2nd Craftivism Night

We had our 2nd Pathway's Women's Craftivism night on Tuesday. It was so much fun. We had about 9 ladies all in different stages of life. I had been praying that not only would we be able to create things that would show God's love in a practical way but that Titus 2 relationships would develop. It felt like a good foundation for those relationships were being laid that evening. We were learning to knit squares for knit-a-square.com. They take squares that people send in from around the world (knitted, crocheted or felted wool squares) and put them together into blankets for AIDs orphans in South Africa. It was a very sweet time of fellowship and learning together.

I neglected to take pictures entirely. I am quite sad about that. There were beautiful yarns of all colors and textures. It was such a magnificent sight seeing all the diligent hands learning to create such necessary and comforting pieces of blankets. Ruth, our pastor's MIL, was so kind to jump in and teach us all how to knit. For some of us, it was a refresher and for others something entirely new. Initially it was so quiet as everyone focused on the task at hand and mastering the needles, yarn, fingers, etc. Then the conversation started to flow and it was so sweet. It was wonderful hearing the ladies share their lives with each other freely and easily.

Of course, we had to have some yummies to munch on while we struggled, laughed and chatted together. Everyone pitched in and we had quite a little feast:

• Mixed nuts
• Meat and cheese
• Veggies and dip
• Hard candies (I need to use up the rest from Zita's birthday!)
• Chocolate popcorn (my friend , Crystal, made it from a Paula Deen recipe)
• 7 Layer Bars (from a recipe I found on food.com)
• Mushroom Tarts (from my Causing A Stir: Fabulous Food to Get People Talking cookbook)
• Mint Tea Punch (also from my Causing A Stir: Fabulous Food to Get People Talking cookbook)
• Coffee

Everything was quite delicious! I think that we will be working on this project for awhile. Our next meeting is in May and we will all be practicing and making squares in anticipation of it. Can't wait to see everyone's progress and meet some new ladies who will hopefully be joining us.

Bittersweet

We brought Mom out a couple weekends back so Ralph could go to the Pathway's Men's Retreat. That was my regular weekend to work and we preferred to save our vacation days for when we can do something as a whole family. That was, I felt that way until she got there. Now my staffing office knows, I NEVER ask to be canceled and try to talk them out of it if they need to cancel me. Can I just tell you the whole hospital knew my mom was in town and that I wanted to be canceled in the worst way?! Once she got here and the fact that I hadn't seen her since June set in, I DID NOT want to go in to work. The night shift supervisor even apologized to me that she couldn't cancel me. Like it was her fault I had to work on my regular days. So sweet.

It was wonderful having her here and we had two good days together before I had to go to work and Ralph left. We took the ferry out to Whidbey Island. However, we pretty much had lunch and left as it was raining hard. Rather unusual, usually it just drizzles and isn't a constant heavy rain. That day was unique. It was still a fun outing.

We also had a fun 2nd little 1st birthday party for Zita. I made Chocolate Cupcakes with Bittersweet Glaze from A Home Life  by Molly Wizenberg (aka Orangette). She had presents from both sets of grandparents, Auntie Amanda and the great grandparents. It was, after all, her actual birthday that day.


Of course, I was so much more relaxed about going to work than I would have been otherwise. Mom had everything under control. The girls were thrilled to have her there. Aunt Dawn came up to visit on the Saturday. My mom always amazes me in all she can accomplish. She left my house spotless and managed to organize my disaster of a garage. THANK YOU, Mom!

Easter

Beautiful babies enjoying each other.

Happy Easter all! Hope you had a wonderful day surrounded by loved ones. We opted to stay home this year in lieu of heading down to Portland (our other option). It was a very special weekend. I'll post pics of the day before in another post.

 We started the day out right with some Egg Bake. A wonderful family recipe that I think I've had almost every Easter of my life. It always brings back fond memories of Audubon Chapel and our egg bake potluck every Easter. We then ran out the door and squeaked into Pathways just in time. It was such a blessing worshiping with a full house and joining in fellowship with some friends we hadn't seen in awhile. After church we headed out to pick up Uncle Ian. Nugget was super excited about that. She chanted "We're going to get Unca I'n, we're going to get Unca I'n." Until he got in the van and she suddenly became mute.

 Now, I have struggled with my Easter menu for the last several years. This year I landed on one I love and I probably put the least amount of time into it of any year. Ralph made the ham using this recipe. We made our favorite sweet potato "recipe." It's how Ralph's mom always makes them--so simple and so yummy. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes, dot them with butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and roast. I'm fairly confident I use a different ratio of ingredients; cook it at a different temp for varying amounts of time; and they always turn out perfect. Try them, you'll see. We also roasted asparagus using the "recipe" from Ralph's bro and SIL: sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder; roast or grill. Then, of course, there were home made buns, a green salad and pickles. We topped off the meal with this Southern Lemon Cake. I had not made this cake in years and recently had a craving for it. It always reminds me of the lemon cake we had at our wedding. We LOVED that cake!

