Quotable Quotes, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, My List of Pinterest Stuff I am Going to Try Sooner Than Later, A Trip to Stevenson, Washington and Portland, Oregon AND A Little Bit of Eden

Good Tuesday morning!

Big ol' long post today. We need to get to it!

Quotable Quotes - The following came from Amy Nelson Hannon (author of Love Welcome Serve - Recipes that Gather and Give). If you like/love cooking all things Southern, I highly recommend adding this book to your Cookbook Collection!

"I'm in the throes of a wild and wonderful privilege, getting to stand before thousands of women around the country to encourage them to view their homes and kitchens as powerful tools that God can use to impact lives for eternal things. To see that their homes are not only where we make sack lunches and chop salads, where we fold whites and wash dishes, where we seek to serve our families... but it's also a strategic springboard for ministering to those around us. It's a wellspring of welcome to show the world the love of Jesus. It's the perfect platform for living out the hospitality of the Bible and loving people well. God, stir our hearts and homes. May we change the world one pot pie at a time."

My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE - Some of you know I've been trying to get on board the "Podcast Train" for almost a year now, but I've had trouble finding something I really, really like. I may have accidentally stumbled onto something listening to "Ordinary People, Ordinary Things" hosted by Melissa Radke. It's entertaining, but there is also depth. She is a Christian, and one of the things I like most on her Podcast is the "daily trying to live it" way she speaks about her faith.

Anyway, I like this Podcast very much. I'm still looking for a few more, but this one will do nicely for now.

My List of Pinterest Stuff I am Going to Try Sooner Than Later - It's a very real list, Guys. I hope putting it here on the Blog will make me accountable and push me to get it done...

But I've tried that before, and it didn't work.

For me, I think monetary bribes work better than accountability. I'm not proud of it, but it appears to be factual.

1. The Charcuterie Board - I have pinned seven to choose from. If you don't know what that is (like me a few weeks ago), it is a huge "snack" board/plate/table with a theme. I think I will either be doing the Fall Charcuterie Board OR the Dessert Charcuterie Board.

Also, there are so many small-ish portions of so many items, it is going to cost me/Mikie a pretty penny to put this together, so I want to be sure there will be enough people around at any given time to not let it go to waste.

2. Campfire Cones - This looks so good, I may not be able to wait much longer before I start a fire outside, grab a waffle cone and stuff it with strawberries, chocolate, marshmallows, sliced bananas, a drizzle of caramel, etc., etc., etc.

The instructions then call for you to wrap it in aluminum foil and place it gently on the grill for a few minutes to make everything wonderful and melty.

It looks divine, I tell you!

3. How to Paint with Sharpies and Alcohol - Rubbing... just wanted to clarify.

4. How to Make Lettuce Last a Month - I kid you not. This one is fascinating to me!

RANDOMNESS - A Trip to Stevenson, Washington AND Portland, Oregon - Mike had a work trip in Stevenson, Washington, and I was able to tag along with him.

Once again, I boarded a plane with little to no fear or trepidation, and flew to a new-to-me destination. My one goal was to have a "life experience" in Oregon AND Washington. I wanted a twofer in the State Count Department...

And guess what?

My count now stands at 21!

If I counted ALL the states I have been to, the number would be 24, but my rule has always been, "You must have a Memorable Life Experience in the state before it is official."

Thirty-plus years ago, I was on my first flight ever to San Francisco, California with girlfriends. Our plane stopped in Phoenix, Arizona, and although I did hop off and grab a hotdog in the airport during a short layover, it wasn't that great of a hotdog to count as a "Memorable Life Experience."

Two years ago while visiting The Creation Museum in Kentucky, there was such a horrible downpour we needed an umbrella. Not realizing how close The Creation Museum was to the state line of Indiana, before we knew it, I was running into a CVS in that State buying a cheap umbrella for the duration of our very wet day.

Buying an umbrella in a CVS also does NOT qualify as a "Memorable Life Experience."

And last, but not least, a few years ago while in Memphis, I was standing under a bridge, looked up and saw a "Welcome to Arkansas" sign. Mike was kind enough to drive me across the bridge into Arkansas, but seven minutes later I decided there was nothing to experience in that particular corner of Arkansas, so we turned around and drove back to Tennessee. I decided to go to Arkansas another time in the future to make a memory.

Washington and Oregon BOTH showed up and showed out, and we made memories galore!


