Chats on the Porch ~ 3/26/13

This week's questions are:

1.  Melanie asks "What kinds of seafood have you tried and liked? What is the most unique seafood you've eaten?

I don't like seasfood at all!  My biggest walk of the seafood side is a fishstick.  lol

2.  Anne says, "An unforgettable holiday moment is_____________________. (She's on the other side of that BIG pond. I believe a holiday is a vacation on this side. )

We went to Disney World this past summer and it was great!  The kids loved and and we took my parents who had never been there.  It was so amazing to see my youngest daughter's face when we watched the Beauty and the Beast Musical.  She was in awe!

3.  Arlene wants to know, "When was the last time you tried something new?"

Something new?  Hmm...  I really can't think of anything other than trying a new recipe.  Wow, am I boring!

4.  Becky asks, "Who or what inspires you?"

My family and friends inspire me.  Especially when I have a bout with depression/anxiety.  With God's help, they are what gets me through each day.

5.  Madonna wants to know," How did you chose the names of your children. Wendell adds,"If you don't have kids, how do you choose pet names?"

Kaylee Ann= My middle name, Kay, with the hubby's middle name, Lee.  + My mom's middle name is Ann.  
Laken Amelia = The "ken" is for my father in law and the "mel" is for my dad.

Let's chat and get to know one another!

Chats on the Porch ~ 3/12/13

This week's questions are:

1.  Beth asks:What's your favorite movie of all times? The one you've seen multiple times.

Either Braveheart or First Knight!

2.  Clairity says: Name three things that are permanent residents in your handbag or purse.

Sunglasses, wallet and an extra pair of contacts.

3.  Red asks: What's the best way to your heart?

My two top love languages are "Words of Affirmation" and "Touch".  So sweet words and and arm around me :)

4.  Mamaw wants to know: Do you like going to yard sales?

I'm not a "yard-saler".  Mainly because I'm usually not by myself and the hubby and kids end up wanting a bunch of stuff that we won't use and don't need.  Just more to clutter up OUR house.

5.  Cathy says: If you could slide down a rainbow, what do you think you'd find on the other side?

Probably plain, old grass....  lol


Let's chat and get to know one another!

Chats on the Porch ~ 3/5/13

This week's questions are:

1. Who has the most outgoing personality in your family?

We are all in our own ways outgoing but I think my youngest daughter takes the cake.  She is quite the ham. Every once in a while, she gets a shy streak but not very often!

2. How did you name your blog?

I thought about what I was going to be including in my blog.  The thought "everything but the kitchen sink" came to mind.  I decided I might have "everything AND the kitchen sink" in my blog.  Hence, Colletta's Kitchen Sink.

3. What's your favorite topping for ice cream?

Peanut Butter Syrup!  MMMMmmmm....

4. Tell me about someone you know who would make a wonderful character for a book. Oops- please.

I didn't personally meet my great-grandparents but I think they would make wonderful characters for a book.  My great-grandfather came to the US from England when he was 4 year-old and grew up to work in the steel mills in Pittsburgh and also be a feather-weight boxer.  I was named after my great-grandmother, Colletta.  I'm fairly certain that they met at a boxing match but that might just be my romantic imagination.  Wouldn't that be a great book?

5. Please tell me up to three questions that you think I should ask on future farmhouse chats.

1.  If you could change your name, what would you change it to and why?
2.  What does your morning routine look like?
3.  Do you remember your dreams?  Are they in color or black and white?  What is the craziest dream you've had.

Let's chat and get to know one another!

Have a great day!

Chats on the Porch ~ 2/19/13

This week's questions are:

Chats on the Porch ~ 2/12/13

This week's questions are:

Chats on the Porch ~ 2//5/13

This week's questions are:

Chats on the Porch ~ 1/29/13

This week's questions are:

Heart and Home ~ Will You Be My Valentine? ~ 1/15/13

I know that Valentine's Day is still a month away, but while in the store the other day we came across the boxes of kid's Valentine Cards.  As soon as we see them come out, we scoop up some of the good ones for the girls to give out to their classmates.  If you wait until closer to February 14th, the good ones are all gone.

