I know I have been pretty quiet on my little bloggy. I think I have just been overwhelmed...when I feel overwhelmed I just go quiet and try to put my thoughts together.

Yesterday, my husband left for Virginia...it was hard to drive him to the airport again after him being here at home with us for about 3 months. Surprisingly, I was handling it quite well. I am not sure why...maybe God was lifting me up? We went to dinner on the way there...as we drove I asked him if he was ok...he said, "Honestly, no...but I have to be." We dropped him off and as we drove off Brittany was in tears wanting to just go back and pick him back up and bring him home again. I still was doing okay but as the miles between us began to separate us even more my heart began to ache. He made it safe and sound and is now dealing with all he has to for his week.

Today, feels more normal although when he isn't home our house just feels so empty. Even our little dog was sitting at the bottom of the steps looking for him last night...she just wouldn't settle. I had a horrible time going to sleep...adjusting back to being the one in charge...hearing every little thing. Tonight will be much better...

I am so unbelievable overwhelmed by our lawmakers in Washington. I am appalled by the arrogance that I watched last weekend. This Obamacare...the student loans, and all the appointees that our president surrounds himself just makes me feel so overwhelmed. I am not giving into worry...because I know that God is in control. But that doesn't mean that I will just bury my head in the sand. I have fallen in love with the history of our country over the years. The men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. Those who have served, and sacrificed for freedom. I look at my daughter who is about to become an adult and I wonder...what will her America be like?

We have taken God out of our schools, our courts, I am pretty sure that they want it off of our money. Special interest groups that would save a tree or a whale over a precious human life. Men who would sell their moral convictions for a price. It seems as our world has flipped...right has become wrong and wrong has become right.

I cannot simply just turn the other way...I am choosing to educate myself. Read the history of our nation...look for and watch out for politicians that fit with my moral character...no more of the crap shoot stuff. For my daughter's future, for the future generations of our family. I will educate myself...continue to use my right to vote. Share the love of God and pray for our nation to open their eyes...open their hearts, turn away from our current course. If we who are convicted that things are not quite right come forward and make a stand for the future of our children...what a difference we could make.

I have never been a fan of the current man in the White House. I am a cautious person...I could not fall for the Hope and Change politics that he preached...It was never clear to me just what that was as he ran. I cannot respect a man who has little regard for the sanctity of life. I will always have respect for the office of the President. I am not political...I am just informed.

In this day we have to be politically correct. We can't hurt feelings...we have to be careful what we say. But...is the the America that we want to leave our children with?

These are questions that I will continue to ponder...continue to pray about and do my part to try to make a difference for my daughter's sake.

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

Cute ideas for fun!

I received this from our homeschooling newsletter and thought I would pass it on here...(Brittany would have just loved it)...especially for those of you who have young children. I can't wait to try it with my nephew.

Kool-Aid Play Dough:

This play dough is colorful and has a wonderful fragrance too. The kids just love it!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup salt

2-1/2 cups flour

2 packages Kool-Aid

3 tablespoons oil

2 cups boiling water

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil. Add water and knead. Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator.

Colored Rice:
Add 5 drops of food coloring and 1/2 tsp vinegar to 1/2 cup rice. Mix until all the rice is colored. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 45 minutes or until the rice is dry. Cool and place each color in a ziplock bag to keep. You can use colored rice for "coloring" pictures, mosaic art projects or just plain creative art work.

Edible Spiders:

Cut sandwich bread into circles. Fill two circles between with cream cheese or peanut butter. Insert eight, short pretzel sticks into filling. Top with chocolate chips for eyes. Yummy!


ENJOY!
Joyce Marie

Calgon...take me away...

Have you ever felt like you were going through life backwards? I have had a week like this...I am not sure why. It seems like everything that I have tried to do has gone wrong so today Brittany and I got up, got dressed and went to Panera to work on some things we wanted to work on over coffee and one of their yummy breakfast thingy's.

My husband has been teaching in town but out of the house this week. I baked a cake for our anniversary dinner...I have baked this cake before...it is the recipe on the back of the Hershey's chocolate container...I have never seen anything like it...and thankfully...I baked it on a sheet pan. Instead of it rising up...it grew over the sides of the pan. It tasted good...but it kept growing and growing...I kept checking the recipe and I followed it perfectly. I am thinking there was a misprint on my box. It was a flat cake...like a brownie in texture...so it didn't taste bad and after I put the icing on...no one was the wiser.