After the girls took their (most necessary) nap, we "Kinected" with the Weinert Jr's, Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma in CO. It was so fun to have some family "present" for the day. I think these conversations are so much more fun than the old days where we just passed the phone around. That was a treat at one time, but I sure do enjoy the "face time" now!

Next we headed outdoors for an Easter Egg hunt. It was overcast and spitting occasionally, but thankfully stayed dry while we were out. Nugget had a blast running around picking up the eggs. I was quite grateful Ralph insisted on coloring 2 dozen eggs because she kept going and going and was still a bit disappointed when it was all over.

We topped the day off with some baths and reading time. It was such a fun day. Seriously think it was one of my favorite Easter's to date.

Zita's First Year

I have been supremely bad about getting monthly pictures out for this little peanut. I love looking through these pictures and remembering each and every month. She started out looking so much like her sister and then developed her own little features. She still has phases where I think they look so much a like but are still there own little people. Please, my family, except my sincerest apologies and enjoy them now. 

Zita is much more subtle than her sister. She is our cuddler. She is our squawker. I am convinced she knows the signs we are trying to teach her and chooses not to use them. She will use "eat" and "night-night" while saying a version of both ("EEEEE!" and "ni-ni"). Otherwise, when she squawks and we then ask if she wants "more" or is "all done" she will bow deeply and say "yes" to the desired outcome. In my book, if you can tell me "yes" you can use the sign. *sigh*

She walks everywhere. Climbs stairs well. After coming down hard a few times, she now stands at the top and squawks when ready to come down. *grin* She is constantly pointing and asking "dat? dat?" Often she is rather vague about the whole thing and I make up an answer to whatever I think she is asking. 

She still out eats Nugget--3 pancakes to 1 plus fruit at breakfast; still eats green food; can put away an entire 24.5 oz jar of mandarin oranges in one sitting; etc. She is the lighter sleeper. She already knows that she should not let Mommy get all the way to "3" when counting (mostly by observing Sister). I am convinced that at times she cries so that Mommy and Daddy will get after Sister and she can then get her way. There is no one who can put a smile on her face faster than her big sister. She adores her and vice versa. 

She decides who is her friend and who will hold her and when. I have yet to determine the method to the madness but she has her own little rating system. I'm sure growth and teething patterns play a part. 

She is such a blessing and a joy. She just warms my heart. I love coming home from work to her. She must be picked up immediately and then showers me with hugs and kisses. She is such a sweet little girl. Enjoy her many faces over the last year.

Newborn,so sweet.

1 month

2 months

3 months, little doll baby.

4 months, just hanging out.

5 months, happy girl.

6 months, such a serious pumpkin.

7 months

8 months, baby's first Christmas.

9 months

10 months, loves bath time

11 months, spring time fun

12 months, big girl!

Happy birthday, Big Girl!

Zita's First Birthday Party

As soon as I saw this post, I KNEW what we were doing for Zita's first birthday party. I cannot even believe that she is 1! What a year! I'll post more about her sweetness on her birthday (Wednesday) but I wanted to get pics up for the fam tonight.

How cute is this little monkey?

Fun was had by all!

The crown

Decorations

Everyone was in character

We had a great day. Unfortunately, the cold and flu season has not quite left us. Two families were "struck down" this week and were unable to come. It made for a much quieter, laid back day.

Ian was of course there. I am not sure I even remember how to throw a party without Ian's help. I've decided every family needs at least 3 adults. How can you make it all work with just 2? Uncle Ian is family and indispensable. Good thing he moved out here too, huh? Now if only Amanda would just bite the bullet . . . .

My Aunt Dawn was also able to make it. It is so great to live near her after all these years. I know she will be such a blessing to our girls the same way Auntie Donna has been to me. She is like another grandmother to the girls and we are thrilled.

I was so excited to see my friend Laura and 2 of her 3 girls! Laura and I are both MN girls who went to college in OH and are now WA transplants. We went most of the winter breaking plans due one or the other's ill children. That seriously needs to end now.

We are all set to have another little party on her actual birthday when Mom arrives. Zita's second round of presents will be have arrived from various people. Now to decide on a cake flavor . . . .

Sources:

Printables: Sarah Marie Kay's Etsy Shop

Leggings: Cutienessers

Cupcake Recipe: Paula Deen

Frosting Recipe: Bake It In A Cake
Crown Pattern: SouleMamma

I won!

