Just As I Am

new blog home

I've started a new blog with a new name...
I will keep this one up for a while but find that Wordpress offers a more user friendly format for me.

I'm not sure anyone still checks here...it's been so long since I have blogged here....but if you want to
follow me over there, here's the link:

 

NEW BLOG

mommy pics

I hope you're all having a great week!

Jenna's maternity pictures are up on my photoblog.  I was so pleased with the way these turned out, and just thought I would share with my readers who don't usually visit me over there.

fun party plates tutorial

Jenna came up with this fun idea for adding color and interest to clear plastic plates.  I like to call them:

Fun Party Plates in 5 Easy Steps

I really need to work on my product photography.  Trust me, THESE ARE MUCH PRETTIER THAN THE PHOTOS HERE. You'll just have to try them for yourself!

What you will need:

• paper cutter or a pair of scissors
• pretty paper [scrapbooking paper, wrapping paper etc] or fabric
• clear adhesive....we used Zots
• clear plastic plates....we used 6.5in square

1.  measure the bottom flat square area of your plate

2. using a paper cutter or scissor cut your paper in the dimensions of your measurement

3. Cut 4 [one for each corner] pieces of clear adhesive

4. With the right side of your paper UP place adhesive at each corner

5. Turn the plate over and carefully center your paper over the square BOTTOM and press the paper into place

6.  Flip your plate over and voila!

6. ENJOY!

easy fun party plates tutorial

Coming Soon!

Jenna and I made these fun party plates for the Pampered Chef party she had last night.  So so easy and so so pretty!  I will show you how we did it in my next post.

let's talk lemons

Lemons originated in the Middle East. 
Lemon trees were first planted in America by Christopher Columbus.
Italy now leads the world in lemon production.

So let's talk lemons.... 

Did you know:

• that drinking a cup of warm water with lemon juice in the morning stimulates the liver to make bile so you will digest food more easily
• 2 to 3 drops of lemon oil mixed with avocado, jojoba, or almond oil and rubbed on spider veins daily is supposed to diminish them by strengthening the veins
• 10 drops of lemon oil in 1 1/2oz of sunflower oil makes a homemade insect repellent that can be rubbed into the skin  [not recommended for children under 10]
• fresh lemon slices applied to corns or calluses and secured with a band aid helps remedy the affected area 
• the juice of 1 lemon squeezed into a glass of lukewarm water and swished in your mouth will quicken the healing process of canker sores
• lemon juice applied to the skin before sunning supposedly keeps sunburn away
• when applied to the hair after rinsing it, lemon will give it more shine and volume
• because it is a natural antiseptic, lemon helps start the healing of small cuts and sores
• lemon can be used to alkalize standard lukewarm tap water 
• lemon juice contains magnesium, potassium, and calcium...not to mention vitamin C
• a teaspoon of lemon juice added to a pot of cooking rice will keep the rice from sticking
• rubbing a paste of lemon juice and salt on the surface of your sink will make it shine and kill bacteria
• throwing fresh lemon rinds into the fireplace will remove stale odors
• a glass of lemon water with 1-2 teaspoons cold pressed extra virgin light olive oil mixed in may make it easier to pass kidney stones
• if you bite into a lemon it will redden your lips
• adding 1 teaspoon of lemon juice when boiling eggs supposedly insures ease in peeling
• lemon juice applied to stained clothing that is then hung in the sun may remove the most stubborn stains and white sneakers sprayed with lemon juice and set in the sun works too
• a slice of lemon rubbed under the arms can be very effective as a chemical free deodorant

I haven't tried all of what I listed above, but thought many were interesting and plan to put a few to the test.  How about you?  Do you know of any amazing things that lemons do?  Please share if you do.

today's thought

Being driven is not the same as being passionate. 
Passion is a love for the journey. 
Drive is a need to reach the destination.  ~Simon Sinek

this day

i sit listening intently as my small group leader passionately shares how she has been groomed...prepared....anointed... for ministry. she is reading that verse... the verse that Jesus, upon returning from the wilderness, read in the temple that day:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised......This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears...And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. Luke 4:17-21

she is declaring that it is this verse that the Lord used to speak to her when the time had come to reveal His purpose for her life.

i hear her saying that, as she read the verse before Him that day, He began to draw her back to the memories of when she, herself, was poor and brokenhearted...a captive who was bruised and blind...the days she had nothing to give and then, when she finally did and wanted to, no one wanted it...how it broke her heart and she and her husband wondered what they had done....were doing...wrong...arduous mountain climbing days.