We stayed in Skamania Lodge which is five minutes from Stevenson, Washington, ten minutes from Cascade Locks, Oregon and 45 minutes from Portland.

Kinda in the middle of spectacular nowhere.








There were breathtaking views wherever you looked, and our room (although definitely "lodgy") was clean, beautiful and comfortable. We loved it.

Also, jet lag is a REAL thing...

Even if your total time spent on a plane in one day is a little under six hours.

Who knew?


This is a mural painted at the base of Bridge of the Gods on the Cascade Locks side.

I am not 100 percent certain, but this was quite possibly the only mural in Stevenson and/or Cascade Locks.




At any given time during the day OR night, you could be driving along a road with a train on a track immediately beside you... water and boats on the other side of you... and a helicopter or airplane flying overhead.

I'll be honest.

I was wishing I had a two year-old car/boat/truck/train/plane lovin' little guy with me during some of the drives. He would have gone nuts!




We took a two-hour boat cruise up and down the Columbia River Gorge. It was a gorgeous day with lots of wind and plenty of sunshine. (From what we gathered from the locals, the three consecutive days of beautiful weather was not a given, and they considered us "lucky" to have such.)




This is Bridge of the Gods. It was one of our "must sees," but it ended up being the only way in and out of Stevenson, Washington, so we traveled this bridge several times a day.


This is Multnomah Falls. There are a lot of waterfalls to explore in this area of the country. However, this was the very first time sweat appeared on the trip, and I had to fight hard to keep myself from becoming disenchanted with waterfalls.

Mike and I were at the bottom of this lovely sight. It was cool, misty and quite pleasant. I loved it.

We decided to walk the two-tenths of a mile to the bridge you see in the picture. Naturally, it was pretty steep and twisty, but I was still quite comfortable humidity-wise until we turned to go into the second or third "twist in the trail."

I felt it, but Mike said it...

"Boy, just turning on the path right there you can feel the humidity change, can't ya?"

UGGGH!

I became very quiet and continued the walk to the bridge. After a few moments of the silence, Mike turned around and found me head down with fists and teeth clenched.

"You okay?" he asked.

"No, I am NOT okay," I tersely replied. "Look at my hair! Feel the back of my neck!"

"Your hair is very curly and the back of your neck feels gross."

"Exactly. This is how I feel EVERY DAY in Alabama from the first week in May until the third week in October. I flew all the way across the country to spend a few days in September WITHOUT VERY CURLY HAIR AND BACK OF THE NECK SWEAT!"

Not only does humidity affect me in the Personal Appearance and Personal Comfort Departments...

It also alters my usually pleasant personality...

A lot.

We made it to the bridge, took pictures of the magnificent HUMIDITY-MAKER and trudged back to the car.

In silence.

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - Other things happened that afternoon and evening (and I have pictures to prove it), but I'm just going to end our first day together in a new-to-me state with the waterfall picture and move on to some more pleasant memories.


Fun fact for you...

Oregon is known for it's hazelnuts.

On our way to visit Portland, Oregon the next morning, Mike and I went to The Restaurant at the base of Multnomah Falls to have our breakfast, and we ordered one to share before our eggs, bacon and juice arrived.

Can I just say hazelnuts are extremely lovely when placed upon a cinnamon roll?




We had a limited amount of time to spend in Portland, so I jotted down a few things we HAD TO DO/SEE, and we got busy.

This Air-Tram gave us a pretty overall view of the city.


Next was the obligatory Mural Hunt.

Sometimes, Mike can't stop the car in time, but I love him anyway.








We were told by many to include a stop at Powell's Bookstore, and they were correct. It is the largest independent bookstore in the world (taking up a complete city block), and to simply say, "It has everything," would be the largest understatement in the world.

You could easily spend days in this store, but we only had a short time to shop for the Grandtots. (We bought them funny books about trout AND a bendable Big Foot.)

If and when we are ever near Portland again, a huge chunk of time will be designated to browse.


The plan for the day also included a stop by Voodoo Doughnuts...

But after talking to several locals, we switched gears and tried Blue Star Donuts...

Which is also a Portland favorite...

And now a Gardendale favorite.

