spotless!

May you rest and find strength in the name of Jesus this week.

Blessings

Here is a song that came to mind during my time in the Word on Monday. Let's lift up the name of Jesus together! Natalie Grant sings Your Great Name - lyrics are below.

 

Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name

All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name

Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name

The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name

Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name

All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name

Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name

The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name

Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name

I'm linked up with: