Tea Time ~ 7/31/15

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~As promised, here is Laken with her new glasses!  My baby is growing up :)

~I started reading a book!  I don't know how long it has been since I sunk my teeth in a good book :)

 

~I started a new crochet project!  African flowers :)

 



~My mom bought me a new cookbook!  I love looking through them and making lists of recipes I want to try :)

~I got my Subaru back from the Collision Center!  Looks brand new :)

How's your week been?

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Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday and OhHeyFriday

In the Kitchen ~ Apple Pie Muffins ~ 7/30/15

This recipe is adapted from "The Bake Sale Cookbook".

Apple Pie Muffins

Makes 12
3 1/2 Tablespoon butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large baking apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped.

Topping:

5 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 350F and put 12 paper liners in a muffin pan.

To make the topping, place the flour, cinnamon and sugar in a mixing bowl.  Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles find breadcrumbs.  Set aside.

Cream together the butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy.  Gradually beat in the egg.  Add the flour, baking powder and cinnamon.  Stir in the chopped apple.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

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Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Think and Make.

Hodepodge ~ 7/29/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1.  I recently read here about four secrets to happiness from around the world. They were-

Overcome your fears by facing them head on, allow yourself to relax and reset, work to live versus living to work, and find the good in life. Not sure if these are the actual secret to happiness, but which of the four do you struggle with most? Which one comes most easily to you?
I struggle sometimes with finding the good in life. I guess depression/anxiety will do that to you.  Thank God, I've been somewhat symptom free but it always niggles at the back of my mind :(  Then rest of the "secrets" come pretty easily.

 2. How would you spend a found $20 bill today?
I'd probably take my kiddos out to lunch.

 3. Ego trip, power trip, guilt trip, round trip, trip the light fantastic, or trip over your own two feet...which 'trip' have you experienced or dealt with most recently? Explain.
 Guilt trip.  Always.

 4. If you could master any physical skill in the world what would it be, and how would you use that skill?
I might have to come back to this one!

 5. As July draws to a close, let's take inventory of our summer fun. Since the official first day of (North American) summer (June 20th) have you...been swimming? enjoyed an ice cream cone? seen a summer blockbuster? camped? eaten corn on the cob? gardened? deliberately unplugged? watched a ballgame? picked fruit off the vine? taken a road trip? read a book?  Are any of these activities on your must-do-before-summer-ends list?
Swimming: check.  Ice cream:  check.  Summer Blockbuster:  check.  Camped:  check.  Corn on the Cob:  check.  Gardened:  hubby does that.  Unplugged:  check (see camped).  Ballgame: check.  Fruit off the vine:  nope.  Road Trip:  check.  Read a book: major reading slump.

I'd like to get back into reading some good books.  I have a ton on my shelf.  I just need to take some time to sit down and crack one open.

 6. The Republican Presidential candidates will debate on August 6th. What's your question?
Just one????

 7. What's your most listened to song so far this summer?


 8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A stomach bug has been making its way through my family.  Littlest one is sick now :(

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Teaser Tuesday ~ Dying to Read ~ 7/28/15

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

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My teaser for this week is from:

 

~An identification card that made her--what?  An overage Nancy Drew?  And underage Jessica Fletcher?  A clueless Stephanie Plum?  Whatever, she was getting desperate, and the job was only temporary, not a lifetime commitment.~

Page  5

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Family Time Tuesday ~ PNC Park ~ 5/28/15

 

 

Toward the beginning of summer we were lucky enough to go to a Pirates game at PNC Park.  They were playing the Mets.  It was a beautiful day and the Park was at its finest.

 

In this picture, you can see Cutch's poster.  I wanted to get more pictures of the players but you had to keep up with the flow of traffic or get run over!

Here's the Legacy Square entrance.

Don't mind the random dude at the bottom of this picture.  Apparently he was a Mets fan....Booo!!!

There are so many pretty views from the park.  Of course, there are lots of bridges to go over those 3 rivers.

And lots of boats on the water that day.  Probably hoping for a water ball!

The Park is huge but doesn't have a bad seat in the house.  It always amazes me that so many people can congregate in one place!

 

You can see the city behind the outfield fence.

When a homerun goes outside the park and into the water, it is then called a water ball.  We were excited to see a few homeruns during the game!

One final shot of the family.  (Laken elected to stay home with the babysitter, a wonderful teen from our Church.)

 

It was a wonderful day spent with the family and the Pirates won!  Good all around fun :)


Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesdauy,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday, Hearth and Soul, A Spirit of Simplicity,  Tuesdays with a Twist  , Inspire Me , Tuesday Talk.

Make it Monday ~ Beaches Complete! ~ 7/27/15

 

This is the beginning of "Beaches" as seen last week. 

 

And here it is in all it's Granny Stripe goodness!

I am in love with this afghan.  It went to the cabin with us and had a place of honor upon the couch.

I edged it in a Granny Stripe of gold to really tie in the gold stripes throughout the afghan.

This is definitely one of my favorites so far!  I just love the colors.

 

What do ya think!  Does it look "Beachy"?

 

Please leave me a comment with a link so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.

Songs on Sunday ~ Chains ~ 7/26/15

 

I'm so excited to feature another brand-new-to-me song this week!  I heard the first time while at work and listening to KLOVE on my computer.  I thought "This is new..."  I then had to click on the app to find out who it was.  I am increasingly liking David Crowder!

 

The song is subtitled "Chains" and I love the background lyrics of "Chains".  You HAVE to listen to it.

 

One of the repeating phrases is also one of my favorites:  "if you're lost and wandering come stumbling in like a prodigal child".  I have felt like I was wandering around and stumbling many, many times.  Isn't it wonderful when you "see the walls start crumbling" and the path is made clear?

 

Have you ever felt that way?  How does it make you feel to see the walls start crumbling?

 

Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)

lift your head weary sinner
the river's just ahead
down the path of forgiveness
salvation's waiting there

you built a mighty fortress
10,000 burdens high
love is here to lift you up
here to lift you high

if you're lost and wandering
come stumbling in like a prodigal child
see the walls start crumbling
let the gates of glory open wide

all who've strayed and walked away
unspeakable things you've done
fix your eyes on the mountain
let the past be dead and gone

come all saints and sinners
you can't outrun God
whatever you've done
can't overcome the power of the blood

if you're lost and wandering
come stumbling in like a prodigal child
see the walls start crumbling
let the gates of glory open wide

if youre lost and wrecked again
come stumbling in like a prodigal child
see the walls start crumbling
let the gates of glory open wide

if you are lost and wandering
come stumbling in like a prodigal child
see the walls start crumbling
let the gates of glory open wide

if youre lost and wrecked gain
come stumbling in like a prodigal child
see the walls start crumbling
let the gates of glory open wide
let the gates of glory open wide
let the gates of glory open wide

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I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace , Sundays Down Under and The Weekend Brew.

Saturday 9 ~ All The Way ~ 7/25/15

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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Listen to the song HERE.

 1) In this song, Frank sings, "who knows where the road will lead us?" Which leads Sam to ask, does your vehicle have GPS?

Nope.  No GPS in my Subaru Legacy.

2) Sinatra introduced "All the Way" in the movie, The Joker Is Wild. During that film he also sang "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)." A few years later, in the movie Robin and The Seven Hoods, he declared Chicago as his "kind of town." Besides Chicago, can you think of another city Frank immortalized in song?

Sorry...I can't... :(

 
3) When Frank was 19, he saw a pretty girl sitting on her front porch, giving herself a manicure. He went and got his ukelele and serenaded her. That girl became his first wife, Nancy. Tell us how one of your romances began.

My one and only true romance started in Church and is going strong today :)

4) Both Frank and Nancy grew up in New Jersey. When you think of NJ, what else comes to mind?

Gardens??

5) Sinatra made Las Vegas as famous for entertainment as for gambling. He was so identified with the Strip, that when he played Caesar's Palace the marquee simply said, "He's Here." Have you ever been to Vegas? 

No, I've never been to Vegas and it really isn't on my list of places I must go.

 6) Thin for most of his life, Frank was blessed with a metabolism that allowed him to whatever he wanted without gaining weight. He especially enjoyed clams posillipo. What's your favorite Italian dish?

Stuffed Shells.  Yummmm....

7) Perhaps because of his hardscrabble childhood, Sinatra was a soft touch for charities devoted to kids. One of his favorites was Variety, which sends disadvantaged children on day trips to museums, zoos and sporting events. Here's your chance to tell us about a cause that's near and dear to your heart.

 Breast Cancer Awareness because every woman should be aware!

8) Sinatra was a neat freak who couldn't stand dust or clutter and showered at least twice a day. He got this from his mother Dolly, who was compulsive about housecleaning and hygiene. Can you think of a time when you caught yourself doing something and thought, "I'm just like Mom/Dad!"

Grocery shopping.  You must put like items together in the buggy and on the counter so it is easier to put away when you get home :)

9) In 1998, Sinatra was buried with the things he always had in tow: a bottle of Jack Daniels, a pack of Camels, a Zippo lighter and 10 dimes. Why the dimes? According to his daughter, "He never wanted to be caught not able to make a call." Of course, 17 years later cell phones have replaced pay phones. Anyway, tell us what you always carry.

My debit card, driver's license, sunglasses and lip gloss.

 

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Tea Time ~ 5/24/15

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~This candle!  Smells so good :)

~Got my nails done!  Love this color :)

~New cookbooks from Ollies!  Time to bake :)

~Laken is getting glasses!  Doesn't really make me "happy" but she looks really cute :)  We pick them up tonight.  I'll show pictures next week :)

~I got a new Devotional Journal!  I've been searching for one and I really like this one :)
                                        

How's your week been?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday and OhHeyFriday

In the Kitchen ~ Peanut Butter Blondies ~ 7/23/15

These Peanut Butter Blondies were made using my grandmother's cookie dough recipe.  I can't believe I had never thought to use peanut butter chips!  They were scrumptious!  I'll be making these again soon.  I already bought the peanut butter chips :)

 

 

 

Peanut Butter Blondies

2 stick butter (softened)
2 eggs
3/4 brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 bag peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease 13 X 9 X 2 cake pan.

Beat butter and egg together.  Add sugars and beat until smooth.

Add baking soda and vanilla extract.

Add flour and mix well.

Stir in peanut butter chips.

Spread into the prepared cake pan.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

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Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas.

Hodgepodge ~ 5/22/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.

Yes, Thank the Good Lord!  I did not grow up with air-conditioning though.  We coped with the heat by complaining and sitting in front of the fan.  One too hot time not too long ago was when we went to Disney World in June a few summers ago.  Unbearable heat!

2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?

No longer my balloon from Valentine's Day.....It held on for all that was dear and lasted 6 months.

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?

Cream Puff Cake

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?

I get that feeling when I go to the theater.  Maybe it is the caffeine in our drink?

5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Hmm....  I guess airtight when I opened the bag of chips the other day.  lol

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?

Never been.  I think I would prefer a boat ride around one of the lakes.  I love lakes!

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?

 "Rad!"

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Days this hot make me long for Fall!

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