Simple Things: It's Sunday!

It's a chilly, but beautiful Sunday morning. 

We are all headed out to worship at Freedom Church this morning.

I pray that you all have a simply wonderful week.

Revelation 4:11

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Simple Things ~ The Birthday Girl

My sweet Taryn turned 12 on 11-11-11.  We kept telling her to give up a year so that she could be 11 on 11-11-11. Hahaha!  She declined. =)  Taryn is one of those girls that is liked by just about everybody and she likes just about everybody right back!  She likes to have fun and loves a challenge.  She's been doing very well in school and has been playing for the volleyball team.  She helps out at church in our nursery and is a great sister to her younger brother and sister.  We love you T-Rex (nickname given by her brother) and I'm so thankful that God gave you to us! 

Linking up with Rebecca at Simple As That

Simple Things ~ My Docs...

The weather has cooled off a bit and although I have not put my flip flops away for good, I did have to find some socks and close toed shoes.  Of course, I was excited to remember I had some nice ORANGE socks with spider webs on them!  My oldest daughter looks at them and just shakes her head. Oh, well.  She's no fun. haha!  I bought these Doc Martens off of ebay about 8 years ago.  They are probably one of my favorite pairs of shoes.  I know that some people think they are hideous and unfeminine - I know 'cause they told me - but I love the comfort, quality and look of them and isn't this post all about Simple Things anyway? =)

You can share your Simple Thing too.  Join Rebecca at Simple As That along with many others who participate each week.  Let me know if you do!

Simple Things ~ Oldest to Youngest...

Hannah Joy and Marco Joseph

There may be an almost 12 year gap between these two, but they sure do love each other.  I know that they'll always be close and that makes my momma heart happy.

Be sure to join Rebecca over at Simple As That to share your Simple Things.

Simple Things ~ Small and Simple

I'm not gonna lie.  Things have been really hard lately.  Not just for myself, but also for some of my family and close friends.  It would be easy to be filled with fear, regret, and feelings of despair.  I know that I need to completely trust in God and I do trust Him, but I would be lying to you if I said that I didn't sometimes get tempted to doubt.  However, I know that my life is controlled by an amazing, almighty God.  I need to remember that when I can't see His hand, I need to trust His heart.  Recently, I recently read a verse with which I am very familiar:
Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
As I read this verse that I have memorized, I was reminded that it does not tell us that things will always be "good" in our lives, but that all things work TOGETHER for good...  It's all of the experiences - good and bad, all of the lessons, the heartache, the moments of bliss... All of it TOGETHER.  I am learning that many times, trials in our lives are really blessings in disguise.  It just didn't seem like it at the time.  When I look back on things, I see that it was for the best and I am grateful for the change.


Yesterday, we were able to spend the day with my brother-in-law.  He recently moved to a new apartment and the place was beautiful! It was surrounded by all sorts of trees and had walk ways that ran parallel to little streams that some genius put all over the property.  There were beautiful butterflies, dragonflies and even little fish and crayfish in the water.  We started the morning with a great breakfast of crepes, scrambled eggs and sausage, then we spent the rest of the day at the pool and hot tub.  Later, my brother-in-law made an amazing meal of roast chicken, potatoes, and veggies of all sorts.  We ate out doors by the pool and took our time laughing and talking.  After that, we watched a movie together that we projected onto the wall so it looked like a giant movie screen.  It was a wonderful day.  I enjoyed it all so much, but I still had that underlying worry in the back of my mind.
As we walked back to the apartment, my son started squealing and jumping around because now there were tons of crayfish out where we could see them.  The butterflies and dragonflies seemed to be more abundant than before.  I watched my children squeal in delight over this beautiful scene, and I started to forget about the things that were weighing me down.  I thanked God for giving us this little getaway time to be with family and to enjoy each other. Then I started noticing the really red dragonflies. Very fall-ish! =)  I thanked God for making Himself known to me.  I know that He is with me always, but I'm even more grateful that He cares to show me that the small and simple things can be the best and most important things in life.  Thank you Jesus!
  
^{Psalm 19:1-4
1} The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 


If you're new here, you can find all the details about the simple things challenge by clicking on the Simple Things button below.
Come join in the fun! All you need to do is take a photo of a simple thing or a simple moment that made you smile during the week and come back here each Sunday to share it with us!

Simple Things ~ Zucchini Bread

 I think I've shown you some of the wonderful veggies I've been getting from our church's community garden - well, the zucchini just keeps coming and that is fine with me.  I can cook it so many different ways and the bonus is that all four of my kids love zucchini.

 Here is a picture of the first loaf I ever made (back at the end of July).  It's so easy, I can't believe that I haven't been making this my whole life. So, let me share the recipe with you too!

Beat together:
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 c. oil
2 c. sugar
Add 3 c. shredded zucchini.  Sift and add 1 t. salt, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and 3 c. flour.  Mix well and pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake 1 hour at 350*.  Can add raisins, nuts, cranberries, chocolate chips, coconut, or pineapple if you'd like.  =)

I like it best right out of the oven with some butter on top.  If I've got a hot cup of coffee to go with it, well then I can't think of a better situation...  Enjoy and keep it Simple!