Don't get me wrong. Mike and I are hardcore Krispy Kreme fans, and have yet to find a better doughnut in our limited travels, but Blue Star was definitely special. The flavors were so unique (for example, a brioche babe is filled with Marionberry-Habanero Jam and dusted with the dreamiest housemade peanut butter powder... Blue Star's wording). And we didn't compare textures. That is where Krispy Kreme doughnuts far surpass others in our opinion.

All that said, we would go again in a heartbeat.


The "highlight" of our Saturday in the PNW was a scheduled axe throwing lesson at our Lodge.

We had one-on-one instruction from an axe-throwing pro, and Mike and I progressed very well.





Very well indeed.


On our way to the airport on a rainy, dreary Sunday morning, Mike and I stopped at Big T's Diner in Stevenson for breakfast.

Pancakes so large they drape over platters (not plates)...

Bowls of oatmeal that go on for days...

And wonderful SMALL fresh-squeezed orange juice served filled to the brim in an extra-large cup.

After being served, it was obvious to both of us we were in a Lumberjack Restaurant.

Big thumb's up!

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - I'm going to have to give this part of the country an A+. I loved everything... the mountains, the weather, the food and the people.

I was going to take points off for waterfall humidity, but I kinda walked right into that one! Definitely NOT the fault of either state!

RANDOMNESS #2 - A Little Bit of Eden - I didn't see any of the Grandtots last week because of the trip, but below you will find a sweet new-to-you pic of the baby.



I hope y'all have an amazing low-humidity kind of week. Personally, that will be my one and only goal!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Me - "I'm still tired from all the cross-fit this morning."

Friend - "It's pronounced 'croissant,' and you ate four of them."

"I just dry-shampooed and Febreezed my kids on the way out the door, so NO. I'm not really interested in your family's Morning Chore Chart, Debbie."

Quotable Quotes, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Pinterest Stuff (Cain and Abel Object Lesson), A Snake Story, Cook Museum of Natural Science Review, A Little Bit of Eden AND A Little Bit of RT

Good Tuesday morning!

I have much to say this morning, so let's get started!

Quotable Quotes - Emilie Barnes was one of my favorite Christian authors of all times. I read her books when my children were little, and she helped give me words and ideas and purpose to how I wanted to "mother" the three of them.

In the 90s, she spoke at a Women's Conference at our church, and I was thrilled to be able to listen to her in person. I learned so much, and I appreciated her ministry a great deal.

Almost three decades later, there are SO MANY wonderful resources in the world on creative, simple, daily ways to build a Christ-centered home, and I still enjoy reading, hearing, learning from other Christian women and men passionate about this subject.

Emilie Barnes passed away in 2016 at the age of 78, but not before she and her husband wrote over 80 books.

Her book 15 Minute Family Traditions & Memories has it's own special spot on my bookshelf, and the following quote is one of my favorites.

"Take a little time to make ordinary things extraordinary." Emilie Barnes

Words to strive to live by even "almost three decades later."

My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE

Pinterest Stuff

Cain and Abel Object Lesson

You will need the following items:

Cookie sheet
A clear plastic fruit cup
Three or four LEGO people
Vinegar
Baking soda
Red food coloring

Preparation:

1. With a black Sharpie, draw two eyes and an angry mouth on the front of the fruit cup.

2. Put three or four tablespoons of baking soda into the fruit cup.

3. Add four or five drops of red food coloring to the top of the baking soda.

4. Set everything behind you or to the side, and add the items one-by-one as you tell the following story.

Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and they were no longer welcome in the garden. Sin caused a broken relationship with God.

Put the cookie sheet on a table in front of you.

Eve gave birth to Cain and then Abel. Her children did wrong just like you do wrong. No one taught you to do wrong things. Adam and Eve had to discipline their children as your parents discipline you. This is because all people sin. Every person is born with a nature to sin. As the boys grew up, Cain became a farmer and Abel became a shepherd. One day, both brought an offering to God. Cain brought of his first fruits of crops. Abel brought a spotless lamb. To us, both offerings seem to be acceptable. Both offerings reflect the jobs of those who were giving. But Abel’s offering was accepted. Cain’s was not.

Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

Show the angry cup to the children. Put it in the middle of the cookie sheet.

His emotions became violent and filled with hatred. Even though Cain had not done anything physically wrong, God could see His heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” When we are born, we are born sinful. Our hearts are yucky with sin. We have a sin problem and so did Cain.

