Mindless Monday, Blog Linkage, Gingersnap Cookie Recipe

Good Monday morning!

RANDOMNESS #1 - As promised, here is another set of Top NINE Favorite Homecoming Court Pics...


Austin had to miss the Homecoming Game because of work in Anniston, but Josh represented The Brothers well... in a Captain America t-shirt and a camo cap.

I may have forgotten to tell him to spruce up a little.

I may have forgotten to put on some important foundational garments before I left the house, too.

What can I say? It was a little hectic Friday.


Roxie and Mike before they had to walk onto the football field.


The following four or five pics are my favorites because they show Mike and Roxie's relationship so well. Talking, talking, talking.


I also like the pics because they show how relaxed the two of them are together. Relaxed hands. Relaxed faces. They are oblivious to the High School Band, homecoming announcer and other members of the Court around them.


By this time, I was worried Mr. Caufield, the principal, was going to walk onto the field and "sssshhh" them... which would have been so embarrassing to me... but not so much to Mikie and Roxie.


Why won't they be quiet?


This beautiful chick, Miss Lauren, was crowned 2013 Homecoming Queen. Isn't she lovely? (She had such good "crown" hair.)


Mike's rose.


I know I posted this one Friday. And I know it isn't as clear as it should be. And I know I should have a perfect picture as my most favorite from the entire Homecoming Week set of pictures.

But I really, really like this one.

NOTE - Roxie cried twice during the entire hectic week of searching for the perfect homecoming attire and preparing for the Pep Rally, Parade and Homecoming Game... and I only cried four times... in front of Roxie.

I thought that was pretty good for the Faulkner Drama Queen Club.

I'll post another Top Ten Favorite Pics of Homecoming Week on Friday.

RANDOMNESS #2 - I didn't want you to think my whole life revolved around ONE big event this past weekend.

Oh, no.

There were TWO big events.

My great-niece, Lauren, turned the Big Two!


I'll post the rest of her Ladybug Party pics on Friday.

RANDOMNESS #3 - The Sunday School Newsletter has been out for several weeks, so I'm going to go ahead and post the article I wrote for the newsletter on the blog today.

DON’T WORRY… IT’S JUST A LITTLE STEGOSAURUS!

As I was driving down my street last week, I noticed a small, bright green stegosaurus walking down the front steps of a neighbor’s house. He was around three feet tall, so I knew he was a very young stegosaurus with his growing days still ahead of him.

When he reached the last step, he skipped to a van in the driveway and disappeared into the backseat. He was obviously on his way to a destination where I could only assume other dinosaurs would be gathering... and I realized I was smiling.

I loved the days when my two guys dressed like pirates… or super heroes… or dinosaurs. I smiled a lot back in those days.

I continued on my way, and I started thinking of the many errands I had to run, the heartache some of my friends and family were facing and some of the difficult, grown-up decisions Mike and I were going to have to make in the coming days.

In a few minutes, I felt sad… and old… and more than just a little defeated. Being a “glass half-empty” kind of chick (or, as I like to call it, “gloom, despair and agony on me“ gal), if left unattended, my mind will quickly assume the worst possible scenario of any and all scenarios. If someone hands me a full glass of anything, it is apparently in my DNA to spill half of whatever it is onto the ground.

God made me special that way!

I knew at a very young age Philippians 4:6-7 was written especially for Belinda Faulkner, 205 Crista Circle, Gardendale, Alabama. No one else. Just me!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Life is a little too short and a lot too precious to waste it with worry, and I am extremely blessed because I never have to be anxious about anything.

Even the occasional sighting of small, bright green stegosauruses.

Blog Linkage - Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and click on today's post entitled "Ten Things I Love About October."

Love, love.

Gingersnap Cookie Recipe

You will need the following:

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
Extra sugar for dipping

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Cream together shortening and sugar.

3. Add molasses and egg, beating well.

4. By hand, mix in dry ingredients, in order, and stir well after each addition.

5. Stir together until smooth.

6. Spoon into small balls, dip in sugar, then place on lightly greased cookie sheet.

7. Wet the bottom of a glass, dip in sugar and press the cookie dough balls into flat circles.

8. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes.

Mikie loves him some gingersnaps... and these were no exception.

Have a grand and glorious Monday. I'll be back at the end of the week with the last of the Top Ten Favorite Pics from Homecoming Week, pics from Lauren's Ladybug Party, pics from our First Fun Fall Ride, A Dance Mom Story (one of many) and much, much more.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Friday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda