What I Wore Wednesday

Every Wednesday  Here people post about what they wear.

 I have been dying to participate but was nervous about what a 47 year old could post that would even matter. Well I have been trying to update my wardrobe and got a few new dresses from Dressbarn on sale and thought I would share.

 Dress from Dressbarn

Boots from JCPenney

scarf from Wal-mart

bracelet from a boutique

I wore this to church and got so many compliments!

It's fun, for even us old ladies, to feel good about the way we look....don't you agree?
I love to read this blog Walking in Grace & Beauty
She has lots of great tips for women over 40 and a big plus she is a Pastors wife.

Have a blessed day!

Thankful!

I have been reading lots of Thankful posts since November 1st and I didn't want to be left out.

I can't even begin to say how grateful I am for my life, my family, and this life the Lord

 is allowing me to live everyday.

Right Now I am thankful for my girls...

This was Darci's first day of Vet Tech school.

The Lord has also given her a job at a Vet Office as a Vet Assistant.

This has increased  her excitement about school and about what she is learning.

(Minus the one day she came home with 2 kittens, it has been a good thing for her.)

Denae is a cheerleader and she loves it!

I have seen God do an amazing work in her life this year.

Not that she is the best cheerleader but how she has taken disappointments 

and is using them to grow!

Denae is afraid of her shadow but somehow loves to stand in a crowd and yell.

She has this huge fear of tumbling without a spotter but  has not given up working on it.

Last night there was some girl drama, (you know the teenager, cheerleader kind)

she was implicated in the whole thing but had proof that she wasn't involved.

So she got on the phone and made 3 very important phone calls and confronted the issues

and I couldn't have been prouder.

This weekend was DeAnn's last Band performance.

Her team was one of 10 teams to make it to the ISSMA State Finals and they placed 9th.

We could not have been prouder of them and the way they performed.

At the end of the day, she stood up and Thanked her teacher in front of everybody. 

Her dad and I sat there

amazed at the young lady she has become.

Our life is not perfect but I am so grateful!

Weekend Wedding... Aunt Janet and Court

 This is one of the perks of being married to a Pastor, 

a privilege of being a part of some pretty special days.

 They were so sweet together

 Part of our family that got to attend!

Congrats Janet!

Senior Night

 I can't believe we are going down this road again!

Last night was the beginning of the last for our second daughter....Senior band night.

It was pouring down rain but we still walked the football field and she was recognized.

DeAnn is a clarinet and this year she is a section leader!

We are so proud of you

First Day of School

 Today was the first day of school for the girls.

DeAnn is a Senior and Denae is a Sophomore

The best part is the DeAnn drives them in her car, Ruby! 

Have a great year ladies!

About Me.....

My friend Jennifer, from France, tagged me in one of those fun blog questionnaires. It works like this: I get to answer the questions and then at the end, I pass them along to some fellow blog writers. If you don't write a blog, I'd still love to know your responses! You can send them to me in a e-mail if you want. Because, well, inquiring minds want to know!

Are you wondering how this little girl from Arkansas knows someone from France? Not because I am some famous blogger but because she went to the same church as I did when we lived in Portland, Oregon. We were moms with small children in the same bible study group on Tuesday mornings.There were about 13 of us and those are still some of my favorite people.

Here it goes:

1. What color are your socks right now? 

I'm barefoot. I went last day school shopping with my girls and wore fushia pink sandals. I was excited to be invited to tag along especially since they can take themselves.
2. What are you listening to right now?
The fan! 

3. What was the last thing you ate?
A grilled Chick-fil-A sandwich with lettuce , tomato, and pickles.

4. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes! When Dusty and I were first married, our first car, in seminary was a Honda ,Civic and it was easy to drive.

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone?One of the ladies I work with, Connie!

6. How old are you today?
I am 46! Yikes! this year I finally admitted that I am middle aged. I look at myself and say that is me in a different body! Both My husband and I laugh about how much we have both changed this year.

7. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Basketball and Gymnastics! I also love to watch Competitive Cheer leading! It is amazing!

8. What is your favorite drink?
Diet Coke! Then Starbucks coffee

9. Have you ever dyed your hair?
No! But I have it done every 6 weeks at a salon. I did buy a box and my sister did it for me about 3 weeks ago, I may give it a try. 6$ is so much better than 107$

10. What is your favorite food?
That is hard! I love so many! I really do like vanilla ice cream with bananas and strawberry's.I love vegetables and anything fried...hey, I'm a southern girl!