Why do you think Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted and Abel’s was accepted? (Allow time for answers. Lead the children to think about other sacrifices from the Bible. Those in the temple, Abraham and Isaac, the blood over the doors of Passover, etc. All of those sacrifices involved blood sacrifice.)

God went to Cain and asked, “Why are you angry? Do what is right. Sin is waiting for you!” Cain did not listen to God. Instead, he went to talk to his brother, Abel, and killed him in a field.

God went to Cain again and asked, “Where is your brother?”

Cain responded angrily, “Am I supposed to take care of my brother?”

God replied, “What have you done? I hear your brother’s blood calling from the field.”

Did God already know why Cain was angry? Yes.

Did God know where Abel was? Yes.

Why do you think God asked Cain those questions when He already knew the answers? (Allow time for answers. Lead children to think about why teachers ask questions. They want their students to think.)

God wanted Cain to think about what he had done. Conviction, realizing you have done wrong, can be a hard lesson to learn. Because we sin, we are then convicted once we have done wrong.

When a prisoner is told by a judge he did wrong, what is that called? Being convicted of a crime.

What usually happens to a convicted prisoner? He has to go to jail. He must pay a penalty.

When we sin who do we sin against? God.

Who do we hurt when we sin? Ourselves and others.

Cain allowed the sin to grow in his heart. The anger and jealousy he felt overwhelmed not only Cain, but his brother Abel. When we choose to sin, it bubbles out of us and can hurt those around us. Cain killed his brother. Sin can destroy not only those who sin, but those who surround the sinner.

Put LEGO people around the cup. Add the vinegar to the mix of baking soda and food coloring in the cup. Watch as the sin takes out the LEGO guys.

When you see the color red, what emotion comes to your mind? Anger.

Who was hurt by Cain’s sin? Abel, Adam, Eve and Cain.

Can you think of an example of a sin you did that hurt you and maybe another person? Allow time for answers.

We need to pay attention to our hearts. We need to think about the people around us. God gives us second chances to change our behavior and do what is right. Scripture tells us when we are tempted to do wrong, there will always be a way out. God gave Cain a chance to do better and to have his sacrifice accepted. All he had to do was sacrifice a lamb, and he would have been forgiven. Blood must be shed for forgiveness. God encouraged Cain to change.

Many times, even before we do something wrong, God will talk to our hearts with a small voice and warn us to not do the wrong thing.

Sometimes that voice tries to stop your thoughts. You need to listen to it.

If we do choose to sin, God, who is the judge, will use the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. You get an awful feeling inside when the Holy Spirit convicts you. It’s called feeling guilty. Because we sin, we have to pay a penalty. Cain’s penalty was to be a wanderer, a fugitive, for the rest of his life. God said the ground would never produce for him again. He would never stay in one place to live. When you sin, you deserve a penalty.

We are not alone in our sin. The LEGO guy got wiped out by the other person’s sin! Decisions we make effect other people. We need a solution to this sin problem.

Sin may feel fun and look like fun at the start, but in the end, sin is no fun. No one is truly happy in sin. Isn't it wonderful to know God gives us second chances to do the right thing?

Our sin means we have a penalty. Scripture says the penalty for sin is death. Something or someone has to die. God sent Jesus to earth. Jesus, who was perfect and not guilty, took our penalty instead. He died on the cross and blood was shed.

What can we learn from Cain and Abel? The penalty for sin is death. Jesus took our penalty, and it is His blood that sets us free from sin.

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - I thought this was a very good lesson about sin, but I think it would work best with older children (third, fourth or fifth grades).

RANDOMNESS #1 - A Snake Story - Believe it or not, prior to this past week, I don't think I had a "real" snake story in my collection. The main reason for that may be my strict policy of total and absolute refusal of being anywhere near those slimy things at any given time during my 58 years on this planet.

I honestly would have loved to keep it that way!

Mike was working in the driveway on Roxie's car for the third night in a row. Around 8:32, I went to the den door and stepped onto our mini-deck where I could lay eyes and ears on him. I called out twice with no response, leaned over the railing to get a visual and discovered he and the car were gone. That meant he was riding around Gardendale making sure the car was working.

I turned and took two steps. My third step was inside the doorway, and it felt like I had stepped on something with my heel. Perhaps a leaf or something. I moved my foot and was surprised to find the biggest caterpillar I had ever seen curled up in a large circle beside the door.