Simple Things ~ Chicken and Dumplings

It's still terribly hot here in Southern California, but it IS the first day of October.  Homemade chicken and dumplings were in order! There was not one dumpling left!  Hello October...welcome fall!

Fall Blog Challenges...

Simple As That blog: Simple Things Sunday ~ The reminder to take notice of the simplest of moments, the excuse to pull out my camera and capture the everyday and especially for the chance to see all of your beautiful photos!

Time-Warp Wife blog: "31 Days of Love" Marriage Challenge  ~ For example: Day 1:

Today's Challenge:

Read 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and jot down some of the thoughts that come to mind such as:

• What is God's definition of love?
• What are the characteristics of love?
• In what areas of "loving" do I stumble the most?
• What are a few of the steps I can take toward change?

Good Morning Girls blog: 1 John Bible Study ~ You have a reading schedule (just a verse or two a day).  I have been keeping my notes in a notebook that I altered and I am LOVING this Bible study.  The book of 1 John is so powerful.  I am enjoying it immensely! You can join one of the groups to be accountable to or you can work on your own. This was her introduction to the study: 

We’ll be taking baby steps this week as you focus on 3 things:

1.  Rising early in the morning!  This means you might need to go to bed 30 minutes earlier!

2.  Getting the method of SOAP down 

3.  Connecting with your Good Morning Girls group

Women Living Well Ministies: Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge ~ This challenge is right up my ally. Each week, Courtney will post one practical tip and one spiritual tip towards helping your home be a haven.  I love this kind of thing because even though I may do some of these things already, this brings it to mind and helps me to be more thoughtful of why I do them.

For example: This is the first challenge for October 3rd ~ Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home.  Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.

Balzer Designs: Art Journal Every Day ~ Julie Fei-Fan Balzer hosts a place for you to share your daily work in your art journal.  She encourages you to work in your art journal every day, even if it's for 15 minutes only.  She also shares tons of advice, techniques and inspiration and often has guest hosts for the day to share how they keep up with it all.  There's a new link up every month.

I enjoy participating in challenges that I can keep up with.  I have a very busy schedule, but I love to learn new things and share what I'm learning.  If you know of a cool challenge you think I'd like - let me know.  Click on any of the buttons to go to the original blog to learn more about each one.

Simple Things ~ Not so simple...

Feeling a bit better after having some pain medication in her system. ;)

I know this is not the typical choice of picture for Simple Things, but this was not a typical week.  My daughter Hannah, who is 15, woke up at about 2:30 Tuesday morning.  She was very sick.  She was in great pain and was vomiting horribly.  When we realized that there was nothing we could do to comfort her, my husband took her to the emergency room.  After a very long wait and a cat scan, we were told it was her appendix and that she would have to have surgery that day.  As you can imagine, we were all scared and relieved at the same time.  Even though it was a pretty common surgery, nobody wants to hear that their child is going to have to experience something like that.  However, we were very glad and thankful that the doctor diagnosed it right away and that it was nothing worse.  By 2:30 that afternoon, she was having her appendix removed.  About two hours later, we were on our way home.  It was like a whirlwind.
At the end of the day, my sweet daughter was asleep in her own bed.  She has been recovering nicely.  I keep looking back to that day and how fast it all happened.  She received several visitors that night.  Would you believe me if I told you that through this crazy, scary, quick experience we received several blessings?  God knows what they are and I'll keep them private for right now - but I just want to share that I am amazed. Simply amazed at God's provision and His timing.  Sometimes a not so simple situation turns out to be very simple after all. =)

Join Rebecca Cooper and many others on Sundays to share your Simple Things.

Simple Things ~ It's Magic!

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.  ~ Eden Phillpotts

My son and I went for a nature walk at the park.  We fed the ducks, we looked at a waterfall, we ran from the geese, we played on the playground,  and he even got a chance to fish with a nice man who was fishing.  We were walking back to our car when he noticed this stick just "floating" in mid-air.  Upon closer inspection, he could see that there was a very thin web that was holding it fast, dangling from a tree.  

I laughed and thought it was cool, but he went right up to it and said, "Look mom, I'm magic!"  Then he began doing his hands all around as if he had the power to keep it afloat. So imaginative and creative!!  

I guess there's all sorts of great things out there, we just miss it 'cause we're in too much of a hurry.  Maybe we are too mature or too intelligent or too religious to believe in such magic.  That is our loss.

Here is a quote from one of my all-time favorite books, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupery:  

"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."

If you're new here, you can find all the details about the simple things challenge by clicking on the Simple Things button below.
Come join in the fun! All you need to do is take a photo of a simple thing or a simple moment that made you smile during the week and come back here each Sunday to share it with us!

Simple Things ~ My Shadow...

A friend of ours is related to Cathy Rigby who stars in the musical Peter Pan.  After attending the show with her friend, my daughter Taryn received the DVD from Cathy.  My kids were so excited to watch it.  My two youngest had never seen it before and were glued to every song and word that came out of Peter's mouth.  On the day this photo was taken, we were going back into the house after a bug hunt and Marco noticed his shadow.  He kept saying that it was stuck to him and it wouldn't fall off.  I didn't know why he kept saying it and then I remembered Peter Pan.  It's so funny the things they pick up.  Here's a little part of the script where Peter returns to Wendy's house in search of the shadow he lost... 

