Happy Birthday Mom...

My sweet mom's birthday is today.

She is 84 years old.

Doesn't she look great!

OH...SO-O-O-O GOOD!!!

Ya'll remember that I have a hard time with cooking. In fact, I don't particularly care to cook. A number of reasons come to mind...takes too much time (and don't start on me about the fact that I'm retired), too much food with a recipe, hubby doesn't care for leftovers, picky eaters...just to name a few.

Anyway, I love to read blogs. Almost a year ago I came across Pioneer Woman and have been a fan ever since. I love viewing her website...her great pictures of food preparation as she explains how to cook a particular dish is a plus for me. Her blog and its pictures have encouraged me to "suck it up" and cook. So I'm trying new dishes with no worry of leftovers.

So look what the cook prepared last night.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/

Doesn't this meat look delicious?

This is Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork. 

I did not shred the meat as she suggested in the recipe

until the next day for lunch sandwiches.

Yummy, yummy, yum.

...served with a potato casserole, green beans, coleslaw, and bread.

Oh, and a red velvet cake.

     At the beginning of the 2011 calendar year I made a committment to read the Bible. I had always wanted to read the Bible through but never made it past Leviticus until....this past year. I completed the readings and was so excited to have read the whole Bible.

     The daily devotional Bible that I chose was Everyday With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes as a contributor. As I was choosing I read where we "often gravitate to those passages that are familiar, and in doing so, miss out on a well-balanced plan of Bible reading". This Bible's reading plan was perfect for me. I read daily from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament. There was also a short Life Application with a prayer for the reader.

     As I read these scriptures as outlined in the reading plan, they read just like a letter. And why not, the Bible IS God's Love Letter to us.

     I have shared this Devotional Bible with a special friend who is reading it for 2012. As she reads, I asked her to make notes in the book if she chooses. (I wish I had jotted down notes this past year.) My plan is to read this Bible devotional book again in 2013.

     I have chosen to read Billy Graham's Unto the Hills devotional book this year.

     How about You? 



One-Third Down...

Well, one-third of my house is clean...

totally clean...Spring cleaning clean...

from ceiling to floor.

Yes!!!!!

(1.9.12)

Now, two-thirds of my house is clean...

(1.10.12)

Spent day volunteering @ 2 schools

(1.11.12)

Now, seven-eighths of my house is clean...

(1.12.12)

Tomorrow...TOTALLY clean house!!!

Hoo-ray!

one~two~three~four...

...spilling my heart

for release of emotions

God, sometimes I can't express my deepest emotions.

But I know that Jesus can express my very heart to You

and that You understand.

Can you feel all the love?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!