It didn't take but a second to realize the biggest caterpillar was actually a very thin, approximately 11 inch, black and white/black and white/black and white snake.

For whatever reason, I didn't scream or run or jump onto any furniture. Even I thought I was displaying very UN-Enchanting-Belinda-like behavior. And then I actually picked up a large board book from the sofa behind me (left by a precious Grandtot, no doubt) thinking I would scoot it under the snake and just flip it back into the great outdoors.

I didn't think it through, so when I flipped it, the snake went straight up into the air (obviously)...

But I hadn't put enough "UMPHHH" behind the flip to get it very high into the air...

Much less outside.

With a teeny, tiny THUD, the snake landed in pretty much the exact spot from whence we had started.

I was still acting ridiculously calm.

I can only assume I was in shock.

However, this time before I put the board book behind the snake, I had already decided against the "flip," and went with the much less dangerous to both me AND the snake "rake him into the great outdoors."

That worked very well on the front six inches, but his back six inches were still in my house.

He was very still for what seemed like 30 or 40 minutes, but what I actually now assume was only 14 seconds, and you can only guess how relieved I was when the back six inches followed the front six inches onto the mini-deck.

I know what you are thinking.

Enchanting Belinda has certainly matured in her 50s.

The OLD Enchanting Belinda would have had a massive panic attack, and would have had to be transported to the nearest ER for the night.

The OLD Enchanting Belinda would have had to take the best sleeping medication money could buy for that night and the 12 nights following the incident.

The OLD Enchanting Belinda would never be able to sit on the couch or in Mikie's recliner ever, EVER again because of their close proximity to what will forever be known as the "snake door."

Well, what can I say?

I have finally grown into a mature, well-adjusted adult at the young-ish age of 58.

That...

And my mini-deck is now dead to me.

And one day in the very near future...

When Mikie pulls into the driveway after work...

He's going to wonder who in our neighborhood is having a campfire...

And he's going to walk around to the back of the house and find his answer.

No more mini-deck and no more little snake.

The end.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Cook Museum of Natural Science - On Labor Day, Courtney, Judith, Eden and I visited this Museum in Decatur. It was new, beautiful and fun, and I quickly decided I would visit it several more times over the next few years.

Judith had a good time, and even though some of the exhibits were over the head of a four year-old (and a 58 year-old Nana), there were plenty of things that interested and engaged her.

The kiddos who will get the most out of this Museum information-wise are going to be elementary-aged children, I think.

That being said, below you will find a list of the exhibits and other parts of the Museum Judith loved...

A giant two-story tree you can climb (inside tree-like stairs) to the second level (Forest Exhibit).

A table of items you scan to identify (bones, fossils, shells, animal horns, pelts, etc.).

Kinetic sand table.

Ocean Exhibit.

Nature's Table (the cafe inside the Museum).

The Gift Shop (very unique books, toys, gifts, etc.).

Any and all exhibits of live animals and insects located throughout the Exhibits.

Honorable mentions would have to include a cave you actually walk through. For some reason, Judith didn't like it very much, but I have a feeling some little boys would have a ball. I'll let you know in a couple of years when RT visits!

There was also a live beehive being built in a clear glass structure in the first room we entered. Bees buzzing, a hive being constructed as you watched AND honey dripping. Pretty cool stuff.

As I said before, I plan on going back again and again.
















We did have lunch at Nature's Table (a little pricey, but good), and after we left the Museum after almost two hours, we wanted some good old-fashioned ice cream from Dairy Queen...




As well as some "slide time!"



RANDOMNESS #3 - A Little Bit of Eden - And her nickname shall be Bright Eyes!





RANDOMNESS #4 - AND A Little Bit of RT - I spent fun quality time with RT at least two times this past week, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret.

On certain days when I am with the Grandtots, I don't use my camera at all.

If you've known me five minutes or less, you will think the above statement is very strange.

Very strange, indeed.

However, it is the truth. So on both of the days I spent with RT, I did not have my camera with me, and I just concentrated on playing and being with him.

That is why I borrowed this recent pic of him from his Mom.


And his nickname shall be Energizer Bunny.

Have a fantastic week. I'll be back soon with something special I want to share with all of you!

Take care.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

"I just got called 'hot.' Actually, the full statement was, 'You are one big hot mess,' but I'm only focusing on the positive today."

"Thank goodness I don't have to hunt for my own food. I don't even know where tacos live."