I found some that I adore!  My love for stationary is widespread and I love sending cards and letters.  I  just couldn't resist buying some for ME!  I also got some super cute stickers :)  Just typing stickers made me smile a silly, goofy smile!

So, what I would like to know:

Is there anyone out there who would like me to send you a Valentine?

I would absolutely have a ball if you do!

If you would like me to send you a Valentine here is what you need to do:

1.  Send an email to collettaskitchensink {at} yahoo {dot} com

2.  Put "Valentine" in the subject.

3.  Include your name and mailing address in the body of the email.

That's all!

Please, please, please tell me you will!  Can you tell that I'm excited about this project?

This is open internationally, so don't hesitate to email me even if you aren't in the US.  It would be especially fun to send some far and away :)

I can't wait to hear from you!

Click above to join in and share how you’re creating home or cultivating faith this week.

Heart and Home ~ Take the Time ~ 1/8/13

Click above to join in and share how you’re creating home or cultivating faith this week.
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We had such a beautiful White Christmas this year.  All total, we ended up with about 10 inches of snow.  My 5 year-old, Laken, was so excited by the snow this year and wanted to go out and play constantly.

Everyone was on vacation the week between Christmas and New Year's.  Except me.  When does a mom get a vacation?  There were still dishes to wash, meals to make, laundry to fold, floors to sweep, etc, etc, etc.  You get my point.

There were times Laken would want to go outside and I would tell her to take the dogs out with her to play.  It got me off the hook so I could get more housework done.

One day, everyone was outside playing but me.  I forget what I was even doing at the time, but my husband stuck his head in the door and called for me to come outside and play with them.   At first, I resisted.  I would have to stop what I was doing, get my boots and coat and gloves on and take time away from my daily "schedule".

Then I came to my senses!  What was I doing?  There will always be chores and tasks and schedules.  I'll always have things to do.  But I won't always have my babies wanting me to come play in the snow.  I wouldn't always hear, "Mommy, watch me make a snow angel!"

That girl was rolling around in the snow more than she was on her feet!  What joy filled her little face :)  I think it was right after this angel that I had to sit my camera down to participate in a snowball fight instigated my the hubby.  Who did he think he was messing with??

This is Mr. Snowman.  He is in touch with him feminine side and had no problem wearing a pink scarf as long as he had his camo hunting hat on.

Look at my beautiful family.  What happy faces!  Even Kaylee smiled for me with her mouth full of braces.  And Jasmine made sure she got in on the picture, too.

Now, the girls are back in school and Doug is back at work.  I still have a full list of daily to-do's but now I also have these precious memories.
Today, I encourage you to take the time to make special memories with your family.  They won't only be your memories.  When your children think back to their childhood, they will be their memories, too.  They'll look at you and say, "Remember that time..."  
And you can say, "Yes, I do remember."  

Heart and Home ~ Bible in a Year ~ 1/1/13

Click above to join in & share how you’re creating home or cultivating faith this week.
I've mentioned a few time in the past weeks that I will be starting a program with other members of my Church to read the Bible through in a year.  You can see the schedule for the first three months HERE.

^{"2 Timothy 3:  15-17. - 15} and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

I truly believe in the importance of reading God's Word.   By reading, we learn.  By learning we will be able to use our knowledge in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

I've done a few programs in the past to read the Bible through in a year and I was surprised at what I learned.  I was raised in the Church but there was always something new that would strike me each time I read.

I look forward to reading along with my family and friends and having the accountability to stay with the program.

I have a desk set aside to keep my Bible open to where I'm reading so that all I'll have to do is sit down and read.  I find that this is extremely helpful to keep me on track.  I have my schedule there and a new notebook  to write any thoughts or questions down as I read.

So, now it is just a matter of making my Bible study a priority each and every day.

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."  Romans 15:4

Do you have a daily Bible study?  If not, I'd love to have you join me in on this journey.