My friend, Jill, had a give away on Facebook and I won! How fun is that?! 

A side note on Jill: We've never met. She is one of my friends I have met through the wonderful world of blogging. She lives halfway across the country from me and comes up with the best recipes. If you are ever looking for yummy, simple, healthy and easy all in one place check out Simple Daily Recipes. You will not be disappointed. Also, if you have kids who are interested in cooking she has recipes for them too! I just know if we are ever in the same city we would have a great time sitting down over coffee, swapping recipes and kid stories! Did I mention she raises chickens?! I so want to do that one of these days!

Anyway back to the cool thing I won. Her uncle made it. It's for drying your plastic bags after you wash them to reuse them. Can I just tell you how thrilled I am that I am not the only one who does this?! Also, not only am I not alone in this, I was not alone in the dilemma of what to do with them while drying. I now have a solution. Hip, hip, hooray!

She included this microwave potato/tortilla cooker in there as well. It works fantastically for "baking" a potato in the microwave. Initially, I thought I would just use it to warm tortillas. Then the other day I wanted a baked potato with my salad for dinner and did not want to wait. I decided to try it out and in like 4 minutes I had a potato that tasted just like I'd baked it. Crunchy peel and all. 

 As you can see, it also is the perfect place to dry bibs. Another bane of my existence, taking up space, not drying well, etc. Loving the organization of it all!

Thanks, Jill! I love them both!

Lazarus Awakening

Thanks to the LitFuse Group and WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing this book in return for a review.

I absolutely loved this book! I have not read the first two: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Gift Edition): Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life or Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out. After reading this one, though, I am very inclined to check them out as well. I really felt this book had so much insight on where to focus your mind and heart when you feel God is tarrying in your life. I also felt it had much to say for those trying to minister to ones feeling God is tarrying in their lives. I found it a wonderful mix of good reminders and fresh perspective. I'm not sure I will ever view the story of Lazarus the same again. 

There is a wonderful Bible study in the back of the book to accompany each chapter. I am not normally a huge fan of these Bible studies. I often feel they just regurgitate what the book already said. This one really seemed to engage me in the material. To flesh it out more. I felt like she brought in more Scripture to engage with and take you a little deeper. 

She also has included several appendices: The Story (of Lazarus), Study Guide, Resources for Resurrected Living, Who I Am in Christ, Identifying Strongholds,  and Hints for Unwinding Graveclothes. As I mentioned, I felt the Study Guide very insightful. The Resources for Resurrected Living is fantastic and quite broad in its scope. I found the Hints for Unwinding Graveclothes full of wisdom. Somethings I had learned through life experience but would have preferred to learn this way. There were a few new things in there that made a lot of sense to me. 

Overall, this book is a winner. She writes with great compassion and understanding. I definitely recommend it.

About the book: Lazarus Awakening

Getting God’s Love from Our Heads to Our Hearts

You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you.

For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider our inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.

In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.

Love is calling your name.

Combining unforgettable real-life illustrations with unexpected biblical insights, Joanna Weaver invites you to experience a spiritual resurrection that will forever change your understanding of what it means to be the one Jesus loves. Bible study and Leader’s Guide available here. http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/

About Joanna:
Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website. www.joannaweaverbooks.com.

Link to buy the book: 

About the giveaway:

Joanna is celebrating the release of Lazarus Awakening with the Heart of God KINDLE Giveaway!

In Lazarus Awakening Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. Find out more here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

•     * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi
•     * Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World
•     * Having A Mary Spirit
•     * Lazarus Awakening

Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icon (see the side bar) and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on Joanna's blog on April 18th.

Blog tour schedule

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

Today is Amanda's birthday! We'll just forget about which one for now. *wink, wink* Amanda has been such an amazing friend, first to me, then to us. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. She is the very definition of friendship.

We decided to do something a bit unique for her birthday this year. She loves mojitos and last year I found this recipe for a mojito pound cake. We never got around to making it before we moved. Recently she mentioned showing the recipe to a friend who does some catering. The friend was intimidated by the recipe. Ralph and I are not easily intimidated and couldn't imagine a cake being too hard to make. I decided that was going to be her birthday present. She was going to be at mutual friends of ours for the week before her birthday. We decided we should send the cake there to prevent her from having to eat the whole thing herself. The way the dates fell Ralph ended up making the whole thing, including staying up until 3 am to finish the frosting.

I think he did a pretty fantastic job, don't you? You'll have to pop on over to Amanda's blog to see how it arrived! Don't forget to wish her a "Happy Birthday!" while you're there!