Then, a couple of hours later...I preheated my oven to put a roast in...my plan, roast, gravy, rice and corn. Haven't had a dinner like that in forever and I bought a beautiful roast at Sam's Club. I browned it in my skillet first...popped it in the oven and went about my business...came back an hour and a half later and guess what? My oven was turned off...now, how in the world did this happen? I have no idea...I remember setting it...so, this put me behind now. I turned the oven on and managed to pull the whole dinner off. It was really good (I am thankful). Brittany picked up the house and put pretty candles on the table. For an anniversary on a weeknight...it was nice.


I've had the dropsy's (I think I have dropped everything that I have picked up)all week so after grocery shopping this afternoon I treated myself to a Stouffer's Lasagna which is in the oven as I write along with garlic bread. I walked into my kitchen a bit ago and there was a trail of water from my dishwasher to the middle of the floor. Luckily...my sweetheart was able to fix the problem when he got home(our fingers are crossed, because we'll all be pitching in washing dishes the old fashioned way if not)...but it has me scratching my head in any case. I am thinking a hot bubble bath tonight for sure!

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

A book give-away...Oh how I want to win!

My dear, sweet friend Julie is having a give-away for this book. I love the cover! This is my favorite genre of book to read so I am hoping that I win...but don't let that stop you...visit her at More of Him and read how you can to enter for this give-away.

Oh how this book would look on my book shelves!

Joyce Marie

25 years ago....

I married my best friend, the love of my life...

and...we're still going strong!

Joyce Marie

Praying for our country...especially this weekend!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

A beautiful day today!

I am having a cup of coffee with creamer and a bit of raw sugar...delicious!
My mug is white, big and round, my favorite kind! ( I love BIG mugs! The bigger the BETTER!)

I am feeling...tired, my brain is full and yet oh so blessed!

On my mind this afternoon...all of the many nuggets of information that I am learning and re-learning from the A Woman Inspired conference that I am attending this week.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me. And you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Matthew 11:28 (MSG)

Thank you Ruth for another lovely Tea Time. Join Ruth at Celebrate Friendship for a cup of something yummy, a few thoughts and friendship!

Highlights of my week...

A brand new dishcloth for my kitchen...it's not perfect...but I made it!

Stocking my pantry with good foods...

The fruits of my labor, now tucked away in my freezer for the weeks to come.

Joyce Marie

Signs of Spring...

I just feel like praising the Lord today. Of course, I do everyday...but today with the promise of Spring it just feels so good. Our weather has been so beautiful...not even the dreary rain today can take away the sunshine I feel in my heart. All of our snow is gone! I managed to walk through our spongy, wet yard this morning to see some things that are coming to life. I have some lilies beginning to poke through the wet ground. My Primrose are bright green and growing and the burgundy spikes of my Peony are about 1 inch high.

My Peony...I love my Peony. It is my heirloom plant. It was a piece from my grandmother's garden. Boy, did she have the most beautiful flower gardens. She had given this to my mom...and growing up, it was in the back of our house and I used to love to walk past it always amazed by all the ants which help it to bloom and the smell...never has a perfume smelled so pretty. About 12 years ago my parents moved and I was able to go and dig up the Peony bush and bring it to my yard. I patiently cared for it for a couple years until one year it finally bloomed...now it is the crowning beauty of my yard every spring. I could stand there and smell the blooms all day long. It has history...my history, a piece of my grandmother's garden and three generations of my grandmother's family have enjoyed it.

So here is to signs of new growth...like new grace that we receive each and every single day of our lives.

Thank you God for bringing us through winter...letting us see the newness of spring!

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

In my kitchen...

is where I will be today. My pantry is stocked and today I'll be using all my ingredients to make bread, bagels and buns...then freeze them so that I have them. The one thing I learned from this cold was...to have more things on hand in the freezer for a day that I am not feeling particularly well. I can't really do once a month cooking because I only have my side by side fridge/freezer...so I have to stock up in pantry so that I have good foods on hand.

