These are the Words I Would Say - Happy Birthday Meghan!

Oh honey, how did EIGHTEEN come so fast?

You've been waiting to be an official adult since about two days after you were born. I told you this day would come. So, how do you feel? I'll tell you how I feel-melancholy. I am having a hard time staying in the present. My mind keeps going back in time, eighteen years ago...

When the nurse gently placed a swaddled bundle in my arms I couldn't believe what I saw, fuzzy blond hair sticking up all over, and dimples so deep I would forever tease how I wanted to use them for my personal cereal bowls.

You gave me my first taste of mommyhood and I loved it. A blue-eyed blessing who squirmed until she got comfy in my lap, giggled at silly mommy-faces and squealed with toddler joy when you laid eyes on me after my long day at work. I fell in love with you each and every day.

Eighteen years ago my eyes were opened to something I'd never experienced before. Holding you, I understood what my own mother felt for me. Mother's love. The physical heaviness of it placed in my very arms on the second floor of an old hospital in Castro Valley, California.

I purchased a journal as soon as I knew you were growing in me. I thought I'd include a little bit of what I wrote after your birth:

The family went nuts when you were born. There were twenty-four people crowding the waiting room for your arrival. The nurses told us it was a new record at Eden Hospital. When they brought you to me later for your feeding I whispered, "You are so beautiful." Your eyes were wide open. You ate so well. I was so excited. I couldn't believe that I had my little girl. God has been so good to me. You weren't only healthy but beautiful too.
I loved you instantly.

November 10, 1991 at 3:02pm my heart doubled in size. As long as I'm alive I will be your biggest encourager and number one fan. God has an amazing plan for your life Meghan. I am sitting back and claiming my front row seat to watch you take His hand and soar on the heights.

Listen to the words to the songs I've chosen for you today. Yep, you guessed it. These are the words I would say.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Colossians 3:12-17 The Message

Growing UP! Monday

I'm a bit behind in putting up my post today. It's almost lunchtime for many of you on the east coast!

As you can see, timeliness is not one of my strong points. Nor is order or organization for that matter. As a time-manager - I would have been fired years ago. I'm pathetic.

Distraction is the first step to my disorder. Just like the mosquito in the Disney movie "A Bugs Life", distracted by the bug-zapper "...but it's soooo beautiful." I too suffer the consequences of a distracted life.

Last night I cleaned out my closet, attempting to put away my summer clothes to make room for my winter wardrobe. I began with gusto, blouses and Capri's flying through the air in a ballet of colors. Within seconds my productivity did an about face as I perused through pictures, old cards, mementos and anything else that happened to get in my way.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is it took me four excruciatingly painful hours to organize a teeny-tiny closet.

So, what am I learning? That I CANNOT do this organization thing in my own strength. While reading Colossians this morning I read this...

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16

The part that hit me over the head was the last part back there, all things were created by him and for him. This gives me hope. Since He's the one who created me, He's the only one who can fix me. Just like an auto mechanic who knows how to fix his car, God put me together, so He knows how to best fix my disorderly-unorganized ways.

I'm definitely going to have to lean on Him for help here. I should have asked for some assistance BEFORE I embarked on a four-hour closet tour last night!


So, what about you? How are you growing? What have you been learning about our great and marvelous God?

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16

Hello, my name is Joanne and I'm a Food-Pusher.

My family lovingly calls me a food-pusher. Behind my back they curse me after a home-visit. You see, I am known throughout this part of the land as a food-pusher.

You've never heard of a food-pusher?

Most grandmothers are pushers, women with the gift of baking or with an addiction to carbs and sugar (like myself)...and anyone with even a hint of Italian in their family tree are food-pushers.

The moment you walk in a food-pushers' front door we love you with food. If you leave our home without feeling sick to your stomach then we've done something wrong. So, in order to make you feel right at home, I decided to push a few recipes your way this fall season.

Beginning with this delicious one below. No, I have not tried it myself, but cmon' you know pictures NEVER lie. And those pictures looks lickable!

While perusing a recipe site for wedge cut oven fries, I found this: Whole Wheat Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Icing. YUM!

Head on over to Tammy's Recipes for more yummy delectable treats. But, for now, I have some scones to make.

Description:
Spiced pumpkin scones with cinnamon icing drizzled on top!

Yield:
8 scones

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup all-purpose flour*
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
6 tablespoons butter, sliced and chilled
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cinnamon Icing Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the first 8 ingredients (dry). Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.

2. In a smaller mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, cream, sugar, and vanilla.

3. Add to dry mixture and stir just until mixture forms a thick dough. Use your (clean) hands to knead the dough once or twice, pressing it together. (For more tender scones, don't over-knead.)

4. On a lightly floured surface, form dough into a circle, about 3/4 inch thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut circle into 8 wedges/triangles. Place wedges on an ungreased baking sheet, not touching.

5. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, until scones are lightly browned on the bottom.

6. Make icing by whisking together the icing ingredients, adding just enough milk to make a drizzling consistency. Icing can be drizzled over warm scones.

Additional Notes:
*May use whole wheat pastry flour rather than the all-purpose flour, though scones will be a little heavier.





Make sure to let me know if you push these on your very own special someone. I'm thinking I may make some tonight.

Scones are an acceptable dinner item, right?

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The Mad-Hatter has NEVER looked so cute!

Do You Know His WORD? Connie does.

When I was in Florida I met so many beautiful women. The longer I walk with the Lord, the more clearly I can see His rich presence in a life.

Connie is one of those who is walking hand and hand with Jesus and it shows. Her testimony is miraculous. I won't share her whole story, but you must know her and the Lord have beaten cancer together. I am hoping she will begin her own blog soon so I can send you all her way to tell her story in her own words. (You need to begin writing Connie!) I've included a small tidbit below of the blessing I received from Connie while in Florida.

What an example of how our lives can grow and mature in Him if I will (just get off of my lazy bum and) get in His WORD daily, study His WORD daily, memorize His WORD daily.

God's Word is alive and active. But, we must have it in our heart so we can speak it when we need it. That's the only way it becomes active in our own lives. As we grow in Him, He is going to expect us to do a little bit more than what I like to call Bible Roulette. You know, when you ask God to speak, close your eyes and open your Bible to any passage, hoping your finger will land on a Word from Him.

And in the beginning, it does.

But, as you grow up and your faith is tested, you are expected to dig a little deeper, to seek Him with ALL your heart. I was convicted while at the conference to have His Word ready and on my tongue. Not only for me to know, but that my children know His WORD too.

Thank you Connie for being such an encourager. Thank you for having such a heart for Jesus, and thank you for taking us girls on such an amazing Florida field trip. I can't wait for you to step foot onto California soil so I can return the favor. Hugging you with my heart sweet friend.