From Peter Pan by James M. Barrie

Tink said that the shadow was in the big box. She meant the chest of drawers, and Peter jumped at the drawers, scattering their contents to the floor with both hands, as kings toss ha'pence to the crowd. In a moment he had recovered his shadow, and in his delight he forgot that he had shut Tinker Bell up in the drawer.

If he thought at all, but I don't believe he ever thought, it was that he and his shadow, when brought near each other, would join like drops of water, and when they did not he was appalled. He tried to stick it on with soap from the bathroom, but that also failed. A shudder passed through Peter, and he sat on the floor and cried.

Simple Things ~ Just the box!

I love how close my two youngest children are with each other.  They play so well together. There's an almost two year difference in age, but they don't seem to mind. They are best friends.  A friend ended up giving Marco her whole Sponge Bob collection and it came in the box.  It was loaded.  Sponge Bob lunch box, games, puzzles, basketball, clock...all kinds of stuff.  He loved it.  They played with a lot of it right away...but guess what?  They ended up playing in that box mostly.  They built stuff with it.  They hid in it and acted like they had a gift for one of us and of course, we had to play along and open it only to be "scared" by a little person hiding in there. haha  They played with this box for a few days until it was too torn up to do much more.  I love that. So much imagination.  Ahhhh.  Just the box!

Simple Things ~ Taryn's Sugar Cookies

This week's Simple Things is all about my daughter Taryn and her sugar cookies. She just recently started making these from scratch! Not only are they super yummy, but it makes me happy to see her doing something that she really enjoys.

She said that I could share the recipe here:

2 cups of flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 large egg

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup butter

Beat butter and oil on medium speed until blended. Add sugar and powdered sugar a little at a time, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix well. At this pint you could drop it by the teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes. This would make about 4 to 5 dozen.

However, Taryn likes to get a spoonful and roll it into a ball and then press it into a large circle. Then she sprinkles a cinnamon/sugar mix on top and then bakes as mentioned above. This yields about 18 very large cookies. They go fast around here. Enjoy!

You can join in the Simple Things with Rebecca, too. Just click on the button below!

Simple Things ~ True Bliss

My little guy got a hold of his sister's iPod shuffle. I was at my work table and he was singing at the top of his lungs. Oblivious to anything around him. Made me laugh so hard. I even had time to grab my camera and take a shot - he still didn't stop. He was truly happy and of course, that makes momma happy!

You can join in the Simple Things with Rebecca, too. Just click on the button below!

Simple Things ~ Family Frames

I bought the small set of frames 3 for $2.50 at Target's dollar spot. I got the "M" for $1 at Michael's and the set of mirrors at Goodwill for $2.99 a piece. I printed off some pictures on regular copy paper for now and my hubby hung them up for me. This simple thing really made me smile this week. I love it and I love that my craft space is more personalized with my favorite things and people.

You can join in the Simple Things with Rebecca, too. Just click on the button below!

Simple Things ~ Spring Wishes!

Picked up some yummy smelling candles, peeled off their stickers and decorated them in spring colors. Hoping to cheer up and uplift some special ladies today.

You can join in the Simple Things with Rebecca, too. Just click on the button below!

Simple Things~Happy Finds

Finally got a chance to visit an adorable little antique and gift shop here in town. It's called Mrs. Darlings and it IS darling. It is owned and operated by the sweetest lady. I have gone past her store for three years or more and never went in...until today. I loved it. I mostly just looked around and ooohed and ahhhhed. Then I came across all this ephemera. Baskets and baskets full. I was not in a hurry at all. I took my time and fingered through it all and picked out pieces that really caught my eye. I love old ephemera of all types but I especially love school things and anything with lilies of the valley on them. I picked up some vintage Valentine's, product ads, and school themed items a few hand-written report cards from as far back as 1917. Simplicity. I love it.
You can join in the Simple Things with Rebecca, too. Just click on the button below!

Simple Things ~ Give Life!

My daughter gave blood this past Friday at her school's blood drive. I was really proud of her. She hates needles - but she really thought about how this could help someone in need and decided to do it. She said that everything was fine unti the very end. As soon as she was done giving blood - she fainted! She ended up being fine and said that she'd still like to donate again next year. This simple thing made me happy this week. I love my Hannah girl.

Want to share your simple thing each week? Join us by clicking on the button and seeing what it's all about!

Simple Things ~ The Sphere

I've been drawing lots of circles, spheres, continual lines...it's soothing. It makes me happy. =)

Join Rebecca and others at this site (click on the button) and start sharing what simple thing makes you happy each week. I can't wait to see it!

Simple Things~Paint and Play~

Watercolor paints, creativity and playful attitudes led to this Simple Thing today. I love these girls!

You can join in the fun and share your Simple Things each week. Just click on the button below and follow the link to Rebecca's blog for more information.