Yesterday...oh, what a beautiful day it was. It actually topped 70 degrees for a bit. It just felt good to be alive! My husband was here at home working...but Brittany and I were able to do all our running around in it and it was so lovely. Being a more "mature" wife and mom now...I about fell over when I went back to my favorite market...even Brittany was in awe of all that they had bagged up and ready to sell. I was able to get tons of mixes and spices and my usual things for a fraction of the cost and it is all lined up on my shelf ready to go.

We bought dried KIWI...it is so pretty and it tastes so good. I also bought dried apricots (Britt's fav) and dried pears...one of mine, and of course a bag of those little Lego candies...and then a bag of fireballs for my husband.

Off to Sam's club to stock up after that and then to Walmart for the little things...all in all we were gone all day...but I am hoping...that I will have enough food stores to only go to the grocery store for milk and produce for the rest of the month.

I have my work cut out for me today...but I am happy to do it!

Happy Friday!
Joyce Marie

A Woman Inspired...

I found this site a few months ago. I even have their toolbar...and today I remembered that they are having an internet conference next week. If you click on the above picture it will take you to the link...so that you can see the line up of speakers and singers that they have. The cost is 12.95 for the entire conference which includes mp3's and any handouts or power points that go along with it.

I made the decision to spring clean my spirit...dust off all the cobwebs in my mind and enjoy some refreshment. So...school for next week will be Brittany and I viewing this conference.

I know we are all busy mom's and we can't just stop on a dime (especially when your children are young) but I just wanted to share my new finding in case you would like to join me.

Check it out for yourself...

Joyce Marie

63 degrees...how did we deserve this?

I am beginning to see a pattern here. Everyday the temperature has climbed above what it was the day before...on the snow front...about one more day of this and all that white stuff will be gone. My little dogs have grown so accustomed to it that they look a bit confused when they go outside. I find them clinging to various little icebergs of snow that are still out there. I guess they'll figure it out soon enough.

I am so hoping that I am feeling better today. Yesterday, I had this feeling of heartburn all day...I think that from coughing I was just irritated. Seems to feel better today. Here's to hoping!

It is that time again when I need to make my menu for the next two weeks and grocery shop. There is a little market about 15 minutes from here that I used to shop at when Brittany was little. Not only does it offer fresh produce...which here, now, isn't so fresh...but they have a bulk food section where you can buy flours and baking supplies, noodles, dried fruits and spices. and just about anything pre-bagged in different sizes so all you have to do is buy the amount that you want. I shopped there regularly before life got crazy...when Brittany was little this was her candy store...for her treats I would buy her dried peaches, pears and apples and they had these little sweet tart candies that were shaped like Lego's. I promised her some of those favorite treats again today...take her down memory lane for a bit. Then off to the real grocery store to restock my pantry. I am getting this whole shopping for my pantry thing down pretty well. From that...I can come up with so many dinners...because I have all that I need on hand.
Okay...enough rambling for today. Time for me to get out in that sunshine!
Blessings!
Joyce Marie

58 degrees today...oh my!

But wait...this is Ohio! It probably won't last!

So yesterday...I finished the cold medicine that I had been taking for my cold. Brittany woke up and said she felt like she was all stuffy again so I pulled the box off the shelf that I only use in case I have nothing better to use. It is Sineaid...have you ever used it? It works...I'll give you that. But it is impossible to go about your life as you know it. I gave us both a dose about 9AM...we were both good through lunch time and then...I have no idea what happened but I went upstairs to lay across my bed for a few minutes and woke up at 4:15! I couldn't believe it...but I couldn't move. I was dreaming weird dreams...seeing people and having conversations with people that I haven't seen in years. To top it off...in my dream we had moved my husbands office around which blocked the door and I couldn't get in or out for that matter...I woke up relieved to know that all the craziness that was in my head was only that...craziness in my head! Into the trash can that medicine shall go. I felt like I lost a whole day!

I can't imagine going through life on drugs...having a substance controlling me. That would be just awful.

The tree cutters are back...they have really thinned out the oak trees along the park's hillside...I am hoping it will allow a bit more sunshine around here. I guess time will tell.

That's about it! Oh, my husband passed another exam yesterday! One more biggie to go and then hopefully, at least for a while he'll be caught up.

Blessings!
Joyce Marie

50 degrees! Whoot!