11. Do you sing in the shower?
No!I can't do two things at once

12. Favorite day of the year?
The day Basketball season starts! Go Lady Quakers

13. What is one place you want to visit?
Anywhere , there is a beach!

14. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Didn't really play with a specific toy, I had a real horse. Spent more time doing that than anything else.

15. What is your favorite season?
Spring- I love to watch the new growth and all the green everywhere.

But i also love Fall, after a long hot summer , I am ready to pull out the warm clothes and fire up the coffee pot!

Well that does it for me. Did you learn anything new? Would you like to join the fun?

Tag yourself and join! I would love to hear about you!

Summer

My Favorite Meat Loaf from The Pioneer Woman

Last week I wanted something different. You know in the summer you grill everything, well we do.

I went over to The Pioneer Woman web site and I found this recipe,  My family loved it. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/09/my-favorite-meatloaf/

I didn't use the real bacon and opted for bacon bits but it was to die for!

 I thought I would include the recipe from her website if you wanted to try it.

My favorite part, the topping made it so moist and cooking it on a broiler pan kept it from being greasy.

We ate it with a baked potato , cooking  the whole thing at one time gives you more freedom!

Any, give it a try, you won't be dissapointed!

Recipe: My Favorite Meatloaf

Prep Time: 15 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 45 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 8

Print Recipe3"x5" Cards4"x6" CardsFull Page

Ingredients

• Meatloaf:
• 1 cup Whole Milk
• 6 slices White Bread
• 2 pounds Ground Beef
• 1 cup (heaping) Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
• 3/4 teaspoons Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/3 cup Minced Flat-leaf Parsley
• 4 whole Eggs Beaten
• 10 slices Thin/regular Bacon
• Sauce:
• 1-1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• Tabasco To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour milk over the bread slices. Allow it to soak in for several minutes.

Place the ground beef, milk-soaked bread, Parmesan, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in beaten eggs.

With clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined. Form the mixture into a loaf shape on a broiler pan, which will allow the fat to drain. (Line the bottom of the pan with foil to avoid a big mess!)

Lay bacon slices over the top, tucking them underneath the meatloaf.

Make the sauce: add ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl. Stir together. Pour 1/3 of the mixture over the top of the bacon. Spread with a spoon.

Bake for 45 minutes, then pour another 1/3 of the sauce over the top. Bake for another 15 minutes. Slice and serve with remaining sauce.

Serve with mashed potatoes. Yummy!

Today I am joining Tasty Tuesday to share an easy and delicious recipe!

You can link up here: http://www.becomingastrongwomanofgod.com/
Have a great day!

Happy Birthday

DeAnn is 17 and Denae is 15 today!

Love You Girls!

My Garden

 My chair I found in the dumpster turned out to be a beautiful pot!

 The flower bed that Dusty and the girls made me with free starts!

 My 5$ birdbath

And  my flower garden

I Love Summer

2012 Graduation Party for Darci

 We got Darci's cake from Wal-mart.

It was half chocolate and half white.

Every bit of this cake was eaten and it was really good

 For the table cloths I used graduation cloths from Dollar tree.

In the center of the tables I used a napkin and put special objects about Darci.

Included were this fun autograph dog she got from Grandma , some awards, 

small grad pictures and her flute.

Oh, Yes, Dusty made sure there was candy on each table too!

 We served pulled pork on rolls, baked beans, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, potato chips and cake.

I also served tea, had a cooler of drinks, and made a punch!

Thanks to my Mother and Mother-in-law for helping make the food.

It was a team effort!

 This was her signature table. 

There was a poster that we used for Senior Band night

I included a copy of her diploma, a picture taken that day at Graduation, 

and a scrapbook that I made her

Yes!!!! I finished

 The kids are congregated on the porch by the end of the night!

 We had hoped for 30 and ended up having around 100 people show up!

She had a blast and I was so happy for her.

 This was the graduation Wreath that I made her.

I used tissue paper, a wreath form and wire.

We had balloons all over the house. 

I gave her the scrapbook the night before.

She loved it and I probably finished the day before.

I am sooooo glad that I made it for her.

Over all

The party was a success and she was blessed with lots of love!

Graduation...My first born!

 Darci graduated from highschool this Saturday!

It was a fun weekend

 Sisters

 Dusty's Parents, Don and Joann and My Mom, Winnie Grace

 Darci played the bassoon in the band.

They played and the choir sang, it was awesome

 Finished!!!!! Hallelujah

We couldn't be prouder!

We love you