And so I shall

I'm not sure why I thought that my time of posting to this blog had come to a close. I started off the new year with a commitment to be PURPOSEFUL in all things...And I promptly lost the wind in my sails to continue.
If I'm to be honest here - and I must - I'd drifted from the Lord. I couldn't see his hand at work in my life. Mostly because I'd stopped looking.
And yet, here I am. God must have a purpose in this or he wouldn't keep me up at night turning it over and over again...that urge to share...that overwhelming desire to sing his praises.

And so I shall.

Happy Monday!

For those that needed this reminder today, He IS Everlasting...

Stating the Obvious

My boys were having some trouble remembering some basic household rules, so I typed up this "contract" and had them sign it. Stating the obvious was never so necessary! ;)





Click link to download complete document.



 

What do you do to accomplish this in YOUR household?

 





No Chill Sugar Cookies

Let me just get this out of the way: I am not particularly fond of sugar cookies. I'm the girl who passes on them at Christmas time (or any other time) if I can have oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip instead...or  *gasp!* none at all.

Until my friend MADE me try hers.

Oh, these are good. They are the only sugar cookies I ever make. EVER.

Even better? I don't have to refrigerate the dough. Perfect for impatient kiddos :)

NO CHILL SUGAR COOKIES

1c. Butter, softened
1c. Sugar
1 Egg
1t. Vanilla
2t. Baking powder
3c. Flour

Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine dry ingredients and set aside.

Cream together butter and sugar.
Beat in egg. Add vanilla.

Add dry ingredients 1 cup at a time until thoroughly mixed. (Dough will be stiff.)

Do not chill dough!

Roll out to 1/4" on lightly floured surface. Dip cookie cutters in flour. Cut.*

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 6-7 minutes. Cool on track.

*To cheat like I do: roll a ball of dough in your hands, press ball flat with palm of hand on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Cute little shapes are optional. So is the chocolate drizzle :) Simply melt chocolate chips in baggie and clip corner. »Squeeze« to please!

Happy Monday!

Cow says moo!

Hours with my husband, enjoying the roadtrip playlists of music from the soundtrack of our lives.

Time with my sons...they're growing up so quickly...I want to just be IN THE MOMENT, storing up these treasures in my heart, like Mary of long ago.

Today, my family embarks on an adventure. A long awaited road trip to visit my family. It's been years since I've been home and this trip is long overdue.

400 miles today will take us through mountains, through the woods, across state lines, and over bridges to reach the deep blue sea. We'll visit friends today and another 400 miles will take us to family tomorrow. I am so thankful to God for this time together and that it is finally happening. What a wonderful answer to prayer!

Blessings #94-117

Feb 1, 2014 3 gifts red
#94 freshly painted toenails
#95 a custom dress for a friend
#96 a banner of Valentine hearts

Feb 2, 2014 3 gifts on paper
#97 my completed tax forms
#98 an invitation to a wedding
#99 lesson plans ready to go

Feb 3, 2014 3 gifts found in writing
#100! a note in the card my husband gave me the day before got married
#101 my son's handwritten note on my grocery list
#102 a thank you card from a friend

Feb 4, 2014 3 gifts found when bent down
#103 lost pens under the couch
#104 a box of summer clothes under my bed
#105 a cake pan in the back of my cupboard

Feb 5, 2014 a gift stitched, hammered, woven
#106 hand sewing sequins to a dress
#107 the sign my son made me from recycled materials
#108 the last scarf I was able to knit before my hands hurt to much to do more

Feb 6, 2014 3 gifts found outside
#109 trees
#110 mountains
#111 dragonflies

Feb 7, 2014 a gift at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm
#112 coffee date
#113 stealing a few minutes to read "just because"
#114 dinner with the while family home

Feb 8, 2014 a gift broken, fixed, thrifted
#115 a necklace from my mom
#116 baggy, unflattering jeans that I was able to alter and can wear again
#117 a purse that was "just right"

Keep on counting those beautiful blessings!
♥ tika nicole

A Prayer for a Friend

Thank you, Anna, for this beautiful song!