Good morning,

I am up an about early this morning...we have tree cutters in the park next to our home. I am thankful that they are cutting down some old trees. That way when the winds come...they won't fall on our house. But they had to come back here to do their clean-up at 7:00AM...isn't that a bit early? I was lying there awake...my husband was already up, I was enjoying the nice warmth of my bed and I heard the familiar sound of the tree chopper...whatever that huge machine is called. Oh well, I guess it gives me an extra early start today.

It has been beautiful here. The sunlight has been lighting up my entire house...so beautiful! I think that spring is right around the corner for sure here in our neck of the woods. The snow is now crunchy and icy and hard...it is very hard to walk outside over it when you take the doggies out to do their business...but the temperatures that we are having this week have to help with the melt. I am beginning to see the edges of my yard...like say in the back of my house...and under the fence. I can see those pesky brown leaves that somehow always manage to blow into our yard but I welcome them. The thoughts of getting outside on a warm day in a sweatshirt and jeans with a rake in my hand is pretty alluring right now. I can't wait! And then there are flowers to plant! Oh come on spring...I am so ready for ya!
Blessings,
Joyce Marie

Is it really Friday again?

I realize that I have neglected my little diary all this week. It has just been one of those weeks. You know...we all have them. I have kept myself busy in my kitchen all week, preparing different things and freezing them for future dinners. We began the week with Brittany still being ill and yesterday I finally succumbed to this dreadful sore throat and cold. I slept well last night thanks to Tylenol Multi-symptom Night Time Cold remedy...and I am feeling better today. Just kinda taking it easy and resting my voice.

We did have our picnic last Friday...by the time Brittany came home she was feeling pretty rough and so we didn't have our picnic on the floor...we just ate it at the table...but the food was good and tasted of summertime. My husband kept his distance from her sickness...he studied in his office...and Brittany and I snuggled under blankets and watched Fried Green Tomatoes. I have been wanting to see that movie again for a long time...she watched it and loved it as well.

Saturday...I had the pure pleasure of babysitting my 2 year old niece Emily. She actually spent the night with us and most of Sunday with us as well. If you know me at all you know that I love the pitter -patter of little feet in my house...so I was in my glory. My brother wasn't too worried that Brittany was sick...they had all just gotten over the same thing...Brittany tried to stay away from her...but my niece and nephew just love their cousin Brittany...so I told Brittany not to get in her face...here's to hoping that little Emily is still healthy.

Monday...I was in the midst of baking my bread for the week and making my cereal when I realized that the deadline to send in Brittany's graduation papers was that day! I first panicked...but everything was ready so it was really just a matter of signing a check and taking it to the post office to be post marked. That is one of those big things off of my list! (Big bites!, Debbie)

Wednesday...I began to feel the dreaded sinus headache...but I made homemade Italian sauce and the kitchen smelled wonderful all day. I was able to store up 2 quarts...plus a cup (for pizza sauce) and have it for dinner that night in a meat sauce over spaghetti. It is such great recipe...it just tastes so much fresher and I know the ingredients that I am using. I'll post it on my kitchen blog soon.

Thursday...I was really feeling not well at all but I had so much that I wanted to do...so I made fresh chicken broth...it is one of the staples that I always have on hand and I just like to make my own...so had a pot of chicken and vegetables simmering all day long. I also used up the rest of my apples...and made probably about a quart of apple butter. So, my house smelled like apples, cinnamon and chicken all day yesterday.

Friday...today? I am taking a day of rest...just to let this cold not get the better of me...I think, perhaps I'll spend the day reading...I am reading a really fun book called..Daring Chloe...this young woman was dumped by a text message on her wedding day. It is a fun story as she is in a book club of woman who not only read books and share...but do some of the activities that they read about. It is light reading and enjoyable...it is actually part one of a series...that I think I might like to finish...the book again is...Daring Chloe (Getaway Girls #1) by Laura Jensen Walker...good for some light-hearted laughs.

I hope all of you have had a good week...I plan on making my rounds and stopping by your blogs to say hello this weekend...I have missed you all.

Just a note...my brother his name is Stephen...was laid off this past Sunday night...yep, he got the call Sunday night. He is quite worried as he has a young family...these are scary times that we face. If you could put him on your prayer lists...I would greatly appreciate it. We'll do what we can to help him get over this hump...prayer is that sure thing!

God bless,
Joyce Marie