 

i am thinking how, like Jesus, she had been led into the wilderness and sorely tested there...had learned to trust, to walk by faith in desert places. and having brought her through it, He had now called her to stand before others..before me... prepared, confident, knowing and known by Him....a trustworthy witness and faithful servant anointed to deliver truth to parched souls yearning to hear the Good News...that God alone is our provider, our protector, our promoter.

and i realize that He has brought her to "this day."

i sit frozen...mesmerized, for the first part of her story is my own story.  she has lived my life.  i find myself estimating the years between us. she in her sixties; i in my fifties.  for a moment I forget that  there is no magical equation that converts earthly years into spiritual years...but wishing it so,

i still count, blinking back scalding, desert tears...

aching for my own "this day" to arrive.

photo credit:  blackred

 

the truth about suffering

my heart is now suffering.  but it is the life of self that causes us pain.  what is dead does not suffer.  ~Fenelon

entering the throne room

Exercising my privilege this morning...

If you have a specific prayer request and want to have it added leave a comment below or Drop Me a Note.

lunch

What I used to make this: 
One ripe tomato sprinkled with Himala Salt and a dash of black pepper.

For the wrap:
Bird's Eye Pepper Stir-Fry vegetables, salt,  Crisco EVOO spray,  FlatOut Multi Grain Flatbread.  

Tips: 
When you stir fry the peppers and onions let them get nice and brown. This gives them a caramelized flavor.

Note:
When you do the math, this technically only adds up to 1 Weight Watchers Point, but I'm counting it as 2 because of the two servings of vegetables.   

tea leaves

I've started looking forward to Tuesdays.....that means morning tea with my friend, Bonnie.  Today was my turn to host our get together.  I usually set a casual tea right on my coffee table, so we can sit on the couch and visit.  We laugh and, sometimes,  cry and share things we want each other to pray about as we sip our tea.

Here's today's table sans biscuits, which were still in the oven, and tea pot, waiting for the water to warm.

There's just something about women and tea, isn't there?

Women around a table of cups and a pot of tea [or even a pot of hot water and tea bags]  just seem to relax and open up!

When I go home, my sister sometimes hosts a little tea party for all the girls in the family.  It has been interesting too see the dynamics of the conversation around the table change as the younger generation of women are taking the places that my sisters and I used to hold....it seems we've joined my mom in becoming...quieter... speaking less....listening more...as they banter about marriage and children and friendships and spiritual matters.  I love hearing their reflections, and it warms my heart to see them finding common ground on which to build strong family ties.

Some of my favorite tea parties were ones the girls and I used to have for my mom and dad when they came to town....I wish I had a picture to share here. We really went all out and used Let's Have a Tea Party, a book by Emily Barnes,  for ideas and recipes.  It was a fun way for the girls to learn the art of hospitality.

And they learned it well. Last  Mother's Day they had a tea party in honor of me!  Such a beautiful blessing and memory!

One of my favorite recipes for tea on a hot day is Texas Tea.  You'll have to set out the pitcher and goblets or iced tea glasses instead of the tea cups and teapot, but it still works the magic :)

Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your favorite tea party memory or favorite tea recipe.....or

Drop Me a Note

planning to win

  I've been busy this morning....living in VICTORY and planning for more. Last week, I spent a considerable amount of time in the ditch; thus it goes, when I don't have a plan....but today:

I got up and walked 2 miles with my husband and then went to the pool around the corner from my house and swam laps. VICTORY!

Next, I spent time figuring out Weight Watcher points for the 125 Best Packaged Foods recommended by Woman's Health. PLANNING VICTORY!

After John left for work, I retired to my room where I purposed to worship the Lord.  I used to call this "my quiet time, " but after working through this book with the ladies in my Friday morning Bible study, I've decided to call it my time of worship, as I  am drawn into the presence of God. VICTORY and PLANNING  as He met me there and as I listened to His words and plan!
Psalm 27 and Isaiah 43 were the scriptures I read on my knees before the Lord during this time.  How did I know what to read?  He sent these passages to me through two of His servant's, my pastor and my sister.

  Now, I am going to write out Scripture note cards to put in strategic places around the house to remind me of Truth, because last week the battle was quite fierce. [PLANNING!]  Unfortunately, because of poor planning, I veered off the path and fell in to a deep ditch of lies.  It took two faithful friends, my sisters, to help me...one to help me get out and the other to remind of how to stay out! I am so grateful to have them!

I'd love to hear about the victories you have seen in your journey this week and how you've planned for them! And who/what the Lord has used to keep YOU out of the ditch.

You can leave a comment here or Drop Me a Note

rite {1}

 "It's okay to head out for wonderful, but..........

Thoreau, I think, said the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. I would like to know how it feels for my desperation to get louder." --  Bill Withers          
Hear more of his thoughts HERE and listen to one of his famous hit songs, Lean on Me HERE.

My thoughts as I watched:  We all have to travel through the wilderness to get to the promised land and we'll never get there until we are desperate for HIM!

                                        p.s.  I definitely plan on dwelling in "wonderful"  :)

                                                                            how about you?

comfy cozy

The rain from yesterday is still falling.  Although it stopped just long enough for John and I to take a walk/run at 5:30 AM.  Bed is made, dishes are done, and now it's time to throw a load of laundry in and cozy up on the couch with some of my favorite reading material, including this enlightening book that is on loan to me from my sister sister. What are you doing today?

Drop Me a Note